The world of antique toy trains is fascinating and diverse, and Märklin, a clear pioneer and leader of its time, often delighted its customers with trains that represented actual railway operation. One such special train car are the Draisines, small inspection cars that were once used to inspect and maintain railway tracks. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at these distinctive vehicles and their place in Märklin’s model railway history.

What is a Draisine?

A Draisine is a small rail vehicle originally designed for the inspection and maintenance of railway tracks. The name “Draisine” is derived from the German inventor Karl Drais, who developed the first two-wheeled vehicle (the “laufmaschine” or running machine) in 1817, which became known as the Draisine.

On railways, Draisines were used since the 19th century to quickly and efficiently perform track inspections and maintenance. They were powered either by manpower, hand cranks, or later, small motors. We will see in the Marklin examples that the Draisines had either one or two men that supplied the “manpower” along with a railroad inspector sitting in his own seat.

In the world of model trains, Draisines have become a beloved collector’s item. Märklin’s models from the early 1900s, in particular, are highly sought after by enthusiasts due to their historical significance and attention to detail.

Märklin and the Draisine

Märklin produced Draisines in Gauge O and 1 with minor variations for approximately a decade. As usual, the O Gauge versions tend to be more rare and harder to find compared to the larger gauge variations. Across all versions, the figures and flags are very commonly lost and thus replaced with reproduction figures and flags.

The inspection cars feature on one side the “manpower” behind the special car who operate a special mechanism that involves the worker(s) pumping their arms to turn the linkage on the wheels. The inspector that can freely sit and inspect the track while the car moves along the track. The “manpower” most commonly wear striped clothing, indicating that they are laborers or even worse, perhaps prisoners and their punishment is now to power the inspection car.

Very few O Gauge versions are known, however, in both gauges one of the main differences in variations is some had a mesh-like metal siding while most have a siding with many tiny holes punched into the metal. It is presumed that the mesh-sided inspection cars are earlier because overall these cars are more primitive and involve simpler construction techniques. This simpler design is also what is featured in the main catalog picture of this model, which further supports it being an earlier variation.

Draisines in the world of model trains are not just technical devices but also a piece of railway history. They represent the development of railway infrastructure and bring a nostalgic touch to any layout. Their inclusion in model railway setups adds movement and life to the tracks, reminding us of a time when track maintenance was a more hands-on, manual job.

Conclusion: A Journey Through Time on Tracks

The Märklin Draisine is a perfect example of how the world of model trains can combine technological innovation with historical themes. The Draisine inspection car is a unique piece of railway history that once again shows how Marklin modeled their toys off of what actual historical railways of the time would have on their tracks. Märklin has succeeded in preserving the nostalgic charm of these vehicles in toy form, captivating the hearts of children and more likely their parents who may have actually known of real railroads worked.

The 700 series from Marklin was the very first 00/HO series and denotes the earliest 00 motor type.  These locomotives first came out in 1935 and were phased out in 1938 with the introduction of the 800 series. All 700 series locomotive motors and frames are fairly similar with some differences between smaller locomotives like the R 700 and bigger ones like the HR 700. The HS 700 and HR 700 locomotives have different larger frames and slightly bigger armatures. The TWE 700 triebwagen has a more simplified motor frame and additional holes and brackets for mounting the motor to the housing.

We can also see the TWE 700 motor in addition to having some additional holes and a metal bracket is missing a post on top toward the front that the other 700 series locomotives have for screwing the housing. Likely Marklin used a similar diecast mold but just had a special insert to remove this post for the TWE 700 frame.

Back to the regular motor for locomotives like the SLR, R, RS 700 we can see that the two wires going off the field magnet control the direction of the locomotive. The two wire leads are soldered onto the plate terminals. The third terminal is soldered to the pickup shoe through another wire. Thus by switching the hand lever on the far right, we can change the direction of the locomotive. The example below has the field magnet rewound with new wiring because the old wire leads broke off as they are very fragile.

It’s common that the fragile copper wires on the field magnet break and the motor no longer functions. In some cases, we can see the end of the broken wire and can solder a new lead onto it. In other cases the broken end is lost in the spool of wires and we must rewind the entire motor.

