Canadian Tri-ang Railways
Special Train Sets for 1967 and 1968
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1967 Special Train Sets
Sets numbered 677, 678 and 679
These sets were not illustrated in the 1967/1968 Canadian Catalogue but were numbered - with no set names, description or price - in the Feb. 26, 1968 Tri-ang Railways/Meccano Tri-ang Price List. The sets were not listed in the May 1, 1968 Roland G. Hornby Price List.
It had been thought that it was most unlikely that any of these sets were ever produced. However, in the light of very recent 'discoveries' (in 2013), it is now possible to confirm that sets with the numbers '677' and '678' were made and that it is all but certain that sets with the number '679' were also issued.
It had been thought that it was most unlikely that any of these sets were ever produced. However, in the light of very recent 'discoveries' (in 2013), it is now possible to confirm that sets with the numbers '677' and '678' were made and that it is all but certain that sets with the number '679' were also issued.
Set No. HB 677
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Paperwork included with Set HB 677 and all other 1967-1968 Special Train Sets
Set No. AT 678
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Set AT 678 - possible origins
From discussions with Canadian colleagues, there appear to be very few toy stores in Canada in the 1960’s and 1970’s that began with the letter ‘A’ and the only one that can be traced with the initials 'AT' is Alexander Toyland of Rosemere Shopping Centre, Rosemere, Quebec which was an Official Tri-ang Hornby Service Dealer in the middle to late 1960's. It is questionable whether such an enterprise could handle the volume of train sets that would justify an order of several hundred of the same set from Lines Bros. It seems more likely that, to handle such a large quantity of sets, a company with a large distribution network would have been necessary: such as a chain of department stores, a home-shopping catalogue or a distributor of model railways.
This, at present, is simply a theory but... it just could be that ‘AT’ might stand for American Train & Track Corp. (ATT) of 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, U.S.A.
ATT first started around May 1967, they were very ambitious and wanted to expand their client base very quickly, they ordered and sold Tri-ang products from the outset and I would suggest that it is just, but only just, possible that they commissioned a Canadian Special Set to test the prospective Canadian market for their products. They might have probably offered these sets to the smaller hobby retail outlets in Canada rather than the large department store chains. But, it is only a theory!
From discussions with Canadian colleagues, there appear to be very few toy stores in Canada in the 1960’s and 1970’s that began with the letter ‘A’ and the only one that can be traced with the initials 'AT' is Alexander Toyland of Rosemere Shopping Centre, Rosemere, Quebec which was an Official Tri-ang Hornby Service Dealer in the middle to late 1960's. It is questionable whether such an enterprise could handle the volume of train sets that would justify an order of several hundred of the same set from Lines Bros. It seems more likely that, to handle such a large quantity of sets, a company with a large distribution network would have been necessary: such as a chain of department stores, a home-shopping catalogue or a distributor of model railways.
This, at present, is simply a theory but... it just could be that ‘AT’ might stand for American Train & Track Corp. (ATT) of 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, U.S.A.
ATT first started around May 1967, they were very ambitious and wanted to expand their client base very quickly, they ordered and sold Tri-ang products from the outset and I would suggest that it is just, but only just, possible that they commissioned a Canadian Special Set to test the prospective Canadian market for their products. They might have probably offered these sets to the smaller hobby retail outlets in Canada rather than the large department store chains. But, it is only a theory!
1967 and 1968 Special Train Set for Eaton's
Set No. E 679 Canadian National Diesel Freight Set
Eaton's Cat No. M27-R 4522 5-unit CN Diesel Freight Set
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No Tri-ang Railways OO/HO Gauge Train Sets were included in the 1967 Simpsons-Sears Christmas Catalogue but the following 'O Gauge' Big Big Train Set was featured
1968 Special Train Sets
1968 Special Train Set for Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears
Set No. SS 680 MO & SS 680
Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears Cat No. 79N 40270 DL 5-piece CN Diesel Freight Set
Note the dual set number which was for Simpsons-Sears ordering purposes. It is believed that catalogue sales and retail store sales were handled by different departments within the company.
