Canadian Tri-ang Railways - The 1957 Sets
The models in all Tri-ang Railways train sets sold in Canada were manufactured in Great Britain. At this time, the sets offered to the Canadian market were mostly from the ‘Transcontinental’ range but a few British outline sets were generally available which were thought might appeal to the ex-patriot community.
In addition to these standard train sets, which were sold in the UK and widely available across the rest of the world, between circa 1957 and 1964 there were a number of sets produced exclusively for Canada. Some, but not all of these, were either illustrated or listed in the Canadian price lists alongside the standard sets.
Over the years, a number of Special Train Sets were also produced for the major department store chains and home shopping / mail order companies in Canada. It is known that Special Train Sets were produced for Simpsons-Sears, Eaton’s, Woodward’s and Hudson’s Bay Company (the Bay) & Morgan’s during the period 1957 until production ceased for Canada: the last catalogue being for the 1973-74 season.
The following is summary of what is currently known and has been recorded concerning these Canadian Train Sets.
In addition to these standard train sets, which were sold in the UK and widely available across the rest of the world, between circa 1957 and 1964 there were a number of sets produced exclusively for Canada. Some, but not all of these, were either illustrated or listed in the Canadian price lists alongside the standard sets.
Over the years, a number of Special Train Sets were also produced for the major department store chains and home shopping / mail order companies in Canada. It is known that Special Train Sets were produced for Simpsons-Sears, Eaton’s, Woodward’s and Hudson’s Bay Company (the Bay) & Morgan’s during the period 1957 until production ceased for Canada: the last catalogue being for the 1973-74 season.
The following is summary of what is currently known and has been recorded concerning these Canadian Train Sets.
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1957 Standard Train Set
RHX-C Single Diesel Passenger Set
This set was the first Standard Set produced exclusively for the Canadian market. It was most probably intended as an affordable ‘starter set’. The set first appeared in the 14th March, 1957 Retail Price List and again in the 1st August, 1957 Suggested Retail Price List and was available for only one year.
The RHX-C Set, as it was printed on the set box, was a simplified version of the standard issue RHX Set, which was available in various forms between 1956 and mid-1959, but this set did not include the R.57 Non-powered Dummy Locomotive.
The circular yellow spot on the box exterior, denoting the set reference code, is the standard one for the RHX set which has then had a similar sized '-C' rubber stamped beside it. The set contained the R.55 silver and red Diesel Locomotive, R.24 silver Coach and R.25 silver Vista-dome Coach. The compartment for the Non-powered Dummy Locomotive was left empty. The rest of the set contents included the RT.42 Speed Control Unit as well as an oval of Standard Track; 4x R.96 Straight, R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve as per the standard RHX Set. The retail price was $21.95 Canadian. |
1957 Special Train Sets
Spring 1957 - Simpsons-Sears Diesel Freight Set
This is the first recorded example of a set produced exclusively for the Canadian market. It dates from Spring 1957.
Simpsons-Sears had their headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The issued set was composed of the R.155 Diesel Switcher, R.117 Oil Tanker, R.114 Box Car, R.116 Gondola Car, R.129 Refrigerator Car, R.126 Stock Car and R.115 Caboose. The locomotive and freight cars all had Type 2 (open) couplings.
The exact contents of the rest of the set are uncertain but in view of the large overall length of the train there was probably, at least, a very large oval of Standard Track (R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track, 6x R.96 Straight, and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve). It is most likely that an RT.42 Speed Control Unit would also have been included.
As with the Christmas 1957 Sets (below), as far as is known, no special set boxes were manufactured for these sets. All the set items would have been individually packaged in their own boxes and, it seems likely, that these would have been contained in a cardboard carton (see the 1958 RHX/X SPECIAL Set).
Whether the P.1.C. Transformer/Rectifier Unit was also included, thus offering a complete ready-to-go model railway set, is not known.
The colour of the pictured R.155 Diesel Switcher appears to be that of the very scarce green version of the model.
