Schuhmann Signal Keeper's House

This Signal Keeper's House was probably made sometime during the 1950s by Schumann of Germany although there are no maker's marks anywhere on the piece.  To help in identifying this piece I had to turn to the fine members of the 'TrainColSoc' Yahoo Group.  This Group is sponsored by the United Kingdom based 'Train Collector's Society' and is a valuable resource for those wanting to collect European train related toys.  The Groups' stated description is "...for ALL toy train collectors, regardless of toy train age, make or size!".  My particular example has some issues with the semaphore mast,;there are some missing tabs which would hold it tight to the base, and the linkage is missing  which would allow the semaphore to be raised up and down.  But the lithography is very nice and it's a terrific addition to the tinplate collection.  Enjoy!

Issmayer Pre-war Train Station

I'm kinda pooped today so this will be short.  Our selection is what I believe to be an Issmayer Pre-war train station.  There are no manufacturer's marks but the shingle pattern and overall look point to Issmayer, a German manufacturer of toy train accessories prior to World War II and is approximately from the 1920s.  It's kind of hard to tell from the photographs but not only is all the detail lithographed, it is embossed as well!  The lithography neatly follows each brick, window, and door frame.  What an excellent job!  Although the awning sticks out quite far, there are no apparent attachment points for supporting posts.  Instead there are two sturdy beams running from the back wall to the front of the awning.  The door is missing on my example unfortunately.  Size-wise this is a large structure more suitable for Standard Gauge trains than O-gauge.  It's a wonderful example of the toy maker's art.  Enjoy!