Brothers George and Bill Ferris, with their cousin Jack Ferris were car radio manufacturers, dating back to 1936. Following WWII, looking to diversify, they produced toy trains, having noted the lack of imports available. The first project, launched in 1949, was a New South Wales Railway suburban electric multiple unit in eye catching Tuscan red. The motor coach was AC powered, with a reversing unit in the style of Lionel's E Unit. A transformer/controller was manufactured and three car sets were issued with track by Munro. A parcels van followed, together with NSW C36 class 4-6-0 locomotive and tender (1951), passenger cars and both 4 and 8 wheeled freight cars by 1953.
Another new locomotive was launched in 1953, Victoria Railways B class double ended diesel with a further locomotive planned but not produced. Production ceased in 1958, although the company continued with the main business of radios and televisions, eventually being sold to Hawker Siddeley in 1968.
For more information, and illustrations, of Australian 0 gauge models, including live steam, please see the book Spring, Spark & Steam by Bruce Macdonald.
For Australian live steam models on the web, including 0 gauge railway models, see Tony Muir's truly wonderful site Australian Toy Steam
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