Arkitex OO List

Tri-ang Arkitex Construction System (00/H0 Series)

Set Contents & Components (Updated 1^st July 2004)

By James Day TCS 217 / HRCA 364 / Bayko Club 12 / Tri-ang Society R2

Slow loading, worth waiting!

Ref.

Description

Contents Of Sets (& Set Codes)

No. A

Set 'A' Small (Office) Set

'A'

No. B

Set 'B' Medium (Office) Set

---

'B'

No. C

Set 'C' Large (Shop/Office) Set

---

'C'

No. D

Set 'D' Bridge Set

---

'D'

No. E

Apartment Set 'E' (Residential)

---

'E'

Junior Set 'A'

---

'JA'

Junior Set 'B'

---

'JB'

Junior Set 'C'

---

'JC'

Junior Set 'D'

---

'JD'

KA/00/L

Lighting Set (3.5 Volt)?

---

(1)

---

'L'

KA/00/S

Multi-Purpose Stairway Set?

---

(2)

---

'S'

R 589

Ultra Modern Station Set

---

'U'

SA or A

Supplementary Packs (Quantity of component in pack)

---

'SA'

A/00/0

Connector Block

120

---

A/00/1

Connector Beam (Yellow)

144

180

144

126

---

148

A/00/1

Connector Beam (Clear)

---

(2)

---

A/00/2

3 Hole Base

---

A/00/3

9 Hole Base

---

A/00/4

Standard Plain Panel Roughcast Finish

---

A/00/5

Standard Plain Panel Brickwork Finish

---

A/00/6

Standard Plain Panel Concrete Finish?

---

A/00/7

A/00/8

Apartment Window (Largest) for A/00/85

---

A/00/9

Office Window "Type A" (Frame Only)

(18)

(36)

(18)

---

(7)

(11)

(16)

(18)

----

---

(2)

A/00/9A

Office Window "Type A" (Complete)

(With Dark Blue/Red or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

(38)

A/00/10

Plain Swing Door Panel

(1)

(2)

---

(1)

---

(2)

A00/10A

Plain Swing Door Set

---

(3)

A/**/11

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/12

Pair of Clear Swing Doors

For A/00/10, 53, 55, 57, 67, 81, 82, 83, & 84

(1pr)

(2pr)

(9pr)

---

(5pr)

(1pr)

---

3pr

(2pr)

A/00/13

Vertical Corner Section

---

A/00/14

Roof Straight/Roof Edge Straight

---

A/00/15

Roof Corner/Roof Edge Corner

---

Ref. No.

Description

'a'

'b'

'c'

'd'

'e'

'JA'

'JB'

'JC'

'JD'

'L'

'S'

'U'

'SA'

A/00/16

(Leather Board) Printed Roof/Floor (Grey/Maroon)

---

A/00/17

A/00/18

A/00/19

Transparent Window Glass 'Type A'

For A/00/9, 31, 45 & 46

(18)

(36)

(24)

---

(7)

(11)

(16)

(18)

---

(2)

A/00/20

Coloured Metal Panels for 'Type A' Windows A/00/9

(Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue)

(36)

(72)

(36)

---

(14)

(22)

(32)

(36)

---

(4)

A/00/21

3/4 Office Window (Frame Only)

---

(8)

---

(2)

A/00/21A

3/4 Office Window (Complete)

(With Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

(2)

A/**/22

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/23

Transparent Window Glass for A/00/21 & 36

---

(12)

---

(2)

A/00/24

Coloured Metal Panels for Windows A/00/21, 45 & 46 (Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue)

---

(10)

---

(2)

A00/25

3/4 Plain Panel (Roughcast Finish)?

---

A/00/26

3/4 Plain Panel (Brickwork Finish)

---

A/00/27

3/4 Plain Panel (Concrete Finish)?

---

A/**/28

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/**/29

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/**/30

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/31

Short Office Window (Frame Only)

---

(4)

---

A/00/31A

Short Office Window (Complete)

(With Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

(6)

---

A/00/32

Coloured Metal Panels for Windows A/00/31

(Red/Dark. Blue or Light Green/Light Blue)

---

(4)

---

A/00/33

Short Plain Panel (Roughcast Finish)?