Now that we know that the two wire leads on the right side of the field magnet control the direction, we have the wire leads on the left side of the field magnet. On original Marklin field magnets, there is just one wire but rewound ones often have two (for each direction). These wires must make contact with the left motor brush and are soldered onto a round metal ring. The wire fits into a grove in the motor brush bracket so that it is flush and the locomotive outer frame can fit over.

With the field magnet wiring complete, we now focus on mechanical issues common to thee 700 series motors. The frames and brackets are often warped, but still functional and sound after glueing and repair. In order to have smooth operation, the field magnet must be fixed firmly in place otherwise the spinning armature will rub against the field magnet or get magnetically “stuck” to it. The motor brush holder piece holds the field magnet into place and is screwed into the frame with two screws. Shims are often necessary to bridge the gap and insure the field magnet is secure. Strong cardstock or thin sheet metal shims can be used.

When the field magnet is secure, it should be completely fixed and not move within the frame. A clicking sound when the armature is spun indicates the armature is not properly aligned. Buzzing of the locomotive with no spinning often means the armature is stuck against the field magnet or there is an electrical short. Next we discuss the motor brushes which are an important part. One carbon brush and one copper mesh brush. Both brushes must make constant contact with the armature and are held into place with two springs.

That concludes our overview of 700 series motors, common mechanical issues, and wiring setups. As with any moving system of parts, some oil at points of friction (gears, axles, armature ends, etc.) helps with the smooth performance of the locomotive.

For over 160 years, FAO Schwarz has captivated the hearts of children and adults alike with its enchanting toy stores. From its humble beginnings in Baltimore to its current status as a beloved global brand, FAO Schwarz has evolved while maintaining its essence. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the rich history of this iconic toy store and explore its transformation over the years.

Early Years (1869-1920)

German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz founded FAO Schwarz in Baltimore in 1869. Initially a small toy store, it quickly gained popularity for its unique and diverse offerings. By the early 1900s, Schwarz expanded to New York City, opening a flagship store on Broadway. The store’s early success stemmed from its focus on quality, innovation, and customer experience.

The Schwarz name, however, did not just stop with FAO – the son Gustav also founded several toy stores (GA Schwarz) with the following addresses compiled from various advertising cards over the decades:

1006 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
42 E. Fourteenth St., New York
497 & 499 Washington St., Boston
211 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore

The Golden Age (1920-1960)

During the mid-20th century, FAO Schwarz solidified its position as a premier toy destination. Its flagship store became a tourist attraction, featuring elaborate window displays and in-store demonstrations. The store introduced iconic toys like the yo-yo and Erector Sets, cementing its reputation for offering more than just toys – it offered experiences.

Expansion and Challenges (1960-2000)

FAO Schwarz expanded across the United States, opening stores in major cities. However, the rise of big-box retailers and online competition posed significant challenges. Adapting to these changes, the company embraced e-commerce and diversified its product lines.

Modern Era (2000-Present)

In 2009, FAO Schwarz closed its flagship store due to rising rents. Many feared the end of an era, but the brand’s resilience prevailed. In 2018, a new flagship store opened in Manhattan, blending traditional charm with modern elements. The brand has expanded globally, maintaining storefronts in pop-up stores, airports, and large retail locations. They also have an online store with exclusive FAO-branded toys for sale.

Special Invitation Cards and Advertisements for FAO Schwarz

FAO Schwarz Labels on Marklin Toys

FAO Showrooms

The Marklin TW 800 locomotive is certainly one of the more peculiar locomotives from Marklin. The model, based on the German DRG Class SVT 877, was also produced in O Gauge (even as a 3-piece model) under model numbers like the 20V electric TW 66 12940 and the TW 970 in clockwork. In a previous article on the TW 800, we explored the different versions and variations from Marklin. In this article we’ll dive deep into the daunting restoration of one of these models.

The particular locomotive we’ll be covering in this article is the TW 800 B (for Blau, or blue in German) that was discovered in the original box with even with the corrugated wrapper! The locomotive was found with several other locomotives from the 1948-1950 period including an early CCS 800 (either first or second version). The locomotive, however, was in a very poor condition – with substantial warping to the housings and frames. And after the handling of the USPS across the country, the housings deteriorated even more – with one housing breaking into dozens of pieces.