The set number 'SS 680 MO' was allocated to the Simpsons-Sears Mail Order (home shopping) Christmas Catalogue sales
whereas the set number 'SS 680' was allocated to their retail store outlet sales.
The set number 'SS 680 MO' was allocated to the Simpsons-Sears Mail Order (home shopping) Christmas Catalogue sales
whereas the set number 'SS 680' was allocated to their retail store outlet sales.
The set was composed of the R.55 CN Diesel Locomotive, R.342 CN Car Transporter, R.111 CN Hopper Car, R.129 CN Refrigerator Car and R.115 CN Caboose, Model 2200 Transformer and a large oval of Super 4 Track to include a passing loop and a siding. The track included with this set would appear to be that of the R.681 Track Layout Pack (and, perhaps, not as illustrated in the Simpsons-Sears Catalogue). The retail price was $29.95 Canadian.
This set continued to be available, with very minor variations, in both 1969 and 1970. Although, the set still had the same Simpsons-Sears catalogue reference number attributed to it throughout.
For further information and pictures, see the 1969 Special Sets No. 908 and No. 909. Also, the 1970 Special Sets No. 909 and No. 9081.
For further information and pictures, see the 1969 Special Sets No. 908 and No. 909. Also, the 1970 Special Sets No. 909 and No. 9081.
Set No. AM 681
Canadian National Diesel Freight Set
The set was composed of the R.55 CN Diesel Locomotive, R.116 CN Gondola Car, R.236 Depressed Center Car and R.115 CN Caboose, Model 2200 Transformer and R.167 Track Pack. The reason for the use of the 'AM' prefix to the set number is currently not known.
Having checked through all the available Tri-ang Railways documentation for Canada, for companies and model train stores starting with the letter ‘A’ and/or with two words starting ‘A’ and ‘M’ - including Tri-ang registered service dealers, department store chains, home shopping companies - nothing seems to match. The set appears to be an attempt at providing a cheap starter set as an introduction into the Tri-ang Railways system. There is a possibility that these sets may have been manufactured for the Roland G. Hornby wholesaling side of Lines Bros. (Canada) Ltd. (now renamed as Meccano-Tri-ang Ltd.) which had been set up to service the smaller retailers.
The ‘M-T EXPRESS’ Starter Sets of the same period (1967) are an example of this. But, this does not explain the use of the 'AM' prefix. Although, the May 1, 1968 Roland G. Hornby Price List and Order Form quotes them as being 'Associated with Meccano-Tri-ang' and registered at the same address as the Meccano-Tri-ang Hobby Division. Maybe the 'A' of 'Associated' and the 'M' of 'Meccano-Tri-ang' are the source of the 'AM' prefix. |
The following 'Dockside Switcher Freight Set' has survived but without it's set box lid. So, it is not currently possible to know the correct set number to attribute to this set or for whom it was made. It now seems most likely that it was issued in 1968.
Set No. 682 (?)
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Set No. E 683 R
6-unit CN Diesel Freight Set made for Eaton's (T. Eaton Co. Limited)
The set was composed of the R.155 CN Diesel Switcher, R.563 Flat Car with Three Ford Vans, R.137 CN Cement Car, R.663 CN 60ft Flat Car with three 20ft Canadian National Containers, R.247 Murgatroyd’s Chlorine Tank Car, R.115 CN Caboose, Model 2200 Transformer and R.167 Track Pack. The R.633 CN Flat Cars with Containers were first manufactured in 1968. According to factory records, it is believed that, for some reason, they were not sent out to Canada until early 1969. (left) A slightly different version of Set E 683 R with the R.344 Track Maintenance Car replacing the CN Cement Car. The contents are believed to be correct as originally sold but this particular set has survived without its set box lid. So, it is possible that this may be simply a minor variation of the set where contents may have been substituted due to a temporary shortage of stock or potentially a completely different Special Set for a different client. |
Further Information Required
No details of any further 1967 and 1968 Special Train Sets have currently been recorded. Although, it would be reasonable to surmise that sets may well have been produced for other department store chains such as Woodward's; details of which have yet to be discovered.
This continues to be a work-in-progress and any further information or pictures would be most gratefully received.
This continues to be a work-in-progress and any further information or pictures would be most gratefully received.