Maker record
Fournereau
Fournereau was a French railway model maker whose products included locomotives, rolling stock, spare parts and materials for model builders. Jean-Edmond Fournereau took over Robert Marescot’s model-making business in 1931 and introduced his first locomotive model that year. Later ranges represented several French railway networks and included both simpler models and small made-to-order, all-metal models with finer detail. The firm also produced special commissions for museums. Its work belonged to the developing specialist model railway trade of the 1930s and 1940s.
- Founded
- 1931
- Countries
- France
- Locations
- Paris, France
- Founders
- Maurice Fournereau
The story of Fournereau
In 1931, Jean-Edmond Fournereau acquired Robert Marescot’s stock, models, spare parts and tooling, taking over Marescot’s model railway production. Fournereau had worked in Marescot’s business. That year he made his first model, a 131T locomotive for the État network; in 1932 the range expanded with models including a 241 Est. He later produced locomotives representing several French railway networks, alongside rolling stock and parts for builders.
The firm offered simpler current models as well as small, made-to-order all-metal models with finer detail. In 1937, Fournereau founded Loco-Revue while continuing to produce models, including special commissions for the Musée des Arts et Métiers and the Musée des Travaux Publics. In 1948, his sons Jean and Jacques formed JFJ to make ready-to-run models and kits. A new Fournereau catalogue appeared in 1949, retaining most of the earlier range and adding locomotives reflecting the new SNCF era. The firm moved to Auray in 1950. As O scale lost ground to H0, Jean-Edmond Fournereau concentrated on Loco-Revue.
