Pearhaps, it would be interesting to comment a connection between Italian model makers (other than LIMA), and MEHANOTEHNIKA (ex. YU, before MEHANO era). On the site of RIVAROSSI Memory you can find next picture:


Recently, I bought three models (5€ for all), that I remember from my childhood and older MT catalogues. Little by little, I realized that these are the same models, obviously of the POCHER origin. The engine is MDT shunting locomotive, „Europeanized“ and „Germanized“, but I’m not sure about its origin, (RR, LIMA...). On the bottom, you can see a very known then MT sign. I believe that the POCHER molds of freight cars arrived to the MT via connection with Rivarossi.



BTW, I remember very well that in ex. YU, during 70’s and 80’s, there was MT US models in different boxes (blue AHM, IHC, light blue-white MODEL POWER, LIFE-LIKE, TYCO etc.) Mystery and confusion are increased by ROCO and LILIPUT models for the US market, which are very similar to the MT’s. Any further comments and information are welcome.

It could be interesting also the issue of couplings and axles. It is about combination of metal axle (with stepped ends, similar to the older Marklin and Röwa axles) and synthetic wheels. So, is there any entirely metal wheels as replacement (as far as I now, by Thomschke there is no).



Regarding couplings, the clip is identic as later Rivarossi type. On the frame of the car there is two spikes, perhaps provide for centering of the coupling, but on the rear side of the coupling there is no any spring or similar part for this purpose (similar as there is on the older ROCO “einfachserie” cars e.g. no. 40274).
Also, on the bottom of the car, there is two small surfaces, as a plates, obviously recast label of POCHER MADE IN ITALY or RIVAROSSI COMO ITALY.

My first train was this MEHANOTEHNIKA set consisting of diesel MDT locomotive and two „Germanized“ DB cars of the ex-French company rivets coaches, bought in then famous toy shop in the city center of Belgrade. They are obviously of the POCHER origin, connected with MT most likely via cooperation with RIVAROSSI. It is very noticeable recast surface of POCHER label. The set consisted also of the track oval and battery box.

Well, I didn’t explain that all of these models I find in the past few years as a „second hand“ items via ads or on the flea market. Anyway, I remember very well that beginning 70’s of the XX century there was MT boxes in the style as on the following picture, depicting JŽ 17 steam locomotive (ex-MAV 342). I don't knew that anytime there was RR boxes, but I remember very well "tempo" boxes, which is also one mysterious brand. In this regard, I plan one story regarding DB 216 (V160) "Lollo" series.

Here you have a few items with TEMPO label, that can be find in the ads, here in Serbia. Anyway, I believe that TEMPO is only one period of the „mysterious“ cooperation with RIVAROSSI, AHM etc....

Finally, I found enough material (and time), to finish the story of MT Lollo.
Let's start with a general overview:

V.l.n.r: 216 001-8 MEHANO era, V160 001 (Liliput, Rivarossi, tempo?), 216 016 -6 (Mehanotehnika era), V160 001 (Mehanotehnika era).

Bottom view:


Side view:


Top view:


Some inscription details:


To be continued with a special story for each version of the model.

Regarding RIVAROSSI-derivate version, it was being sold in red-white colour scheme, almost only in starter-set, no signs on the botom plate, with separate metal handrails, without electronic elements (capacitor or resistor, coils or whatever, I'm not sure), and with five-poles engine on the metal base plate (see pictures).

The later MEHANOTEHNIKA Era III version, (V 160 001), have in body cast handrails and a few electronic elements added. On the bottom plate there is a RSO sign (Radio Smetnje Otklonjene - Radio Interference Removed), Made in Yugoslavia and MT symbol. Metal base plate has been removed and the engine is equipped with three poles rotor.

Hallo zusammen,
Hello everyone,

ich habe hier noch eine Lok, die Mehano hergestellt hat und die in Deutschland von Haug unter Tempo vertrieben wurde. Die Lok fährt AC.
I still have a locomotive here that Mehano manufactured and that was sold in Germany by Haug under Tempo. The locomotive runs AC.

Interesting "Schleifer" solution! And the "FRU" looks like by Rivarossi?

Except the Era IV inscriptions (216 016-6), this later version is almost identical as the previous depicted Era III version.

Finally, the latest one version, MEHANO Era IV (210 001-8). Except the body mould shape, the other technical solutions are totally different.






The front details with LED lighting and NEM362 cuopler pocket:


Hood and bogies details:






Some drive details: