NEWS UPDATE : We understand from the the KMB website on 5th Dec 2006 that due to financial difficulties it is proposed to close the business in an orderly manner. Jowevere subsequently there is some fairly good news for modellers about the future of Klein Modellbahn. Those with German can read about the plans for the firm on the website. For those without German the following summary may be of interest. Production will be moved in June/July to new premises. As these are only about a quarter of the size of the current factory, the standard range will be drastically reduced and limited to models of Eras 1,2, 3 and 5b. The "Kollektion" system, whereby models are produced only once and availability is restricted to about 3-6 months for wagons and a year for locos, will be extended. It is envisaged that there will be 3 or 4 Kollektionen of about 20 models. Because of these production methods there will be no more catalogues in the current form, though thoughts are being given to a ring binder system. There will be a retail shop and repair centre in the Gatterederstrasse near the current works. The existing shops will remain open. Models currently in stock which will not form part of the new reduced standard programme are being sold off at reduced prices. There is a list on the website. As all the moulds will be kept, special runs will be produced for anybody who wishes to commission them (from 200 pieces upwards).(added April 2007)

A result of the split between the Klein Brothers, Klein Modellbahn has developed as an HO model maker leaving Kleinbahn as a low cost/low price supplier to a different market. While Kleinbahn continues to sell only through its own outlets, Klein Modellbahn maintains some shops in Austria and offers a mail order service: additionally it has agents in several European countries: WINCO is the UK outlet.

Klein Modellbahn has achieved and maintained excellent quality in its range. The company has accepted sub-contracted work for several other major model railway companies. Regrettably this has caused some slowing in the development of its own new items. Recent years have seen the introduction of a Jahreskollektion to complement its longer run items. The Jahreskollektion is divided into current and historic Austrian models and models for other railway administrations: these are limited-run models and ordering in good time is advised.

Most recently Kleinmodellbahn have adopted a new approach to steam locomotive product development. This uses the Class 56/156 3 axle tender that was common to many Austrian locomotive classes that were introduced early in the 20th century: the KMB tender houses a motor and has a flexible drive shaft which is linked to the driving wheels of the locomotive: to date KMB have produced the ÖBB Class 56 and the ÖBB class 35 – both excellent models. Next in this product line (we hear) is the ÖBB Class 80.

Locomotive classes offered by Klein Modellbahn are as follows (* shows ex-Kleinbahn models which may not be as detailed or accurate as mainstream Klein Modellbahn items):-

• Steam: ÖBB Classes D.100* (fantasy),35, 52*, 56, 77, 78*, 792, 3071
• Electric: ÖBB Classes 1042*, 1044*, 1046 (pictured below), 1080, 1180, 4020 EMU
  
• Diesel: Classes 2067 (pictured below), 2068, 2143 (pictured below)
  

For several of the above classes Klein Modellbahn have offered variations in bodywork detail, numbering and liveries covering Era 2 to Era 5

Klein Modellbahn’s range of 2 & 4 axle coaches and parcels vans is entirely of Austrian prototypes (Era 3 – 5).
		Their extensive goods wagon range includes examples in Era 3 – 5 liveries of many European railway administrations. as well as some Austrian publicity vans.

Spares: Klein Modellbahn are usually very helpful with requests for parts: We suggest use of simple English using German language description of any parts required where possible.