O Gauge European Cars and Engines

[larak]

Hello all,

An old friend has a marvelous scratch built castle and lead soldier arrangement in the center of his O gauge (3 rail) layout. He would like to switch from antique Lionel to European style engines and cars (mostly passenger) as being more appropriate.

Does anyone know of a good supplier for these? I understand that Maerklin no longer makes O-gauge. Which if any are the quality brands? As an HO modeler I don't have too much of a clue so I came to the experts.

Thanks for any leads.

Karl

[CSXect]

The two that come to mind are ACE trains and ETS trains they are european tinplate O gauge trains weaver is the american dealer for I beleive ACE trains.

[lionelsoni]

http://www.ets-trains.com/

[daan]

In Europe there are a lot of very small manufacturers for 0 scale. Most are from England or Switserland. The manufacturers that had 3 rail in their program where Hornby, Märklin, Kaiser, Basset Lowke, JEP, Bing and Buco. Nowaday's the most 0 gauge is 2 rail, but Paya, Ace and ETS are still making 3 rail. (paya makes immitations of prewar märklin). On 2 rail Fulgurex has a lot to offer.

However, keep in mind that it costs a huge amount more then Lionel!! 0 gauge is a specialty in europe and trains in those scale's are very expensive. You could take a look on the german and swiss ebay site, they also have a special part on 0 gauge trains.

[larak]

Many thanks guys!

I will pass along the information to my friend. Fortunately he managed to save enough for his retirement to be moderately well off financially. (I hope I can too, but that's a few years away). It sounds like he's going to need some of those funds.

In case anyone is interested, this links to photos of about one third of his layout. Yes, it's not perfectly "realistic" but every structure and wall is scratch built, the soldiers are hand painted in great detail and it all comes out for a month late every December. Lots of fun for us fourty somethings and our progeny to play with. The layout was actually built to showcase the soldiers.

http://69.49.234.114/asm/TonyCastle.html

Karl

[lionelsuperotrack]

We have a European Yahoo group, English speaking, to share and further knowledge about JEP (0/027, S, H0) and other French made toy trains. This includes manufacturers such as French Hornby, LR, Edobaud, BLZ, Effel, Faivre, Marescot, Munier, Lequesne et al, from the start of JEP production in 1899, to date, as well as create fellow ship through this process. After all is said and done, we do this for the enjoyment!

If interested the group can be linked at:

JEP_Trains_Toys-French_Made_Toy_Trains
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JEP_Trains_Toys-French_Made_Toy_Trains/ )

Very best, Mike

[pbjwilson]

<P>Karl,</P>
<P>Just found this beautiful set on e-bay. Its two rail DC. Looks like new.</P>
<P><A href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fleischmann-boxed-LN-1940s-3-car-steam-psgr-set_W0QQitemZ330051615190QQihZ014QQcategoryZ485QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.com/Fleischmann-boxed-LN-1940s-3-car-steam-psgr-set_W0QQitemZ330051615190QQihZ014QQcategoryZ485QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</A></P>

[underworld]

I've found lots of stuff at train shows.Usually pretty good deals as the european stuff isn't as popular here.

[lionelsuperotrack]

The Europeans who are into trains watch over here very carefully for the same reasons .....bargains on European or other makes that are less well none.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike

[jimhaleyscomet]

Perhaps he would want to start with Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy and/or the Thomas Expansion set all by Lionel.  They are affordable and he could probably scratch build something around them.

Scratch building (even around US trains) might be more fun and a lot cheaper than getting stuff from Europe.   

Jim H