---

A/00/34

Short Plain Panel (Brickwork Finish)

---

A/00/35

Short Plain Panel (Concrete Finish)?

---

A/00/36*

Short 3/4 Office Window (Frame Only) (Ref. not Issued)*

---

(4)

---

A/00/36

Short 3/4 Office Window (Complete)

(With Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

A/00/36A*

Unused Alternative Number for A/00/36 (Complete)*

A/**/37

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/38

Coloured Metal Panel for Window A/00/36

(Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue)

---

(4)

---

A/00/39

3/4 Short Plain Panel (Roughcast Finish)?

---

A/00/40

3/4 Short Plain Panel (Brickwork Finish)

---

A/00/41

3/4 Short Plain Panel (Concrete Finish)?

---

A/**/42

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/**/43

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/**/44

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/45

Left Hand Window (Frame Only)

---

(1)

---

(1)

A/00/45A

Left Hand Window (Complete)

(With Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

(1)

Ref. No.

Description

'a'

'b'

'c'

'd'

'e'

'JA'

'JB'

'JC'

'JD'

'L'

'S'

'U'

'SA'

A/00/46

Right Hand Window (Frame Only)

---

(1)

---

(1)

A/00/46A

Right Hand Window (Complete)

(With Red/Dark Blue or Light Green/Light Blue Panels)

---

(1)

A/00/47

Left Hand Panel (Roughcast Finish)

---

A/00/48

Left Hand Panel (Brickwork Finish)

---

A/00/49

Left Hand Panel (Concrete Finish)?

---

A/00/50

Right Hand Panel (Roughcast Finish)

---

A/00/51

Right Hand Panel (Brickwork Finish)

---

A/00/52

Right Hand Panel (Concrete Finish)?

---

A/00/53*

Glass Swing Door (Frame Only)*

---

(4)

---

(2)

---

(2)

A/00/53A

Glass Swing Door Set

---

----

---

A/00/54*

Transparent Glazing Unit for A/00/53*

---

(4)

---

(2)

---

(2)

A/00/55*

Short Swing Door (Frame Only)*

---

(4)

---

(3)

---

A/00/55A

Short Glass Swing Door Set

---

A/00/56*

Transparent Glazing Strips for A/00/55*

---

(8)

---

(6)

---

A/00/57

Short Plain Swing Door Panel (Roughcast Finish)?

---

A/00/57A

Short Plain Swing Door Set (Roughcast Finish)?

---

A/00/58

Short Vertical Corner

---

A/00/59

Short Roof Straight

---

A/0060/

Inside Roof Corner

---

A/00/61

Short Roof Straight-Left Hand

---

A/00/62

Short Roof Straight-Right Hand

---

A/00/63

Half Landing

---

A/00/64

Stairs

---

A/00/65

Stair Lower Tread/Stairway Approach

---

A/00/66

Shop Nameboard (With Label)

---

A/00/67*

Glass Double Unit Swing Door (Frame Only)*

---

(1)

---

A/00/67A

Glass Double Unit Swing Door Set

---

A/00/68*

Transparent Double Unit Swing Door Glazing*

---

(1)

---

A/00/69*

Glass Double Shop Window (Frame Only)*

---

(2)

---

A/00/69A

Glass Double Shop Window Set

---

A/00/70*

Transparent Double Unit Shop Window Glazing*

---

(2)

---

A/00/71*

Glass Single Unit Shop Window (Frame Only) (Unused)*

---

(2)

---

A/00/71

Glass Single Unit Shop Window (Complete)

---

A/00/71A*

Unused Alternative Number For A/00/71 (Complete)*

A/00/72*

Transparent Single Unit Shop Window Glazing*

---

(2)

---

A/00/73*

3/4 Shop Window (Frame Only)*

---

(4)

---

A/00/73A

3/4 Shop Window Complete

---

A/**/74

(1/42 Scale System Only)

A/00/75*

Transparent 3/4 Shop Window Glazing*

---

(4)

---

A/00/76

Support Column/Square Column

---

A/00/77

Overhang Connector Beam

---

A/00/78

Overhang Bracket (Red)

---

----

---

Ref. No.

