Canadian Tri-ang Railways - The 1971 Special Train Sets
The 1971 Special Train Sets were issued with 4-digit set numbers
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Set No. 9301 Diesel Switcher Freight Set - made for Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears retail stores
The contents of the illustrated set (above) are as follows:
R.1553 CP Rail Diesel Switcher, R.1370 Wabash Cement Car, R.2351 black Canadian National Pulpwood Car, R.1343 yellow CP Rail Box Car, R.1152 Canadian Pacific Caboose, Model 1000 Transformer and an oval plus two sidings of System 6 Track. |
The Set BoxBeing a set numbered in the 93xx series this can be definitely confirmed as a 1971 issued set and made exclusively for Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears retail stores.
(Set No. 9301 would have been listed as Set No. 930 in the old 3-digit numbering system.) The TrackThe Track Layout illustrated on the box lid, now the new System 6 Track, is that of an oval of track plus two sidings inside the loop.
Set contents - knownThe set was composed of the following:
Diesel Switcher, Cement Car, Pulpwood Car, Box Car with sliding doors (or Refrigerator Car), Caboose, black Model 1000 Transformer and an oval plus two sidings of System 6 Track. The pictured R.1370 Wabash Cement Car and R.2351 black Canadian National Pulpwood Car would appear to be correct for this set. Set contents - to be confirmedAccording to factory records:
the yellow R.1343 CP Rail Box Car was first sent to Canada in the Spring of 1971 and the R.1553 CP Rail Diesel Switcher was sent in the second quarter of 1971. If the contents of the illustrated set are correct as originally issued then this would suggest that the sets were probably assembled in late June / early July 1971 and supplied to the Simpsons and Simpsons-Sears retail outlets in late August 1971. However, the inclusion in the set of the CP Rail version of the Diesel Switcher is possible but seems unlikely since, being a new model, the limited quantity of CP Rail Diesel Switchers available would have been required for distribution and sales as individual models. Also, historically, Simpsons-Sears had a record of preferring to include Canadian National locomotives in their sets. The inclusion of the yellow CP Rail Box Car is possibly correct but needs to be confirmed as does the inclusion of the Canadian Pacific version of the Caboose. Please note: more information is required about this set before being able to confirm the set contents with certainty. If you can offer any help please use the Contact Form on the Home page, thank you. |
Eaton's 1971 Christmas Catalogue
Set No. 9310 Five-unit CP Rail Diesel Freight Set
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Set No. 9311 Six-unit CN Diesel Switcher Freight Set
Eaton's Set No. 27-R 4511
Additional Tri-ang System 6 Track could be purchased through the Eaton's 1971 Christmas Catalogue to extend the track formations supplied in Set No. 9310 and in Set No. 9311.
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Set No. 9311 - original issueThe set was composed of the R.1551 CN Diesel Switcher with dark red end panels, R.1371 CN Cement Car, R.563 Bogie Bolster with three Ford Vans, R.6331 60ft Flat Car with three 20ft Canadian National Containers, R.3490 Polysar Tank Car, R.1151 CN Caboose and Model 1000 Transformer.
In addition, there is a figure-of-eight System 6 Track Pack containing 7x R.607 Double Curved Track Large Radius, 8x R.605 Double Curved Track Small Radius, R.612 Left Hand Point, R.613 Right Hand Point and 2x R.600 Straight Track. This forms a large radius curve circle and a small radius curve oval joined by the two points.
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Set No. 9311 - 3rd issue - another revisionI have now seen two examples of this last revision of Eaton's Set No. 9311 which reverts to the inclusion of a Cement Car.
The set contents have two major changes: the R.1370 Wabash Cement Car has replaced the R.1390 Heinz Pickles Car and the R.7370 60ft Flat Car with two 30ft Manchester Liners Containers has replaced the R.7352 60ft Flat Car with two 30ft Canadian Pacific Containers. This later revised set was composed of the R.1551 CN Diesel Switcher with dark red end panels, R.1370 Wabash Cement Car, R.563 Bogie Bolster with three Triumph 2000 Cars, R.7370 60ft Flat Car with two 30ft Manchester Liners Containers, R.3490 Polysar Tank Car, R.1151 CN Caboose and Model 1000 Transformer.
