Models III

In the modelling world, small industrial railways carved out an odd little niche for themselves, just as in real life. Today only a dedicated handful of enthusiasts carry on the traditions of these quaint trains, but back then there was quite a bit more interest: the following article appeared in »Faller Magazin« from 1964, and featured highlights of the EGGER-BAHN display layouts seen at the Toy Fair. Extracts from the text are translated from the German here, and an old error stands corrected: the little wooden sheds that hide the track switch mechanisms were an original Egger creation, not a Faller product as claimed...

»Now we present some pictures of something that can only be regarded as the masterwork of a true artist. In fact, an actual sculptor created these EGGER-BAHN showpieces. In Fig. 1663 we see a wharf alongside a canal, where bricks are being loaded for shipping; the EGGER-BAHN has brought another trainload from the brickworks. Two Faller houses represent the old quarter of the city, similar to our real-life example from the town of Stade which appeared in a previous issue. The barge (seen in better detail below in Fig. 1665) was built by Mr. Egger himself, who is quite an avid model builder.«

Pic. 1663	Pic. 1664

»The moor layout, with a train of empty peat cars, is shown in Fig. 1664. Isn't this landscape, with its marsh grasses, juniper bushes and peat pit, simply a masterpiece of modelling? And the peatcutter's huts, made from parts of our kit No. 956, round this scene out perfectly. Fig. 1667 shows the other end of the brickworks layout, with the requisite clay pit and loading spur, and the little EGGER-BAHN steam loco, one of this year's big novelties. Also new are the switches, whose electromagnetic coils, by the way, are concealed by tiny Faller sheds.«

Pic. 1665	Pic. 1667

These aren't just beautiful layout photos. Rather, these pictures give us the distinct impression that, in those days, manufacturers really had a personal passion for their products, and backed them up with »heart and soul.« In today's barren world, where profitability seems to be the only thing that matters, it's no wonder that more and more people find enchantment in the nostalgic toys of the past...