Model railways manufactured in Japan by Seki were exported, using both the name Seki and local names for other markets including Stronlite and Oxil in Great Britain, Bryant in the Netherlands and Maraklin in Australia. Some models exported by Seki were of their local Japanese outline railways whereas others were specific to the country of the importer, particularly those imported by Stronlite and Bryant to Great Britain and the Netherlands respectively. See also the 1935 catalogue issued by B S Sidline and Co
The Model Dockyard illustrations below clearly show a Seki locomotive, labelled Maraklin. Were Maraklin models exclusive to Model Dockyard, or where they available elsewhere too?
These pages could not have been written without reference to Peter Wray's superb book Stronlite Model Railways.
Advertisement by The Model Dockyard, Melbourne, Australia. Date Unknown, but probably mid/late 1930s |
The second advertisement, above, was found by Doug Harris, in a copy of 'The Model Engineer in Australia and New Zealand' dated 1 April 1937, p.138. The loco illustrated is numbered EB505. Note the Marklin (style?) couplings |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Maraklin by Seki four wheel box cab locomotive EB505 |
Some reminiscences found elsewhere :
The Model Dockyard in Melbourne was owned by a Mr. Ducket and became legendary in the area, and had what was probably one of the world's largest display of HO brass locomotives. There were cabinets after cabinets just full of the stuff. Model boats and live steam engines were catered for but the real interest lay in all of the brass locos made in Japan and then South Korea as well as the offbeat stock he had for sale. You never knew just what would appear. There were 3 floors of models. In the basement were the elite of the elite, brass O gauge locomotives. These were available only at price levels that would bring about immediate bankruptcy for the average enthusiast. But one day I visited the MD after being away for several years and while idly glancing at these unobtainable masterpieces it dawned on me that their prices were still in pounds, shillings and pence and as decimal currency had been in place for several years and as there was high inflation their prices were now extremely reasonable. So began a collection of O gauge brass locomotives that was world class. But the biggest buying spree was yet to come and this was when Mr. Ducket sold up. It took weeks to sell it all and the prices dropped steadily day by day.
Further notes :
Model Dockyard was established by 'Skipper James', before Peter and Pat Duckett.
The obituary of Pat Duckett appears in The Sydney Morning Herald dated 22nd November 2011.
A brief extract :
PATRICIA Duckett, who for more than 30 years with her husband, Peter, operated Model Dockyard, the city's most popular shop specialising in model toys, has died of heart failure at a nursing home in South Caulfield. She was 85.
Peter died of the same cause four months earlier, aged 86.
The Model Dockyard, which was located first in the basement of 216-218 Swanston Street, specialised in model trains, aircraft and ships. It also provided supplies for model engineers, as well as books and publications on transport subjects.
In the 1970s, Model Dockyard moved to more spacious premises upstairs in the same building. It closed in 1984 when the couple retired.
Together they managed the shop as a united team, yet with distinctive styles: he was an old-school boss, very strict with his employees; she had a more personal touch that warmed both customers and employees. She was the administrative and financial force of the business; he established business contacts with model suppliers around the world.
The business gave them opportunities to travel overseas in the years before international travel was commonplace.
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