Sadly Matts, as you probably know the whole AMS series seems to be a huge embarrassment for Faller.

Despite being hugely popular at the time, and in the program for over 20 years, and worthy of several separate catalogues and publications just for that line alone, Faller did not think the product range worthy of inclusion in their own 50th Anniversary book from 1996.

I, and many others felt quite cheated by this hoping that there might have been some celebration of this important part of their history but noooo, even in their official chronology, the section for 1963 carried NOTHING about AMS. 1974 does mention the Container Terminal, but only as a free-standing kit, no relation to AMS. They do however include their Car System where you think they might at least have acknowledged the genesis of this line in the former slotted version.

In fact in the entire 100 pages of this otherwise wonderful book, the only visual reference to any AMS whatsoever is where it is shown on some old catalogue cover images.

It's almost as if the AMS line simply never happened for Faller and we could speculate whether there is some underlying rift behind this omission?

I have heard (anecdotally) that the AMS range was a 'pet' project of Edwin Faller and that the pursuit of it nearly bankrupted the company. Whether this is true who knows?. It must have been a very expensive line to develop and maintain simply because of the technical expertise required. Producing plastic kits is one thing, but the development and production of the items related to slot-cars quite another matter.

Perhaps the writers of the book were told told in no uncertain terms not to refer to AMS, or perhaps there was no one left to provide the required information (highly unlikely).

It just does not make sense but whatever the reason, the omission of the AMS line from their own history and any reluctance to even acknowledge it is really quite 'impolite' not only toward the hundreds of thousands of original customers, but also those who have taken up the passion in later years, not to mention the Faller Brothers themselves for their dream.

I'm sure there was some healthy debate on German forums about this topic, if anyone has any links please post.

I think I have also mentioned here before that it is believed all the AMS production molds tools & dies, were sold in the late 1980's or early 90's to a New Zealand company (Yock Brothers) but that the ship carrying the shipment was lost at sea (name of ship, when and where it foundered are unknown).

I have always found that to be a remarkable story, not only for the possibility that AMS production might have been able to continue here 'down-under, but also explains why no items have ever been produced since the end of production. The cost of recreating those tools for plastic-injection from scratch would be horrendous, but 3D printers might allow a resurgence yet, but alas, not at current printing speeds!!

Thanks for starting the thread Matts, I look forward to what others have to contribute.

Cheers from a currently very cold and wet Wellington - after 2 weeks of beautiful summer weather, they promise the sun will be back in 2 days.

In the 80's I was in correspondence with a Gent with some knowledge of the 'goings-on', as it where. I am going back through our letters, he informed me that Hermann Faller passed away in or around October 1982. When Faller was founded in 1946, Hermann was working for the Bosch Company in Stuttgart and would certainly appear to have been the Technical driving force as you say.

** Added - In the 50th Anniversary book, Edwin is referred to as "The Hobbyist", and Hermann as "The Inventor" but who was actually the older of the two?

Given that the decline ('withdrawal' may be a more kind way of saying it) of the Technical products and Toys appears to have started soon after 1982, it would seem that Hermann played a big part in those products up to that point, or at least until the late 70's, although if he had been unwell he may not have had a hand in the company for some time.

Hermann had one daughter (Ursula), and Edwin had three. There is no mention of any Sons, but I am advised of a Son-in-Law who at that time (circa 1982) was the Manager, International Division and who did most of the travelling when required. Possibly he is the Husband of Ursula (surname Herbertz), but that's just guesswork, he could also be husband of one of Edwin's three daughters.

Around early-mid 1984, a "Mr Busch" was brought into the company and tried to implement a more 'American style' of management, (although I'm not quite sure just what that means but the tone implies it was not entirely complimentary). He was gone ('has taken flight') by Feb 1985 and is noted then as only lasting with Faller for about half a year.

(In my original posting I stated that this Mr Busch was the Son-in-Law mentioned above but I now believe this to be quite incorrect. Apologies for my error of assumption and the confusion.)


This led to restructuring including the attempted closing down of the "Service Dept" which looked after spare parts, old stock etc and from what I understand at that time, the problem was more a matter of knowing where to look for these items - one can barely imagine how it must have been. In fact, it was indicated to me that unless you were a very special customer, or had someone on the inside willing to take the time, it was not uncommon to be advised that an item or part was no longer in stock, simply because it was too time-consuming for some staff to find it.

Around 1985 a new Managing Director was to be employed, allowing Edwin Faller to retire and by 1986, there were apparently no more AMS items at all to be found except a small quantity of cars with slow and fast chassis, presumably these were soon depleted also.

Tensions within the company appear to be reaching a climax, many staff laid off and other changes taking place. My impression is that it was not an entirely pleasant environment or at least not for my correspondent who had been with the company for some years.

Then in 1987, there was a period in which 3 Managing Directors were in place, each running a separate department, and by this time I was advised that the Faller Company had parted with the Toys completely. Another company (not disclosed) brought all the tools and was intending to start production again of only the E-Train and Playtrain, with some changes from those produced by Faller.

I have only just become reminded again of this detail and it's an interesting point. With the speculation of the AMS tools etc being sold to a NZ company (Yock Brothers), I could see the production of E-Train and Playtrain resuming, but maybe not the AMS line. So perhaps the AMS tools were sold separately, or maybe everything related to toys (AMS included) was sold entirely to the same company. Is anyone aware of anything similar enough to E-Train/Playtrain (0-gauge) being produced any time after 1986?

