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Dapol 4F-SIMPKIN-21

Simpkins Travel Sweets & Confectionery Wagon + Tin of Travel Sweets

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)

Manufacturer description

Exclusive to Rails of Sheffield

AL Simpkins Travel Sweets & Confectionery Salt Wagon.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to ship the tin of travel sweets on International Orders outside the UK.

We are pleased to announce the return of the exclusive Simpkins branded wagon complete with a tin of travel sweets.

Highly limited, Grab one while you can!

Contains:

"Simpkins" Salt Wagon
200g Tin of Mixed Fruit Drops

HISTORY

The company was founded in 1921 by Albert Leslie Simpkin, on his return from World War One.

His concept was to manufacture high quality glucose confections using, wherever possible, only natural flavours and colours. He proceeded to aim sales through the chemist/pharmacy shops, as this enabled him to build up a niche market and avoid being in competition with the large confectionery manufacturers. Within three years he had an 80% coverage throughout the UK which meant that he opened 12,000 accounts.

Business continued to flourish and he bought a burnt down refrigeration factory in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Using the shell he built a purpose made factory of 40,000sq ft and employed 180 people. It was at this time he got the idea of extending the range from bulk Barley Sugars in jars to powdered sweets in 8oz tins.

The travel tin evolved to due it being the only container that was relatively airtight. This was an important factor because the sweets had a high fruit juice content and would go sticky when exposed to dampness. The white powder was initialy added to stop the sweets sticking together. The tins in the 1920’s were not totally airtight, as they were seamed cans so the shelf life was still fairly short, however in the 1950’s a can was produced with no seam so the sweets would remain fresh for years.

Due to Simpkins Pharmacy distribution the original tins of Simpkins sweets all contained Barley Sugar Drops (which are proven to alleviate the symptoms of Travel Sickness)… hence the term TRAVEL SWEETS… Simpkins are proud to be the ORIGINAL manufacturer of Travel Sweets.

During the Second World War, when sweets were rationed, the company was zoned as to where sales could be made. Simpkins were confined to North of Birmingham and their competitors South. Today UK sales are still predominantly through chemist and health food outlets – with Travel Tins and Sugar Free confectionery.

However, as a company Simpkins have now evolved and also manufacture for and distribute into most sales sectors including garage forecourts and high class confectionery shops.

As well as Simpkins branded products, there is also a substantial proportion of the business dedicated to own label and corporate brands.

Catalogue listing

Dapol Simpkins Travel Sweets & Confectionery Wagon with tin of travel sweets is a limited‑edition model released as part of the Rails of Sheffield range. The item carries the manufacturer part number 4F‑SIMPKIN‑21 and depicts the period of the Big Four railway companies (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR). It is available exclusively through Rails of Sheffield.

The set comprises a Simpkins “Salt” wagon and a 200 g tin containing citrus lemon and sour cherry drops. It was produced to mark Simpkins’ centenary in 2021 and is described as a highly limited release.

Simpkins was founded in 1921 by Albert Leslie Simpkin after his return from the First World War. The company initially sold glucose confections with natural flavours and colours through chemist and pharmacy outlets, achieving coverage of 80 % of UK premises within three years. A purpose‑built factory in Hillsborough, Sheffield, later expanded the range to include powdered sweets in 8 oz tins, which were marketed as “travel sweets” because the airtight tins helped preserve the fruit‑juice‑rich candies.

During the Second World War sweets were rationed and Simpkins sales were confined to the region north of Birmingham. Today the brand continues to be sold mainly through chemists and health‑food shops, while also supplying forecourts, premium confectionery retailers and producing own‑label and corporate‑brand products.