Page Five
Page Five - More New Zealand Toy trains.
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Real Rail was a brand name of train accessories made in New Zealand. Probably commencing during WWII and thereafter for several years. Made largely from recycled materials, - eg., paint tins for water tanks etc. Quite crude but evidently sold well, due to shortage of imports.
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On the Real Rail sales pamphlet the picture was of a Hornby 3 section tinplate viaduct, but the reality was a one piece wooden item. (Visible in front of footbridge in picture above). Such subterfuge applied to many other items too!
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Of better quality were the products of Speller and Son Ltd., but these were limited to rail tracks (gauge 0) and a truss bridge.
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Another New Zealand brand of toy train accessories was Comet. Very similar to Real Rail, there may have been a connection. However there are subtle differences in the items made. Rail track was made also, and very possibly a small range of simple wagons. Known information is minimal!
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During WW2 a brand of simple rolling stock was made for commercial sale. Not known who made these, perhaps Comet. As well as this 8 wheeled item there was a 4 wheeled version and a tank wagon. Below is the four wheeled wagon.
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This website is intended to show commercial (intended for retail sale) toy train items made in New Zealand. However there are many `grey` areas - items found, sometimes years later, that appear to have been intended for sale in shops, as distinct from the thousands of items made by hobbyists who perhaps made some items for sale to friends etc. Below are some locomotives made by H. Thomas, about the late 1940s. At least one train enthusiast recalls seeing such items on sale in a shop. These locomotives have probably had some modifications, repainting, etc over the years. Note the Walshaerts valve gear, which indicates the items were aimed at being more than a cheap toy. They run on 3 rail electric track, 0 gauge. My thanks to Ben Calcott for these photos & information.
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