Enclosed are pictures of a Hornby "goods set" that I purchased at the Plano, Tx train show yesterday. Their condition is almost LN except for the tender which has a few scratches on the opposite side. The locomotive is a Type 51, clockwork, introduced in this BR Green livery (only one the type 51 was ever offered in) in 1954. It was listed as available in the Mecanno Sales list until May 1961 and did not appear in the June 1961 list or later. However, on this tender the "Lions over the Wheel" BR emblem the lions both face forward, which dates it as 1960 or before (according to the "Hornby Companion Series, Vol 5"). If indeed it was a set (as sold) then the goods set was only offered till 1958 (I have no evidence that this was sold as a set). The SAXA SALT van was introduced in 1957 as was the Brake Van (caboose). The Shell Lubricating Oil tanker was introduced in 1955. Plastic wheels which are what are on all the cars and the tender were introduced in 1951. Included below are more detailed pictures.
The Type 51 loco and tender. The type number is listed on the Boiler back head.
Shell Lubricating Oil tanker van
SAXA SALT van, note hatch in roof where it was supposedly loaded, making it sort of a covered hopper
"Brake Van" or I suppose a caboose in the US. The fact that the lithography shows no side doors , according again to the Hornby book means that it dates from 1957 at the earliest.
All told, this locomotive and wagons dates from the period 1957 -1961 as individual pieces. If sold as a set (again I have no evidence of that) it would be dated to 1958 at the latest otherwise components could have been sold as late as 1961. Mecanno continued to sell available stock until 1964 and then passed it on to jobbers who continued to sell at least the wagons until the late 1960's. I would date this "set" from 1957 to 1961, All the wagons (cars) have "Made in England, Mecanno Ltd, Hornby" in 2 lines stamped into the frame.
As you can see I was just thrilled to find this, I have no idea how to operate it but I know there is a "clockwork" guru out there somewhere and perhaps he / she can help!! I am not winding it up until I get more data. These were no simple kids "wind up toys", clockwork in Europe was a serious means of powering toy trains. This has about 4 - 5 different levers and trips as well as a speed governor so HELP if anyone is out there!
Don
