The Boucher Manufacturing Company was founded by Italian-born Horace E. Boucher (pronounced Bou-shay), producing a range of model boats and, in 1923, purchased and marketed the Voltamp 2 inch gauge toy train range. Boucher modified the Voltamp gauge to match the wide gauge used by American Flyer, Dorfan, Ives and Lionel. Within twenty years, the market for large, wide gauge models had diminished and, not having a smaller gauge range to market, Boucher ceased trading in 1943. It is worth noting that Boucher was the last manufacturer of wide gauge trains until production was resurrected by McCoy in the 1960s.
For far more information, with illustrations, please refer to the TCA Western Division Manufacturers web site.
There is an inyteresting article by Alex Procyk concerning the relationship between Bassett_lowke and Boucher, not to metion Kennions, Henry Greenly and Curly Lawrence aka LBSC. Very briefly, the article discusses a Henry Greenly designed live steam Gauge 1 American Pacific loco manufactured in Great Britain by Bassett-Lowke, with an additional version for the Canadian market, together with modified examples offered in the USA by Boucher. The British model is illustrated in Bassett-Lowke catalogues published during the 1920s, and versions are known, as modified by Curly Lawrence, his drawings and casting being available through Kennions of Hertford.
Boucher catalog extract, illustrating train sets available |
Boucher live steam powered model boat Image credit Eldred's Auctions |
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