Category:Bowman Models

Toy Brands and Manufacturers

Bowman Models

1926 -

The Bowman Book of Steam Models, front cover [image info]

Bowman Cylinder Oil [image info]

1934: Bowmans Models range, advert [image info]

Bowman Models of Dereham, Norfolk, England (Directors: Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins, Bernard A. Smart), were founded in around 1926, and made a range of steam-powered models between WW1 and WW2, some of which are on display in the "Toyshop Steam" cabinet, with accompanying literature. Jenkins had started selling similar products in the early 1920s, and operated out of the Hobbies factory, which led to some of the models being marketed under the Hobbies-Bowman name.

The use of functional steam power meant that Bowman's range wasn't huge, and their pieces were engineered for simplicity and reliability, with a minimum of "fancy" ornamentation. As well as producing static steam engines for driving Meccano models, the company also produced steam locomotives, rolling stock, and steam speedboats.

Solidity

A common theme across all ranges was brute power and robustness - the boats were advertised with the argument that proper boats were steam powered (with none of this puny "clockwork" nonsense), and the locos were advertised as being suitable for gardens, since they were heavy-duty enough to withstand knocks, and because the track didn't require electric power - a Bowman model railway could run in the rain!

Bowman's track was also suitably heavy-duty, with creosoted wooden sleepers that had a small central hole to allow the track to be screwed or nailed down.

" Bowman Patent Steel Track / Thick steel and wood -- Rigid - immovable - resists wear and weather "

" The track you can walk on! "

Oversize gauge 0

In keeping with their emphasis on sturdiness (which probably also saved the company from having to deal with too many customers' technical problems), Bowman introduced an oversized version of gauge 0, with locos and carriages that were closer to the larger gauge 1 size, but still ran on gauge 0 track.

"Massive Proportions of BOWMAN STEAM LOCOS"

" Bowman Models were the originators of the new oversize "O" gauge for locomotives and rolling-stock and it has proved to be a very popular innovation. The difference in scale proportion is so small as to be unnoticeable, whereas the model engineer is now able to have all the advantages of large massive engines and coaches of nearly "1" gauge scale with the cheapness of "0" gauge. All Bowman locos run on any standard "0" gauge track though, on account of its solidity and smoothness of running, Bowman Steel Track is specially recommended. "

Bowman's "manifesto":

THE FASCINATION OF STEAM

" At this stage, if not earlier, it becomes apparent that something is sadly lacking. A closer study of the real machines emphasizes the unreality of a steam crane which is turned by hand, a boat which runs with a silent (and expensive) electric motor, or a miniature express train which has to be re-wound at short intervals with a large key. The struggle towards realism must inevitably go a step further and nothing will satisfy the budding engineer until his models work like real ones, amidst clouds of steam and the roar of a healthy steam engine.

Apart from the sense of realism obtained, there is a delightful thrill in the running of a real steam engine, whether it be a locomotive, steamboat or stationary engine to drive models. The filling of the boiler, the oiling of the pistons, the control of the burners and the final realistic. "phut-phut" as the model moves away under her own steam, holds a fascination which few of us can resist. "

THE PRICE PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION

" The great drawback to steam engines, however, has always been their. price. As much as £5 had to be paid in the old days for a sound and powerful British stationary engine, but even these were not adapted for actually building into Meccano and other constructional models, so that even at this price a good deal of realism was lost. It is true that cheaper foreign engines were available but in a general way they were flimsily constructed and in practice proved hopelessly underpowered and unreliable. A reasonably powerful British steam locomotive cost at least £6 and although cheaper foreign steam locos could be obtained, they had hardly enough power to pull themselves along and were quite useless when coupled to anything like a load. Moreover they needed constant refuellîng, and taken all round„were far from satisfactory. Steam driven boats were in a very similar position and it therefore became the ambition of Bowman Models, backed by many years’ experience, to build up an business for the production of real engines in miniature together with other models at a price within the reach of all. How far they have succeeded is shown in the following pages, and by the fact that Bowman Models are now world renowned for their marvellous performance and lasting qualities.

Every model herein listed, even the very cheapest, is completely different from the accepted continental production. Instead of fragile stampings sweated together, lead pistons, and bright colours, nothing but the finest British raw materials are used and British labour is employed throughout. All parts are accurately machined and screwed and bolted together. Pistons and cylinders are of special metals lapped to a dead fit and the valve faces are accurately ground to give perfectly steam tight joints. The result is that Bowman Models are real models and develop such unusual power that they are sold as "double power" engines, a designation which carries a guarantee that they are double the power of any other engines in the world of equal price. They are not toys in any sense of the word but "real engines in miniature." "