The C&C Collectible Railway By T&S

Allow me to introduce you to a brand that was remarkably short lived - T&S from China, sold through Dollar Tree in the early 2000s. 

HO gauge, with a 4-4-0 locomotive powered by a single AA battery.

At first glance, it looks as though it was inspired by Bachmann, which makes sense as they share the same point of manufacture. 

However, the resemblance fades quickly upon closer inspection. 

These are remarkably toy-like. 

And in what probably sounds like an oxymoron, even the plastic they are cast from (some sort of polystyrene) feels cheap. The boxcar provides some pretty ample evidence of that.

Much like the rolling stock, the track is also deceptive from a distance. It looks as though it is provided with real metal rails, when in fact the are simply painted to look that way.

Also, like so many cheap sets, the track can only be set up in one direction. Oddly, as they actually manufactured some more track, including a diamond. Like the rolling stock, the track feels cheap, fragile, and in fact even a locking tab broke whilst taking it out of the bag.

The locomotive purports to be the classic American, 4-4-0. 

I am unsure what happened to the paint on the boiler casting, as the silver finish has been replaced by a chalky greyish white. No attempt at driving rods were made. Look carefully, though, at the wheels. When sitting on tracks, the front of the locomotive is lifted slightly by the pilot wheels, so that the dummy wheels are lifted free from the rails altogether. Yes, it looks odd.

Like many simple smaller battery powered trains this one uses a single AA battery ahead of the motor housing. Like those locomotives, the battery also provides necessary weight on the drivers for traction. 

Look at the fit of those pieces. Not impressive, and attempt to hide it with stickers will work, though what should one expect for $1?

The motor still worked, so I opened it up to inspect the mechanism.

The silicone grease had yellowed with age, and really should be replaced. Also, that gear ratio is sort of low, so one should expect fairly high speeds.

As for the remainder of the rolling stock, the thing that I liked most about them has to be the couplers. While not automatic, once they are coupled you are hard pressed to uncouple them.

What is to be done with this second (third? Fourth?) hand find?

Aside from the boxcar, the remaining cars are almost salvageable. There are quirky elements, such as the truss rods being molded integrally with the undercarriage, and plastic trucks that rather resemble some very early American made HO stamped aluminum ones. The scribing on the side of the caboose and the floor of the low sided gondola is too wide, and that might be hard to work around on the former. They also made a passenger car, though I am really unsure I want to spring for that. The locomotive? No idea how to get around some of those appearance problems.

Oddly, though, I am reminded of 1920's and 30's era American made tinplate. Proportionally, they were far worse, being even clunkier, but physically they were nearly indestructible.  The same cannot be said here.

Be that as it may, for pocket change this gets added to my little collection of odd and forgotten toy trains.