History of MERKUR

The MERKUR construction sets were, and are, very popular. The train that could be built with one of the construction sets was received so enthusiastically by the public that MERKUR decided to produce electric trains. Frantisek Jirman, the son-in-law of the owner of MERKUR, Mr Vancl, designed the first locomotive. His design was based on the very well known Mikádo, an express steam locomotive.
    Soon the collection was supplemented by the production of 4 wheel passenger and service carriages and wagons. Whilst the public received the model of the Mikado very well, a new locomotive (the 1C1) was taken in production. The model trains were and still are robust and run easily. To say briefly this was the start of an era in which the model trains of MERKUR were particularly sought after in the Czech Republic.
    During the second world war there was a lack of raw materials. So, except a limited edition of wagons under the brand CMD/BTO, MERKUR was forced to stop his model train production. From 1947 it was possible to start the model train production again. The range was expanded with various models and in various designs, for example refrigerated cars, tankers and flat cars.

In 1953 the authority was handed over to the district collective of Broumov. This new owner of the factory reregistered the brand name MERKUR in 1955. The goal was to produce tinplate model trains and the metal construction sets.  In 1968 the production of model trains ended. In the susequent years the toolings needed for the production of the tinplate model trains were destroyed.
    In the 1990s, Mr Kriz became owner of the MERKUR factories. He decided to resume the production of model trains and construction sets in 2001. After purchasing the necessary machines, equipment and design software the first electric model trains rolled out of the factory in 2002.
    This was the start of the new MERKUR era. An era where every year new locomotive models, carriages, wagons and material for the layout (including buildings), are released. Unique is the range of the building sets of railway stations, buildings and other scenery material that have been released since 2002. All of these models are produced in full metal!
    MERKUR has satisfied and enthusiastic customers around the globe.  The high-quality craftsmanship, the sustainability of the electric motors and last but not least the sublime and high-quality transmission, ensures a lasting driving pleasure. The MERKUR models are equipped with DC motors and provide the option to choose between a two-or a three-rail system. In early 1950 the Czech government nationalized the factory.     
    With the use of the MERKUR AC/DC transformer your locomotive slowly and steadily pulls up and down. All of MERKUR's locomotives can be digitally adjusted and if you wish to equip your model with a special coupling, that is no problem at MERKUR. MERKUR wishes you and your children to have a lot of fun driving their magnificent hand made models.