Holy Moly!
If ever a toy train looked like it was the Triang SpaceX range it has to be this.
Mattel's Hotline from 1970.
I saw these on Ebay and saved the pics.
Amazing designs!
Like a train-version of the Tractor T5 as well!
How cool are these guys!
The box art recalls Hot Wheels as well.
There's a series of neat videos on You Tube all about them too!
What do you think readers?
The chrome engines are reminiscent of Mac's Car and the caboose of an Eagle lab module - just sayin'!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Lew. They are ace designs. I love the flat screened loco. Totally SpaceX. I also love that phrase... just sayin. Straight from my youth. just sayin!
DeleteImagine a diorama where these provided goods transport from the launch site to the passenger/freight complex. Cool stuff, I'll have to be on the lookout for these! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree Ed. Totally space age trains!
DeleteSome super cool designs from the hot wheels stable, unfortunately, they never really took off and lasted even less time than the wonderful Hot Birds planes. As rare as hens teeth these days too
ReplyDeleteThey were such switched-on designers at Mattel. I'm amazed I've never seen these trains before. Did you as a kid Wote?
DeleteMore great toys I have never seen or heard of before. Just had a look at the videos. The train set track is a square, rather than the usual circle or oval. The curves are all 90 degrees, and banked. What a pity they are now longer made.
ReplyDeleteHow much is the train case worth?
ReplyDeleteabout $20.00 to $ 35.00 depending on condition.
Deletegot a set on ebay cost me $75.00 the old battery leaked acid all over the inside!! cleaned it in lime away cleaned the acid got a new battery re soldered a few spots, runs like new now, im going to show my grandson what i played with in 1970, love the hotline series, bought mine from sears for Christmas 1970, im 59 now and i still love this classic toy.
ReplyDeleteHey fabulous Felix. Email a hot train picture for the blog! Email address at the bottom.
Deletei now have restored all 4 box sets of mattel hot line trains all complete with sizzles chargers.
Deletesorry i tried emailing you wont go thru sorry.
ReplyDeleteSounds fab, are you using moonbasecentral@gmail.com? That's the right one. If there are a lot of pictures then maybe send several emails perhaps. Thanks.
DeleteZOOM! fasta fasta! zippee trains... so neat! Up the wall to the Micronauts boom-tubes! WHAMMO! ha ha ha! :)
ReplyDelete...and here comes the Battle Cruiser! BOOMA! War of the plastics! Who will win? Shogun Warriors, that's who! ha ha ha!
ReplyDelete