Description

'a'

'b'

'c'

'd'

'e'

'JA'

'JB'

'JC'

'JD'

'L'

'S'

'U'

'SA'

A/00/79

Balcony Surround (Red)

---

A/00/80

Support Floor Section/Single Unit Support

---

A/00/81*

Plain Swing Door Panel (Brickwork Finish)?*

---

----

---

A/00/81A

Plain Swing Door Set (Brickwork Finish)?

---

----

---

A/00/82*

Plain Swing Door Panel (Concrete Finish)?*

---

----

---

A/00/82A

Plain Swing Door Set (Concrete Finish)?

---

----

---

A/00/83*

Short Plain Swing Door Panel (Brickwork Finish)?*

---

----

---

A/00/83A

Short Plain Swing Door Set (Brickwork Finish)?

---

----

---

A/00/84*

Short Plain Swing Door Panel (Concrete Finish)?*

---

----

---

A/0084A

Short Plain Swing Door Set (Concrete Finish)?

---

----

---

A/00/85

Brick Apartment Panel For Largest Window A/00/8

---

----

---

A/00/86

A/00/87

Locking Clip (Metal White or Light Green/Light Blue)

---

A/00/88

A/00/89*

Floor/Ceiling Unit Bulb Holder (Without A/00/95 & 96)?*

---

(2)

---

(2)

---

A/00/89

Floor/Ceiling Unit Bulb Holder Complete

(With A/00/95 & A/00/96)

---

A/00/89A*

Unused Alternative Number For A/00/89 (Complete)*

A/00/90*

3.5 Volt Bulb* (Same Component As A/42/90*)

---

A/00/91*

Pair Of Lighting Leads With Eyelets*

---

1pr

---

1pr

---

A/00/92

Contact Bar

---

A/00/93

Locking Block

---

A/00/94

Lamp Glass (Same Component As A/42/94)

---

A/00/95

Bottom Contact Strip

---

(2)

---

(2)

---

A/00/96

Side Contact Strip

---

(2)

---

(2)

---

A/00/97

Tie Bar

---

A/00/98

Short Tie Bar

---

A/00/99

Long Tie Bar

---

A/00/100

Support Beam

---

A/00/101

Infill For Support Column A/00/76

---

A/00/102

Standard Roadway Unit

---

A/00/103

Roadway Gradient Long

---

A/00/104

Roadway Gradient Short

---

A/00/105

Bridge Base Pad (Medium Grey)

---

A/00/105

Base Pad (Light Grey)

---

A/00/106

A/00/107

A/00/108

A/00/109

A/00/110

A/00/111

A/00/112

A/00/113

Ref. No.

Description

'a'

'b'

'c'

'd'

'e'

'JA'

'JB'

'JC'

'JD'

'L'

'S'

'U'

'SA'

A/00/114

A/00/115

Shop Windows Display Set (Cardboard)

---

Set

A/00/116

A/00/117

Brick Apartment Panel For Shorter Window A/00/119

---

A/00/118

A/00/119

Apartment Window (Shorter), For Use With A/00/117

---

A/00/120

A/00/121

Brick Apartment Panel For Small Window A/00/123

---

A/00/122

A/00/123

Apartment Window (Small), For A/00121

---

A/00/124

A/00/125

Brick Apartment Panel

For Narrow & Smallest Windows A/00/127 & A/00/128

---

A/00/126

A/00/127

Apartment Window (Narrow) For A/00/125

---

A/00/128

Apartment Window (Smallest) For A/00/125

---

S.7600

Flag Mast (White), (Minic Motorway M 1706)

---

S.7629

Self Adhesive Flag (Union Jack) (Minic Motorway M 1706)

---

S.7630

Wooden Support

---

Notes

0/ Feedback

If you wish to add to or contradict any of the information contained in this list, or would simply like to discuss Arkitex in general, please contact: James Day, PO Box 20340, London NW11 6ZE Tel/Fax: (020) 8209 1589 E-mail: tcsinformation@btinternet.com

1/ Chronology

Arkitex appears to have been introduced in late 1961. The evidence to support this comes from an advert from the December 1961 ‘Boys Own Paper’, which describes the system as ‘new’. See also Note 2 below. The application for a patent was made in August 1960, with the complete specification filed in August 1961. These dates would also indicate that the system could not have been available or publicised any earlier, as this would put the application for a patent at risk. I am most grateful to Ron Garside for providing the above and other information.

