Replica Railways was formed by Godfrey Hayes during the early 1980s, to promote his range of N and 00 scale transfers (decals). Hayes was keen to enter the British Ready to Run market, and, knowing that Palitoy were hoping to sell their Mainline Railways range, Hayes approached the company in 1984, only to discover that Palitoy had already agreed to sell existing stocks of both Airfix (GMR) and Mainline products together with UK based tooling to Dapol. However, much of the Mainline range was produced by Hong Kong based Kader (owners of Bachmann), who also owned the tooling. Hayes then approahed Kader and, an agreement having been reached, by 1986 Kader were producing models using the old Mainline tooling, on behalf of Replica Railways. The range was improved and expanded but, in 1989, Kader decided to market their British outline production through their Bachmann brand (becoming Bachmann Branchlines) rather than via Replica Railways, production for Replica by Kader ceasing in 1991.
Production of Replica Railways was relocated to China in 1994, the Chinese tooling being moved to UK in 1997, where production continues. Today, Replica produces a range of spares, accessories and transfers (decals) together with modest Ready to Run items.
Replica Railways catalogue 1987-88 |
Replica Railways catalogue 1990 |
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