February | 2025 | Z Trains Weekly

My interest in Westmodel is new and old, I recently acquired my first models just weeks ago; they came from a dealer’s personal collection who lost track of their history. I’ve known about the company for many years, but I never had the opportunity to see a model in person. This post attempts to shed light on these amazing models from the now shuttered company Westmodel.

Few details sourced on the internet suggest Westmodel operated in Vienna, Austria (since 1973), its owner Klaus Bachmann produced model trains in various scales including: HO, HOe, HOm, N, Nm, and Z. Constructed of brass, locomotives were built with motive parts by Fleischmann and Marklin; my models include Marklin Z wheelsets. Today’s feature model utilizes a Marklin mini-club motor, frame and wheel sets. My research into the company is limited to web search which I hope is mostly accurate, I will revise/correct my Westmodel posts when new information becomes available. Interpreting the lineage of Westmodel is difficult, but they appear to have changed hands and moved over the years. Linie 8 GmbH was the last company to handle Westmodel articles as parts only (finished models were not available). In 2017 Linie 8 GmbH was liquidated. Errors in this history will be corrected as new details emerge through further research.

This post covers Westmodel #30062 for Z gauge: Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0. Shell is constructed of brass with add-on parts including railings on water tank. Painted and lettered for “Lumber Co.” Interesting locomotive type is one of a kind in Z gauge: “tender-less” locomotive features water tank installed above boiler.

The model includes cast brass shell installed on Marklin mini-club locomotive frame with Marklin couplers, motor and wheels. Printed lettering on loco also features non-working headlights and shiny silver wheels. Best guess for date of manufacture is mid 1980’s or later. Westmodel articles in this scale were delivered in foam lined wood boxes with logo burned/stamped on lid.

After applying a little oil the locomotive operated flawlessly after an unknown time in storage. The locomotive’s considerable weight make it a good pulling locomotive for multiple cars loaded with logs and lumber.