Trix (company)
German model train manufacturer, now a Märklin brand.
Trix is a German company originally known for its metal construction sets. It began producing electrically powered model trains in 1935 under the Trix Express label, becoming famous for its three-rail AC models running on bakelite rails. After more than six decades of independence, Trix was taken over by Märklin in 1997 but continued as an independent brand, with increasing overlap in H0 scale models.
- Founded
- 1935 (model train production)
- Co-founder
- Stephan Bing
- Original product
- Trix metal construction sets
- First train system
- Trix Express (AC, 14 V, three-rail)
- Acquired by
- Märklin (1997)
- N gauge brand
- Minitrix (from late 1960s)
- Owner in 1980s–1990s
- Mangold
Lore & Background
Trix was co-founded by Stephan Bing, son of toy pioneer Ignaz Bing. The company initially made metal construction sets before launching its Trix Express electric model trains in 1935. These early locomotives (e.g., 20/51, 20/52, 20/53, 20/54) ran on AC power via three rails on bakelite track. A British subsidiary, established in the early 1930s, sold the construction kits and later marketed the Trix Twin Railway (TTR) from late 1935. After Stephan Bing was driven out of Germany by the Nazis in 1938, the English range expanded. Post-war, Trix lagged in technology, switching from AC to DC in 1956 and adopting two-rail production in 1967. Plastic models began in the late 1950s. The British TTR line ended in 1973.
Reader's Guide
Trix's significance lies in its early adoption of electric model trains and its enduring influence under Märklin ownership. The Trix Express system, with its bakelite rails and three-rail AC power, was a notable pre-war innovation. The company's British TTR line helped popularize model railways in the UK, though it struggled to keep pace with rivals. Trix's Minitrix brand, launched in the late 1960s, became a major player in N gauge modeling, producing European and North American prototypes. After the 1997 takeover, Märklin used Trix to expand into two-rail H0 and N gauge markets, sharing many models between the brands. Trix also specialized in Bavarian prototypes from Epoch I and II, and produced limited-edition brass models under the 'Fine Art' label in the late 1990s. The brand remains active, offering two-rail versions of Märklin products and its own distinctive track system.
Did You Know?
- Trix originally made metal construction sets before producing model trains.
- The Trix Express system used bakelite rails and three-rail AC power.
- Trix was taken over by Märklin in 1997 after its owner Mangold went bankrupt.
- Minitrix N gauge models were also sold under the Aurora 'Postage Stamp' brand in North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trix (company)?
Trix is a German model-train maker that originally built metal construction sets before pivoting into hobby railroading in 1935. It is now a brand under Märklin but still markets its own product lines.
What made Trix Express stand out from other model train systems?
Trix Express, launched in 1935, used a three-rail alternating-current design at 14 volts running on bakelite track. That AC three-rail approach distinguished it from the DC two-rail systems dominant at the time.
Who is behind the founding of Trix?
Stephan Bing is recognized as the co-founder who guided the company from its metal-construction-set roots into model-train production in 1935. His vision turned a toy-set maker into a name synonymous with German railroading.
What happened to Trix after 1997?
After more than six decades of independence, Märklin acquired Trix in 1997. The brand kept its own name in the marketplace, though its H0-scale offerings grew increasingly parallel to Märklin's over the years.
What is Minitrix and how does it relate to Trix?
Minitrix is Trix's N-gauge line, first introduced in the late 1960s. It brought the company's three-rail AC technology to smaller-scale layouts for hobbyists with limited space.
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