diesel loco JT42CWR Class 66 Freightliner PL 66001 Willy Brandt

Dapol model trains and accessories from Great Britain

Dapol is one of Britain's most innovative model train manufacturers and operates in 0, 00 and N gauges. In Germany, Dapol is best known as a producer of some of our own Modellbahn Union products as well as our rail vacuum cleaner. Dapol is exclusively distributed by Modellbahn Union in Europe outside Great Britain.

Jump directly to the products.

The story of Dapol

Dapol was founded in 1983 by David and Pauline Boyle who saw an opportunity for a fresh new business in the 00 gauge railway market. In addition to production at the Winsford site, models were already being manufactured in Hong Kong and the Far East. This agreement has since worked well and Dapol is proud of its UK manufacturing facility and long-term and strategic relationships with partners in Asia.

In 1985 Dapol bought many tools and molds from Pallitoy. The range adopted included many railroad-related kits from Airfix and Kitmaster. Well over 50 years old these tools are still used by Dapol and are the basis of the Kitmaster/Dapol range of 00 Gauge kits.

In 1994 Dapol acquired a new site and moved from its old factory in Winsford to a new facility in Llangollen. A Doctor Who exhibition was also set up there, supported by the BBC, and Dapol produced under license Dr. Who figures and action toys including Daleks, Cybermen and the many versions of the "Doctor" himself.

In 2000 the decision was made to withdraw from the competitive 00 gauge market. The tools were sold to Hornby and some of them are still in use today for new models.

Unfortunately, the exhibition and licensed production of Doctor Who ended in 2002. After carefully observing the market, Dapol decided to enter N Gauge. The first model was the 14xx steam locomotive and many more vehicles were to follow, taking the standard for N Gauge models in the UK to a new level and on par with the Producers in Europe and the USA brought.

In 2003, Dapol moved to the current facility in Chirk and continued to expand the site over the following years. The new location and market for railways offered new opportunities, and so in 2011 Dapol returned to 00 gauge with the Class 22, only to conquer the 0 gauge market shortly thereafter with the Terrier steam locomotive.

Dapol today: A model railway manufacturer with innovation and tradition

With the establishment of a new development team in 2013, Dapol has expertise in all areas of model making, from toolmaking and decoration to electronics and technology.

Dapol's ultimate goal is to produce quality N, 00 and 0 gauge models and to promote the joy and fun of the model railroad hobby. Innovation and sustainability are key elements, major investments are being made in the Chirk site to be as independent as possible.

Model railways from Dapol

In all gauges, the railway models meet the high standards that you can expect from current products. Modern engines, digital interfaces, sound versions, NEM recordings for couplings as well as short coupling scenes and much more are a matter of course for the locomotives, traction vehicles and wagons. Many "exotic" elements, such as light changes based on the British model, are implemented in a prototypical manner. For vehicles with sound, we work with specially recorded sound projects that are exclusively available with the models. With the 0 Gauge models, they attach such great importance to being true to the original that they decided to couple the models with hooks and chains, thereby achieving a realistic look.

One of Dapol's hallmarks is the ability to have models made to a high standard, even in small editions. Modellbahn Union takes advantage of this in the production of many variants and company numbers for our own models, which we have manufactured by Dapol.

The 00 gauge models of the classic 2-axle freight wagons based on the British model are a collection area in their own right and have almost become a cult in Great Britain. Dapol brings out new models every month both in the standard range and for other shops and clubs. Modellbahn Union has already had several models from this series made as special editions.

The rail cleaning trolley/rail vacuum cleaner

Dapol is the producer of the H0 version of the track cleaning car, which is based on the system developed by Tomix and which offers you the option of vacuuming, grinding and polishing your tracks in one vehicle. New versions of the most diverse variants are constantly being created for our Modellbahn Union range.

Frequently asked questions about Dapol

Do Dapol models run on a German model railway layout?

All vehicles for the 00 gauge run on any 2-wire DC system with tracks and technology from other major manufacturers such as Roco, Tillig, Peco, etc. The NEM shafts allow couplings to be easily exchanged for other bracket couplings or close couplings, digital interfaces also correspond the NEM standards.

Unfortunately, there are no models for 3-wire AC systems from Great Britain.

The 0 gauge trains run on the well-known tracks from Lenz or Peco and can also be used with the well-known control devices. Only with the clutches you have to be a bit creative if you want to mix British and German vehicles.

What is the scale of the Dapol models?

Gauge 00 railways from Dapol are made in 1/76 scale. This does not affect the track width of 16.5mm, only a larger vehicle body. Since locomotives, passenger and goods wagons in Great Britain have smaller external dimensions, the difference is in most cases not noticeable.

Gauge 0 models are on a scale of 1/43.5, so that there is almost no difference to other vehicles.

Are the locomotives and wagons limited?

All models are normally only produced in one-off editions. When it comes to new productions, company numbers or the paintwork are changed.

Buy Dapol railways and accessories online

Discover the model railways, houses, details and all necessary accessories from the Dapol brand right here in our own online shop in the factory outlet. Various payment options and fast shipping are a matter of course for us. You can also benefit from our bonus program. You can add a free item to your order even with a small order value.

You can find the N scale range from Dapol at the colleagues from DM-Toys.