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"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Looking for information about a non-powered toy train set that I had back in the mid/late 1960s.  Working from foggy memory, here's what I recall about the set.

Set came in a shallow box (1 to 1-1/2" deep) that was about 12x14 with a "realistic" train scene on the lid; the bottom portion was plain cardboard.  Cars and engines were European (German?) outline, approximately N scale (perhaps half-HO or TT).  Made of molded plastic with a fairly high level of detail for a toy - glazed windows and added railings - no motors.  Rolling stock consisted of a steam engine, 2 or 3 freight cars (including a Shell tank, IIRC), a diesel or electric loco, and one or two passenger cars.  Came with a circle of track - molded of a hard gray plastic; when assembled, the circle was about 18" diameter.   The box contained numerous buildings, scenic items, and a tunnel, all made of tab and slot cardboard.

The set was purchased in northern Indiana around 1966 from a store that specialized in closeouts and odd lots, so I'm guessing that it was either an obscure European brand, or at least something that was not commonly found in the US.

Anybody have an idea what it was?

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@Pennsylover posted:

I'd try eBay or Google and search for European train set and start looking.  Good luck!

Dale

That's the first thing I did.  Unfortunately, I can't think of anything specific enough - depending on my search terms, I get between 5 and 11 million hits.  Most of the top results are for the wooden or plastic trains that are very toy-like; mine was somewhat realistic.  My hope is that someone thinks "hey, I had a set like that" and can provide a brand name or something like that.

"Lone Star". It was a British company that made the first N scale ("000" or "Treble 0") trains in the beginning of the 1960's, and marketed them here. At first they were not motorized. Their range included American prototype.

Other companies that also began selling N scale in the early 60's were Arnold and Minitrix, both German companies, and both selling American models. I believe Minitrix also initially sold unmotorized sets but I don't think Arnold did.

I am replying to your mail as we speak here Len ... problem is in the 60's plastic was in its new hey day , and consequently there was a boom of cheap sets like you describe from many many makers , brands like Midgetoy , LoneStar etc mainly were diecast metal .

I love a challenge but this one is bamboozling me with the complexity on offer LOL !

I think my first train was something similar to what you are describing.  I have vague memories of it.  Really the only thing I do remember vividly, is mine would run on my brothers HO track and the boiler on my steam engine held 2 D batteries.  I remember using the HO track instead of the plastic track the set came with.  I have no pictures of it and I hadn't thought about it in decades until I read your post. 

Thanks for the memories...Good luck!

@Fatman posted:

Have emailed you but does the box art stir any memories ?

They did other sorts too ... again I know not what you describe ,, but size wise 9cm long each part etc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12511...4:g:hmAAAOSwqJBh6W9H

WE HAVE A WINNER!  All hail Simon, king of obscure toy trains!

The first pic contains part of what I had.  The second pic is similar, but not as nicely detailed.

Thanks for finding this.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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