Hi way

The Thames Traders, Junior Diesel and Regal Roadsters all came to an end about 1966/67 when they were all discontinued in favor of a new series of lorries, the “Hi-way” series. These were introduced about 1966 and by now you could see the writing on the wall for Tri-ang Toys.

These toys are in my opinion very lacklustre and easily the worst of the Tri-ang lorry ranges produced and whilst there were about 10 different versions made, including the Milk Bottle version with the plastic milk bottles, they all lacked the appeal of the previous lorries. Tri-ang had made them looking like modern 1960’s vehicles to keep up with all the modern toys in the mid 1960’s but in doing so some of the appeal had gone. These lorries were also of a much smaller scale than even the Junior Diesel range and there was a lot more plastic in the construction.

The traditional Tri-ang rubber wheels had disappeared in favor of plastic wheels and the cabs came

with glazed windows. The plastic extras that had been part of the draw of the Regal Roadster range had disappeared and were not carried over onto the Hi-way range to save costs. This was the final range of Pressed Steel Lorries made by Tri-ang and they survived until Tri-ang went bust in 1973.

It was a great shame such a wonderful toy maker had disappeared but the type of toys being made at that time reflected the general decline in toys and indeed in all British manufacturing at that time. The rest as they say is history.

HI-WAY JUMBO SERIES

Length 27,3 cm

Looking for decals for these Jumbo lorries? click

Hi-WAY TIP LORRY

HI-WAY PENNYBRIX LORRY

This lorry was supplied with 48 "Pennybrix" interlocking construction blocks

HI-WAY FARM LORRY WITH PIGS

The sides made up a free standing pig-pen when removed. 3 moulded plastic pigs included

There was also a lorry with 3 cows

HI-WAY HORSE BOX (1)

Two thoroughbred horses were included

HI-WAY HORSE BOX (2)

HI-WAY SHELL/BP TANKER

This tanker also cames as a Esso road Tanker. Both had ladders and catwalks included.

HI-WAY MILK LORRY

The milk lorry came with 12 plastic moulded milk churns

HI-WAY BOAT LORRY

Headlights

A very weak point of these Jumbo's are the plastic headlights. There were mounted that bad that nearly 90% of these lorries have lost there headlight.

No problem, every beadshop has look a like replacements. These pictures are provided by an English friend, Lady in Blue Margaret.

HI-WAY

All these HI-WAY lorries have a pressed metal body, cushion tyres and plastic windows.

HI WAY FIRE TENDER

HI-WAY BRICK LORRY

HI-WAY MILK LORRY

HI-WAY LORRY WITH 10 DRUMS

HI-WAY VISTA CONVEYER 35,5 cm

With a removable clear roof and a hand-operated coveyor and crates

HI-WAY JIB CRANE LORRY

For moving around, the jibs folds in two sides and opens on the work side

HI-WAY RESCUE SERVICE

HI-WAY RESCUE SERVICE

HI-WAY Trenchers

The Trenchers were introduced in 1970. There was a Trencher bulldozer and a Trencher without the bulldozer blade.

NEW WHEELS

In 1969 Tri-ang put new wheels and hubs on alle Hi Way series

Before 1969

After 1969

HI WAY FREIGHTLINES

HI WAY BIG TOP CIRCUS

It has a sliding doors each side. Including 9 animals

HI WAY SPAN TRAK

MINI HI-WAY LANDROVER SERIES

In contrast to the other Hi Way models the Land rover serie became pretty popular. Even nowadays thereare several Land rover collectors.In stead of the usual pressed steel,Tri-ang used plain thin tin for these Land rover series

Army Land Rover.

Military olive green, with matching detachable hood.

Safari truck.

With Lion cub and retaining net

Service truck

With up-and-over lever action crane with weightend hook

Caravan set.

With removable roof.

Safari trailer set

Has removalbe canopy. Complete woth cage and two wild animals

Horse Box trailer set

With a drop down tail board and two thoroughbreds.

Window cleaner truck

with plastic ladder and bucket.

Racing Car trailer set

with detachable trailer and grand prix racing car

MINI HI-WAY MILITARY SERIES

HI-WAY LONG NOSE SERIES

HI-WAY MIGHTY MINI

Dion Farrell from Malta wrote us that we should not forget to mention the Mighty Mini series, Tri-ang introduced in the 70ties. Well Dion here they are!