Evening everyone, If I’ve asked this in the past then I apologize now but anyway….I was looking at some Fleischman HO locomotives I have picked up probably from the auction site. There is an engraving or stamping on one saying it was made in US territory, Germany. When would that place the manufacture time period? I have another that I bought new in Germany in 1974 that has no such marking so I’m guessing this is late 50’s or early 60’s. Anyone know or have a good reference? Thanks. Rick H.
The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was formed in May 1949 when the Western occupation zones of Germany (France, US, UK) were united into one administrative zone. I think the formal military occupation ended in 1955 though. The way you have it written "US Territory Germany" makes me think this is pre-consolidation. Most models from Germany will just say 'Made in West Germany." I have seen some Roco and Kibri models like that, but a model that specifies the occupation zone would place it in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Molds made after 1949 would probably just say 'West Germany' on them. Do you have any photos of these models? That may help us out a bit too.
You'd think I would remember to add photos since I am never far from a camera but apparently I was having a brain fart. The tender in question has the US Zone stamping and there should be a photo attached. You'll also see one of two identical locomotives photographed from the back. They look very old school to me. The other tender is from the 1974 locomotive. No such stampings and this tender has the motive power. The locomotive for this one only picks up track power and sends it to the tender. Rick H.
I think it may be Fleischmann 1360 or 1361. They look similar, and this website shows a model of 1360 and a catalog page for 1361: http://www.bugattipage.com/tech-history/fleischmann.htm The catalog says 1361 is a BR 03, but the smokebox on the model is a class 01. Check and see if yours say the same thing. It says "01-1952", which is class 01 road number 1952. However, the real class 01 was not numbered in that series, which makes me think 1952 is actually the year the model was designed.