The joint ’00’ and 1/42 Scale ‘Handbook and Catalogue’ carries the printing code ‘75M/61’ on the rear page. If this is a date and quantity code similar to the system adopted by Meccano Ltd., this would indicate a batch of 75,000 books printed in 1961. Sadly the later versions carry no printing codes. See also Note 3 below

As a system it seems to have been effectively abandoned by 1965 or 1966. Details of the exact date of deletion would be welcomed. Recently a leaflet Stamped "Rovex Archive Copy – Publication Date 1965" has been found, which suggests that the system was still in production at that time,

2/ Appearances in Publications

The appearance in the December 1961 ‘Boys Own Paper’ mentioned both scales and described the system as ‘new’. The only advertisement for Arkitex in the Meccano Magazine was by Hamleys in the November 1961 issue which mentioned only the 1/42 Scale range for use ‘with Spot On Cars’, although the word new was not mentioned.

The R589 Ultra Modern Station set can be clearly seen on the cover of the October 1965 issue of the Meccano Magazine, although there were no more adverts.

Other Literature: Catalogue appearances in the Tri-ang and Tri-ang/Hornby series are limited to a mention for Arkitex on the rear page of Edition 11 (1965) and the advertising of the R589 Ultra Modern Station set in Editions 12 & 13. It could also be seen on the cover of the Super 4 Track plans book.

The range also featured in the Tri-ang Toys for Christmas leaflets at least twice, including 1964.

3/ Catalogues, Handbooks & Price Lists

Handbook & Catalogue: There were three editions produced to accompany sets. These featured listings of the contents of the currently available sets on their rear covers. The original version covered both scales, but listed only contents for Sets A & B (1 & 2 in 1/42 Scale) although it showed many other parts including most of those later included in Set C (3). Separate editions were later produced for each scale, and these included all parts (except special Set E components) and listings for Sets A, B, C & Bridge Set D, (1, 2, 3 & 4). See Note 1 above. There is also a French Language version of the Original type of dual scale instruction Book, which was discovered in late 2003 by Roger Hill. This is marked 3M/61. Indicating that just 3000 were produced in 1961!

The Handbooks were never revised to include Apartment Set E (5) or the new parts it contained, so a single sided black and white sheet detailing use of the new components was included with these sets.

The R589 Ultra Modern Station came complete with a double sided A3 sized instruction sheet, which strangely failed to show how to use the special wooden support!

Promotional Leaflets: There are two known with two versions of the first one. Both apply to both scales:

One is in black and white and shows models from sets up to Bridge Set D (4). A later version of this is known which gives prices for both 00 and 1/42 scale kits. This version also lists the Junior Series of 00 Scale kits as a ‘Stop Press’ item.

There is also a black white and yellow leaflet that shows models from all sets including Apartment Set E, (5).

Price Lists: Only a few are known at this time: One is dated 10/4/62, and lists only the basic Sets A to D (1 to 4), and the basic supplementary components as high as A/00/16 (A/42/16).

Another is dated 1/1/64 and is more extensive. This lists all the sets known to exist in both scales and the Shop Window Set A/00/115 in 00/H0 Scale only. It also details many other parts up as high as SA/00/87 (SA/42/87), including the special finish components that have yet to be found. The list does not include any components from Bridge Set D (4), or Residential Set E (5).

4/ Part Numbers

Most components carry their own reference number moulded in small characters, except Connector Blocks, Support Columns, Glazing Units, Metal Panels, Roof/Floors, most Bridge Set items, Lighting Set parts and special components from the Ultra Modern Station Set.

