Discover the Charm of Bygone Eras: Grand Toy and Rarity Auction on April 3–5, 2025

Attention collectors and enthusiasts of historic toys and rare treasures! From April 3 to April 5, 2025, Auktion Heilbronn invites you to its Grand Toy and Rarity Auction, an exclusive event featuring an exceptional collection of rare and highly sought-after pieces that will captivate every collector’s heart.

Auction Highlights

Among the many remarkable items, these standout lots are sure to attract keen interest:

• Märklin Liliput 00 Small Model Railway – A rare and original set showcasing the precision and craftsmanship of vintage model railways (26mm track width). This is the “small” Liliput layout which is much more rare than the large one. Only a handful of original examples have been found in the world! Lot 1074.
• Märklin Yacht “Jolanda” 5064/41 – A finely detailed model of this elegant yacht, bringing maritime history to life. This auction features 2 versions of the Jolanda – the normal version and the special small version! Lots 1034 and 1084.
• Märklin Gauge 0 Steam Locomotive L 70/12920 “Cock O’ North” – A stunning example of the historic British railway LNER. Lot 1150.
• Märklin Gauge 0 Adler Train AR 12930 – A model of the legendary Adler, Germany’s first railway train. This is the rare early version from 1935 with the open brush caps! Lot 1002.
• Märklin Gauge 0 Steam Locomotive SLH 70/12920 – Another must-have for railway model collectors – this historic train was known as the “blood sausage” because of its red color and shape! Lot 1024.

Auction Schedule

The auction will take place over three days with the following schedule:

Thursday, April 3, 2025

• 3:30 PM – Small scales (Lots 11,000–11,008)
• 3:35 PM – H0 non-Märklin (Lots 7,000–7,210)
• 5:15 PM – Märklin H0, Part 2 (Lots 14,001–14,212)

Friday, April 4, 2025

• 10:00 AM – Märklin H0, Part 1 (Lots 8,000–8,238)
• 12:30 PM – Antique H0 (Lots 2,000–2,337)

Saturday, April 5, 2025

• 9:00 AM – Large-scale modern trains (Lots 12,000–12,089)
• 9:30 AM – Miscellaneous (Lots 13,000–13,142)
• 10:45 AM – Steam toys (Lots 15,000–15,006)
• 11:00 AM – Tin toys (Lots 10,000–10,041)
• 11:30 AM – Antique small accessories (Lots 6,000–6,110)
• 1:00 PM – Antique railway accessories (Lots 5,000–5,080)
• 1:30 PM – Antique Gauge 0 locomotives & wagons (Lots 3,000–3,098)
• 2:00 PM – Antique large-scale locomotives & wagons (Lots 4,000–4,016)
• 3:00 PM – Antique toy highlights (Lots 1,000–1,240)

This auction is an unmissable event for collectors and toy enthusiasts alike. Whether you are looking for a rare Märklin train, a historic Bing model, or a charming Ferris wheel, there is something for everyone.

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history! Visit Auktion Heilbronn for more details and to participate.

Attention toy train enthusiasts and collectors of early American and European toys! Mark your calendars for March 6, 2025, as Stout Auction presents Session 2 of the legendary Jerry Poch collection auction. This session is set to showcase some of the finest and rarest toy trains ever made, with a focus on early American and European masterpieces

This highly anticipated auction will feature some of the best European and American trains ever made, spanning O gauge to gauge IV, from prestigious manufacturers.

Marklin, Bing, Ernst Plank, Bub, Georges Carette, Issmayer, Schoenner, Rock & Graner, Voltamp, Boucher, Carlisle & Finch, Knapp, and Howard are all represented!

🚂 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

This auction isn’t just another sale—it’s a historic event! Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your journey into the world of vintage toy trains, this is a rare opportunity to acquire museum-quality pieces with incredible provenance and craftsmanship. Many lots in this auction will be first-ever opportunities to own some of the rarest toys in existence where other known examples are locked away in museums or private collections that will never be sold!

Expect bidding wars and record-breaking moments as these stunning trains find new homes. Don’t miss out on this mind-blowing selection of early trains that have shaped the history of model railroading.

