Station

Märklin’s 1895 toy station features a working chocolate dispenser. By pulling a small ring, children could enjoy a treat while at play. Prior to World War I, candy and train play went hand in hand, and a few German and French confectioners produced metal dispensers that doubled as toy railway accessories. Märklin partnered with Stollwerck, a Cologne-based chocolate company, to use their dispenser, which was repainted to match the station’s design. Known simply as “the Chocolate Station,” this station was discontinued after a few years. This example is among a small handful known to survive today.