Electric Train Systems (ETS) was founded in Prague by Gustav Taus in 1991. The company produces high-quality, all-metal O Gauge trains using traditional tinplate technology. With Gustav Taus’s leadership and enthusiasm, the company has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of O Gauge model railways. Sadly, in April 2015 Gustav died and so now a second generation of ETS management is taking the company forward with the same passion for high quality and precision construction.

All ETS models are designed to be rugged and reliable in operation and great care is taken with every detail during the fabrication and assembly processes. Although all major components are produced from formed tinplate, small parts are cast in metal and all wheel bearings are precision engineered. Models are then hand assembled using nuts and bolts which allows easy disassembly should enthusiasts wish to service or modify their locomotives or rolling stock.

All ETS driving units are fitted with high-quality five-pole electric can motors and torque is transmitted to the driving wheels by a worm gear coupled with a unique, patented clutch that disconnects the motors from the drive train when power is cut. This enables the locomotives to freewheel and gives a fabulous smooth operation with coasting on power down.

I first met Gustav Taus in 2007 whilst working for Corgi/Bassett-Lowke and indeed I commissioned ETS to produce the Corgi/Hornby Bassett-Lowke J-39 and all the Corgi/Hornby era Bassett-Lowke rolling stock. When I formed WJVintage in 2011, Gustav was hugely supportive of my business and supplied me with my first ETS products to sell. Since then I have gone on to commission many more exclusive UK outline locomotives and wagons from ETS, most of which are sold into the UK market under the WJVintage brand name, and latterly in co-operation with Raylo.

WJVintage is also very pleased to be an official UK sales agent for the entire ETS catalogue range of European outline O gauge railway and tram models. With regular monthly deliveries from ETS, most non-stock items can be ordered and delivered within just a few weeks. Please feel free to contact me with your requirements.