Lion Rail 0 Gauge

(The Netherlands)

Lion Toys (Lion-Rail) was established by Arnie van Leeuwen in 1946, immediately after WWII, in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, producing model vehicles and 0 gauge railway track (see also Lion-Car). Lion Toys was succesful, particularly as imports from the major German manufacturers were not available at that time. Production of 0 gauge rails was short lived, the company focussing on die cast vehicles. Unlike many smaller toy manufacturers of the period, Lion Toys continued to prosper after the re-emergence of German producers, moving to Nistelrode in 1958 then Uden during the 90s. Lion Toys was acquired by Danish toy maker Tekno in 2010.

The points or switches illustrated below are marked, on the box, '1. PR. UURW. WISSELS', the English translation being 1 Pair of Clockwork Switches. PR is the abbreviation of the Dutch word 'Paar' (pair), UURW is the abbreviation of the Dutch word ‘Uurwerk’ that means clockwork (non-isolated track) and WISSELS is the Dutch word for Switches/Turnouts. The box illustrates a reclining lion, which also appears on some Lion-Car boxes (see link above).

The Lion-Rail tinplate switches are not unlike Marklin pre and post war clockwork switches, so also Lion-Rail straight and curved track.