Europoort Port systeem
Follow-up to the E10 Road System
In 1973, immediately following the introduction of the E10 Highway System, the company pressed ahead with the Europoort Port System. This was a series of four models that relied on the E10 Highway System while also aiming to add dynamism to the lane-based layout. At the same time, these four models formed a miniature port in their own right, featuring roadways, piers, bridges, a crane, and a warehouse. Little concern was shown for the relative proportions (scale) of these models; the priority was simply that they had to fit into a single box. If the warehouse is taken as the reference point, the bridges are disproportionately small. The ferry, on the other hand, turned out rather large. Notably, however, the vehicles were missing. The expert jury was enthusiastic about these models, and the national press echoed this sentiment without question. The Europoort Port System was named Toy of the Year 1973.
That same year, Sliedrecht BV released an add-on set: a gantry crane, a container ship, and a truck with two trailers. Here, too, the scale raised questions. The gantry crane turned out small, while the truck and trailer were too large for the system's own bridges. Sales stagnated, and the Europoort Port System faltered. A series of four commercial vehicles was quickly rushed to market, but to no avail. Due to the lack of success, the product line was restructured. This meant the arch bridge was incorporated into the E10 Road System, the warehouse reverted to being a standalone product, and production of the other models was discontinued. A clearance sale followed. Within a few years, the name and reputation of the Europoort Port System had vanished.
Ferry
The ferry is of the roll-on/roll-off type. However, there is a flap on one side and a barrier on the other. The winch controls are located on the bridge connecting the two hulls, with a radar unit mounted on top. Unfortunately, the bridge's clearance height is limited, meaning that neither DINKYtoys nor the Europoort Port System's own vehicles can be taken on board.
- editie 1 en 2
- doos nummer 1 / artikelnummer 901
- catalogus nummer: PD127
Bascule bridge (with arch bridge)
The bascule bridge features a simple winch to raise and lower the roadway section. The winding shaft is housed in a sleekly designed machine room positioned diagonally next to the bridge abutment. The model does not include crossing gates. The bascule bridge is included in the box with the arch bridge and is not sold separately.
- editie 1 en 2
- doos nummer 2 / artikelnummer 902
- catalogus nummer: PD039
Arch bridge (with bascule bridge)
The arch bridge features a so-called hook connection and has a span of 37 cm. The clearance height is only 6 cm, meaning only smaller Dinky Toys can drive across it. The arch bridge forms a permanent link between two imaginary riverbanks. A bascule bridge is included in the same box to allow for passage underneath.
- editie 1 en 2
- doos nummer 2
- catalogus nummer: PD037
Quays with crane
A quay (wharf) consists of a series of horizontal and vertical slats. The box contains two quay sections—which can be used separately or joined together as desired—and a ramp section. Additionally, the box includes a harbor crane. This crane must be secured in a location of your choice using a nut or wing nut.
- editie 1 en 2
- doos nummer 3 / artikelnummer 903
- catalogus nummer: PD053
Warehouse and loading platform
Like the four garages from the E10 Road System, the warehouse dates back to the 1960s. The model has been modified: a passageway has been cut into both side walls, allowing a roadway section on pillars to be slid through. The included ramp bridges the difference in height. The building, which features a bell-shaped gable, has hinged doors. The windows, brickwork, and ornamental details are screen-printed. There are variations in the text on the façade and the house number; details such as the brickwork and cracks also differ slightly from piece to piece. This is due to wear on the screen-printing mesh. Producing a new batch of warehouse models offers the perfect opportunity to correct a mistake or update the design.
- editie 1 en 2
- doos nummer 4 / artikelnummer 904
- catalogus nummer: PD055
Gantry crane (bridge crane)
The gantry crane features two hoisting movements. A large-pitch spiral wire moves the trolley in and out (the horizontal motion). A winch shaft and a cable threaded through various eyelets handle the raising and lowering of the load. It is a technical marvel, though it takes three hands to set everything in motion.
- editie 2
- doos nummer 5 / artikelnummer 905
- catalogus nummer: PD131
Container ship
The container ship is equipped with a mast and a boom, both of which are clamped between two upright edges using a screw. The hoisting cable runs from the mast and the top of the boom down to the lifting hook. This creates considerable friction when lowering the load; consequently, the model works best with a container attached to the hook..
- editie 2
- doosnummer 6 / artikelnummer 906
- catalogus nummer: PD129
Container truck (truck with two trailers)
The container truck consists of a truck and two trailers coupled one behind the other. At the time of design and production, this combination was not permitted on Dutch roads. Closer inspection reveals that the trailers are essentially flatbed platforms -either empty or carrying a cabin- mounted on wheels.
- editie 2
- artikelnummer 907
- catalogus nummer: PD133
Container blocks
The set of container blocks was added to the models to enhance playability. The necessary rod stock (round and square) was purchased from a specialty wood supplier in Gorinchem. A slot was milled into the material, and a staple was driven into it, creating a lifting eye.
- editie 2
- artikelnummer 908
- catalogus nummer: PD135
Crane truck
This commercial vehicle is part of a series of four. The chassis of these four models is identical, consisting of a flatbed platform with four wheels underneath.
The boom is clamped between two upright side panels using a screw. The cable runs from the winch, through a hole at the top of the boom, to the lifting hook. Due to friction, lowering the load works best when a container is attached to the hook.
- editie 3 (aanvulling op 2)
- artikelnummer 909
- catalogus nummer: PD137
Container truck
This commercial vehicle is part of a series of four. The chassis of these four models is identical, consisting of a flatbed platform with four wheels underneath.
The model comes with three small containers. A stake (vertical post) prevents the containers from sliding off the loading platform.
- editie 3 (aanvulling op 2)
- artikelnummer 909
- catalogus nummer: PD139
Tow truck
This commercial vehicle is part of a series of four. The chassis of these four models is identical, consisting of a flatbed platform with four wheels underneath.
The tow truck is equipped with a winch and a tow cable. The shape of the tailgate is modeled after that of the ferry. The model shown here is partly a replica.
- editie 3 (aanvulling op 2)
- artikelnummer 909
- catalogus nummer: PD141
Stake truck
This commercial vehicle is part of a series of four. The chassis of these four models is identical, consisting of a flatbed platform with four wheels underneath. The four stakes (vertical posts) prevent the ten 'logs' from rolling off the loading platform. The diameter of a log is 9 mm.
- editie 3 (aanvulling op 2)
- artikelnummer 909
- catalogus nummer: PD143
Want to see and learn more?
Further information on the Europoort Port System can be found under:
* the brown button below. This covers the full story of the development of the Europoort Port System from 1972 to 1979;
* the
black button below. This provides a complete overview of the models and components of the Europoort Port System and the E10 Highway System.
Under the uncolored button [Boxes and Leaflets], you will find a visual overview of all known boxes, add-on sets, and packaging, along with their accompanying leaflets.
Seeing, knowing, searching, and finding
A website is for viewing, browsing, reading, and discovering what is interesting or useful. To that end, this site features five pages, which can be found in the top navigation bar. Below, there are six buttons; a single mouse click downloads a Word file containing further details or specific information. This text was translated from Dutch to English using Google Translate, which may have resulted in errors or awkward phrasing. In total, there are 125 pages of content available for reading and printing. The text and images will be updated as long as the website remains active.