Perhaps this new group will not be for everyone but for some reason I have acquired an interest in French made Trains & Toys. What originally caught my attention was the JEP creation of a “Super O” similar track called Rails Plastique which actually predates the introduction of “Super O”. It is pictured on the new site. Take a look and if you have a little adventure in your sole come on aboard! We will learn together.
Interesting site. But one thing wonders me, they tell that JEP stopped in 1965 due to the beginning of h0 to come up, but as far as I know only the tin-toy’s where stopped then. JEP changed to Jouef (Jouets France?) and they made trains for a much longer time. They even where the first with a multi train operation by use of a Samota-like control.
The postwar models of JEP are also pretty ones, I have a few JEP’s myself, and a postwar Bobo electric locomotive is also with it. Also the first manufacturer using 5 pole anchors in their motors, giving much smoother rides and lower starting speeds.
They also have some setbacks; the wheels lack strength, they are made from a rather weak casting without rims, so they can be damaged pertty quick and the gears are not beared in any way. They simply fitted the (nylon) gears onto cast-in axles on the motorframe and also these wear out quickly when not sufficienty lubricated. They have metal trucks, cast-iron (zamac) shells and are pretty heavy, like the postwar Lionels.