In addition, there is a figure-of-eight System 6 Track Pack containing 14x R.605 Double Curved Track Small Radius, 2x R.606 Curved Track Large Radius, R.612 Left Hand Point, R.613 Right Hand Point and 2x R.600 Straight Track. |
This forms a rather odd-looking slightly ovoid circle connected to an oval and joined by the two points. One has to assume that the stocks of R.607 Double Curved Large Radius Track must have run very low at this point and whatever available suitable similar track was substituted in its place.
Set No. 9312 Canadian Pacific Steam Mixed Freight Set (with figure-of-eight track)It is not currently known for whom this set was made.
The locomotive and freight cars in this set are identical to that of Set No. 927; the only difference is in the track formation of the System 6 Track included with the set. The set was composed of the R.0542S Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Tender, R.1361 red and yellow CN Box Car, R.1343 CP Rail Box Car, R.3423 CP Rail Car Transporter, R.1170 Shell Oil Tank Car, R.1152 Canadian Pacific Caboose and Model 1000 Transformer. In addition, there is a figure-of-eight Track Pack. There is a label on the box showing 7x R.607 Double Curved Track Large Radius, 8x R.605 Double Curved Track Small Radius, R.612 Left Hand Point, R.613 Right Hand Point and 2x R.600 Straight Track. This forms a large radius curve circle and a small radius curve oval joined by the 2 points. |
I am grateful to Alistair Molyneux for the information about Set No. 9312.
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Canadian Tri-ang - Hornby Railways
Special Sets - for Christmas 1971 and for 1972
These 1971 Tri-ang - Hornby Train Sets reverted back to using 3-digit set numbers
These are most unusual set boxes; the only ones that display the Tri-ang-Hornby logo which was adopted in Canada in 1971.
They are cumbersome, fragile, very long and quite unique to these two very late issue sets.
They are cumbersome, fragile, very long and quite unique to these two very late issue sets.
Set No. 933
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My sincere thanks are owed to Peter Algra who contacted me with more information about what can now be confirmed as Set No. 933:
I received my first Tri-ang set in 1971 for Christmas, which started my passion for the hobby ...
Set number 933 was a Canadian National Freight Set and consisted of the following:
CN Diesel A-unit with number 4008 on side, CN yellow & orange Box Car; Shell yellow Oil Tanker and a CN Caboose. The set also came with a System 6 oval of track and the black & gold lettered power pack number 1000 Transformer. A copy of the 1971 Catalogue was also with the set.
... The reason why I know this is that, at the time, my father got me to write down the set number for future reference.
Later, Peter was able to confirm that the set box was identical to the set illustrated above and offered some further reminiscences:
I remember it was a long box. As soon as I saw the pictures you sent me, I immediately recognized the box. My Set No. 933 definitely came in the box you have described. In fact, the set shown looks exactly like my set except that instead of the CN Cattle Car there was the CN Box Car. Being now familiar with the history of Rovex, it is quite possible that the same set came with either a cattle car or a box car. The set also definitely dates from 1971.
I cannot recall where it was bought ... I do remember, though, that it was one of the big department stores in Toronto which had an entire floor dedicated to children's toys. The store had large display windows with animated Christmas scenes and as the Santa Claus parade took place in the area I am almost certain it was Eaton's Department Store in Toronto.
Set Number not known
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Canadian Tri-ang Railways - The Special Sets for 1972
These 1972 Special Train Sets continued using 3-digit set numbers
Special Set No. 926 Diesel Freight Sets |
These Special Sets are quite a mystery. The yellow pre-formed inner tray should date the set to 1968 or 1969 but the red-lined box base dates the set as being issued from 1970 onwards.
The plastic inner tray is unique to this set and it is designed to accommodate an R.55 CN or CP Rail Diesel Locomotive, Gondola Car, Box or Stock or Refrigerator Car, Pulpwood Car and Caboose. Current thinking is that these sets date from 1972. It would seem highly unlikely that the sets date from 1973 since there were no recorded Special Train Sets available for that year in any of the available literature. |
Why the set number '926' was duplicated is also mystifying. Set No. 926 was originally a standard issue train set for 1971 and was composed of a CN Diesel Locomotive and three freight cars; these Special Sets have four freight cars.
