Tri-ang started after World War 1, with the creation of the Lines Bros Ltd ("Lines Freres in France) by 4 brothers of the Lines family. Founding toy factories was a family trate, as their father and uncle had already had a toy factory several years before, which made wooden toys. As well as wooden toys they made prams and bikes, when the 2nd World War broke out they where forced to take part in the armament effort of the country.
In 1950-51 they went into production of model railways by buying Rovex. They began to dominate the model train market with this production, mainly because it was cheap being made out of plastic. Eventually they bought Hornby, all be it this took place after buying out Meccano in 1964.
Below is a few pics of a train set and Loco made by TR-ang. All pics from courtesy of E-Bay.


Tri-ang also brought out a moterway set, which i used to have but sadly its been lost a few years ago. It had a spring running in the middle of the tracks and cars had a sticky patch with a piece of plastic sticking out of it, the idea was you placed the pointed plastic in the spring and as you pressed the lever the spring went round the track pilling the cars with it. Very good but as i recall it never worked properly really the patch used to come off after a few times round the track.
Below is the electric version, mine was a cheaper version and not this one but very close to it. Loads of accesories where brought out with it, but sadly it did not do as good as the train sets did.


I shall continue the history when i can get more time.
Phill

Phill - you'll have to be careful if you want to do any modelling - all these names from the past mean you'll have to do even more research !!  "Rovex" - there's another few hours research for you.  Oh how they bring back happy childhood memories for me !!!

Keep going with it mate - it's great.

Petermac

Over the years, I've seen most of the things you talk about, Phill.
Even owned one or two of them, but to read about their history is fascinating :!:
Keep up the good work :!: