This is probably one of the rarest Streamlined West Country Locomotives that Wrenn, Basildon produced in Period 4. The W2276/5P "Exeter" Golden Arrow Locomotive running number 21C101in S.R Malachite Green. These were only produced between 1986 to 1989, with a limited production of 103.Much sought after by collectors, it has the added bonus of a 5 pole motor which gives smoother control at low speeds. In my view one of the "best" Locomotives that Wrenn ever produced.
This is the very RARE W2294 "Duchess of Abercorn" in LMS Grey, running number 6234. This was the third and last of the Grey Livery Locomotives that Wrenn produced before the Basildon closure in 1992. Introduced in 1990, only 151 were produced by Wrenn. I am told that the real "Duchess of Abercorn" ran in this LMS Experimental Grey in 1946. If you are lucky enough to be offered a W2294, please check the rear tender paint as some suffered from " bubbling" and hence flaking paint. This was also a problem on certain of the Brunswick Green Locomotives eg. Sidmouth and Seaton.
Please note due to its rareity, copies have been seen in the Wrenn market place. Always obtain a second opinion when investing in Wrenn, particularly with the RARER items.
The "W2294" will always be in a late Period 4 box and stamped both ends. I am not aware of any labelled boxes produced.
The Wrenn W2296 "Dartmoor" West Country Rebuilt Locomotive was one of the last Rebuilts to be introduced by Basildon in Period 4.Only 141 were produced before Wrenn, Basildon closed in 1992. Being a late-comer to the Wrenn range of Locomotives, it is sought after by collectors, and most remain in superb condition. The "Dartmoor" Livery is BR Green, running number 34021
This is one of the most collectable Wagons in the Wrenn, Basildon range from Period 2 (Triang/Wrenn) Era. Over 5000 were produced between 1969 and 1971, when this was withdrawn by Basildon. Why, who knows? but it was a very good seller.
Be carefull when purchasing this sought after wagon as the "Auto Distributors" paint on the boards tends to crack and peel. As with all period 2 Wagons it has plastic wheels. The Minix Caravan and Car (Ford Anglia without tow hook) came in a variety of colours and some collectors I know have achieved up to10 different combinations. The most sought after colour of the Ford Anglia is Black.
I believe this was only issued in a Period 2 (Triang/Wrenn) box either stamped or labelled both ends of the box. One variation is "Upside Down" stamps on both box ends and I have seen 4 of these in thepast years.
The Wrenn W2305 "Wadebridge" is one of the most sought after SPAMCAMS that Basildon produced in late Period 4.(as it was the last to be introduced).This Bullied Streamlined West Country Class Locomotive was produced in Southern Region Green with running number 21C107. Less than 100 were produced between 1991/1992, the earlier versions having a typed label on one end of the box, the other left plain.The later versions had the Wrenn Wadebridge stamp (on both box ends), however, personally I have not seen this.
Wrenn produced the well known W4325P "OXO" Vented Van in white with the OXO symbol painted in red on the white plastic body. These were produced during Periods 2 (Triang/Wrenn) and 3 (7.5p) by Wrenn, Basildon.
The most common is running number DE545533, and the rarer version is DE545523.
Even rarer is the plain white body with OXO symbol, but without numbers.
What about DE545528 as shown?
This is in a Period 2 (Triang/Wrenn) box with the darker yellow plastic insert correct for this period..
The Wrenn W2283 A4 Class "Woodcock" Locomotive was introduced by Wrenn in 1989 and production records indicate that only 173 of these models were produced, and hence they are very collectable.
This is only one of 3 Grey Locomotives that Wrenn Basildon produced in Grey Livery, the others being;
W2281 8F 2-8-0 War Dept Grey (running number 302)
W2294 4-6-2 Duchess of Abercorn LMS Grey (running number 6234)
The Wrenn W.5501 British Sugar 4 Wheeled Tank Wagon was a Limited Edition wagon issued between 1989 and 1991 by Basildon.
