Model Trains

Created by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke in 1899, the Basset Lowke toy company specializes in making above all model trains and railways. They also bring in line-ups of model ships, boats, tractors, excavators, and model construction vehicles.

Even though W.J. Bassett Lowke just had few years of education, he had an acute familiarity of architecture and skill in manufacturing. Soon after, he joined the family business of producing boilers with his father. During his free time on his father’s factory, W.J. Bassett-Lowke made stationary model steam engines. When he started his own company, he created a mail order catalogue business together with an associate who used to be a bookkeeper in his father’s boiler-making business.

During his visit at the 1900 Paris Exhibition, Wenman Bassett Lowke’s inspiration on making his own scale models was expanded thanks to the model trains he purchased from German manufacturers. The first scale model factory he built was at the city of Nothampton. Originally, the first scale models his company manufactured were scale model ships used as training pieces for the navy and for display. The company’s model trains were initially made exclusively for the rich and exhibits. Bassett-Lowke also coordinated with E.W. Twining for the production of architectural models for model railways.

The Bassett-Lowke company made a test run of their very first 15” gauge steam locomotive branded as Little Giant on the Eaton Railway in 1905. This test run functioned as a preview for people on how the model train’s main line counterpart would run once it begin service.
The model trains the company offers have evolved with the passing of time in terms of functionality and technology. The use of modern materials as well as digitization of model train and railway components have presented model trains hobbyists new ways to develop 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. These two iconic steam locomotives are the brainchildren of England’s well-recognized Chief Mechanical Engineer Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley.

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 Scotsman and Flying Fox models are made durable 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.