For generations of farmers and tractor enthusiasts, the name David Brown is instantly recognisable.

Whether you remember seeing them working on farms, drove one yourself, or simply have an interest in classic British agricultural machinery, David Brown tractors have developed a remarkably loyal following.

And you don't necessarily need room in the shed for the real thing.

At Rainbow Railways we're growing our range of agricultural models, including some superb scale replicas of classic David Brown tractors.

A British tractor name with real heritage

David Brown became one of Britain's major post-war tractor manufacturers, with tractor production centred at Meltham in West Yorkshire.

Over the years the distinctive David Brown name appeared on a succession of machines that became familiar sights on British farms, including the Implematic and later Selectamatic ranges.

Today those tractors have an enthusiastic following among owners, restorers and collectors – while scale models give enthusiasts another way of owning a little piece of that agricultural history.

David Brown 950 Implematic – impressive in 1:16 scale

One of the standout models currently available from Rainbow Railways is the Universal Hobbies David Brown 950 Implematic.

The original 950 Implematic dates from the late 1950s and early 1960s, an important period in the development of David Brown tractors.

Universal Hobbies has recreated the 950 as a highly detailed 1:16 scale collector's model.

And 1:16 really does make a difference.

This is a substantial display model, considerably larger than the more familiar 1:32 agricultural models, allowing much more of the character and detail of the original tractor to be appreciated.

For somebody with memories of David Brown machinery – or a collector looking for a centrepiece for a classic tractor collection – the 950 makes a particularly impressive model.

View the Universal Hobbies David Brown 950 Implematic 1:16 at Rainbow Railways

David Brown 990 Selectamatic – a smaller way into the collection

You don't have to start with a large 1:16 collector's model.

The David Brown 990 is another of the marque's instantly recognisable tractors, and we've also stocked the Britains David Brown 990 Selectamatic in the popular 1:32 agricultural scale.

At 1:32 it makes a great addition to an existing farm model collection and is also a much more accessible introduction to collecting classic tractors.

View the Britains David Brown 990 Selectamatic 1:32 at Rainbow Railways

1:16 or 1:32 – what's the difference?

If you're buying a model as a gift, the scale numbers can initially be a little confusing.

A 1:32 tractor is the traditional scale associated with many Britains farm models. It's compact enough to build a sizeable collection while still offering plenty of recognisable detail.

A 1:16 tractor is approximately twice the length and width of the equivalent 1:32 model, so the difference in overall presence is considerable.

For a display piece, a 1:16 David Brown can therefore make quite an impression.

For somebody building a wider collection of tractors, machinery and implements, 1:32 is often the natural choice.

Of course, there's nothing to say you can't collect both.

More than just models

One of the things we love about classic tractor models is the memories attached to them.

A particular model number might remind someone of the tractor their father or grandfather owned. Another may have been the first tractor they drove. For somebody else, it may simply be a machine they've admired at agricultural shows and rallies.

That's why we'd love to hear your David Brown stories.

Did your family own a 950, 990 or another David Brown? Do you still own one today?

Let us know when we share this article on our Facebook page – and if you've got a photograph of the real tractor, we'd love to see that too.

Discover classic tractor models at Rainbow Railways

Although railways remain a huge part of what we do, our range extends much further.

We're continuing to develop our selection of agricultural and diecast models, including tractors and machinery from well-known manufacturers in a variety of scales.

So whether you're a railway modeller, agricultural collector, classic tractor enthusiast or simply searching for a model of a machine that means something to you, keep an eye on the Rainbow Railways range.

And for David Brown enthusiasts, this is only the beginning.