60's Model Railway

[Valmave]

I would like to know the name of a type of model railway I had as a lad in the early 60's. It was smaller than 00 gauge. It was neither electric or clockwork. The locos and rolling stock were die cast and they ran on alluminium die cast track. Any recollections please ?

[Buenchico]

00 gauge is a 4mm gauge (i.e. 4mm to 1 foot). 000 gauge was half that size, at 2mm to 1 foot. (It's now more commonly known simply as '2mm gauge'). The other gauge around in the 60s was N gauge, which looks like 000 gauge to the casual observer but is just very slightly different. (000 gauge works out as a ratio of 1:152, whereas N gauge is 1:148).

[shoota]

Dinky did one.

[shoota]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DINKY-TOYS-798-MALLARD-TYPE-EXPRESS-PASSENGER-TRAIN-1954-Locomotive-only-/251234136614?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item3a7eb8b226

[shoota]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dinky-No-798-Express-Passenger-Train-Set-/261175101426?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item3ccf3fc7f2

[Jonathan-Joe]

I think you mean Lone Star http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?q=lone+star+railway&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1T4GGNI_en-GBGB489GB489&;biw=1141&bih=504&tbm=isch&tbnid=0_kfISyKQ5WixM:&imgrefurl=http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/railways/lonest/lonest1.html&docid=dk0rjM9_9x5koM&itg=1&imgurl=http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/railways/lonest/lonest1.jpg&w=480&;h=360&ei=svwsUZDqFs-DhQf34YGoAQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:26,s:0,i:169&iact=rc&dur=1304&sig=101661784588663564146&page=3&tbnh=145&;tbnw=171&start=24&ndsp=14&tx=105&;ty=86
As Chris says, this was nominally 000 (1:152) but the system was toy-like rather than exact scale models.
I have seen items from the range on eBay.

[Jonathan-Joe]

Just to add - I don't think Dinky produced track for their locos and trains. Lone Star offered track, platforms, station buildings and other accessories to create a model railway.

[Jonathan-Joe]

Apologies for third posting - I have just realised that the link I gave shows Lone Star Treble-o-lectric, which was electric powered. However, my comments stand as Lone Star (part of Lesney) also made the push-a-long range.
See here http://www.lone-star-diecast-bk.com/OpenDay.html for an exhibition of Lone Star at Enfield 29/09/13.

[Valmave]

Jonathan-Joe - yes spot on, it was Lone Star. Many thanks.

[New Judge]

I had some Lone Star models, both electric and pushalong.

As I recall the pushalong were models of North American diesel locos and carriages. The electric kit was of the recently introduced BR Type 4 "D200" series of locos (the same as that involved in the Great Train robbery and which later became BR Class 40 under the "TOPS" numbering scheme). The loco was driven from a central electric motor mounted lenthways under the body and power was tranmitted to the axles via a two spindles from the motor stretching above the bogies and connected by small rubber bands. These bands would slip terribly when they became the least bit warm and traction was lost. I tried all manner of things to overcome this but eventually gave up!

[Valmave]

Judge - out of interest, was the electric loco powered by an on board battery, or via the track ?

[New Judge]

As I recall you could have either, Valmave. I think the "train set" that I had was provided with a controller that fitted on to a pair of huge "lantern" type batteries. But these soon went flat so I persuaded Dad to get me a 6/12v transformer which was much more satisfactory.

As I said, I had huge problems with the transmission on the tiny loco. It had six powered axles, three each end which were driven by the bands. Looking back I think the main problem was that the spindles coming out of the motor were extremely small diameter (probably about 1mm) and the drive bands simply could not provide enough grip. I tried covering the spindles with various substances to increase the grip, but to no avail.

Although it was over 50 years ago I can remember the set very clearly. It had the usual oval of track and, apart from the loco, there were three maroon BR-type coaches.

Because of the problems I ditched the treble-0 stuff after a short while but kept the transformer when I moved up to 00 (I still have a decent sized 00 layout today).

[Jonathan-Joe]

I'm sure the Lone Star electric locos were powered from the track. The track pieces for the push-a-long sets seem to be diecast metal while those for treble0lectric seem to have plastic sleepers, which would insulate the rails from each other.
More interesting info here http://www.irwinsjournal.com/a1g/a1glocos/TrebleO.html

[Valmave]

Thank you all for the recollections and links. I would have had the push-a-long models with the (distinctive) cast aluminium track. Now I have a brand name I can look out for some examples !

[New Judge]

Sorry I didn't make it quite clear, Valmave, but both the battery and transformer versions I mentioned powered the track.