A Maintenance Record Mallard, Scotsman, etc Fowler 2F and Ivatt 2MT The 2-10-0 Workhorses Solid, Robust, Reliable Not Minitrix & Non Uk UK Minitrix A Minitrix History by pics and numbers by first catalogue entry Individual History On Minitrix Models |
Classic UK Minitrix Models - Nine Warships Class 42
In the years between 1970 and 1972, nine different variations on the Warship theme were introduced in colours of blue, green and maroon - some with part or full yellow ends (as shown below), some without, depending on the actual locomotive being depicted. During their lifetime, 3 different generations of the chassis and body were used as shown in the table below - entries in italics are exceptionally rare.
The model numbers - 2034,5 and 6 were assigned to models before German Trix acquired the company, and they were subsequently absorbed into the Trix system as 51-2034-00 etc. But it appears that the same number was allocated to models of the same colour regardless of the name of the model - so for example the blue Druid, Eclipse and Zebra all had the same model number 2034 or 51-2034-00. The price lists and the data sheets both show the model number, but refer to the models as 'Warship (green)' or 'Warship (blue)'. They never give the name - although some price lists that have been prepared by a shop may include the loco names from the stock that they hold. I have seen reference to another set of numbers - 2905, 2904 and 2906 being used for 2034, 2035 and 2036 respectively. But the technical sheets and catalogues that I have seen all seem to all use the numbers that I have shown above, and I have yet to find any evidence that these were in use. Hornby Minitrix adopted one of the later models as N206 in 1974. This was the Blue Hermes model with the Mark 2 chassis design. The articulated bogies remain from the previous variation, but the small lower circuit board below the motor is now supported by a plastic tray held in place by 4 long plastic clips. These later models are easily identified by turning the model over and observing the black plastic tray base. Earlier models had a shorter, solid metal casting in the base, fitted with a thin rectangle of sponge-like material - to catch excess oil from the motor bearings. It is entirely possible that in the early Hornby Minitrix era - 1973 onwards - that some old stock was sold. There was little difference in casual appearance between the Hornby blue Warship (Hermes) and the earlier blue Warship Eclipse. I have seen examples of blue Eclipse in a Hornby N206 box, but that doesn't prove that the Hornby box originally contained the Eclipse ! In addition, The green Intrepid was introduced to the Hornby range in 1979. At this point both the Green and the blue Hornby Warships were completely re-designed with a new Mark 3 chassis without the articulated bogies and with a much sharper body casting. The motor was loaded from the side of the chassis rather than the top, and they were then assigned completely new numbers 51-2943-00 and 51-2942-00 for the new models of Intrepid and Hermes respectively. |
UK Outline Models A Minitrix History from Thernglade Class 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maintaining Classic UK Minitrix Locos |
Website ©2002-2018
|