The Linemar NYC fire truck (click on image to enlarge) |
There was a problem with my Straco Express display. And it had to do with municipal services. Many Japanese penny toy manufacturers created sets in a very simple fashion. They took a single automobile body and lithographed different designs on it. The most common designs are police cars, taxis, ambulances/medical cars -- and fire chief cars.
One of the earliest 3" friction cars I had obtained for the display layout was a fire chief's car (manufacturer unknown). When I purchased the set of Nomura vehicles, I got another one, albeit of different design. (see Part 26, Maxing out the Motorway). So I had two chiefs, and no Indians -- er, firetrucks.
The Straco Layout's Fire Dept.: (from L to R) Nomura Fire Chief car, Fire Chief's car (maker unknown), Linemar NYC Fire Truck. |
The body is a fairly intricate stamping, with lots of embossed detail. I think I'll pair it with the first fire chief's car I purchased, as the Nomura chief's car is more rounded. The earlier car has stamped detail that better matches the Linemar fire truck.
Am I done? Possibly. I've seen other vehicles from Linemar's set for sale -- mostly for far more money than I'd care to spend. Still, any train layout -- scale or tinplate --is always a work in progress. At least now I'll have some fire control.
Layout construction:
- Pegboard: $4.95
- Flathead Screws: $0.40
- Molding: $2.49
- SilClear: borrowed from a friend
- Green Paint: left over from another project
- Wood Screws: $3.60
- Felt Pads: $1.99
Small Houses: $3.00
Testor's Gray Paint for road: $1.29
Bandai Areo Station: $8.99
- Two Japanese toy cars: $2.00
- A.W. Livestock truck: $4.99
- Taxi: $2.99
- Ambulance: $2.99
- Two Japanese patriotic cars: $6.99
- Namura Police Car $2.52
- Haji three-wheel sedan $3.00
- Namura lumber truck $3.48
- 1950's sedan $2.99
- 6 Namura vehicles $16.99
- LineMar Pepco Truck $8.50
- LineMar Bond Bread Van $8.00
- Linemar Fire Engine $4.95
- Namura Red Sedan $5.00
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