VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

Is my picture ok ?

I see, of course a difference (the way the hole is surrounded). Could you tell me the other ones, if there are some ? Thank you.

A big thank you Fox, your picture revealed exactly what I was looking for (and expected to see!).

In terms of the other baseplate types known to exist, the last reference book to record them was the 2002 'White Book', a veritable Bible for 'Yesteryear' collectors. As soon as it was published it was out of date because there will always be collectors with models that never got into the book!

It records and displays as drawn diagrams, 5 types, but there is in fact 6 types (are you reading this Bob!), and your model in the picture has the very first type.

Unfortunately it is not possible to show them here for you, they are too small and will not display if enlarged, I will have to copy each one separately and edit each one with some enhancement and then maybe they will display OK.

If Bob ("YYS4BOB"), has a set he can post here that would be fine and save me a lot of work, but I suspect his will have come from the same source, the 'CD' version of the book, so will be small as well.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Is this the only difference with the one you've shown ?

I'm not sure to have understood all that... sorry.

No, there are many differences.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Base 'A'


Base 'B'


Base 'C'


Base 'D'


Base 'E' (additional Y6)

These are the bases as listed in the Model of Yesteryear reference books.

Thanks Bob for showing actual models instead of diagrams. The 6th base type I mention goes between 'BASE A' and 'BASE B'.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Do tell!

The Base 'A' in your picture is what I consider as the very first earliest full production type, I have not found one earlier than this and it is the same as the one shown in the picture by "Fox".

The Base 'A' for most collectors and shown in the White Book as... 'BASEPLATE TYPE A' does not have the 'CAST STEP' directly in front of the engine sump, the area between the sump and front axle.

Here is a picture showing both types... I am not sure how these bases will be re-numbered, but as you can see the base on the right is 'Aa' for no other reason that it fits between 'A' and 'B'. I expect if the bases stay as 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D' etc, then they just need to be moved one place along to include the 6th type which will be the new 'B' type, the 'A' type with the step.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Well I'm damned! I note my posted base 'A' has the "step" you refer to I think (issue 1) but my issue 3 does not. Result! It did take a spotlight and two different magnifying glasses for me to find it, mind you.

Models with the 'Step' always have the Smooth Red roof, I have been looking for a version still with the Red roof, but without the 'Step' but so far I have not seen one in a picture or found one at a toy fair, so I think Lesney quickly changed the roof colour to the Grey, exactly the same time they removed the 'Step'.

Usually you do get a cross-over period and you would get both roof colours on the base with the 'Step', but not this time it seems...

GHOSTHUNTER.