Edward Exley Limited

Lore & Background

Edward Exley Limited was founded in Bradford, Yorkshire, about 1920 by its namesake. Initial products were locomotives—live steam, clockwork, and electrically powered—in gauges 0 and 1, made to order. By the 1930s, 0 gauge coaches had joined the range, becoming Exley's most successful line. In the later 1930s, high quality 00 gauge coaching stock was added to serve the growing market in that new scale.

After the Second World War, locomotives were again available mainly to order. In the late 1950s, Edward Exley sold the locomotive construction part of the business to Stanley Beeson, who had previously built locomotives for Exley clients. Coaches were listed until 1962, when a severe fire destroyed the Bradford premises and most of the tools. Edward Exley then decided to retire.

The company at Baslow (to which Edward Exley (Sales) Ltd had moved by 1952) continued to offer coaches but discontinued the 00 gauge range because the manufacturing facility was lost in the fire. The 0 gauge models were listed as available until January 1995, but were in fact being made by outside workers to order.

Reader's Guide

Edward Exley Limited is notable as a one-time major competitor to Hornby and Bassett-Lowke, particularly for its ready-to-run coaches in 0 gauge and 00 gauge. The company's products were of premium quality, which has contributed to their preservation; many examples survive today. Exley models are highly collectible, and good examples of 0 gauge coaches often sell at auction for hundreds of pounds. The company remains in existence but is not currently trading, most recently acting as a restoration service for existing Exley models and as a point of contact for technical queries. The fire of 1962 marked a turning point, ending the production of 00 gauge coaches and leading to the eventual cessation of regular manufacturing. The legacy of Edward Exley Limited endures through the well-preserved models that continue to be sought after by collectors.

Did You Know?

• The company's most successful line was 0 gauge coaches, introduced in the 1930s.
• A fire in 1962 destroyed the Bradford premises and most of the tools, leading to Edward Exley's retirement.
• The company still exists but is not currently trading; it acts as a restoration service for Exley models.