Palitoy introduced their range of ready to run 00 scale model railways in 1976, under the name of Mainline Railways, the same year that Airfix (GMR) introduced their range. Airfix subsequently (1981) withdrew from the ready to run model railway business, selling the tooling of their range to Palitoy, owners of Mainline Railways. Palitoy subsequently (1985) sold both the Airfix GMR tooling, together with some of their own Mainline tooling, to Dapol, from where it was transferred to Hornby. Part of the Mainline range was produced by Kader, who owned the tools, which subsequently formed the base of the Replica Railway and, later, Bachmann Branchline range, following the purchase of Bachmann by Kader in 1987. For additional background information of Mainline Railways, with illustrations, please refer to Dave McCarthy's web site.
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1976 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways retail price guide August 1976 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1979 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1980 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1981 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1982 |
Palitoy Mainline Railways catalogue 1983 |
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