Very similar to my timeline/buying logic 34C. Notably on the ViTrains, I bought many of the Rail Express mags with their Model RE inserts and got into modern traction as I could see it disappearing. i also bought alot of the Traction series videos and DVDs which actually give me increasing satisfaction to watch now. I was also buying quite alot of the ViTrains locos since they were good VFM IMHO (mostly Class 37 & 47s) and detailed them with etched nameplates and buffer detail etc. The driver (inspiration) was what I would see on the Traction videos. I wonder what caused the demise of ViTrains UK outline? Cheers...ramble over 😉
Collecting Peco Wonderful Wagons (OO)
Hello, I'm Rob & I'm new, so go easy....
I've been building a collection of Peco Wonderful Wagons in OO Gauge over the years, I've got at least one example of just about every model ever made (apart from 2 of the approx 96 in the range that I know of).
The thing is, finding information of history of the models is quite a challenge, even Peco seem reluctant to share what they have (if indeed they have much). So I've taken to buying old Peco catalogues off eBay and I've started piecing together the history of the models, release dates and so on.
So what I'm looking to do is acquire any information out there on these little models, so I can build a detailed history. My plan ultimately is to produce a definitive history of the models to share with those who may be interested. Information may be personal knowledge, old catalogues, maybe even the two models I'm missing - I'd be happy to pay a reasonable amount for physical items.
Things I'm not sure about include when the various Series / Mks were released (this seems to roughly align with the decades) and what were the differences, when they went out of production, that sort of thing. Does anyone out there have any information or inkling to help?
There is honestly no information out there for these models - I thought it might be interesting to curate a little corner of modelling history. Anyone else interested?
Thanks in advance,
Rob T.
p.s. the models I am missing are R-62BF BR 3 Plank in Red Oxide (seems like it was only available around 1962 to 1965) and W-03 National Benzole tank wagon (it appears in a catalogue but not on a price list so I'm not sure it was ever released).
I've been building a collection of Peco Wonderful Wagons in OO Gauge over the years, I've got at least one example of just about every model ever made (apart from 2 of the approx 96 in the range that I know of).
The thing is, finding information of history of the models is quite a challenge, even Peco seem reluctant to share what they have (if indeed they have much). So I've taken to buying old Peco catalogues off eBay and I've started piecing together the history of the models, release dates and so on.
So what I'm looking to do is acquire any information out there on these little models, so I can build a detailed history. My plan ultimately is to produce a definitive history of the models to share with those who may be interested. Information may be personal knowledge, old catalogues, maybe even the two models I'm missing - I'd be happy to pay a reasonable amount for physical items.
Things I'm not sure about include when the various Series / Mks were released (this seems to roughly align with the decades) and what were the differences, when they went out of production, that sort of thing. Does anyone out there have any information or inkling to help?
There is honestly no information out there for these models - I thought it might be interesting to curate a little corner of modelling history. Anyone else interested?
Thanks in advance,
Rob T.
p.s. the models I am missing are R-62BF BR 3 Plank in Red Oxide (seems like it was only available around 1962 to 1965) and W-03 National Benzole tank wagon (it appears in a catalogue but not on a price list so I'm not sure it was ever released).
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This is a great initiative Rob; I have always been a fan of these wagons and picked them up at fairs when I saw them as I couldn't believe what good VFM they were. These are mine at around a fiver each, plus some container card kits 🤗Hello, I'm Rob & I'm new, so go easy....
I've been building a collection of Peco Wonderful Wagons in OO Gauge over the years, I've got at least one example of just about every model ever made (apart from 2 of the approx 96 in the range that I know of).
The thing is, finding information of history of the models is quite a challenge, even Peco seem reluctant to share what they have (if indeed they have much). So I've taken to buying old Peco catalogues off eBay and I've started piecing together the history of the models, release dates and so on.
So what I'm looking to do is acquire any information out there on these little models, so I can build a detailed history. My plan ultimately is to produce a definitive history of the models to share with those who may be interested. Information may be personal knowledge, old catalogues, maybe even the two models I'm missing - I'd be happy to pay a reasonable amount for physical items.
Things I'm not sure about include when the various Series / Mks were released (this seems to roughly align with the decades) and what were the differences, when they went out of production, that sort of thing. Does anyone out there have any information or inkling to help?
There is honestly no information out there for these models - I thought it might be interesting to curate a little corner of modelling history. Anyone else interested?
Thanks in advance,
Rob T.
p.s. the models I am missing are R-62BF BR 3 Plank in Red Oxide (seems like it was only available around 1962 to 1965) and W-03 National Benzole tank wagon (it appears in a catalogue but not on a price list so I'm not sure it was ever released).
R74U 3 United Dairies Tank Wagon
R75RD 2 Royal Daylight Tank Wagon
R75S 1 Shell/BP Tank Wagon
R75S 3 Shell/BP Tank Wagon
1 10T IZAL products Wagon
1 7-Plank Emlyn Anthracite Wagon
1 10T Saxa Salt Wagon
1 10T Saxa Salt Wagon
1 Colmans Mustard Traffic
1 Tarmac Mineral (5 Plank)
R-66R 2 Raleigh Cycles Container
R-66JL 2 Lyons Tea Container
Thanks 34C. Its funny how these things come and go and we live through it. I have all the Rail Express double-spread ads and the artwork is worth framing in itself.Short answer would be 'too much established competition'.
ViTrains were never in the UK, they were the supplier to Hobbyco in just the same way that Lima had been supplier to Riko.
The oft told story is that the ex-Lima people that formed ViTrains managed to retain Lima's work on better class 37 and 47 models when Lima went under; and then sought to resume the pattern of trading with a UK customer, which handled the marketing and distribution. The operation was exactly as previously, churn the model in as many livery variations as the customer base would absorb.
I am pretty sure that Hobbyco quite rapidly found there wasn't sufficient demand to deliver the margin they required. The main problem was that unlike the previous Lima/Riko scenario which had no effective competition, Hobbyco faced three established competitors with competent product for the 'cheap and cheerful', 'decent' and 'better' slots, and much greater choice of subjects. As perceived by someone not in the business, Hobbyco ceased ordering and walked away.
To ViTrains credit, even with Hobbyco out of the picture, they have responded to UK end customer requests for spares.
Tony, they are great and would like to find them as my parents/grandparents came from Burton (my GF was the manager of the Marmite factory after being an SE5 pilot in WW1) and my sister and I spent many holidays there, esp sat in the back of the car with a bottle of pop and bag of Smiths with salt blue sachet ;-). I also used to think that every town had as many railways crossing the roads until I travelled. Great memories...the hunt is on! PS are they in OO gauge?
Thanks both, I have an Ebay search set up now. I also did a check Robby and the Saxa & Colmans ones are in the early boxes marked Seaton but they all have the plastic roofs which is fine as I will build them with either drop link couplings or Kadee/Bachmann US couplings if they were vacuum (?) fitted. As you say, they are wonderful kits (pun intended) and really add a nice diversity to the other Slaters, Ratio and Parkside wagons I have built. I also have some very old Three Aitch kits to build too...
That's interesting 34C as I haven't come across much dialogue on these kits in 20 years. Sweeping up all the NOS from the shop must have been very rewarding 
200 wagons! And I thought I was OTT with about 60 or so wagons incl RTR
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