A CONTI freight station: a small Italian surprise

A small extra piece turned out to be a welcome surprise when a Märklin 0 gauge collection arrived: this Italian CONTI freight station.

CONTI, also known as Co.Mo.Ge., is less often encountered outside Italy. Collectors usually know the firm's H0 trains, made in both AC and DC versions. One of its best-known subjects was the Settebello, the luxury Italian train of the 1950s.

CONTI generally offered the Settebello as a three-car model, with some four-car sets also known. A very unusual seven-car version was made for the Italian baritone Gino Bechi; the exact number of those special sets is uncertain.

Alongside its trains, CONTI made railway accessories. This uncommon freight station retains its original marking underneath and adds another piece to the Italian scene in the KallisToys Museum Collection.

Do you have CONTI accessories or other Italian toy railway buildings? Show us your examples.

Story and research by Hans van Dissel.