ETS Trains - Manufacturing

Can't say for sure but the do make a quality product. I've been very satisfied with what I have so far.

Hi Chris:

 

Yep - I agree. I have some of their rolling stock and an engine as well - all 2-Rail with the ETS couplers. I know they build some trains for ACE as well, just curious about where they assemble. Would be nice if it was the Czech Republic. They have a neat diagram showing an engine torn down in their 2012 catalog and discuss briefly the time that goes into assembly. They are tough, tough, trains. If you find out anything let me know. Nice layout video you posted recently as well.

Boxes say "Made in the Czech Republic". Absent information to the contrary, and in consideration of country of origin regulations, I take them at their word.

 

I, too, have several ETS pieces - a couple of engines, several cars, all with Lionel compatible couplers. No complaints - well finished, look and run great.

Man did I overlook the obvious! Searched the website, the catalogs, the price list - never thought about the boxes. Would have been a bear getting at them but would have saved a thread. Thanks Owen. 

They are made in the Czech Republic.  Very cool trains.  Here's a link to their home page:

 

http://www.ets-trains.com/

ETS makes their own and also designed & built the early Marklin MAXI pieces.

 

I went to the ETS website which Alan posted and took a look at their products.  Most impressive!  I particularly looked at their locomotives and noticed that they sell several versions of the same locomotive each with different features.  For example, ETS sells models with either AC or DC power, with various reversing mechanisms, with or without high flange wheels, without sound, with sound effect generators according to US standards, with electronic sounds generator, with or without high flange wheels, etc.  Obviously ETS is building their tinplate locomoties to meet the needs of a variety consumer markets.  However, it wasn't clear to me which of these various versions was optimum for the US tinplate market. 

 

For example, one typical ETS locomotive had no less than eight versions including a version with "high flange on wheels, couplers compatible with models of the "Tin Plate" era, change of travel direction through 20V impulse (3AC-1) (Märklin transformer)", while another version of this same locomotive had "bogies, couplers and sound effect generators according to US standards, change of travel direction through stopping (3AC-0)".  Obviously several questions come to mind such as which tinplate era manufacturer's couplers are ETS's couplers compatible with, and to which "US standards" is ETS referring?

 

Could someone please enlighten me with info on which version of ETS's locomotives is optimum for the US Tinplate market.  Thanks.

 

Almost all of the three-rail ETS items you will find in the U.S. are fully compatible with U.S. tinplate operation, except for couplers. Numbers ending in B are supposed to have U.S. couplers, 3-rail AC wiring, and Lionel-type reverse (when the current is interrupted). Some have two-position E-units (no neutral) and others have regular three-position. The suffix 3AC-1 designates Marklin-compatible, with Marklin couplers and Marklin-style reverse on a 20 volt spike. These are almost never encountered in the U.S. A 3AC-0 suffix on the model number designates 3-rail AC with American-style E-unit, but with ETS hook-style couplers. The term "bogies" means the same as "trucks" in the U.S. I wouldn't worry too much about the "sound generators" as I've never seen one on a U.S.-market locomotive. You could probably order one so equipped directly or through their (not very active) American distributor. 

 

There are complications. Most of the rolling stock with American-style couplers has U.S. style 4-wheel trucks, as opposed to the Euro versions with a single axle at each end. The short European cars look pretty strange with Bettendorf trucks. There are a lot of these around.  You can get Lionel-type knuckle couplers to convert the Euro versions, but they are expensive. 

 

Another thing to beware of on the secondary market is that few sellers actually know what they have, and the box markings are sometimes wrong, or the unit has been converted in some way. The only way to be sure what you have is to have it in your hand, or be sure the seller knows ETS. I have seen ETS locomotives listed on eBay that the seller didn't know if they were 2-rail or 3-rail, and they didn't post a picture of the underside. Caveat emptor. 