My last update was back in 1999 when a chance conversation between my contact and another gent (an ex-Faller employee) indicated that Mr Edwin Faller had sold all his shares in the company, including those of his 3 daughters, and it is implied that those shares were sold to Hermann Faller's only daughter (Ursula Herbertz) who then (or by then) owned around 95% of the Company, with the remaining 5% being with her cousin, Isolde Sauer-Faller (would she be one of Edwin's daughters still?). Indications are that finally, peace was being restored so whether there was some issue lingering between the two original brothers, or perhaps between the descendant cousins who knows?

Perhaps there was no family tension as such, maybe just differing management styles or desires. I am not casting any shadows on that.

However, reading between the lines, if Ursula shared her Father's love of the Technical toys, perhaps she simply needed to gain more autonomy and that came when she had control?

Another article I read via rough translation is this one... http://www.zeit.de/2002/51/Weltmeister_Faller and it too mentions a period of discord within the company which has now passed.

I wonder then who has been the driving force behind the newer 'Car System' from 1989, and other novelties such as the Fairground kits etc? - the very first item of this line, the original Ferris Wheel was released in 1985. A very short time indeed following the end of the AMS period.

All very interesting

Steve

Edited by user 22 March 2013 03:55:45(UTC)  | Reason: Error correction, daughters mixed up - Oops

Interesting story cookie!

In 2005 I visited the Märklin days i Göppingen Germany. in the great exhibition hall Faller had a monter. There I met and talked to Faller's representative Mr Hubert Faller. I did not ask about his family relations, but I guess he must have some relationship with the Faller founding brothers. I guessed then he was the son of one of them. His age indicated that. We talked a little bit about Faller AMS and he told the story of the moulds laying on the bottom of the Indian Ocean.

Edited by user 08 February 2013 10:48:03(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi All,
A few Faller related photo's. First my E Train set (no box I'm afraid) runs very well, it has the original Faller Lok controller and track. And my very groovy E Train, battery powered but a very nice runner and fun with all the track stops and reverse (Manual) switches. - Weird set but well it's Faller...

Rex

The Historian in me says this does not add up if the ship cannot be traced through lloyds register, it could just be a smoke screen made up by Faller to end this chapter in their business. Interesting point most about ships cargo holds, if sealed they can be water tight for up 50 or more years. I know of some Americans who were trying to raise money to get some Italian or German cargo ships which sunk off the coast of North Africa raised as they contained WW3 German tanks in perfect condition as the cargo holds were sealed. Anyone got a spare million or so to go looking for this Faller ship?

Hi Marco,

All the best mate and a speedy recovery.

Ian.

Glad to hear you're back kweekalot!

Hi Marco

welcome back and keep your sunny side up

Mike

Hm...I have read somewhere ( possibly in the Faller Jubilee book of '96) That Faller have kept all the moulds they ever made.....

What indicates that this is so is that they often pick up old house models and remake them many years after they were withdrawn. For instance the Go-cart buildings that reappeared from the AMS-era some years ago

Nice to see these loveley trees back in production!

I made a recent purchase which included and original completely mint boxed set of these tree's from the late 50's, I already had quite a few others and for me, they are one of the best obviously artificial trees there are. Of course there's more realistic trees, but everyone knows these are plastic, and yet in a layout, well they're just awesome. I wonder if they still include a selection of 'bent' trunks so you can plant them on a hillside. My factory display layout has a bunch of them as originally fitted as well.

Just love those trees. One could say, we've been 'pining' for them??????

Ouch, oh, ah, yikes, hey easy with the tomatoes.....

They had bent trunks in the mid 60's for sure! I still have them....

Kweekalot, where did you find the picture above? I looked in the Faller catalouge 2013 but I can't find them...
Or are they in the news prospect from Nurnberg Messe?

Hi Fallerfreak,

I found the picture of the "comeback plastic trees" on new items 2013 section on the Faller website.
See here: L I N K

Marco

Steve, really you should be ashamed with that last pun. But I agree that they are the most wonderful trees to be seen on a model railway layout, totally plastic and un prototype but so Faller and such amazing things to behold.

@Steve,

I have a question concerning your post #4 in this thread.
You start with telling that Hermann had 3 daughters, and Edwin just one.

Then your a writing that in 1999 Edwin Faller sold all his shares in the company, including those of his 3 daughters, and it is implied that those shares were sold to Hermann Faller's only daughter (Ursula Herbertz).

Obvious one of those statements is wrong, but which one ??

Marco

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your quick response !!
Your link to the 2002 Faller article in German newspaper "Die Zeit" is fantastic !!

Perhaps I may also share a German newspaper link from "Der Tagesspiegel" (23 december 2001) about a visit to the replica 1:1 Tessin Villa in Gutenbach (Faller B-271).
The reporter then also has spoken with Michael Lang who is/was the marketing chief of Faller, he gives a great inside view how the Faller buildings nowadays (2001) are designed by a group of only 4 people from who only 1 has a mrr layout at home.

I posted the Tagespiegel link previous in November in another topic, but it is good to have it here too in this very nice Faller thread.

LINK Tagesspiegel

Marco