British Vintage Car from Epoch IV
by Friedhelm Weidelich
It will take a few more months before delivery, but then a classic for the now popular epoch IV in gauge 1 will be available.
Novelties from MarGe Models
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MarGe Models has new products for modern truck transportation and agriculture.
Tractor Units and Semi-Trailers for Containers
by Friedhelm Weidelich
There are suitable tractor units and semi-trailers in high quality for the road transportation of containers in gauge 1:32. A report with 52 photos.
Remote-controlled Articulated Truck from Siku
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Remote-controlled tractors make up the Siku Control range. But there is also a tractor unit for semi-trailers that is suitable for 1-gauge models. How good is the Volvo model?
Unimog U1600 from Schuco
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Epoch IV has been gaining importance in Gauge 1 for quite some time. Now there is one more suitable vehicle from Schuco, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1600.
Modern Trucks and Tractors from MarGe Models
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MarGe Models is shipping some new trucks and tractors for the current epoch VI to fit gauge 1 models.
Trailers for Tractors
by Friedhelm Weidelich
The remote-controlled tractors in 1:32 scale need trailers to fulfill their purpose. Here are presented some, part of which even have a servo drive and lighting.
Remote-Controlled Tractors for Gauge 1
by Friedhelm Weidelich
For the operators of gauge 1 railroads of the newer eras, there are inexpensive remote-controlled vehicles that bring movement to roads and freight yards.
Märklin's Summer Novelties 2022 for Gauge 1
by Friedhelm Weidelich
spur1info readers have known for a while that it's coming: the DR's 02 0314 experimental steam locomotive for Gauge 1. And we have another idea for Märklin.
2022 1 Gauge Novelties from Schuco
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Schuco has also this year a large and interesting range of vehicles for gauge 1.
DHL Trailer from MarGe Models
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MarGe Models from the Netherlands is constantly developing new modern truck models in 1/32nd scale. With two trucks, hurry is the order of the day.
3-wheeler Tempo E 400 from MiniArt
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MiniArt will soon launch a kit of the Tempo E 400 high loader flatbed.
Weise-Toys now with Dutch Distributor
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Manfred Weise has handed over his model tractor brand weise-toys to a Dutch distributor.
Schuco Novelties 2021
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Schuco again has an extensive program in 1/32nd scale for 2021, and there are two surprises.
Pre-Christmas Items from Schuco
by Friedhelm Weidelich
For the 2nd Advent it is high time to present the Schuco Christmas carriage 2020. Besides there are some bargains for gauge 1.
Swiss Tractors
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Swiss tractors had their own design language and character. A supplier from Switzerland offers 1:32 models based on Hürlimann & Co. prototypes, which are also available in Germany.
MO-Miniatur announces RORO Cars
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MO-Miniatur is expanding its small assortment for rail-bound vehicles and announces Roll on/Roll off Cars. There is also a novelty for the depot.
Toy Fair 2020: ICM
by Friedhelm Weidelich
In the obscure world of military model making there are sometimes useful accessories for civilian purposes. Besides the traditional 1:35 scale, there are also models in 1:32 scale, matching the 1-gauge.
Toy Fair 2020: MarGe Models
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MarGe Models has new modern trucks in the pipeline - and really long trailers that are shaping the 21st century's roads.
Toy Fair 2020: Schuco
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Tractors are the farmer's best friends. German farmers use the green monsters to demonstrate against too low prices for their products. Schuco has quite a number of novelties for tractor collectors – and something that has been missing for ages.
Deutz F3 M 417 by Schuco for Gauge 1
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Schuco has released the Deutz F3 M 417 universal tractor, built between 1942 and 1952, as a 1:32 scale die-cast model. This interesting tractor model is suitable for 1-gauge dioramas and layouts of epochs II to IV. A presentation with 27 images.
Mercedes-Benz Kit from MiniArt for Epoch III
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MiniArt has released a new car kit that fits well to epoch III. And quite by chance we learn why a related Mercedes-Benz looked very similar to a Volkswagen Beetle - or was it the other way round?
Volvo FH16 6x2 from MarGe Models for Gauge 1
by Friedhelm Weidelich
Modern railways are no longer a pure niche topic for gauge 1. Modern commercial vehicles are needed as cargo and for road scenes. The Volvo FH16 750 truck from MarGe Models is the first in 1:32. 34 pictures of a fine truck model.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from MarGe Models
by Friedhelm Weidelich
MarGe Model in Zwolle, the Netherlands, has manufactured a 1:32 scale Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in China. The model comes in a glossy black box and has a Daimler license, but no specific designation. On the rear side 316 CDI can be read under the magnifying glass. It must be the W 906 built between 2006 and 2013. It is also available as Dodge Sprinter with a slightly modified radiator grille.
The almost 19 cm model has a die-cast body and a plastic chassis. The headlights, rear lights and vents are also made of plastic, as are the interior fittings of the driver's cab. The steering wheel rotates against the direction of travel of the steering axle. The buttons and knobs on the dashboard are delicately printed. The rubber tyres are finely profiled.
All doors are movable. The sliding door can be opened with a handle under the car floor. For the four doors with a minimal gap, a kind of plastic crowbar is included to open the doors. With this aid it is easier to reach into the door handles than with your fingernails. The hinges of the rear doors are somewhat coarser than on the original - this is the only way with injection moulding.
The loading space is painted from the inside and invites to loading scenes. The mirrors are equipped with mirror foil, the side fenders are plastic parts. A spare wheel is mounted under the floor of the car. The step can be replaced by an enclosed towing hook. License plates for ten European countries are also included.
I can highly recommend this model. In silver, black and white, the Sprinter costs 67 €, with Veenhuis, Nooteboom or Claas printing € 69,95.
The high-gloss finish was a particular challenge when photographing. Of course, everything is reflected, you have to work with large light shapers like automobiles. And if you move the flash units, there will be differences like in pictures 6 and 7. This slightly cloudy varnish is also found in the products of the automotive industry, but the effect is greatly increased on the model. The railway industry paints locomotives, multiple units and coaches glossy. But I now understand that the model railway industry prefers to use matt to semi-matt paints. As the Sprinter model demonstrates, even the smallest dust particles and fingerprints become visible. They are easy to remove, but they are not fun to photograph, clean or digitally edit.