The Russian Train 1950s Soviet toy train set
The “Russian Train” A toy train set made in the 50s to 60s in the Soviet Union. Commissioned by the government and made only as sets, it was not possible to acquire additional components. Sets were mainly for foreign diplomats and VIPs. It came as a complete set that included all components, track, and a wiring harness. It came in a wooden crate, not included, with an instruction manual, also not included but available as a reprint. This set includes Locomotive, two passenger cars, one boxcar, one flatcar, 3-section bridge, operating watchman’s shanty, operating gateman, station with Cyrillic lettering, 7 straight and 11 curved track sections, two manually-operated switches, two-sided operating gate crossing with built-in track, 3, lamps, 3 block signals, an AC transformer that will require an adaptor to run on U. Power, and a wiring harness. Some of the components are blatant copies of Lionel, American Flyer, and Marklin. You would swear the gateman was from Lionel, until you notice his coat has long tails. The transformer looks just like a Flyer piece, but for the Cyrillic lettering. The station, however is absolutely unique and is fabulous, the lettering translates to Pioneerskaya, or pioneer station, which is a station in Moscow. There were two basic variations of the sets. The earlier version has 3 foreign letters cast into the sides. I do know that later, in the Kruschev era, the trains were cast without these letters. This train has the letters and therefore is the earlier version. I have owned this set for about ten years. I have never run it and only take it out occasionally to check that it is not deteriorating. It is the only one I have ever seen. There is an article about these trains in the November 1999 Classic Toy Trains Magazine. This article was what made me determined to get one, and years later, when I saw this set at the York TCA show, I bought it. These sets are very rare. This item is in the category “Toys & Hobbies\Model Railroads & Trains\Railroads & Trains\Other Railroads & Trains”. The seller is “aaa5550″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America.
- Power Supply: AC
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Russian Federation
- Vintage (Y/N): Yes
- Material: Tin, Iron
- Type: Set
- Features: Limited Edition
- Color: Blue
- Gauge: O Gauge
- Age Level: 17 Years & Up
- Brand: Moskabel
- Grading: C-6 Very Good
- Recommended Age Range: Senior Collector