Large Scale German Toy Trains by John Kolar

The “BIG STUFF.” That is what my friend and collector the late Sam Downey always called the large-scale Marklin, Bing and Carette trains. If you have ever seen them in person, you could understand why. I am referring to Gauges 2, 3, and 4 manufactured by the German Toy Companies; Bing, Carette, Marklin, Plank, Rock & Graner and Schoenner from the late 19th century until the early 1920’s.

These were expensive toys at the turn of the century. Made for the wealthy, many of these toys were imported to America and sold exclusively by FAO Schwarz in New York. When you consider the fact that the annual wage of a factory worker was $450 in 1900, the cost of a typical Ga3 Marklin set composed of a locomotive tender and 3 cars was $150, about a third of that annual salary. This was obviously not a toy made for the masses. Just like the large Marklin, Bing and Carette toy boats few were manufactured.

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