DORFAN TRAINS: February 2010

THE HISTORY OF DORFAN TRAINS

Julius and Milton Forchimer work for their cousin in Nurnberg Germany untin 1923. The company was Joseph Kraus & C0. They made toy trains named Fandor after Milton's and Julius's mothers, Fanny and Dora. In 1924 they moved to the US and started their own toy company. They reversed the name and called it Dorfan. They made toy trains starting in 1924 but the company could not survive the depression and ended in 1933. Trains were produced in both wide gauge and a narrow gauge equal to "O" gauge. The locomotive bodies were cast with Zinc-alloy which had not been perfected at that time. Most of the castings have crumbled with the passing of 80 years. Few of the locomotives are intact today and it is rare to find one that still runs.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

WORLD'S GREATEST HOBBY

I went to The world's Greatest Hobby show in Long Beach California. There were Tons of vendors selling new trains, old trains, accessories and scenery. Every make of toy and model trains were there, (except one). You guessed it, no Dorfan's. There was nothing, not even a screw. I bought a pre-war, clockwork, narrow gauge, cast iron, steam loco. I have no idea what make or how old it is. I had to rescue it for only $5.00.

I spent several hours digging in boxes marked junk under the tables.