In search of small O Gauge manufacturers

[Jark K. Remol]

I've been hunting around the various O Gauge manufacturers for off-beat rolling stock or motive power. Of course there are the heavy hitters like Lionel (and by extension K-Line), MTH, Weaver, Atlas O, Bachman/Williams. Then there are the smaller run ones like RMT (now with Aristocraft), Bowser Trains and Geller Toy Trains. I've also seen some of the customer runs by K-Line for Western Depot.

 Are there any that I've missed or that you would recommend?

[lionelsoni]

Czech out ETS:  http://www.ets-trains.com/

[dwiemer]

While in the "small" arena, you may want to check out some of the older Marx items that are very cheap, yet have a lot of nostalgia associated with them.  Look for them on eBay and see what is out there.

Dennis

[11th Street]

Search no more: they congregate biannually here, along with the big dogs & the rest of the hobby.  Here's the map. Can't get enough? Restart here, or here, or roll your own.  BTW, you do have a subscription to CTT/OGR right?

[Jark K. Remol]

@Bob - I'm keeping an eye on ETS. Someday when I have a chunk of change I'd like to get a nice European style train.

@ Dennis - yep, I do scrounge around eBay quite a bit. And I've liked the repros that RMT (got my Beeps) and K-Line had done with Marx molds. Marx is about the only original manufacturer I don't have a price guide for, and I'm not too familiar with what they had offered. I guess that means more homework!

 @ 11th Street - Ah, someday I shall make the grand pilgrimage to Mecca, er... I mean York. I just need to convince my wife that my limited vacation time is worth an 11 hour drive. Some day... some day... Oh, and thanks for the other links. Something to fumble through on a slow night a work.

Yes, got the CTT subscription. And I pick up the odd OGR if my local shop is not out of them.

 Thanks all!

[phillyreading]

There are a few other O gauge companies that have bit the dust(or gone out of business)so to speak. American Model Trains(AMT) post WW2, Ives model trains pre WW2, and American Flyer was O gauge before WW2. Also there was Third Rail Brass, who made brass trains, not sure if they are still in business.

One other note, if something has WRL stamped on the bottom of it-it is a Williams reproduction. WRL stands for Williams reproduction line, they copied some of Lionel's post war engines and had to label their stuff that way with the agreement by Lionel trains.

Lee F.