Another new May 1959 launch
An ad inside the pages of the May 1959 Meccano Magazine announced the arrival of the Kitmaster range of 00-gauge polystyrene models. These proved very popular with railway modellers, not only for the fine detail of the kits but also for their suitability for customisation.
The kit of the ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-4-0ST “Pug” oozed character. The original was constructed in some numbers between 1886 and 1910, serving in the docks throughout the L&Y system, including Liverpool, Fleetwood and Goole. Redundant Pugs found second lives in industry, and final member of the class survived in British Railways service until 1964. It was immediately bought for preservation, becoming the first locomotive to arrive on the infant Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in 1965. A second example was preserved after industrial service.
Rosebud was originally a manufacturer of dolls, based in Raunds, Northamptonshire. Venturing into model railway kits broadened the market base, and the Kitmaster range expanded fast. But the company hit financial problems that forced it to sell the Kitmaster marketing rights and moulds to Airfix in 1962. The L&Y Pug was relaunched under the Airfix label in 1964, as did some nine of the other Kitmaster models throughout the 1960s.
Airfix in turn was liquidated in 1982. The L&Y Pug lived on however, latterly under the Dapol label after the Welsh company gained the moulds.
Another new May 1959 launch
An ad inside the pages of the May 1959 Meccano Magazine announced the arrival of the Kitmaster range of 00-gauge polystyrene models. These proved very popular with railway modellers, not only for the fine detail of the kits but also for their suitability for customisation.
The kit of the ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-4-0ST “Pug” oozed character. The original was constructed in some numbers between 1886 and 1910, serving in the docks throughout the L&Y system, including Liverpool, Fleetwood and Goole. Redundant Pugs found second lives in industry, and final member of the class survived in British Railways service until 1964. It was immediately bought for preservation, becoming the first locomotive to arrive on the infant Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in 1965. A second example was preserved after industrial service.
Rosebud was originally a manufacturer of dolls, based in Raunds, Northamptonshire. Venturing into model railway kits broadened the market base, and the Kitmaster range expanded fast. But the company hit financial problems that forced it to sell the Kitmaster marketing rights and moulds to Airfix in 1962. The L&Y Pug was relaunched under the Airfix label in 1964, as did some nine of the other Kitmaster models throughout the 1960s.
Airfix in turn was liquidated in 1982. The L&Y Pug lived on however, latterly under the Dapol label after the Welsh company gained the moulds.