It may be possible to explain the use of this number by the fact that the Special Set 925 was still being marketed in 1972 (now containing the System 6 Track) and when a new special set was produced the next number in the numerical sequence may have been used in error. Certain matters appear to have been somewhat chaotic within the company at this time since the decision had already been taken to discontinue the Canadian (now Hornby) product line.
There is an alternative theory: that stocks of the original 1971 Standard Set 926 had been exhausted and, in order to continue to supply customers and to try and stimulate orders in a failing market, it was decided to create and market a new, larger version of the Diesel Freight Set. This is all conjecture and until further evidence becomes available we will have to wait and wonder in anticipation.
The set appears to be a generic set with either Canadian National or CP Rail contents but it is quite possible that the set's freight car contents may have varied somewhat, dependent on what stock was currently available, or to hand, in the Canadian factory.
The inner tray colour may well have reverted back to yellow in order to match with the UK manufactured Hornby Train Sets which were being marketed in Canada at this time.
It may be possible to explain the use of this number by the fact that the Special Set 925 was still being marketed in 1972 (now containing the System 6 Track) and when a new special set was produced the next number in the numerical sequence may have been used in error. Certain matters appear to have been somewhat chaotic within the company at this time since the decision had already been taken to discontinue the Canadian (now Hornby) product line.
There is an alternative theory: that stocks of the original 1971 Standard Set 926 had been exhausted and, in order to continue to supply customers and to try and stimulate orders in a failing market, it was decided to create and market a new, larger version of the Diesel Freight Set. This is all conjecture and until further evidence becomes available we will have to wait and wonder in anticipation.
The set appears to be a generic set with either Canadian National or CP Rail contents but it is quite possible that the set's freight car contents may have varied somewhat, dependent on what stock was currently available, or to hand, in the Canadian factory.
The inner tray colour may well have reverted back to yellow in order to match with the UK manufactured Hornby Train Sets which were being marketed in Canada at this time.
Special Set No. 926
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The pictured set consists of the R.0551 CN Diesel Locomotive, R.1160 Rock Island Lines Gondola Car, R.1290 C&O Refrigerator Car, R2351 brown Canadian National Pulpwood Car, R.1151 CN Caboose, Model 1000 Transformer and a 12-piece oval of System 6 Track (4x R.600 Straight Track, 8x R.607 Double Curved Track Large Radius and R.618 Power Connecting Clip).
There is some question as to whether the Gondola Car in the set should be the CN Gondola Car or the Rock Island Lines version: perhaps it may have been either of them. Also, the C&O Refrigerator Car may be incorrect. Any one of the many Box, Stock or Refrigerator Cars available at the time may have been included in the set. We will have to await further information before we can be absolutely certain of what should be the exact set contents in both these CN Sets and the CP Rail Set (below). |
Special Set No. 926
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RS.102 Express Freighter Set
This set was originally made for the Australian market in 1971. It was also available in the UK in limited numbers and was illustrated in the 1972 UK Catalogue; retail price was £9.65. Although not listed in the catalogue, examples of the set continued to be available in 1973.
The set was never intended for sale in Canada but it appears that a number of sets eventually made their way ‘across the pond’. Whether these sets were officially available or not is uncertain however this particular set was purchased in Canada in 1972 as a Christmas present. Perhaps this is yet another example of Louis Marx & Company attempting to offload surplus stock in whatever way possible following their 1971 take-over of the collapsed Lines Brothers empire.
The set was never intended for sale in Canada but it appears that a number of sets eventually made their way ‘across the pond’. Whether these sets were officially available or not is uncertain however this particular set was purchased in Canada in 1972 as a Christmas present. Perhaps this is yet another example of Louis Marx & Company attempting to offload surplus stock in whatever way possible following their 1971 take-over of the collapsed Lines Brothers empire.
The set was composed of the R.0542S Pacific 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive and Gresley Tender, number 1542, with exhaust steam sound, R.839 Container Wagon with three ACT Containers, R.1260 Transcontinental Stock Car, R.2350 Transcontinental Pulpwood Car, R3490 Polysar Tank Car, R.16 ER Brake Van and oval of System 6 Track.
Any further information about any of the Special Sets for 1971 onwards would be most appreciated.