Stewardship
Early Model Railways
Colin Allbright
How it Started
Building and operating model railways started to develop as a hobby after the 1st World War. During the interwar years pioneers such as Edward Beal led the way. After the 2nd WW the hobby rapidly expanded defining the future for the hobby. Many famous names e.g. John Ahern, involved with developing and producing model railway products, have come and gone with a few continuing to this day. The early history from 1930 through to 1970 witnessed rapid expansion.
Fifty years on from that time there is a real risk that knowledge of this historic period is at risk of being lost for ever. This Stewardship position was created to compile and offer research resources as well as share this knowledge with anyone interested in the subject both now and in the future. The search for material is focused on paper (including literature), card and wood products that are easily discarded in life unlike the modern and current models made using plastic and metal.
Modelling
There is still an interest in building model kits created between 1930-1970 e.g. OO Gauge ERG Card kits and Anorma Lineside Wood Kits
ERG kit 007/G.204 H (copyright D Holt)
Anorma kit No 22 Farmstead
Modelcraft. Kit 13 Suburban Station Kit
HMRS Resources
In 2015 the HMRS decided to purchase the historically important collection of drawings by John Skinley, a business that started back in 1931 selling prints of locomotives, rolling stock, boats and buildings. Through this purchase HMRS now owns the copyright to two other businesses. Modelcraft Ltd (1939-1959) and ERG (Bournemouth) Ltd (1944-1979). With much of the companies' material and history missing due to previous changes of ownership, the subsequent years since 2015 have been spent searching for drawings, kits and knowledge about the two companies.
The result is a developing data base that now embraces all of the UK model railway products and drawings produced from 1930 through to 1970+. Modelcraft Ltd created several 100 construction plans and the HMRS now has over 100 of these scanned and digitised available to purchase through the drawing service.
The Society is continually searching for the missing designs and welcomes any assistance or donations that will help assist in this endeavour (contact earlymodelrailway@hmrs.org.uk). The current focus is on businesses that relate to the period 1945-1955 e.g. Anorma Kits, by Modellers Supply Ltd, Huddersfield. Research articles on specific subjects such as the life of John Skinley and the history of the Modelcraft factory have been published in the Society’s journal available to all members.
Contact
You may send a query to the steward using the form below.