Although the Limited Edition run was planned for 500, less than 300 were produced complete in reality. Each had its unique numbered certificate ie 146 of 500, came in a Period 4 Box with yellow cardboard insert. One box end was stamped in red ink;
W.5501 "BRITISH SUGAR" LIMITED EDITION
and the other left blank. Occasionally the box was stamped both ends (same stamp as above) and these are quite rare.
The most rare (and sought after) of the British Sugars is W5110 which are known as the Non Limited Editions.These used the same body/chassis combination but were issued without certificates in Period 4 boxes with yellow plasic or cardboard inserts.( late 1991/early 1992). The box was labelled one end with a typed label in black ink;
W5110 "British Sugar"
the label being stuck over the red limited edition stamp. I understand that no production records are available, it is believed however that approximately 20 of these (with correct labels) are in circulation/with collectors.
This Brighton Belle Set 3051 is signifigant as it had the rare No88/89 running numbers on the Power and Trailer Cars. This set was only produced with White Tables, and of course full rosettes.These are generally used with the following centre Cars:
W6001B Car No 86 White Tables
W6002D "Doris" White Tables
W6002H "Hazel" WhiteTables
The Brighton Belle 3052 set is the most common (W3006/7-Running numbers 90/91) and runs with No87, Audrey, Vera centre cars.
It would appear that the 3051 Set was only produced between 1981 to 1983 with a total of 246 manufactured by Wrenn, Basildon.
The "Cygnus" 1st Parlour Pullman Coach is one of the rarest of the standard Pullmans to find, (excluding Limited Editions) and was produced by Wrenn, Basildon between 1991 and 1992. It was only suppied with White Tables and full rosettes, and I believe was the last in the range before the 1992 closure.
This Brown version of the "Wrenn Railways" Vented Van is the hardest to find, compared with the W5100 Grey Version.Running number W145207. Suppied in a Period 4 box, only 89 were produced from 1990, compared with the Grey version of 532 from 1989 to Wrenn, Basildon closure in 1992. I have noted 3 versions of the box stamp:
This tank was one of 51 produced by Wrenn, commisioned by the Basildon Development Corporation in commemoration of the 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee. The order by the Basildon Development Corporation was for 50, however Wrenn always produced one of each model which they kept. The original purchase price was £25 each, and the B.D.C added a gold foil "sleeve"before they were distributed by their representatives at exhibitions/trade fairs to potential investors. Many of the Basildon Tanks went to the USA and Japan, hence the rare nature of seeing an original today.
The Baildon Tank was supplied in a Period 3 standard short Loco box, with the ends left blank (no stamp). Included were cotton reels(2), standard blue Instruction Manual, tissue, and H/D coupling conversion set. Note; in practice these could not be fitted as they were the Wrenn Wagon "push on" type. The gold coloured "foil sleeve" (as shown in the photograph) was added at the Basildon Development Corporation premisses to the 50. No label was ever produced or fitted as previously thought.
Now a sensitive area!
I am aware of two types of reproduction Basildon Tanks which have "surfaced" over the years.
Type 1 - Easy to spot as the reproduction shield is angled to one side, and the Basildon letters are smaller than the originals.
Type 2 - Harder to spot, however the top of the coronet /crown is a solid line, the original is dotted. Also at the base of the crown their are two lines above the "1977", their should only be one. The "1977" is also blurred where the transfer has been re-photographed I believe. Again the size and spacing of the "BASILDON" letters differ from the originals.
The "Jaffa" Banana Van is RARE and was only packaged in a Period 4 box by Wrenn, Basildon.Running number is B881902. Its rareity came about due to a production problem with the tooling which was never replaced. Only 124 were produced between 1991 and 1992.
In addition a few "half finished" samples remain with collectors.
Please note that all Wrenn, Basildon Wagons are self coloured plastic, with few exceptions. The "Jaffa" is not one of these exceptions.
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We are also on the
road and could
be at an exhibition /
fair near you!
The views expressed on this website
are purely my own, based on
many years experience as a dedicated
Wrenn collector.
I would like to thank Maurice Gunter
and his team for continuing the
development and production of
an excellent range of products and Services,
following the acquisition of the Company
G.R. Wrenn Ltd from Dapol in 2001.