📅 Save the Date – March 6, 2025

The countdown is on! Make sure you’re registered and ready to bid. Bid now through Invaluable or learn more about the special auction from Stout Auctions.

Auction Highlights

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of profound industrial transformation. Companies like Märklin not only responded to the industrial boom but also inspired future generations through intricate model replicas of working workshops. Märklin’s “Komplette Betriebswerkstätten” (Complete Operating Workshops) stood out as a unique blend of engineering marvel, educational tool, and collectible art piece.

The Appeal of Märklin’s Workshop Models

Märklin’s workshop models, like the ones showcased in the provided vintage catalog page, were miniature industrial masterpieces. These models combined form and function, often featuring working components powered by steam or electricity. Their appeal lay in their ability to capture the essence of the Industrial Revolution, offering enthusiasts and hobbyists a hands-on way to explore industrial processes on a smaller scale.

A Closer Look at the Models

1. No. 4282: Mechanische Werkstätte (Mechanical Workshop)
   • Dimensions: 70.5 x 82 x 45 cm
   • This compact workshop included a steam-driven power plant alongside a transmission system connecting five machine models. These machines, such as drills, lathes, and polishing equipment, showcased the versatility and precision of early industrial equipment. The attention to detail in the iron supports, tinplate construction, and functional miniature tools highlighted Märklin’s dedication to authenticity.
2. No. 4283: Fabrikanlage (Factory Plant)
   • Dimensions: 93.5 x 48.5 x 75 cm
   • A step up in complexity, this factory featured both steam and electric motors, offering dual-power capabilities. It came with a variety of operational tools, including band saws, grinders, and electric arc lamps. The inclusion of adjustable power systems emphasized its educational value, enabling users to experiment with different modes of operation.
3. No. 4284: Fabrikanlage (Factory Plant)
   • Dimensions: 102 x 60 x 80 cm
   • The most advanced model, this factory included an expanded suite of machines and equipment, all housed in an elaborate iron and glass construction. With electric motor integration and specialized components like circular saws and presses, it reflected the pinnacle of Märklin’s engineering artistry.

Steam collector Brent Rowell from the US found parts for an original example of this rare steam workshop in Michigan. After months of hard work, he completed the workshop using a mix of original and replica parts. The final workshop is an absolute marvel and even runs and operates just as it did when it left the factory. A video of his incredible project can be found on YouTube.

Record Price for Marklin Steam Workshop

The first public sale of such a workshop that we know of was by Auktionshaus Hohenstaufen on February 5 and 6, 2016, featuring individual collectible items from former aristocratic ownership. It highlights the sale of a large factory model made by Märklin in 1905, described as the largest toy model ever made by the company.

• Item Highlighted: A large factory model produced in 1905 by Märklin, with dimensions 103 x 70 x 85 cm.
• Record Price: The item achieved a world record price of €442,800, the highest price ever for a Märklin object.
• Provenance: It was previously displayed in the Märklin Museum in Göppingen.

The image prominently shows the large Märklin factory model, showcasing its detailed craftsmanship.

Another steam hall is featured in one of Marklin’s books. It is unclear if this is the same steam hall which was sold at Hohenstaufen Auktion and also was displayed at the Marklin Museum. Comparing the scratches on the hall housing, there are many similarities but also some noticeable differences. The one featured in the book has a section cut out of the green base side and also has a different electric dynamo in front.

Educational and Entertainment Value

While these models were primarily marketed as tools for learning and amusement, their potential applications extended further. For amateur machinists, they served as an introduction to the principles of engineering and mechanics. For educators, they were tangible demonstrations of how energy sources powered complex industrial processes. And for collectors, they were symbols of a bygone era, combining artistry with technological history.

The Märklin Legacy

Märklin’s model workshops encapsulate the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. These intricate replicas were more than toys; they were gateways to understanding industrial advancements and celebrating craftsmanship. Today, they remain cherished by collectors and enthusiasts as historical artifacts that bridge the worlds of industry and hobby.

Conclusion

Märklin’s “Komplette Betriebswerkstätten” represent a fascinating chapter in the history of model-making and industrial education. They remind us of a time when curiosity and craftsmanship drove innovation and continue to inspire those who value the intersection of history, technology, and artistry.

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.