Playcraft Highways System

Playcraft was in the 1950's a manufacturer of model railway systems in England. As subsidiary companies of the company Mettoy railway systems of the French manufacturer Jouef in England were driven out. 1956 merged the two companies into Mettoy Playcraft.

After unsuccessful attempts with engines from model railways (because of the size failed) it developed the door bell system, which is down more near described. On the search for licensees Crafco became fündig 1958 in England. Since courses on a scale were already offered there 1/32 by Scalextric, one decided to the step on the Atlantic. In Mettoy one found a potent partner, which had been already established within the model autorange (Corgi).

Mettoy acquired the license from Crafco not only for the building of this roadway system, but rented from there also the tools for production. After production had started in the year 1958, the system was presented 1959 on the Brightoner play goods fair of the public. Thus the Playcraft Highways system applies to the first course systems in the H0 yardstick. After the market was dominated already in England by the larger Scalextric system, remained however refused for the Playcraft Highway system success.

The Playcraft 'Electric Highways Model Motoring' Roadway System was introduced in 1959.

Playcraft 1959 Service Manual

Cars have been seen with both steel wheels and plastic wheels. Some later Ford Lorries came with a payload that looked like the core of a roll of tape and was copper coloured. The track came in various sized 9 inch pieces and a few additional track pieces were also manufactured.

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Enter Aurora

The Aurora Plastics Corporation of Long Island, New York was a dominant manufacturer in the early years of slot cars. In 1959, Aurora obtained a license from the Crafco Corporation to produce an electric car system designed by Derek Brand. The system featured cars powered by a small vibrator motor operating on slotted plastic track. Crafco had originally licensed this design to Playcraft Toys Ltd. in the UK.

Playcraft Highways Service Sheets

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Highways System

Playcraft marketed the system as "Electric Highways Model Motoring" from 1959. These sets were originally intended as a 1/76th scale highway system to complement British "00" gauge model railways (i.e. 4mm to the foot scale and not 3.5 as the railway system). Poor sales in England had Crafco looking for a USA manufacturer, resulting in the license to Aurora.

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The Aurora "Vibrator"

Because of the dominancy from the 1:32 Scalextric cars in the UK the Playcraft system didn't turn out to be a success. This fact made Crafco looking for a USA manufacturer, resulting in the license to Aurora. In January 1960, Aurora began marketing "Highways" as an "HO" scale highway system, even though the cars' size remained the original British "00" gauge used by Playcraft.

Soon kids everywhere found that it was much more fun racing these cars instead of using them as an add-on to model railway layouts. Aurora quickly recognized this phenomenon and began marketing the sets with a racing theme.

In the autumn of 1960, the "Highways" name was dropped and Aurora began marketing the sets using the original Playcraft "Model Motoring" name. The new marketing strategy proved to be an instant success.

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Road Racing Stands Alone

Soon kids everywhere found that it was much more fun racing these cars instead of using them as an add-on to model railway layouts. Aurora quickly recognized the phenomenon and began marketing the sets with a racing theme. In the autumn of 1960, the "Highways" name was dropped and Aurora began marketing the sets using the original Playcraft "Model Motoring" name. The new marketing strategy proved to be an instant success.

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Available Parts

Set No 1: 4 x 9" curves, 4 x 9" straights, Ford lorry, Chevrolet Impala saloon, two speed controllers, track tool, wire, plugs and instruction book Yellow/Grey
Set No 2: 8 x 9" curves, 4 x 9" straights, set of bridge supports, guard rail and posts Jaguar XK140, Mercedes 300SL, two speed controllers, track tool, wire, plugs and *Instruction book Yellow/Grey
3001: 9 inch Curved track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3002: 6 inch Curved track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3003: 9 inch Straight track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3004: 7 inch straight track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3005: 5 inch straight track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3007: 9 inch terminal track, Black track in yellow and grey boxes
3101: Jaguar XK140 sports car, Red, yellow, white, blue
3102: Mercedes 300SL open sports car, Red, yellow, white, blue
3103: 1958 Chevrolet Impala saloon. Any combination of two of: Blue, Red, White, Yellow, Lime Green, Orange, or Black.
3301: Ford Open Lorry. Blue, Lime, Red, Yellow, White and a combination of any colour with white.
3501: Guard rail and posts White
3502 Bridge Supports White
3701 Controller red or white or blue
Sundries Yellow/Grey
Instruction book

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