Trix (company)
Encyclopedia
Trix is a German company that originally made Trix metal construction sets
. In 1935 it began producing the electrically powered model trains that it became famous for, under the Trix Express
label. Prior to the outbreak of World War II
the Trix company produced a small range of fairly unrealistic AC
powered three rail
models running at 14 volt
s.
Trix models were distributed by Bassett-Lowke
under the brand name 'Twin Train Table Railway', initially using German outline models painted in British colours, and from 1937 onwards relatively crude models of British locomotives and rolling stock.
Production resumed in 1948 but began to lag behind the technology used by rivals. Trix switched from AC to DC (with its simple reversing function) later than rivals like Tri-ang, particularly the British Trix company. In 1956 Trix switched to DC and in 1967 to two-rail as used by most competitors. The failing Trix brand was taken over several times becoming Trix Twin Railways, Trix Trains, British Trix and then merging with Liliput. Production of British Trix trains ceased in the mid 1970s.
"Postage Stamp" brand; later these items were sold under the American Tortoise, Model Power and Con-Cor brands. Trix sometimes utilized North American consultants to aid in the design of this portion of the product line. The "Hornby Minitrix' brand was used in the 1980s for a short lived range of British outline models using the earlier product tooling.
purchased the assets in January 1997. In part, this purchase was a reflection of Märklin's need for added production capacity; Trix had been manufacturing certain items for Märklin in previous years. But the purchase was also in response to the earlier purchase of the Karl Arnold company
by the Italian company Rivarossi
. In 2003, Märklin introduced its first N gauge models under the Minitrix brand. Several Märklin H0 scale three-rail AC locomotives have also been introduced in two-rail DC versions under the Trix logo.
, D XI (BR 984-5)
, D XII (BR 73)
, G 3/4 H (BR 54)
, Gt 2x4/4 (BR 96)
, P 3/5 H (BR 384)
, PtL 2/2 (BR 983)
and S 3/6 (BR 184)
have been produced in the steam locomotive line, along with numerous passenger and goods wagons.
Trix (construction sets)
Trix model construction sets were originally produced in 1931 by a Nuremberg company, Andreas Förtner . The German patent for the basic Trix pieces had been granted the previous year, in 1930....
. In 1935 it began producing the electrically powered model trains that it became famous for, under the Trix Express
Trix Express
320 px|left|thumb|left side BR 01, right side BR V-200 Trix Express was the main model train product range of the Trix of Nuremberg Germany, currently owned by the Märklin company of Göppingen Germany....
label. Prior to the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the Trix company produced a small range of fairly unrealistic AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
powered three rail
Third rail (model railroading)
The use of a third rail in model railroading is a technique that is sometimes applied in order to facilitate easier wiring.-Two-rail versus three-rail system:Early toy trains used two metal rail tracks like most real trains...
models running at 14 volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s.
Trix Twin
Unlike other manufacturers of the period, Trix allowed two trains to run on the same track simultaneously under independent control, one collecting current from the left rail and centre, the other from the right and centre. This system was known as 'Trix Twin'.United Kingdom
In the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Trix models were distributed by Bassett-Lowke
Bassett-Lowke
Bassett-Lowke was a toy company in Northampton, England, founded by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke in 1898 or 1899, that specialized in model railways, boats and ships, and construction sets...
under the brand name 'Twin Train Table Railway', initially using German outline models painted in British colours, and from 1937 onwards relatively crude models of British locomotives and rolling stock.
Production resumed in 1948 but began to lag behind the technology used by rivals. Trix switched from AC to DC (with its simple reversing function) later than rivals like Tri-ang, particularly the British Trix company. In 1956 Trix switched to DC and in 1967 to two-rail as used by most competitors. The failing Trix brand was taken over several times becoming Trix Twin Railways, Trix Trains, British Trix and then merging with Liliput. Production of British Trix trains ceased in the mid 1970s.
Minitrix
N gauge models under the Minitrix brand were made from the late 1960s mostly of European prototypes (German and British primarily). North American prototypes were also manufactured and marketed under the AuroraAurora Plastics Corporation
The Aurora Plastics Corporation is a U.S. toy and hobby manufacturing and marketing company. It is known primarily for its production of plastic model kits in the 1960s.-History:Aurora Plastics Corporation was founded in March, 1950 by engineer Joseph E...
