Richard Gnadler

Richard Gnadler founded a small factory in Vienna in 1921, producing toy steam engines and metal toys, followed by making toy train accessories like signals and later complete 0 gauge (and to a lesser extent, gauge 1) clockwork and electric trains. Over the years the firm produced a large array of goods wagons, vans and coaches, as well as steam outline and electric outline locos. A lot of its products were variations on a theme; there were for instance at least six different crane cars, all sporting the same crane, but combined with a staff cabin, a water tank, a side tipper or an open box. Gnadler also produced much of its rolling stock in different colours. There were also accessories as stations, signal cabins, watchman’s huts, signals and signal gantries, goods sheds, cranes, level crossings and bridges. All items were of simple outline and rather crudely made, but have a naive charm. Parts are mostly joined together by spotwelding and with lots of sharp corners and edges. The firm existed until 1972 as a toy shop, but train production probably ended around 1960.