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Bauer Replicas and Reproductions

Over the years the Bauers have produced a wide variety of replica stations and ‘0’ and ‘1’ Gauge wagons. They do not normally produce replica locomotives because there are several manufacturers already specializing in locomotives.


However in 1989 Wolfgang did produce eight replica Marklin Gotthardt locomotives (S 64/13021) - originally made between 1920 and 1926 - which were all eventually sold. Interestingly a few years ago Wolfgang bought back from a collector one of his replicas. The locomotive displayed above is the replica and it is still in his collection.

In 1919 shortly after the of end World War 1, Marklin produced, by special request, a “Hospital Train” consisting of a steam outline locomotive and hospital related wagons that were converted passenger train coaches. The train was thought to have a 4-4-0 E65/13041 steam outline 1 gauge locomotive but the exact motive power is not really known. The wagons were based on the #1894 series of 1 gauge passenger all made between 1915 and 1925. The train was not cataloged and only a very few were produced.

A Swiss collector and friend asked Wolfgang to produce a replica of the train and provided the derelict R13041 (0-4-0) locomotive shown above. Six scrapped #1894 car bodies were used to create the six hospital wagons including a kitchen, an operating room, and “ambulance” wagons for the wounded. The #1894 series of 1 gauge passenger coaches included the 1894 P (passenger cars) , 1894 SP (dining car), and 1894 Sch (sleeping car). Originally these wagons had hand painted with simulated teak siding, interior decorations, and were 32.5 cm in length.

The Bauers had to produce everything including all the interior furnishings, beds and the figures as well as “remodeling” the cars to account for details like folding doors in the operating room. As part of the hospital train, the coaches were painted a light grey with a white cross within a red circle on the roof. Although the Bauers painted the locomotive with the cross on the cab roof, it is not known if the original locomotive had such a paint scheme.


In the early 1900’s Marklin began producing trains specifically for the American market. Using the road names “New York Central and Hudson River Railroad” and the “Pennsylvania Railroad”, Marklin produced, in Gauges 0 and 1, prototypical appearing Atlantic (4-4-0) and Pacific (4-6-2) locomotives which were complimented by a variety of freight wagons. In particular Marklin produced several Box Cars – “Gedeckter Guterwagens” – designed and lettered for the transport of beer, fruit, and refrigerated products as shown in the table below:

Wagon Type Catalog # Graphic Years Made
Bier Wagen #2959S Schlitz Brewery 1907 – 1915
Bier Wagon #2959P Pabst Brewery 1907 – 1915
Bier Wagon #2959M Malt Nutrine 1907 – 1915
Box Car #2926 NYC & HR 1913 – 1924
Box Car #2935 Heinz Varieties/Tomato Ketchup 1912 – 1914
Bier Wagen #2960 Budweiser Anheusar Bush Brewery 1913 – 1915
Fruit Wagen #2927 Fruit Express 1912 – 1915
Box Car #1916   1919 – 1938

Aside from the graphics on the wagons’ sides, the major difference between the wagons was the style of the roof as you can observe as you view the following examples of these wagons.

The Bauer replica Gauge 1 #2960 Beer wagon. One can easily see how these colorful “Private Owner Vans” are highly collectible and very pricey. An original of this BUDWEISER wagon recently sold at auction for $28,000 and a “Malt Nutrine” beer wagon sold for $56,000 !!

Replicas of the original wagons.

Another Bauer replica wagon with a new “advertisement”. This elaborate art work is obtained using a PC controlled lithography method that prints the art work on the smooth metal side and seals the artwork with a special lacquer. Several more of the new art wagons are displayed below.

A string of Bauer replica beer wagons passes by the Bauer replica suspension bridge.


The #2130 Marklin Post Office was a good representation of a turn of the century post office building in Germany. Considered a technical and artistic masterpiece of early Marklin production it was only produced from 1900 to 1902 and is very rare today and is a coveted collector’s item. The Bauer replica, shown here, beautifully displays the features of this grand toy.

The post office had an interesting design that fostered play with the toy. At the back of the building there is a horse stable for 6 horses which can be closed by a large gate. Inside the horse stable there is even a small room for the "horse stable master." The two side facades of the building can be fully opened - parcels, letters and luggage can be loaded and unloaded. The two windows below the canopy and all the doors can opened and closed. On the first floor there is a telegraph office and office room with balcony. There are a lot of other accessories: at least 12 plug-figures (postmen and postal customers), 1 small hand post car, 1 large post-horse carriage, and various pieces of luggage. The building is decorated all around with etched glass windows and can be illuminated from the inside with two tallow candles. Versions for both the German market – termed K. Post Office – and the English toy market (labeled“Post Office” ) were produced.


An ongoing project is the construction of a 1 Gauge replica of the large Marklin #2849 station for the English market called “Churchbury Station” which was originally produced about 1906. The original dimensions of the station were 100 cm x 60 cm and there are three 30 cm extensions to the platforms.

The Bauers are making one for a current customer, one for their collection, and still have enough remaining parts for a third station.


A small section of the station’s interior.

Next: Bauer New Creations "In The Style Of Marklin"

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