The locomotive story starts in 1930. This year the Lines Bros introduced a couple of train sets.
They last for about 7 years and disappeared in 1937. In total there were 4 sets. At the same time the
first PUFF PUFF engines came up. |
TRAIN SET No. M
The trucks are constructed of heavy sheet steel. The trucks can be uncoupled. The Engine is wood with a steel bogey. The trucks are in blue, red and white. Overall length: 188 cm.
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TRAIN SET Size A
The trucks of this train set could be used separately. They are linked together by a chain and a hook.
The Engine and the trucks of this set are wood with steel wheels and axles. Overall length: 120 cm.
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TRAIN SET Size C
This set was unusually low priced at that time. It has steel wheels linked by a hook and chain. The chassis is steel. Overall length: 173 cm.
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TRAIN SET Size E
This enormous set with a length of 239 cm was sold as "unbreakable" with steel chassis and wheels
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PUFF PUFF ENGINES
The Lines Bros introduced the name "Puff Puff" as these engines actually do "puff"as they are pulled along. The mark "Puff Puff" remains till the very end of Tri-ang in 1974. The first engines were wood on a steel chassis. |

N0.1 length: 54 cm
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N0.2 length: 61 cm
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N0.3 length: 71 cm
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L.M.S WOOD ENGINES
Next is the L.M.S. series. 6 different models with a curved top to drivers's cab.
The length starts with 84 cm for the 8 wheels engine till 37 cm for the smallest. |
L.M.S ENGINES, G & H.
Two enormous Engines complete the 1930 Engines. The size of the Engine is 137 cm and large enough to take a child. The Pedal loco at the right was fitted with steel disc balloon wheels and grey rubber tyres. The seat was upholstered , the loco had rubber pedals and a whistle was included. |
After WW II all previous Engines disappeared and made place for 5 new Loco's .
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PUFF PUFF LOCO No. 108
It was fitted with a novel sound apparatus in the tender, that produces a very realistic puff puff of the engine. Length 37 cm
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TANK LOCO'S
Tri-ang introduced the Tank Loco's in three sizes: 33 cm, 48 cm and 63 cm.
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METAL ENGINES
Again in 1947 the first two metal engines appeared. They had a steel construction and were stoved enamelled red. No. 21 had disc wheels with rubber tyres while No.22 solid rubber tyres. At the side a L.M.S. logo was fitted or printed. The length is 21 cm.
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Tri-ang LOCO'S
In 1956 a new series of Loco's turned up. Loco 23, Loco 24 and the famous Whistle Puff Puff
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Tri-ang LOCO No.23 and No. 24
These loco's are the same. The only difference is that No.23 had disc wheels with rubber tyres while No.24 had solid rubber tyres.
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Tri-ang WHISTLE PUFF PUFF
Without any doubt this Puff Puff model is the most succesfull Tri-ang engine. It is a all metal model of a tank loco which makes a realstic "puffing"noise when pulled along. It also emits a train whistle when the boiler lever at the front is pulled out.
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WHISTELS
The rubber of the bellows inside the cabin , that makes the noise when the loco is pulled along was of such a bad quality that 98% of all these engines have perished bellows.
Unfortunatly there are no replacements available. I once was in contact with a collector somewhere in the UK who made new bellows. We lost contact.
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Perished bellow.
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When pulling the lever at the front (see red arrow) the sound of a whistle appears. |
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Three different decals
Trying put random three different decals on the Puff Puff.
Left the regular decal, in the middle a "Tunnel"decal and at the right the "Smiling" train
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Drive shaft (1)
With an ingenious system drives shafts were fitted on the Puff Puff. If you are missing such a shaft, I do have some spare shafts.
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In 1973, near the end , Tri-ang removed the drive shafts.
So don't be mistaken that this engine lost their drive shafts.
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BABY PUFF PUFF
The baby puff puff was less successful as her big brother. When pulling along this train also gives a puffing noise. .
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TRI-ANG DIESEL LOCO
tHIS Tri-ang Diesel loco is very hard to find. On the roof a (rubber) horn is mounted. the loco was fitted with electric lights.
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