A Trained Eye

As Woodsy struggled to find any info on the Life Buoy train premiums, here they are again in all their tiny colourful glory. On closer inspection, I can see why, as they are from Life Guard Disinfectant, rather than soap! As you can see, the whole lot fitted inside a large matchbox.

 Going back to the margarine premiums, here are the printed markings on two of the wagons. By comparison, one of these wagons is as long as three Life Guard ones! 

Desperately Drinking Chocolate

Hello Woodsy

As I sit in my living room drinking tea I read your post on Hot Chocolate. 

It proved a timely reminder as on checking, supplies are low and I'm not sure this is exported to the US. 

I brought mine back from the last visit to the UK and I'm not sure when the next trip will be.

Over the years I found the US brands are not as good and Roundtree's is just a childhood memory. I'm lazy and need instant gratification! 

Terranova47

USA

HOT CHOCCY ANYONE?

Working in winter means dark setting-offs and even darker homecomings. Its just dark in the UK. Dark dark dark.

The one things that cheers me up and warms my cockles when I get home is a hot chocolate.

There's just something about the creamy rich flavour of a cup of hot chocolate that makes me feel instantly better. Its a winter treat.

I always loved it as a kid and my Mum's brand was Rowntrees Cocoa, always served in a bone china cup. I think the only difference between cocoa and hot chocolate is sugar but Mum's pan-warmed cocoa was wonderful.

I'm not that fussed about the brand nowadays as long as its hot, chocolatey and made at least half with milk. I do it in the microwave and top up with hot water.

Do you partake in a hot choccy readers? What cheers you up on getting home in the dark of winter?

CUSTOM OTTOS DRAG RACE

 I mean, Wow!

Custom Otto in Blue

Hi Woodsy

This is a blue version of the Hot Wheels Custom Otto model, with twin white stripes.

According to the Hot Wheels Wiki for 2020 there are three different colours for this model in 2020: Metalflake Purple; Metalflake Red, and plain blue.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Chuffing 'Ell! Xmas is Coming!

With Xmas bearing down like the proverbial express, its time to break out the decorations for the house. Every year I toy with the idea of having a little alpine train running around the base of the tree, or chugging back and to along the windowsill, but each time I either get outvoted or just can't find the time to fix it up. 

I bought this nice little western train from John Lewis a few years ago, nice solid construction, with plastic track and metal engine, it runs off batteries in the tender. The loco itself is about three inches long.

So far its only had one outing round the tree, as subsequent trees got bigger and taller and hid it under the branches. As we have also seen cereal premium cars and margarine flats recently, here are some of the margarine train toys that Woodsy gave me from Germany.

Each single piece model is about 2.5" long and has a hook arrangement at one end. Some of them have printed labels on the tops.

Similar in style, but smaller, this blue loco has running wheels underneath.

Back to R & L Kelloggs models now, the railway series from the later sixties, with passenger coaches, Westerns Steam and Transcontinental engines, a cattle truck and a lovely Santa Fe Diesel engine.

These marvellously detailed little models came in kit form on a sprue - like the Space Age and Motor Car models.

Finally some smaller premiums, possibly from soap or other food, a small continental electric loco and rolling stock.

Kinder Surprise have made a lot of different train toys and models, such as this tiny red diesel shunter and three wagons, each less than an inch and all packed into one chocolate egg. 

Later models were more complex, such as this diesel and wagons and the continental goods train below, ideal for making tiny dioramas on a table top.

I think I may have to ask Santa for a few more miniature trains myself!

 

 

LOVELY CHRISTMAS PREZZY: WORLD PEACEKEEPERS

Hello Woodsy,

This is something I came across by chance at Amazon. I bought it in case my Grandson took a liking to my Dan Dare which I would rather not give up.

I've no idea what World Peacekeepers are or why they need an astronaut but I'll sacrifice him in the blink of an eye if need be.

Keep well,
Terranova47

USA