Fleischmann

Fleischmann was established in 1887 by Jean Fleischmann in Nuremberg, Germany, initially as a manufacturer of tin toys, including ships and aviation models. The company entered the railway market in 1938 after acquiring the tooling of Doll & Co., and by 1952, it revolutionized the industry at the Nuremberg Toy Fair by introducing the first 2-rail DC H0 scale model railway system. This technical shift offered hobbyists greater control over direction and speed compared to contemporary 3-rail systems, cementing Fleischmann as a pioneer of modern electrical standards in European modeling.

In 1969, Fleischmann launched its "Piccolo" line, establishing a leadership position in the N scale (1:160) market that continues to this day. The brand became synonymous with high-reliability mechanical engineering, famously introducing the "Profi-track" system with integrated ballast and innovative close-coupling mechanisms. Following its acquisition by Modelleisenbahn München GmbH in 2008, the brand underwent a strategic realignment; since 2019, the Fleischmann name has focused almost exclusively on N scale production, while its H0 legacy was largely integrated under the sister brand Roco. Today, operating from headquarters in Austria, Fleischmann remains the premier European specialist for N scale enthusiasts, prized for its prototypical accuracy and robust driving characteristics.