5/ The Listings

Where an item appears in a column in (brackets), this indicates that the component was included in that set as part of another item, not shown in brackets. For example in Sets A, B and the Junior Sets, parts A/00/9, A/00/19 & A/00/20 are listed together in the instruction book as a complete window A/00/9A. Whereas in the R589 Ultra Modern Station Set the opposite applies, and in accordance with the instruction sheet, all components are listed separately.

Set C contains the equivalent of one Lighting Set and two Stairway Sets, but these are shown in the instruction manual as separate items and are listed here accordingly.

6/ Suffixes

All doors and windows that are described as 'Complete' or as a 'Set' were supplied with the appropriate glazing and coloured metal panels or clear swing doors. Items thus described were usually denoted with an ‘A’ Suffix. For example A/00/9A.

The exceptions to the above were A/00/36 Short 3/4 Office Window and A/00/71 Glass Single Unit Shop Window, which were both supplied with glazing, and in the case of A/00/36 metal panels, but they never carried an 'A' suffix. The numbers A/00/71 and A/00/36 should have referred to Window Frames Only, although the frames for these two windows were never shown in literature as separate items. I have however included such missing numbers in the above list, marked '*'.See Note 7 Below.

7/ Missing Numbers

Not all components have their numbers shown in official literature, and in those few instances where it has been necessary to deduce or assume numbers for components, sets or assemblies, these appear on this list marked with an asterisk'*'.

8/ Missing Components and Sets

At the time of publication it has not been possible to trace examples of all the components that were listed for the range. There is still some doubt as to whether some of the parts that were not issued with sets actually exist. For example, so far no 00/H0 Scale components with Concrete Finish have been located, although some have now been found in 1/42 Scale.

It has also not been possible to locate examples of the Lighting Sets, although a Stairway Set has now been found in 1/42 Scale. If there is doubt about the existence of any item, a question mark appears after it in this list-'?'.

9/ Supplementary Packs

The SA Column shows the contents of the known supplementary packs of parts. Originally the range of packs consisted of just the basic parts as contained in Set A, B and Junior Sets, and carried the 'SA' prefix. Later some other parts appeared in supplementary packs, although these are rarer, and simply carried the standard part numbers on the packaging.

All of the boxes for the 00/H0 series of supplementary packs were red with black printing and a window through which the components could be seen. The original 1/42 Scale supplementary packs were in similar, albeit larger boxes, although later on some items were made available in light blue boxes. See Note 14 Below

There appear to be a series of different printing codes, for the different sizes of boxes. In 00/H0 Scale these were: A, AA, D & E. There were different letters and later number for the 1/42 Scale range.

Some items with different numbers were packed together, for example, Ron Garside has advised me that he has an Overlay Support Set pack which contains 1 X A/00/76 and 1 X A/00/80. The actual contents of these packs appear in some cases to have changed over time.

Something that recently turned up on E-bay were two boxes for A/00/34 Short Brickwork Panel, one of which actually contained one example of this elusive item. This is only the third 00 Scale part that is not included in any set to turn up. (Unless of course you know different! If you do, please tell me!).

10/ Variations to Metal Panels

Red/Dark Blue - This was the original colour of the metal panels supplied for windows. It can be confirmed that the following were supplied thus: Set A, Set B, Set C, Junior Set A, Junior Set B, Junior Set C, Junior Set D, and Office Windows SA/00/9A, and A/00/45A & 46A Left & Right Hand Office Windows (Supplementary packs) It is unusual to find a Set C with metal panels of this colour.

Light Green/Light Blue - This was the colour that was later adopted for the metal panels. Panels of this colour are known to exist in the following: Set C, Junior Set D, R589 Ultra Modern Station Set and in A/00/21A 3/4 Office Windows (Supplementary pack).

11// Other Part Changes.

The majority of changes made to the parts in the range appear to apply to the 1/42 scale range, where some parts such as roof edge straights and corners exist in two different types. The colour of some of the plastics used for both scales varies widely from pure white to a sort of cream, although much of this can probably be attributed to ageing! There is now firm evidence that Lighting Module packed in later 1/42 Scale Set 3’s had long wires running from the bulb to the battery - Eliminating all those fiddly contact strips!

