Märklin Model Railroads & Trains

Märklin is a German model train company that produces model railroad products in HO and Z scales as well as 1 gauge. Their products are modeled after European railroads, but are sold all over the world. The company, founded in 1859, was the first toy company to produce sectional model railroad track, as well as the first model railroad layout.

While Märklin was already a successful toy company by 1900, their production of model trains greatly increased during this time period. Märklin is credited as being the first European model railroad company to produce an electric train set. Märklin's model railroad business grew rapidly during the '20s, when the 20 volt system for model trains was introduced. Märklin began to build a reputation for making realistic models that truly represented real life railroads.

After 1935, Märklin changed its production focus to OO gauge railroads and gradually discontinued production of gauge 1 and O gauge trains. During the '50s, the company focused on producing HO scale models that served the dual purpose of being high quality models and at the same time trains to play with. Today, Märklin uses photos and manufacturer plans to make their model trains as realistic as possible.

Quick Facts

• The Märklin company originally produced doll house accessories made of lacquered tin. The company grew as a tinplate toy company during the 1800s. Their offerings included clockwork model trains
• Märklin's model 3102 is based on a heavy duty locomotive that was planned during World War II. The huge train had been designed for military transportation to the Ural mountains, but it was never constructed. It is Märklin's only model of a locomotive that was never built
• In 2001, a Märklin gauge V train set from 1906 sold for $167,000. The set was 11 feet long and ran on live steam