Le Rapide was a company started by Louis Roussy and went
simply by the LR logo. From 1926 until the 1960s LR produced
some of the most interesting tinplate train in France.
Today we have a special item that I have been trying to win for
years, but I got lucky last week.
La Michelin
Made from Zamac, pot metal, these do suffer from Zinc-pest.
This one does have the typical warping and buckling. But is
more complete than most I have seen, as most seem to be
missing the front and rear lighting for some reason. I have
heard that the original bulbs have an odd side base, I have not
gotten that far into it yet to tell. The model is a close copy
of the prototype with front fenders added and made into an
articulator for tight radius track. An interesting note is the
rear axle is made to turn threw a linkage to the power unit.
Overall length is right around 16 inches so this is a large
item.
Based of the prototype made by the Michelin company to test
a new type of railroad tire. This tire was rubber with a steel
flange on the backside of the rim to get it to track. The point
of the rubber tires was to smooth out the ride allowing for
faster speeds without the harshness of steel wheels going over
joints in the rails. This version was the demonstrator shown
to the railway executives to sell the new tire idea.
Thou this type of tire had problems, it was not enough for
other styles of small commuter trains from using this
technology in France and the United States.
I do hope to add to my LR collection as there are a few other
models I would love to have.
Pookybear
simply by the LR logo. From 1926 until the 1960s LR produced
some of the most interesting tinplate train in France.
Today we have a special item that I have been trying to win for
years, but I got lucky last week.
La Michelin
Made from Zamac, pot metal, these do suffer from Zinc-pest.
This one does have the typical warping and buckling. But is
more complete than most I have seen, as most seem to be
missing the front and rear lighting for some reason. I have
heard that the original bulbs have an odd side base, I have not
gotten that far into it yet to tell. The model is a close copy
of the prototype with front fenders added and made into an
articulator for tight radius track. An interesting note is the
rear axle is made to turn threw a linkage to the power unit.
Overall length is right around 16 inches so this is a large
item.
Based of the prototype made by the Michelin company to test
a new type of railroad tire. This tire was rubber with a steel
flange on the backside of the rim to get it to track. The point
of the rubber tires was to smooth out the ride allowing for
faster speeds without the harshness of steel wheels going over
joints in the rails. This version was the demonstrator shown
to the railway executives to sell the new tire idea.
Thou this type of tire had problems, it was not enough for
other styles of small commuter trains from using this
technology in France and the United States.
I do hope to add to my LR collection as there are a few other
models I would love to have.
Pookybear