12/ Apartment Set E

Apartment Set E & Set 5 in 1/42 Scale both appear to have been produced in small numbers, relatively late on in the life of the range, and are therefore hard to find. The contents of Set E on this list has been arrived at by studying unused boxed examples and may vary slightly.

13/ R589 Ultra Modern Station Set

This was never advertised as Arkitex, but was introduced as part of the Tri-ang/Hornby range and contained some ‘Special’ parts - (See end of numerical listing). It first appeared in Tri-ang/Hornby Catalogue 12 in 1966, and last appeared in the 13th Edition in 1967.

It is thought that the Ultra Modern Station Set was actually produced at the Spot On factory in Belfast and not at the Rovex factory at Margate. The instruction leaflet supplied with the set gives the Rovex address, but does not say that the set was made there. It would seem unlikely that the wide range of tools needed to produce this set would have been transferred to Kent, just to make this set.

14/ A/00/115 Shop Windows Display Set (Cardboard)

This is a set of cardboard components that can be assembled into six shop window display units, for use behind the Shop Windows that were supplied with Set C. The set of six includes a Fish Shop, a Greengrocer, a General Store, two Clothes Shops and a Car Showroom advertising 'Spot On' Cars, (which were another product of the makers of Arkitex). Strangely it now appears that this set was not made in 1/42 Scale to permit the display of actual 'Spot On' Models, See Note 14 Below.

15/ A/00/66 Shop Nameboards with self adhesive labels

These were supplied with set C and separately in packs of 4. There were a variety of different labels supplied which include ‘F. W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd.’, ‘MacFisheries Food Centre’, ‘J. Sainsbury’, ‘Marks & Spencer’, and ‘Burton Tailoring’, There may well be others. I f you know of any please let me know.

16/ 1/42 Scale System

This existed in parallel to the 00/H0 range, and it is thought that the two ranges were introduced at the same time.

Sets were referred to by numbers 1 to 5 rather than the letters A to E of the 00/H0 series and there were no 1/42 Scale Junior Sets. The parts reference numbers begin A/42/** to reflect the larger size.

The fixing arrangements for the 1/42 Scale range were different to the 00/H0 series. The Panels had two prongs mounted on their base, instead of the 00/H0 Scale one. This meant that the Baseplates and Overhang Beams were also required to be different.

16/ 1/42 Scale continued

The 1/42 Scale range was more complex than the 00/H0 range and included more parts. For example 3/4 Panels were available as both Left and Right Hand versions. This naturally restricted their usefulness.

These restrictions and complications lead me to wonder if the 00/H0 System was designed following experience gained in preparing range for the larger scale? Possibly Lines Brothers saw the opportunity to use the range with their 00/H0 Railways after it had been developed

for 1/42 Scale? Interestingly, the Patent Specification, published in March 1963 shows drawings for 1/42 scale panels and baseplates, whilst the dimensions quoted are all for the 00/H0 scale series! Make of that what you will!

'Spot On', the manufacturers of Arkitex, also produced a range of 1/42 Scale Die-cast Cars and accessories. This range included a series of components to create a roadway on which the cars could be played with or displayed. This roadway could be formed into a grid pattern, and the geometry was designed to be compatible with the 1/42 Scale Arkitex baseplates.

17/ Thank You!

Many people have helped to make the information contained in this document and the sister 1/42 Scale list more accurate and informative. In particular I would like to mention the revelations provided by Ray Clark, Ron Garside, Geoff Lilleker and Adam Heeley, but I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it over the years.

Please help me to make it more accurate still. Keep the information coming in. (Contact Details appear at 0/ above) Let us also hope that someone eventually tracks down some of those 00 Scale panels with concrete block finish!

18/ Other Clubs

If you are interested in Arkitex, Bayko, other construction systems or toy trains of one make or another and would like to know about what clubs and societies are out there, you may be interested in visiting the Train Collectors Society web site, which carries a comprehensive guide to collectors Clubs. Visit: www.traincollectors.org.uk

The guide can also be supplied in printed format, please contact Train Collectors Society, PO Box 20340. London NW11 6ZE

Tel/Fax: (020) 8209 1589 or E-mail: tcsinformation@btinternet.com for details.