Recent research I have been conducting into the introduction of System 6 track has revealed some interesting information about how decisions were made at the time. During the 1960s considerable pressure was put on Rovex to convert to scale track. Their concern was that, at a time when there was a recession in the model railway industry major expenditure in retooling track, wheels and lineside accessories had to be resisted. Unfortunately the problem would not go away.

It had been hoped that the Tri-ang Railway system would convert to scale track when ‘amalgamation’ with Hornby-Dublo took place but this did not happen.

On the subject of scale, a reader of Model Railway Constructor responding in January 1967 to an earlier explanation by the then Managing Director of Rovex Scale Models Ltd, who had claimed that Super 4 track and over-scale wheel flanges were persisted with by Rovex because it was easier for children to handle, said:

"It is claimed that Tri-ang wheel standards are designed for ease of re-railing and to allow wide track tolerances in the interests of cheaper production. If Tri-ang track was markedly cheaper than others this would be acceptable"

The writer went on to point out that HO track to a much finer scale was now widely used on the Continent and in some cases (e.g. Playcraft) it was cheaper than that made by Rovex. Moreover, the wheels used on some Continental models were very crude and yet they run without difficulty on the scale track.

In their response in the March edition of the magazine, Rovex defended Super 4 on the basis that the thicker base allowed sufficient clearance under the rail for a whole assortment of lineside accessories to be clipped and held rigidly in place. They went on to say:

"There were, however, two disadvantages. The track sections needed to be somewhat over-scale so that the tongues on the accessories could be sufficiently thick to attach the accessory securely. The other disadvantage was that the method of track manufacture was necessarily more complicated than on other types which did not have this special feature. Nevertheless, we feel that our track has a very special advantage for our younger users and we would not wish to sacrifice this on the alter of pure scale."

Fine Scale

By 1969, the men at Rovex had second thoughts on this point. They were well aware that their track was no longer up to a standard acceptable to the public and that adhering to course scale could severely affect future sales. They were not going to be hurried into a decision, however, and went to some trouble to look around the World at track other model railway manufacturers were making before deciding to develop their fifth track system.

The problems they faced were numerous.

Besides the obvious cost of the change, there was the problem that existing locomotives and rolling-stock would not happily operate on fine scale track and many accessories designed to fit Super 4 would need to be modified. It was also recognised that fine scale track was less universal than the existing Super 4 which could happily be used for a wide range of British and foreign models. The principal problem was the pointwork which, to retain its universal nature would require a moving frog, but this was unacceptable to the scale devotees.

Then there was the problem that dimensions would be more critical and tolerances would have to be rigidly held throughout the production changes. This would result in greater tooling and production costs. At the time there was a variation of up to 0.02" in back to back wheel measurements but to run on fine scale track the tolerance would have to be within + or - 0.005".

Series 5 Investigation

A 'Series 5 Investigation' was implemented early in 1968. The track of twenty-seven different model manufacturers was subjected to tests at the Margate factory with a view to establishing its interchangability. The tests proved that the dimensions of the heavy Tri-ang Rovex wheels were not compatible with those of other makes and that design changes were therefore unavoidable.

It was found that, if Tri-ang Hornby locomotives and rolling stock were fitted with Hornby-Dublo type wheels, both Tri-ang Hornby and Hornby-Dublo (2 rail) models would be able to run on Super 4, Atlas Snap Track, Fleischmann, Peco Streamline, Lima, Playcraft, Trix, Hornby-Dublo and the new Series 5 when produced. Harold Hendon, who was Managing Director at Rovex, concluded that the use of existing Hornby-Dublo wheels would probably result in a considerable saving of development and production time.

It was proposed that the new Series 5 track should look like Atlas Snap Track but, in order to take Playcraft, Jouef, Wrenn and Graham Farish wheels and the existing Tri-ang Hornby locomotives and rolling stock, would need to be to a slightly different specification. The flat bottomed rail used by Peco and Welkut for some years was identified as being the most suitable for universal use. It was further thought that Fleischmann and Peco Streamline had similar specifications to those required for Series 5.

System 6

At some stage the name was changed from 'Series 5' to 'System 6' and samples of the track were sent out to retailers on 18th December 1969. The first pieces of track were to have been in the shops in January 1970, but, due to delays in the supply of materials and particularly fishplates, it was mid February before the new track could be bought. Over 950,000 pieces of System 6 track sold in that first year, together with over 33,000 copies of the new Track Plan Book which had been rewritten for the new track system.

System 6 was used in all train sets made from 1st January 1970 with the exception of clockwork and battery powered sets. The latter continued to receive Super 4 track, the company arguing that this was easier for small children to put together and was tougher. It meant that a lot of clip-fit accessories had to be modified and these were identified with a 'U' (for universal) suffix to their 'R' number. These could be fitted to both types of track and were available from 1st January 1970.

The arrival of System 6 meant flexible yard lengths in a choice of steel or nickel-silver which were manufactured for Rovex by their subsidiary, G & R Wrenn Ltd. System 6 retained the geometry of the Super 4 track and the feature of the half width sleeper at each end which provided a realistic looking joint that was very strong. The sleepers were to scale size and spacing and moulded in black plastic with a wood-grain finish to surfaces. The solid drawn steel rail was also of the correct scale section. Most important, the new track was compatible with many other makes of track by then available.

In 1965 Rovex had introduced the R476 Converter Track to allow Hornby-Dublo operators to buy and connect to Tri-ang Hornby Super 4 track which had been adopted as the standard of the 'amalgamated’ system. The Converter track had been a good seller and, with the exception of 1969, large quantities had been made every year. Ironically it was now advertised to encourage modellers to convert back to scale track. 87,000 pieces were sold in 1970.

The first nickel silver System 6 was available in 1973.

So that the boxes of System 6 were not confused with those of Super 4, the yellow colour was left out when the boxes were printed. Thus they were red and white. It was felt that this would not matter as track boxes were rarely displayed in shops, the contents being sold loose. Later, some Super 4 track was also sold in red and white boxes.

Moldex in Australia had their System 6 boxes printed to match the UK ones. In New Zealand track production switched from Series 3 straight to System 6, missing out Super 4.

In March 1970 the management declared its intention to cease production of Super 4 track in 1972 but this was not made public at the time. Instruction was given that no more solo boxing for Super 4 track was to be ordered.

The old Super 4 system was last illustrated in the catalogue in 1971 and last included in the retail price list in 1973. It is interesting to note that it was dropped from the trade price list after 1972 and must have remained in the retail list a further year in order to help retailers to clear their stocks.

System 6 track became the British standard and underwent several changes over the years. From 1976 it was not promoted as 'System 6' but just as 'Hornby Track' although the catalogues continued to use the name in connection with the converter track which continued to be available until 1983.