A quick analysis of the parts, however, showed that (nearly) all necessary pieces were present to rebuild the locomotive. Each crack also fit neatly back into place and all the breaks were very clean – meaning that piecing the locomotive back together could be possible. Missing parts like the window struts were reconstructed using metal backings for strength, 3D printed parts for shape, and epoxy putty to blend it together. The overall goal of the project after all, was to restore the locomotive to running condition, have it be presentable, and maintain as many original parts as possible.

After repairing both bodies there was still a fair amount of warping to them. The warping would be impossible fix without breaking and re-setting pieces in different locations which would not be worth the effort. This, however, also disallowed the possibility of using replica or even new original frames because they would not fit after the housings had expanded and contracted in some areas. Instead, 3D printed supports were used to span the areas where the metal had completely eroded away. The printed supports were secured to the original metal at existing screw locations where the motors mounted to the frame. This provided a way to provide strength to the frames while still using the original parts that have the appropriate weight.

After the structural components of the housings and frames were mostly secure, it was time to move onto the motors. One more ran immediately very well and had almost no problems except for some loose wheels. The other motor, however, suffered from more zincpest. Salvaged original parts were borrowed from another locomotive from the same collection that had very bad damage but good motor parts. After assembling the parts together, a test run showed that the weight and balance of the locomotive was decent, but there were frequent derailments. The video below shows one test run in which the locomotive did not derail. A temporary while was used to provide power to the motors, since the ground was interrupted by a broken part.

All possible causes of derailments happened on this locomotive which makes it a very good teaching lesson on what causes derailments:

• Improper balance – the very end pieces which had broken off were not present which meant that the motors were weighted heavily on one side but not the other. This throws the motor off balance.
• One wheel set when refitted was not pressed on enough, meaning the distance between the wheels was too great, so the wheel was easily jumping off the track.
• One wheel flange was chipped off, meaning the wheel could slide off the rail. This was repaired and prevented future derailments.
• And finally, the rear motor did not have enough room to turn inside the frame, so it rubbed against the frame, which also caused derailments because the motor truck was not free to move.

After these adjustments were made, the locomotive ran perfectly!

Continuing on our series of Marklin toys and trains reflecting history, and specifically the history of war, we explore the Marklin armored trains (or Panzerzug). The “Panzerkanonenwagen” (from 1904: “Panzer-Geschützwagen”) was available individually from 1900 to early 1909 under the number 1853 / I. The train was available in gauges O, I, and II and in a completely different form under the Marklin Liliput trains, in 26mm gauge as a boxed set.

From a cursory look at available models shown in collections, museums, and books, it appears that the I gauge variation of the armored train set was most commonly sold, whereas the O Gauge and Gauge II versions are more seldom seen. It may seem counterintuitive that the smaller O Gauge version was not the most commonly sold, given its smaller size and lower price tag. But we must remember that O gauge became popularized really in the late 1920s and 1930s. Prior to that, and especially at the turn of the Century when this armored train was sold – these were purchased by the wealthy and so price was not as much of a factor. If they already had a 1 Gauge layout – they would buy the 1 Gauge model, and not go for the slightly less expensive O Gauge.

Reproductions of the armored train

The armored train from Marklin certainly enthralls collectors from both a historical perspective and the incredible detail of the firing cannons and the intricacy of the hundreds of rivets across the entire train. As such, several makers have produced fine reproductions of the train set.

What’s interesting about the Schmitz replica is the incredible attention to the original. Schmitz managed to almost fully replicate the Marklin cap guns which is quite an engineering feat and likely required many tests and lots of time in the machine shop. The painting is also quite realistic and the variation of color across the wagons also makes the trainset look older. Schmitz went with more of a brown/green tint to the painting whereas Marklin seemed to either have two variations of blue and gray, or variations in how the trains were stored over the past 100 years simply changed the aging of the lacquer, which can easily completely alter the color of a piece. That’s likely also what makes a complete Panzerzug with matching color so much more rare – when you piece together a train the lacquer between each car likely will differ between each one.

References and Sources

• Tunnel in banner image, Bertoia Auctions
• Gauge O train in banner image, Lankes Auktionshaus
• Some inspiration from Alex Procyk’s book Toying with Reality. Armored trains are covered in a small section starting on page 66: https://www.blurb.com/books/10444021-toying-with-reality