Maker record
Dorfan
Dorfan was an American toy company based in Newark, New Jersey, specializing in O-gauge and Wide gauge toy trains. Founded in 1924, it began with clockwork and electric O-gauge trains and introduced Wide gauge trains in 1926. Dorfan promoted locomotives that could be taken apart and reassembled, with bodies made from zinc die-cast copper-zinc alloy; its rolling stock included tinplate cars. Production ended in 1934, though remaining inventory continued to be sold afterward.
- Founded
- 1924
- Final year
- 1934
- Locations
- Newark, New Jersey, USA · 1924
- Founders
- Milton Forchheimer · Julius Forchheimer
The story of Dorfan
Milton and Julius Forchheimer founded Dorfan in Newark, New Jersey, in 1924. The Forchheimers had been associated with the German toy-train firm Fandor, and the two firms maintained a close business relationship. In its first years, Dorfan made clockwork and electric O-gauge trains. The locomotives were designed to be taken apart and reassembled, a feature the company presented as educational. Some Fandor parts and cars were also used in early Dorfan sets.
Dorfan introduced Wide gauge trains in 1926. It used zinc die casting on a large scale, making locomotive bodies primarily from a copper-zinc alloy developed with the New Jersey Zinc Company. Tinplate was used for many freight and passenger cars. Impurities in the alloy caused some castings to expand and crack, and Dorfan replaced defective parts. The company employed about 150 people at its peak, but the expense of replacement work and its more costly, detailed trains contributed to the end of production in 1934. Remaining stocks continued to sell until about 1936, and some O-gauge tooling later went to Newark maker Unique Art.
