Thoughts on the Dublo Dinkys

Meccano started to introduce a range of die cast cars and commercial vehicles to complement their Dublo trains. The emphasis was on collecting and the scale was '00'.

There are several interesting aspects to these vehicles. One is that the range is very small, only fourteen were produced. Another is that they are not particularly sophisticated and the choice of prototypes is quite odd. There is only one typical saloon car in the range, the emphasis being on commercial vehicles. Many do not have windows, unlike the Matchbox cars which were advanced and plentiful. Yet the Dublo Dinkys are among the most sought after Dublo accessories today.

One reason for this is that there are two lots of collectors after them; the Dinky Toy collectors want them as well as the train collectors. Consequently a complete set of these models in mint boxed condition could cost as much as 750 pounds sterling. However they can be obtained individualy in rough condition from as little as 10 pounds each.

One thing is sure. When you have been collecting Dublo trains for a while, you start wanting these models badly. They will hold their price, they are bright and colourful, and no Dublo collection is complete without them.

Austin Taxi 067

A really nice model with a driver in the cab, essential for outside your station. Some people collect multiples of these and line them up.

Lancing Bagnall Tractor and Trailer 078

Even more essential for terminal station platforms, this is the smallest model, a maroon electric pulling unit with driver, and one trailer. Extra trailers were available in boxes of six (078) up to the 1970's. Extra extra rare and useful because you always want more trailers.

Land Rover and Horse Box 073

My favourite, you get a green, series two, short wheelbase Land Rover with windows (illustrated). If you're lucky you also get an orange horse trailer with a hinged ramp, a horse, and a nice box. The horse alone is highly sought after (ie easily lost) and comes in light or dark brown, as in the BR and SR Horse box (4315, 4316). Great for arranging various cameo scenes.

Royal Mail Van 068

Another familiar sight in the UK until the late seventies, this is a postman's van based on the Morris 1000. Very popular.

Austin Lorry 064

Not much to say about this one, fairly common.

Bedford Articulated Flat Truck 072

Again colourful with yellow unit and red trailer, this looks great with a furniture or meat container on the back. Can be parked at a rakish angle near the goods yard.

Bedford Flat Truck

A rather boring model being grey all over. Has the advantage of looking the same when most of the paint is missing. The back is extended to take a container which makes it an odd looking lorry.

Austin Pick up

Similar to the front of the Morris 1000 but larger, although it's hard to tell in this scale. Why did they bother? One of the models most easily found today.

Ford Prefect

The only bread and butter car in the range, dissapointing in hearing aid beige and not the best representation either. You have to have one though!

Commer Van

A nice model without many distinguishing features.

Volkswagen Delivery Van 071

I'm sure this one is under scale. Notable for being the only model which advertises Hornby Dublo on the side. Strange they should have picked a German outline for this. The name was applied in red with a rubber stamp and varies in clarity. The van is yellow.

Massey-Harris Ferguson Tractor 069

The same tractor used in the 4649 low sided wagon. Has a hole in the seat, possibly for a driver which never materialised.

AEC Mercury Tanker Shell-BP 070

A reasonably chunky and popular model

Singer Roadster

Completely out of place, why bother producing an open tourer? Maybe the managing director had one! Not particularly recognisable or common in real life, but colourful in yellow with red seats. Another saloon car like an HA Vauxhall Viva would have been more useful.

Variations: many of the models can be found with grey smooth tyres, grey ribbed tyres and black ribbed tyres.

The minute details such as dates and variations can be found elsewhere but if anyone wants to send in more details or opinions, please feel free.

Thanks to 'Scanner' the artistic director for the superb pictures.

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