Playcraft Catalogues

Catalogues

Although it was previously thought that there were six catalogues issued by Playcraft between 1961 and 1968 plus a couple of mini catalogues it appears that a leaflet was issued which pre-dates the first catalogue.

The following notes are based on those written by Pat Hammond in various articles in MRE.

Click on the picture for a bigger image

	The front of the catalogue/leaflet which pre-dates the 1st edition catalogue
	1st Edition The cover carried no edition number nor date but was probably printed in 1961 for the launch of the system. There were two variations of this cover - one with and one without the note 'Made exclusively in France for Playcraft Toys Limited'
	Original 1st edition without note
	2nd Edition This catalogue was priced 3d and, whilst undated, was probably released in 1962 or 1963. It was in A5 (landscape) format and consisted of 20 pages.
	3rd Edition This edition had a full colour cover and had several full coloured pages inside. The cover picture was a rainy night scene with a Class 29 and train in a station. The catalogue was priced 4d and the format was the same but with 24 pages. Again, there was no date but it would have been available in either 1963 or 1964. Hitherto, product numbering had carried a 'PR' prefix but, with effect from the 3rd edition catalogue, this was reduced to 'P'. We also see, at this stage, the introduction of the Peco type couplings instead of the early lanal type.
	4th Edition Again, a full colour cover but the format was that of a six section (12 page) folded leaflet rather than a booklet. British trains were featured in a model railway scene on the cover and the back of the leaflet carried a complete list of products as well as the date '1966'. This was probably given away free as the products list included the HO International Catalogue (below). There were two versions of this catalogue having a differing page layout within. One has the buildings featured on the right hand side and the other has some examples of track plans-see below
	5th Edition This was the HO International Catalogue. Dated 1967 on the back, this edition returned to booklet format but now had 36 pages and was priced 1/- (5p).
	6th Edition This, printed in 1968, consisted of an updating of the HO International Catalogue to 40 pages and a colour change from blue to red on the front cover. Many of the illustration remained the same but it contained a number of additional and modified models, such as the NB shunter in BR Blue and a number of new buildings.
	This version had a white disclaimer sticker on the front concerning the reduction in the range

Inside

The rear of the pre-No:1 leaflet

Inside the 1st catalogue were the maroon coaches	and the French wagons

Inside the 2nd catalogue were a number of train sets. The second set down in this picture features the mystery coach which never appeared separately	and SNCF passenger stock

Inside the 3rd catalogue were the steam and diesel shunters	and some British outline wagons

One version of the 4th catalogue featured the buildings	and another version featured track plans

The 5th catalogue featured the Decauville narrow gauge trains	and the Kangourou piggy back freight set

The 6th catalogue included colour pictures of the rolling stock	and some nice Pola building kits

This leaflet was included in the clockwork train sets but could be considered as a catalogue in its own right.	Another version from the electric train sets.

Top

Home