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Introduction |
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Written by Rob Dikken
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Berliner TT Bahnen, in short BTTB, was created in 1972 when the DDR government took over the control of Zeuke & Wegwerth. With this take over, Zeuke left the company. BTTB changed the focus from innovation and quality to much more a quantity production. Export to gain hard currencies was the main goal. In its top production time, there were around 800 employees making 5000 models a day.
In 1989 the unification between the DDR and West Germany was a fact. In those days the state guided companies were again independent and self controling. Zeuke was shortly asked in 1990 to lead the company. With new products and a new cataloque he tried to get more attention. But after one year a new manager was introduced: Carlo Parisel. Also this manager with a marketing background tried to get more attention to models. The boxes were changed and became much more professional. But he could not save BTTB from bankruptcy.
This section describes the BTTB models produced between 1972 and 1993, when the firm went bankrupt and was taken over by Tillig. I will limit myself to trains and wagons. Rail and other accessoiries are not a part of this collection, the same goes for sets.
As with Zeuke there are the main chapters "development", "trains", "freight wagons" and "coach wagons".
In contrary with the Zeuke models, I was unable to buy all the models myself. Kuno from Chemnitz was so friendly to let me photograph his collection. I want to thank him for his help and support.
Rob Dikken |
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BTTB Models