The following is a compilation of translations of the "Spur G News" web blog by LGB club Rhein-Sieg and "Spur II Nachrichten" by HJ Neumann.
Magnus was founded in 1976 by Christian Hoehne in Putzbrunn near Munich/Germany. Ever since then they grew steadily and well. Son Dominik accompanied his parents Rosi and Christian Hoehne from the time he was a toddler. The company truck was grey. Also grey were the precious metal crates and their contents. As soon as the truck doors and the crates opened the eyes of all LGB fans present started sparkling. Every year the perfect adventure (it was). Since these trains were made of metal! ( In German the word for train literally means Iron RailRoad - hence Magnus slogan was " Model Trains - made out- of iron).
The plain grey metal crates were piled up in the trailer truck, rigged and ready to go. Then the newest models were displayed and offered right on shelves on the truck! Magnus 'manufactured' models purely made by hand for LGB, like the Garratt 1 of the Schinzacher Nursery Railway made of all-metal. Even the steam loco RhB G 4/5 No 107 was completely handcrafted in pure perfection in Putzbrunn, Made in Germany. Mrs Rosi Hoehne managed the sales department and the men focused on manufacturing the train models.
Also made by Magnus - a real"Mom&Pop Shop" - were specialties and 'aging' of locos. Standard gauge operators are still gushing about the fantastic Big-Locos of the model series 50 or the model series 01 with 64 mm gauge width. Perfection to the last detail.
Water standpipes, railroad coach carrier trucks, complete workshops or wheel sets were manufactured for the enthusiastic G-scale model railroader.
Magnus closed shop for good in 2014.
The following is courtesy of FGB Berlin, a German LGB and G-Scale retailer with a very informative website (see https://www.fgb-galerie.de)
Exclusive,select models by Magnus for LGB
In 1976 Christian Hoehne established Magnus Co., 'manufacturing' handcrafted locos.
One of their first orders included exclusive handcrafted locomotives for LGB E.P.Lehmann Nuremberg.
Over the years 7 loco series were built listed consecutively.
Each loco series was limited to 100 locos
All locos were G-Scale models with very interesting wheel arrangement
LGB Annual-Loco-Series 1977 to 1983
Modell 1977 -
Class 24 der South African Railways
Modell 1978 -
Garratt Lokomotive der CFM (Caminhos De Ferro De Mocambique)
Modell 1979 -
Mallett der Bridal Will Lumbering Co.
Modell 1980 -
Kitson Meyer der Girardot Railway of Columbia
Modell 1981 -
2'D1' Kondens-Lokomotive der Argentinischen Staatsbahn
Modell 1982 -
Standard Lokomotive der Indischen Staatsbahn
Modell 1983 -
1'E Typ Decapod Lok der Tungpubahn in China
