Introduction
Successful operation
In 1993 Mr Andries Grabowsky acquired the rights and tooling of the famous Darstaed brand with the purpose of reviving O Gauge tinplate train production that had almost completely disappeared from the European market .
Mr Ron Budd, a well known collector and founding member of the Hornby Railway Collectors Association (HRCA) and the UK agent for Darstaed suggested to Andries Grabowsky that he was of the opinion that the UK market would be very receptive to the idea of producing a replica of the Hornby 4-4-4 as an electric O gauge locomotive. This handsome engine had only been produced by Hornby in the past with a clockwork mechanism . Ron Budd supplied an original Hornby sample and the tooling was duly made by Andries Grabowsky. Les Horton of Wessex Transfers assisted by his son Rob was very helpful in generating the artwork for the first batch . However Ron Budd found it difficult in retirement to handle and launch such a product so Andries Grabowsky contacted Mr Allen Levy who was prepared to take on the sales role. The tooling and production investment had already made by Andries Grabowsky; the product was ready to be launched .
Successful operation
The cooperation between Andries Grabowsky and Allen Levy proved for the first years to be very successful and in due course the jointly owned brand name ACE Trains was established. In 1996 Andries Grabowsky moved from Taiwan to India where the C1 coaches and EMUs were conceived, designed and produced . Once it was decided to manufacture the A4, India did not prove to be the ideal location and the entire manufacturing facility was moved to Bangkok, Thailand where a great number of sophisticated Taiwanese manufacturers have settled enabling Andries Grabowsky to create a new manufacturing and assembly operation . Top of the line were the rugged die cast bi-motored Gresley A-4s and A-3s which became famous because of their very high tractive power and reliability. All designs were made by the Taiwan, Indian and Bangkok operations, supervised by Andries Grabowsky . In 2006, ACE Trains celebrated a decade of success with the "Celebrity class", a 4-4-0 engine which was a highly loved locomotive by the tinplate fraternity. Also this product was also completely designed by Vintage Trains .
Separate companies
Allen Levy and the British Ace Trains operation decided to go their own way in 2008 as manufacturing in China is more profitable; the successful cooperation between the two companions ended. The last combined product was the very successful "Castle Class", a 4-6-0 in GWR and BR liveries. Mr Levy refused to pay his bills including his share of the tooling; this position of unpaid bills remains the same to this day. Many other bills remain unpaid as well, some for over nine years . Furthermore during this time several changes were ordered by London's new technical man Len Mills, who had left the revived Bassett-Lowke brand owned by Corgi shortly before joining ACE Trains of London. Cost cutting changes like eliminating one motor and part of the gear train were not acceptable to Mr Grabowsky, adding to the rift that was developing . Furthermore it was felt that other fundamental changes in the product such as eliminating working headlights, introducing smoke and making all engines suitable for 2-Rail operation were taking ACE Trains away from the tinplate tradition Mr Grabowsky had established .
The Ace Trains Electric Train Company Ltd has subsequently continued with China based production whilst the Bangkok operation of Vintage Trains resurrected and launched the Darstaed brand at the end of 2008. The brand name ACE TRAINS remains jointly owned, as was the original tooling designed by ACE Trains of India and Vintage Trains. Regrettably, Mr Levy has refused the joint registration of the brand name which has subsequently become a court case before the High Court .
ACE Trains and Vintage Trains
The Vintage Train Company of Bangkok, Thailand was responsible for all ACE Trains products up and until the production of the ACE Stanier 2-6-4 locomotive.Vintage Trains meanwhile intends to maintain and improve on the original ACE Trains standards.Moreover Vintage intends to continue production of ACE Trains models and these will be offered on this website www.acetrains.com
Mr. Grabowsky owns this domain since 10 June 1999 .
The Trade Mark and name Ace Trains was registered by Mr Levy in the UK 7 months later with Mr Grabowsky's consent . see www.checkdomain.com
All future locomotives will be built in the EU. Vintage Trains will offer these locomotives with enhanced product specification and with an entirely new and redesigned mechanism .
Vintage Trains company policy
The company intends to design, build and manufacture high quality tinplate and coarse scale trains to satisfy the most critical of buyers .
It is the Company's policy to engage in genuine competition with manufacturers of Gauge O tinplate trains, coaches, rolling stock and buildings. However, the Ace Electric Train Company of London in their sales efforts seek to demean some of the earlier products manufactured by Vintage Trains. It is not our intention to reciprocate since this practice is both questionable and deplorable .
Mr Levy however has sought to express his opinions in public, notably denying the agreements that are in place .
Consequently, to counter such criticism, regrettably we are forced to publicise relevant parts of the jointly held agreements .
These will be aired on this website (see agreements) for anyone to judge and interpret .
We strongly believe in fair competition and the goodwill we have experienced from our respected customer base - many of whom continue to collect Darstaed, Hornby, classic and modern Bassett-Lowke, ETS, and ACE etc .
Enjoy the spirit of tinplate trains with ACE Trains inspired products under the Vintage Trains / Darstaed brand designed and manufactured by the Vintage Train Company .
© Vintage Train Co Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand,
19th November 2009 |