Simpsons-Sears had their headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The issued set was composed of the R.155 Diesel Switcher, R.117 Oil Tanker, R.114 Box Car, R.116 Gondola Car, R.129 Refrigerator Car, R.126 Stock Car and R.115 Caboose. The locomotive and freight cars all had Type 2 (open) couplings.
The exact contents of the rest of the set are uncertain but in view of the large overall length of the train there was probably, at least, a very large oval of Standard Track (R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track, 6x R.96 Straight, and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve). It is most likely that an RT.42 Speed Control Unit would also have been included.
As with the Christmas 1957 Sets (below), as far as is known, no special set boxes were manufactured for these sets. All the set items would have been individually packaged in their own boxes and, it seems likely, that these would have been contained in a cardboard carton (see the 1958 RHX/X SPECIAL Set).
Whether the P.1.C. Transformer/Rectifier Unit was also included, thus offering a complete ready-to-go model railway set, is not known.
The colour of the pictured R.155 Diesel Switcher appears to be that of the very scarce green version of the model.
Although no models were made in Canada, over the years Lines Bros. (Canada) Ltd assembled a wide range of sets from both boxed and unboxed models sent out to them from the Margate factory. Despite the vast majority of sets being exported from Britain, it is most likely that a number of the Special Train Sets were assembled in locally manufactured boxes or cartons. Local manufacture of boxes was not the norm prior to 1965 but in that year all set box production and packaging was contracted to Standard Paper Box Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec. In the early years of Tri-ang Railways in Canada, in order to encourage new model railway customers and converts to the system, it was often the practice to promote some train sets as an all-inclusive ready-to-go starter package with a price for both train set and a mains power supply unit. Offering a ready-to-go package was also ideal for presents, particularly for the all-important Christmas market. With very few exceptions, the sets themselves were not packaged with a mains transformer/rectifier unit included. |
Christmas 1957 - Simpsons-Sears Special Train Sets
As far as is known, no special set boxes were manufactured for these sets. All the set items would have been individually packaged in their own boxes and, it seems likely, that these would have been contained in a cardboard carton (see the 1958 RHX/X SPECIAL SET)
The P.1.C. Transformer/Rectifier Unit as well as additional track sections were available for purchase separately.
The P.1.C. Transformer/Rectifier Unit as well as additional track sections were available for purchase separately.
49N9900 Diesel Passenger Train SetThe set was composed of the R.55 silver and red Diesel Locomotive, R.130 silver Baggage Car, R.25 silver Vista-dome Coach and R.125 silver Observation Coach. The locomotive and passenger cars had Type 2 (open) couplings.
The large oval of 18 pieces of Standard Track would have consisted of R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track, 4x R.96 Straight, and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve. An RT.42 Speed Control Unit was also included in the set. This set is a variation of the standard RHX Diesel Passenger Set; the contents being identical but with the R.130 silver Baggage Car replacing the R.57 Non-powered Dummy silver and red Diesel Locomotive. |
49N9902 Diesel Work Train SetThe set was composed of the R.155 Diesel Switcher, R.213 Bogie Well Wagon with Crane Load, R.117 Oil Tanker and R.115 Caboose.
The large oval of 18 pieces of Standard Track would have consisted of R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track, 4x R.96 Straight, and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve. An RT.42 Speed Control Unit was also included in the set. This set is unique; there is no parallel with any UK standard set in either the 1957 or 1958 Tri-ang Railways Catalogues. |
49N9901 C.N.R. Hudson Freight Train SetThe set was composed of the R.54 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locomotive, R.32 Tender, R.116 Gondola Car, R.117 Oil Tanker, R.114 Box Car and R.115 Caboose.
The large oval of 18 pieces of Standard Track would have consisted of R.97 Power Connecting and Uncoupling Track, R.107 Television Interference Suppressor Track, 4x R.96 Straight, and 12x R.106 Large Radius Curve. An RT.42 Speed Control Unit was also included in the set. This set is an extended version of the standard RJX Steam Freight Set (retail price $24.95); the contents being identical but with the addition of the R.117 Oil Tanker. |