Genesis 1,1

     Initially, the Arnold produced the “200” line, starting in about 1960.  It was probably built to a proportion of 1:160, meaning that one inch on the model equated to 160 inches in real life.  This product line was a very crude model of a V200 diesel of the Deutsche Bundesbahn (pictured above) and “three passenger cars”.  

  Some sources have reported that the Arnold Rapido 200 line ran on 8 mm gauged track and used 6 volt motors.  However, I have not found any supporting evidence for this and believe that the product line has always been designed to operate on 9 mm gauged track with 12 volt motors. Examples of the 200 line in my collection are all gauged to 9 mm and the motor in my locomotive uses 12 volts.

     At the same time, Trix, another Nürnberg model train company was manufacturing “floor toys” to a proportion of 1:180. These unpowered models of trains were meant to operate as children’s push toys.  They would  be the foundation of the Minitrix line of N-Scale, which entered the market in 1964.

     My first sighting of the Arnold Rapido 200 line was in Foley’s Department store in Houston, Texas, probably around Christmas in 1962.  This firm was selling a complete layout with the V200 and two passenger cars, one in red livery and one in blue livery.  The cars had the metal hook couple distinctive to the 200 product line.

     In later years, I was able to obtain examples of the Arnold 200 line (above). Early Arnold items are rarely found in mint condition. This 200 series locomotive shows the wear and tear of play. Note the metal hook coupler.

     The locomotive pictured above is a model of a Baldwin VO1000 diesel switcher in New Haven Railroad livery. Arnold’s choice of the New Haven may be related to their relationship with Charles Merzbach, of New York. Merzbach was their U.S.. agent, and he also was the agent for Fleischmann, another Nürnberg manufacturer of electric trains, in H0-Scale.  Merzbach liked the New Haven, possibly riding it every day to and from work, and the New Haven was noted for its colorful liveries during the “McGinnis-era” of that railroad. During this period, the railroad chose bright and colorful decoration for their locomotives and cars.

     Here are more examples of cars in the Arnold Rapido 200 line:

     Even when first marketed, Arnold must have realized that their first offerings were crude and needed refinement.  This process of refinement began around 1962 - 1963, in small steps.

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