Maker record
Movie Models (Cranko)
Movie Models was the trade name used by Donald Cranko for a New Zealand toy-making business in Havelock North. From about 1946, it produced O gauge live-steam and three-rail electric locomotives, rolling stock and track, alongside steam toys including engines, tractors, rollers and a launch. Its locomotives included the twin-cylinder 0-4-0, the single-cylinder Mighty Atom and a 2-6-0 Mogul. Cranko’s range combined railway toys with small steam-powered toys made in his engineering workshop.
- Founded
- 1947
- Final year
- 1956
- Countries
- New Zealand
- Locations
- Havelock North, New Zealand · 1946
- Founders
- Donald Cranko
The story of Movie Models (Cranko)
Donald Cranko established an engineering and manufacturing business in Havelock North, New Zealand, about 1946, trading its steam toys under the name Movie Models. The range included steam engines, tractors, rollers and launches, as well as O Gauge railway toys. Cranko made both live-steam and three-rail electric locomotives and produced tinplate track for the trains.
The steam locomotive range began with a twin-cylinder 0-4-0 with forward and reverse. It was followed by the 2-6-0 Mogul and the simpler Mighty Atom, a 0-4-0 with a single cylinder in the cab. The Atom’s rear wheels were cast lead and its front wheels aluminium to withstand burner heat. Railway products included rolling stock, and the range also included steam-powered boats and stationary engines.
Cranko retired and left Havelock North in 1956, according to one specialist history, which dates his trading period to mid-1956. Another collectors’ association account places the end of production around 1957. The latter also records that Auckland Model Engineers acquired some remaining stock and released two engines after Cranko’s retirement.