Company Profile: Fleischmann
History in a Nutshell
Fleischmann
was founded by Jean Fleischmann in 1887 as a toy company in Nürnberg. Their first 0 Scale model trains came in 1938,
and their H0 Scale products were introduced in 1952 at the
Nürnberg International Toy Fair;
their N Scale "Piccolo" line followed in 1969.
Since Fleischmann focused almost exclusively on central European prototypes, they're relatively unknown outside that area, although their market share rivals that of Märklin. In addition to a comprehensive product line that includes track and accessories, Fleischmann has also made some unusual items, including rack and pinion railways, H0e Scale models, and tilting passenger cars, as found on the real-life Pendolino and ICE-T express trains.
In addition to their current headquarters in Heilsbronn, Germany, Fleishmann has three manufacturing sites: Banská Bystrica, Slovakia; Arad, Romania; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In February 2008, Fleischmann was taken over by Modelleisenbahn GmbH, who had also bought Roco; in August 2017, Modelleisenbahn put the two brands up for sale.
N Scale Products
Fleischmann's Piccolo products are distinguished by a very high level of quality, although like those of many European manufacturers, their models still have deep flanges.
Printed Matter
Although Charles C. Merzbach was the official US agent for Fleischmann from the 1940s through the 60s, the line was imported by others, such as:
