Four coarse scale 0 gauge model locomotives built by Demac were sold by Vectis Auctions, September 2008, with two subsequently resold via Stop the Drop Auction. A fifth locomotive, LNER V2 class 2-6-2 4771 Green Arrow, originally clockwork but converted to electric, was owned by the late Reverend Alan Cliff. All five models are marked Demac, but who is, or was, Demac? An engineer employed by Matchbox has been suggested. Any information will be appreciated.
Jonathan L, writing in the Bassett_Lowke Socirty Lowko News, has discovered two further Demac models, LNER J13 and F7 tank locos, illustrated below using photos published by Hartleys Auctions. Having secured the locos, Jonathan made enquiries regarding their provenance, but, for understandable reasons of confidentiality, was told only that the models were around 70 years old (circa 1955), and had been offered for sale by the builder's son. Vectis Auctions have confirmed that the models they sold were from the builder's son.
Undeterred, Jonathan continued to search for any reference to Demac, eventually finding a 1963 reference to a spring driven GCR Queen Mary (LNER D9) build in 1957 by Mr D McBoyle. D Mc, Demac? Too much of a coincidence. A further reference to clockwork locos mentioned Don McBryle. The same person, one with a slight spelling error? Jonathan has also discovered other models almost certainly by Demac, LNER V2 2-6-2 4771 Green Arrow, LNER Sentinel Railcar Fair Maid and a further LNER six wheeled tender. Of those dated, the earliest is 1949 and the most recent (an update to the Sentinel), 1994.
A personal search through various books and periodicals, not least A Lifetime With 0 Gauge, G0G Fifty Years Along The Line and G0G Layouts to Inspire has revealed nothing more to add to the Demac story.
Demac LNER Black B7 4-6-0 Goods Locomotive and Tender 5031. Built 1963, using a Bassett-Lowke 6 coupled mechanism (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Demac LNER Black D9 4-4-0 Passenger Locomotive and Tender 6021 Queen Mary. Built 1957 using a Hornby clockwork mechanism (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Demac LNER green D49 4-4-0 Passenger Locomotive and Tender 234 Yorkshire. Built using a Hornby No 2 Special mechanism (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Demac LNER black H1 4-4-4 Passenger Locomotive 2143. Built 1951 using a Hornby No 2 Special mechanism (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Demac LNER Sentinal Railcard 32, Fair Maid, Meccano clockwork motor, built 1949, rebuilt 1994 (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Believed to be Demac LNER six wheeled tender, build date unknown (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
Demac LNER V2 2-6-2 4771 Green Arrow with Bassett-Lowke mechanism, built 1971. Possibly as owned by the late Reverend Alan Cliff? (Image courtesy Vectis Auctions) |
The two LNER tank locos below were sold by Hartleys Auctions to Jonathan L, and are both marked Demac. Both are relatively fine scale models, yet powered by coarse scale clockwork motors. The J13 should be 0-6-0 but perhaps clockwork 0-4-0 motors were easier to obtain at the time of building?
Demac LNER J13 and F7 tank locomotives, 1950/55 and 1965 respectively (Image courtesy Hartleys Auctions) |
Demac LNER J13 and F7 tank locomotives, 1950/55 and 1965 respectively (Image courtesy Hartleys Auctions) |
Demac LNER J13 and F7 tank locomotives, 1950/55 and 1965 respectively (Image courtesy Hartleys Auctions) |
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