Yesteryear Collection

In the late 19th century the Smart family operated a horse drawn removals firm. Billy Smart was born in 1894 and at the age of 15 he was put in charge of a hand operated roundabout at a funfair in Slough. By the age of 20 he had set himself up as a fairground proprietor and by 1939 had built up one of the largest travelling fairs in the UK. He purchased a big top tent from Coadts Circus and the Billy Smarts New World Circus made its debut in 1946. As the circus expanded the amusement business continued until 1951.

The Fowler engine number 10302 'Norah' was an A5 type built in 1908 and was purchased by Billy Smart in 1937 from J. Botton of Farnborough. This being the coronation year of King George VI the engine was painted in the livery of 'Coronation Amusements'. The engine was used for demolition work in London during 1941 and was sold in 1945. It did not survive to the present day.

The Fowler A5 Showmans Engine weighed over 13 tons and was powered by a two cylinder compound engine developing 55 hp. These vehicles would haul up to 4 trailers between fairgrounds and were then used to generate electricity for the rides using the dynamo fitted above the smoke box.

'Norah' is a limited edition of 3500.
'Little Margaret' & 'The Princess' have been modified with new labels with the permission of Matchbox Toys/Mattel. Ltd edition of 200 models.


Norah	Little Margaret	The Princess

Information as from "The Yesteryear Book 1956-2002"
YY019B/SB; 1905 Fowler B6 Showmans Engine; Billy Smarts																		Checklist
Issue	Year of Release	Colours	Smoke Box/Front Axle Support	Generator & Platform	Crew Platform Area	Roof	Roof Fascia	Smoke Stacks	Registration Plates	Wheels	Tyres	Plated Parts	Ashcan & Water Tank	Series Number	Base Rivets	Baseplate	Box	My Ref.	Location
Norah
1	1997	Pinky red body & boiler	Black	Pinky red	Black	Cream top & underside	Cream label Gold 'BILLY SMARTS CORONATION AMUSEMENTS' with black outline & red shadow effect Flanked each end by gold rosetta half leaf motif	Black unpainted Gloss black extension	KE3895	Cream 12 spoke front 18 spoke rear	Black	Gold	Black	Tampo YY19B/SB	Painted	Cast © 1986 MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES CHINA	Q1	14	Box-7
Little Margaret (Code 2)
1	1997	Pinky red body & boiler	Black	Pinky red	Black	Cream top & underside	Pinky red label Gold 'BILLY SMARTS AMUSEMENTS' with black outline Flanked each end by british flag motif	Black unpainted Gloss black extension	WY3703	Cream 12 spoke front 18 spoke rear	Black	Gold	Black	Tampo YY19B/SB	Painted	Cast © 1986 MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES CHINA	Q1	109	Box-7
The Princess (Code 2)
1	1997	Pinky red body & boiler	Black	Pinky red	Black	Cream top & underside	White label Gold 'SMARTS CORONATION AMUSEMENTS' with black outline & red shadow effect Flanked each end by british flag motif	Black unpainted Gloss black extension	BN5793	Cream 12 spoke front 18 spoke rear	Black	Gold	Black	Tampo YY19B/SB	Painted	Cast © 1986 MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES CHINA	Q1	109	Box-7
Box: Q1 - Regional releases including Charity models and sets