Fleischmann is a German manufacturer of model railroad products. Fleischmann
was founded in Nüremberg
in 1887 by Jean Fleischmann, as a toy company. Fleischmann is best known for the production of toy boats
in the 1920's and the 1930's. Fleischmann bought up the model boat machinery and tooling from
Bing when they ceased to exist in August 1932. Fleischmann took over
Doll et Cie in 1939 and began making trains for which they are renowned today.
Their first model train, in 'O' scale, was produced in 1949.
The first Fleischmann HO scale products were introduced in 1952 at the Nuremberg Toy Fair and
the 'N' scale "Piccolo" product line was introduced in 1969.
Nowadays, Fleischmann is a well-established brand name in the German model
railroad industry, rivalling
Märklin in market share. Since they focus almost exclusively
on central European prototypes, Fleischmann is relatively unknown outside that area. Most Fleischmann
HO products are made for the two-rail direct current system, but they make three-rail, Märklin-compatible (AC)
versions of some locomotives. They also market replacement non-insulated wheelsets for use with their rolling
stock on three-rail systems. In 2008, Fleischmann was acquired by Modelleisenbahn GmbH, the former
Roco Manufacturing Company. In January 2009 Roman & Company became the North
American distributor for the Fleischmann product line.
Fleischmann
official homepage