"Postage Stamp" brand; later these items were sold under the American Tortoise, Model Power and Con-Cor brands. Trix sometimes utilized North American consultants to aid in the design of this portion of the product line. The "Hornby Minitrix' brand was used in the 1980s for a short lived range of British outline models using the earlier product tooling.
Ownership
Trix's owner in the 1980s and 1990s was Mangold, which went bankrupt in the late 1990s and MärklinMärklin
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH or Märklin is a German toy company. The company was founded in 1859 and is based at Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg. Although it originally specialised in doll house accessories, today it is best known for model railways and technical toys...
purchased the assets in January 1997. In part, this purchase was a reflection of Märklin's need for added production capacity; Trix had been manufacturing certain items for Märklin in previous years. But the purchase was also in response to the earlier purchase of the Karl Arnold company
Arnold (models)
Founded in 1906 by Karl Arnold in Nürnberg, K. Arnold & Co. began its life producing tin toys and related items. They produced an extensive line of model ships, doll house items and other toys. In 1935, K. Arnold & Co. hired Max Ernst as their managing director...
by the Italian company Rivarossi
Rivarossi
Rivarossi was an Italian manufacturer of model railways. In 2004 it was acquired by Hornby Railways.-History:Rivarossi was founded in 1945 by Alessandro Rossi with a Mr. Riva.In the 1990s Rivarossi acquired Lima , Jouef and Arnold...
. In 2003, Märklin introduced its first N gauge models under the Minitrix brand. Several Märklin H0 scale three-rail AC locomotives have also been introduced in two-rail DC versions under the Trix logo.
United States
Outside of Europe, the Minitrix brand is very popular in the United States of America.Other Trix brands
Besides the AC Trix Express and Minitrix brands, the Trix company is also well known for its 1:87 scale DC brands, Trix International and Trix H0, dating back at least to the early 1970s and still being produced today.Bavarian prototypes
A particular Trix speciality is the reproduction of Bavarian prototype models from Epoch I and their equivalent Epoch II, DRG versions. Examples such as the B VI (BR 34)Bavarian B VI
The Bavarian B VI steam engines were locomotives with the Royal Bavarian State Railways .This class was a development of the B V; its dimensions, heating area and grate area being almost the same, only the driving wheel diameter being larger...
, D XI (BR 984-5)
Bavarian D XI
The Bavarian Class D XI engines were branch line saturated steam locomotives built for service with the Royal Bavarian State Railways ....
, D XII (BR 73)
Bavarian D XII
The Bavarian Class D XII steam locomotives were manufactured by the firm of Krauss from 1897 for the Royal Bavarian State Railways . Ninety six of them were procured for service on the stub lines running from Munich into the mountains, but in reality they were stationed in many large Bavarian...
, G 3/4 H (BR 54)
Bavarian G 3/4 H
The Class G 3/4 H steam locomotive of the Royal Bavarian State Railways was built between 1919 and 1923. Its striking features in comparison with the G 3/4 N were its superheater system, the feedwater preheater, the larger and higher-positioned boiler and its Adams axle. In addition, they were...
, Gt 2x4/4 (BR 96)
Bavarian Gt 2x4/4
The Bavarian Class Gt 2×4/4 engine of the Royal Bavarian State Railways , was a heavy goods train tank locomotive of the Mallet type...
, P 3/5 H (BR 384)
Bavarian P 3/5 H
After the foundation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn the Bavarian Group Administration tasked the firm of Maffei with the construction of 80 locomotives of the Bavarian Class P 3/5 H. These machines were based on the Class P 3/5 N, but had a superheated steam boiler...
, PtL 2/2 (BR 983)
Bavarian PtL 2/2
The Class PtL 2/2 locomotives of the Royal Bavarian State Railways were light and very compact superheated steam locomotives for operation on Bavarian branch lines...
and S 3/6 (BR 184)
Bavarian S 3/6
The Class S 3/6 steam locomotives of the Royal Bavarian State Railways were express train locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific or 2'C1' wheel arrangement....
have been produced in the steam locomotive line, along with numerous passenger and goods wagons.