Model Trains
Founded by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke in 1899, the Basset Lowke toy company specializes in producing above all model trains and railways. They also bring in line-ups of model ships, boats, tractors, excavators, and model construction vehicles.
As a son of a boiler-maker, W.J. Bassett Lowke only had a few years spent in school but had spent a significant amount of time in an architect’s office. In the long run, he joined his father in his business making boilers. While making boilers, the young Bassett-Lowke used some of his free time making model steam engines which are only for display. As soon as he started his own business, he created a mail order catalogue business together with an associate who used to be a bookkeeper in his father’s boiler-making business.
Bassett-Lowke’s interest in making model trains was heightened when he attended the Paris Exhibition in 1900 where he also bought intricate German-made model trains with English livery paint. His first manufacturing factory came about in Northampton, England. Initially, the first scale models his company manufactured were scale model ships used as training pieces for the navy and for display. Afterwards, scale model trains followed but were only available to the wealthy. Together with E.W. Twining, Bassett-Lowke also produced high quality architectural models that give more life to model trains and railways.
In 1905, their 15 inch gauge steam locomotive called “Little Giant” performed a test run. This trial run served as a preview for people on how the model train’s main line counterpart would run once it start service.
The Bassett-Lowke company had maintained their time-honored sense of producing model trains in terms of materials and fine points, however, they continually incorporate new technological ways in improving the functionality of every model train and railway piece. The utilization of new materials as well as digitization of model train and railway mechanisms have provided model trains hobbyists new ways to improve and enjoy their collection.
Nowadays, the Bassett-Lowke company offers scale replicas of renowned main-line locomotives. This collection include the two sibling locomotives, the Flying Fox and the Flying Scotsman. Both of which is the handiwork of one brilliant English fellow named Nigel Gresley who also became England’s Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME.)
Created in 1923, The Flying Scotsman was recorded to be the fastest steam locomotive of its time. The Flying Scotsman ended its operation in 1963 and the Flying Fox in 1964.
Made from soldered sheet metal, Basette-Lowke’s Flying Fox and Flying Scotsman models are made strong and long-lasting. Additional features include revised gearbox that makes a quieter run, illuminated firebox, electric drive and smoke generator and exceptional details and paintwork.