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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. |
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N0.1 length: 54 cm |
N0.2 length: 61 cm |
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. |
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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. |
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After WW II all previous Engines disappeared and made place for 5 new Loco's . |
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 Inches. |
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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 |
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. |
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Perished bellow. |
When pulling the lever at the front (see red arrow) the sound of a whistle appears. |
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How to make new Bellows. Tony Walters is an English collector who want to share how he makes new bellows for the Puff Puff train. Hello Joop hope this will help with bellows for Puff Puff trains. Below are some pictures of how I do it. First I get a 50mm rubber bellows to fit the tow hitch of a caravan or trailer. I got mine off eBay at a cost of less than £15. As you can then see I cut the flange end of one end of the bellows then cut it down to 3 bellows sections. This will leave you with a bellows that has 2 cut ends in the widest end you have to glue the bellows plate that comes from the wheels ( see the black arrow at the picture below). You need to leave for 24 hours so the glue sets?( I used evostik glue) After this it is just a matter of fitting the narrow end over the plate of the train. DO NOT GLUE THIS END as it makes a good seal on its own. Refit to the Puff Puff and you have working bellows again . I have done this a least a dozen times now and it has allways work for me. If anyone has any problem getting hold of bellows to convert, I would be happy to supply them with one as the place. Where I get them from, will only post in UK. Hope this will be of help to all out there. Tony thank you, much appreciated! |
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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. |
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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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