JimDobson
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2013
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A friend of mine Dennis in New Zealand
got the haul of a lifetime of literally hundreds and hundreds of parts for Cranko Steam Engines, an old New Zealand company that made Steam Engines from the end of World War II until they closed down in the mid 1950's. All Cranko steam engines are highly sort after collector items now and I was thoroughly surprised to get gifted three (3) parts to make three (3) Cranko No2 oscillating steam engines after I made the missing parts in an envelope from New Zealand!
Some Cranko history information from Dennis in NZ -
Donald Cranko immigrated to New Zealand from England where he was born and not South Africa as many believe. He was a real estate agent in Wellington before he moved to Havelock North, which is just up the road from Dennis.
He had a dairy farm and made ice cream and had a engineering workshop, where the toys under the Cranko and Movie Models label were made. He had school children paint and assemble the steam toys. Cranko produced 'O' Gauge steam trains the Mogul and the Mighty Atom, a toy steam roller, a toy steam vertical engine, the Cranko No2 and also a steam boat. Donald Cranko retired to Kerikeri New Zealand in the mid 1950's.
Some Cranko history information from Dennis in NZ -
Donald Cranko immigrated to New Zealand from England where he was born and not South Africa as many believe. He was a real estate agent in Wellington before he moved to Havelock North, which is just up the road from Dennis.
He had a dairy farm and made ice cream and had a engineering workshop, where the toys under the Cranko and Movie Models label were made. He had school children paint and assemble the steam toys. Cranko produced 'O' Gauge steam trains the Mogul and the Mighty Atom, a toy steam roller, a toy steam vertical engine, the Cranko No2 and also a steam boat. Donald Cranko retired to Kerikeri New Zealand in the mid 1950's.
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