Brand record
Märklin
Märklin is a German toy maker founded in 1859 by Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin and Caroline Märklin. It began with dollhouse accessories and tin toys, and became known for model railways. In 1891, the company introduced a clockwork train system with track and models in several gauges. Its railway products developed into a broad range of models and accessories, including the 0-gauge locomotive and carriages made in 1895, now held by the Dutch Railway Museum.
- Founded
- 1859
- Countries
- Germany
- Locations
- Göppingen, Germany
- Founders
- Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin · Caroline Märklin
The story of Märklin
Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin and Caroline Märklin founded the company in Germany in 1859. It began with dollhouse accessories and tin toys. The company’s railway specialism developed later: in 1891 it introduced a clockwork train system with track and models in different gauges. That year, Märklin also acquired the tin-toy manufacturer Ludwig Lutz of Ellwangen, expanding its toy-making business.
Märklin’s early railway range included a steam locomotive with a box truck and covered carriage, made in 1895. The Dutch Railway Museum identifies this set as the oldest 0-gauge model in its collection. The Science Museum Group records Märklin’s 1891 wind-up train and notes its later role in establishing several model railway gauges. The company developed from a tin-toy maker into a manufacturer known chiefly for model trains and technical toys.
Collectors’ Corner
Posts about this brand
Literature & HistoryBefore the trains: Märklin’s doll kitchens and Caroline’s sales tripsMärklin began with miniature kitchens, carriages and toy prams. In 1859, tinsmith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin established the…KallisToys♥ 3 · 0 replies
Literature & HistoryMärklin 8049/2: coastal artillery in tinplateThis Märklin tinplate coastal artillery model, catalogue number 8049/2, dates from the 1920s. It is finished in hand-painted…KallisToys♥ 2 · 0 replies
Literature & HistoryWhy Märklin’s little Bavarian Mallet is blueThe steel-blue finish of Märklin’s Z-gauge Gt 2x4/4 represents a special appearance of the real locomotive. Märklin identifies…KallisToys♥ 3 · 0 replies
Literature & HistoryMärklin H0/00 trains: memories of building a railwayMärklin's H0/00 gauge trains became familiar to families around the world. At roughly 1:87 scale, a railway could…KallisToys♥ 6 · 0 repliesIn the digital museum
Explore the museum
Märklin H0 SBB CFF dining car #348/2 with roof pantographView in the museum
Märklin H0 SBB CFF second-class passenger car #348/1 with opening doorsView in the museum
Vintage Märklin dealer’s illuminated plastic advertising sign, approx. 60 cm long, 1970sView in the museum
Märklin antique very large cannon with cartridges, approx. 30 cmView in the museum Original catalogues
Marklin 2005 Dutch CatalogueFree account to read
Marklin 1981 Dutch catalogueFree account to read
Marklin 1979 Dutch catalogueFree account to read
Marklin 1991 Dutch catalogueFree account to read
Marklin Dutch catalogue 1935Free account to read
Marklin 2005 Dutch catalogueFree account to read
Marklin 1969 Dutch catalogueFree account to read
Marklin 1950 French catalogueFree account to read