 

You will also find ETS two-rail rolling stock and sets. The set locomotives that I have seen run on a rather exotic ETS proprietary control system that uses constant voltage, with frequency modulation to control speed and sound. I have one of the sets and the system works fine, but the 50-page instruction manual is in Czech and it is compatible with nothing. The track seems to be the same as some other European two-rail such as Fleischmann. I'm pretty sure ETS also makes two-rail stuff that runs on regular DC, with speed controlled by voltage, but I haven't actually seen any. The two-rail all has ETS couplers and scale flanges. The two-rail rolling stock will run on three-rail track, with the usual problems negotiating some switches. You can get hi-rail wheel sets to convert the two-rail cars, but they are a bit pricey. 

 

The "tinplate era" couplers are English style with an upward-facing hook and a connecting link. If I remember correctly, the ETS version of these couplers will also connect to Marklin couplers. I think I have a pair of those around somewhere; if I have time I'll dig them out and post a picture. 

 

ETS three-rail uses collector shoes rather than rollers. This is no problem running on tubular track, but the shoes will wear pretty quickly running on Gargraves or other hi-rail track because of the square corners on the center rail. 

 

Personally, I prefer the ETS three-rail with hi-rail flanges, Lionel-type E-unit, and ETS couplers. I have some equipment with U.S. couplers and I've made up a conversion car with a U.S. coupler at one end and an ETS coupler at the other. I also have a Seetal Krokodil with a different coupler at each end. This actually has a homemade U.S. coupler conversion made by the previous owner. The factory U.S. type coupler won't fit this model.  I have replaced all Marklin and English couplers on equipment I bought used with ETS couplers. 

 

Here's a photo of one of my favorite ETS trains. The locomotive is a Garratt with U.S. couplers. You can see how the American trucks look under the short European-style cars.

The two cars on the top shelf are postwar Merkur. The gondola is a transition car; the front coupler appears to be a Marklin. 

 

Here's another shot showing the ETS coupler. Note the buffers, which are removed on the units with American trucks. This car has a brakeman's shack for end of train use. Now this is the way to buy Pilsner Urquell - by the tank car!

Hi everyone,

 

I have a few of the European ETS O Scale two rail items that run on DC and they are about as smooth as anything on the market. Their Glaskasten is especially nice, I just have to be careful about some of the side clearances on my scale layout. Again, these are a quality made product and it shows.

All the best,

Miketg

Here are photos of three different kinds of couplers found on ETS trains. From left: 

 

1. "Tinplate era" coupler, with hook and swinging link. This coupler is lying on its side; the hook faces up when it is mounted. This will also couple to a Marklin coupler. 

2. ETS coupler, pictured upside down. 

3. U.S. style knuckle coupler in ETS body mount. 

Who sells ETS in the USA? Are there any dealers close to the Northeast?

This is great info.  Thanks so much.

 

Bob

I have a decent amount of the late 90's ETS. Very nice tin except the fragile boxcar door latches. I get a lot of inquiries when running it.

 

Steve

I've been very tempted by their version of the Beyer-Garrett, which is one of the more fascinating locomotives on the planet. I haven't taken the plunge yet. I appreciate all the great info on this thread!

I am pleased to read your topics about ETS, one of the Czech manufacturers of tinplate gauge 0. The two important Czech tinplate gauge 0 manufacturers, MERKUR and ETS, produce and develop their tinplate models in Czech. Because it might be difficult for you to obtain an ETS catalague I put here a link whe you may download the ETS pdf

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/52460...logus%2020120001.PDF 

In another topic I already post a link for the MERKUR catalogue.

And to be honest I own a webshop in Holland where I offer ETS, but also MERKUR and LEHNHARDT tinplate gauge 0 streetcars.

take a glimpse at www.blik-en-speelgoed.nl I deliver worldwide and outside the EEC without VAT. But than you must be aware that you have to pay your local taxes.

If I understood the international customs regulations than modeltrains may be deliverd duty free.

If you have any questions I will be pleased to answer them.

 

Rob Giskes