Ateliers de Construction (Ateco)

Ateco was founded in 1946 in Ostwald, near Strasbourg, in France as a construction firm making machinery (hence the name) and the 0 gauge trains were a sideline. Its range consisted of a toy-train type 20V AC 0-4-0 electric outline loco, inspired by the French series BB8100 and a scale (1:43.5) model of the famous Swiss Crocodile (of which the equally famous Count Antonio Giansanti-Coluzzi had an example). There also was a Pennsylvania 6-4-4-6, fitted with Fournereau motors, of which at least two examples were made. Other models that were made were a centre-cab electric, a tank engine and a steam loco of the Milwaukee Road, according to the former proprietor (who wished to remain anonymous) in an interview published in the French magazine Loco Revue in 1985. Production numbers were very low; from the Crocodile possibly no more than 10 examples were made.
The only rolling stock produced were a flat wagon with a wood load and a covered wagon with a brakeman’s hut. Both wagons were made of wood. These were sold in a set with the BB8100-inspired loco, an oval of track and a transformer.
Ateco had a few peculiarities: the current was collected through a centre rail and an outside fourth rail, the track itself only guiding the wheels. This made the system incompatible with anything else on the market. The couplings also were peculiar; they resembled the large hook and loop couplings Jep used in those days, but here the hook was fixed and was upside down and the loop was hinged. The loop could be pushed upwards through a lever, activated by a strip mounted at the side of the track, thus offering automatic uncoupling. Of course this only worked with Ateco rolling stock, as no other make had this type of coupling.
Ateco ended its 0 gauge train production in 1950.