Oldest RTR Models in Still in Mass-pProduction

[81F]

As posted elsewhere, I've just bought a Dapol BR Gunpowder van ib BR Bauxite. I believe the body and roof were made using old Hornby Dublo tooling.

 

This has got me thinking, I wonder what models still in mass-production utilise the oldest tooling in their major components even if their tooling has been passed through a number of manufacturers.

 

For example Hornby Dublo must have introduced the Gunpowder van in the 1960s (correct me if I am wrong) with a metal chassis (and peco couplings) before passing it to wren who updated it's chassis to another metal one (with pinpoint wheels and triang couplings) before Dapol who replaced the chassi swith a plastic one (which took airfix type medium tension locks and now produce it with a plastic chassis with NEM pockets).

 

The Triang SR utility van must also be a candidate having appeared in the Imperial airways and Churchill funeral train packs.

[Tony57]

Hi 81f

If you are talking about the plastic body Hornby Dublo then its 5 plank open wagon, BR steel open wagon, Br grain wagon, salt wagon, BR cattle wagon, BR ventilated Van GWR Mica B refrigerator van, GWR Brake Van and LMS Brake Van all tooling made in  1958. Most of these were kept by Dapol

I know the Salt Van has been advertised this year in Hornby Mag so is a good contender.

[LCDR]

 Many of the Dapol wagons have their origins in the Hornby Dublo range dating back to the 1950s. They made the change over from printed tinplate bodies to moulded plastic with a range classified SD 6 (SD = super detail) in about 1958. They continued to use diecast chassis but exchanged the uninsulated metal wheels for nylon moulded ones which allowed them to be used on 2 rail layouts.  By modern standards they were not especially accurate but compared to Triang and to their previous tinplate offerings they were a considerable improvement. New designs were added including a reasonably good representation of a BR Standard Horsebox which included a moulded horse. Ones to look out for are the bogie chemical tank wagons which Dapol hasn't made, although Triang eventually did.

 

The Triang 'Utility Van' is undoubtedly a long lasted model, and the long wheel base cattle wagon from 1957 was still in the Thomas range until recently. The short GWR clerestory was still doing service as 'Old Slow Coach' and both the 'Lord of the Isles' and Caledonian Single were reprised only a short time ago. Both with retooled mechanisms. The Thomas range became a last resting place for a few old models. One remarkable  survivor was the Midland 0-6-0 from 1957 as 'James' the red engine, with a face added pony truck and tender drive.

 

[2e0dtoeric]

I would have thought that the old 0-4-0 pocket rocket would be in the running, too.  (sorry!)

[81F]

 @ Tony 57,

 

Thanks for the reply, would the Gunpowder van and Tropical fruit van also date from 1958 or were they later?

[LCDR]

 Here is a list of the plastic wagons Hornby Dublo introduced

SD6 Wagons

 

1958   4310 20t LM Brake van BR grey

1958   4312 20t GW Brake Van BR grey

1958   4320 6t Refrigerated Van ‘MICA B’ BR (W) white

1958   4325 12t planked ventilated van BR brown

1958   4630 12t Cattle Wagon BR brown

1958   4625 20t Bulk Grain Van BR Grey

1958   4635 13t 5 plank open BR Grey with coal load

1958   4640  13t steel open wagon BR brown

1958  4655  16t Mineral Wagon BR grey

1958   4660 10t 5 plank open “United Glass Bottle Manufacturers” Yellow

1958   4670 13t 5 plank open BR brown

1958   4665 10t Peak Roof Salt Van “Saxa Salt” yellow

1959   4311  20t BR Brake Van BR brown

1960   4305 10t LWB Fruit van BR(W) maroon

1960   4315 Horse Box with horse BR(M) maroon

1960   4316 Horse Box with horse BR (S) green

1960   4675 20t Chlorine Tank wagon ICI white

1960   4679 20t Ferry Tank Wagon “Traffic Services” silver

1961   4320 12t Fish Van BR (E) white with blue spot

1961    4323 10t CCT utility van BR (S) green

1961   4652 20t Lowmac BR brown

1961   4626 22t Presflo Cement wagon BR brown

1961   4627 22t Presflo Salt wagon ICI green

1962   4301 12t Banana Van BR brown with yellow spot

1962   4310 20t LM Brake Van BR brown

1962   4313 10t Gunpowder Van BR brown

1962    4318 Packing Van for breakdown train BR red

1962   4356 16t Mineral wagon BR brown

1962   4658 20t Prestwin Silo wagon BR brown

1962   4657 6 wheel milk tank wagon UD white

1962   4685 bogie Caustic Liquor tank ICI green

1963   4644 21t Coal Hopper wagon BR grey

[The son of Triangman]

Loads of golden oldies in the Hornby range still.  R.413 loco crew(given out with locos), R8008 Grand Victorian Suspension Bridge, the two rail mounted cranes, the girder bridge, brick viaduct, small brick bridge, Grey platform sections uncoupling ramps, lever switches, trackside accessory pack to name but a few.

[LCDR]

 If we open the discussion to include accessories then probably the oldest is the R44 (RT44, R044) passing contact lever frame for operating electric points and lever frame base R144, it has been continously available since the second edition catalogue.

 

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[Big big train]

Good afternoon,I'm just glancing through the 2018 catalogue,further observations are:

R6368 brake van(the van body,not the chassis).

R6425 freighter wagon.

R6774 ferry wagon.

R171/R172 cast signal bases.

R499 river bridge.

RR495 platform subway.

To name but a few,a credit to the toolmakers of the time.