I am very interested in this model (i may not bid though till i learn more about this model). has anyone seen or used this model?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/schuco-rare-196 ... 3372c03db6

Any historical info or operation would be appreciated.

Okay I'll point you in the right direction. Doug Burwell is the expert and our resident expert is KarlG.

http://schucodisneylandmonorail.com/

This is Doug's site and he has the history, maintenance info and spare parts.

That price is a little high, two trains in the US sold last week for less money and one had a circle of track.

And yes I have seen them in real life I currently own red, blue, and silver, 3 car trains with track.

Thanks for the reply. i have been eyeing this set set from the disneystore. http://www.disneystore.com/disney-store ... allpartial

Are we talking same league stuff here? Good quality? $79.99 is not a bad price if it is decent quality

First, I agree with jazzfan4 about Doug Burwell. He is THE essential person to know if you are going to collect Schuco Monorails in the US. He knows a lot, is totally honest, and wants to help people get their layout running well. You might get a better price on Ebay, but you will have 100% confidence that what you bought is what you will get at a "fair" price. Go to his site FIRST and figure out what things should cost.

Second, I agree that the Schuco engine you pointed to on Ebay seems to be priced too high. One in much better shape should cost about $250US.

Third, IMO, the Schuco's are in a whole different league than the modern monorails. The Schuco's are vastly more flexible to layout as well as more fun and interesting to run. The Schuco's are not quite perfect "scale models" but they are orders of magnitude better than the modern ones which are more of a "toy." If you want something to run, and not just to look at going around in a simple circle or oval (although there are some unauthorized track that adds some flexibility), the Schuco's are SO much better. You have a wide ranges of speeds, the you can weave them under and over each other, the switches let you route the trains.

I personally like the HO scale better as it lets you put a bigger layout in a given space. The modern toy monorails are closer to "O" / Lionel 3-track scale.

A video I made showing 7 Schuco's running at the same time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_z3nGMyC-U&feature=channel

Thread with a bunch of discussion on Schuco Monorails:
http://www.burnsland.com/disneyrailroads/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4229&start=0

There are a few downsides to the Schuco's of course. The first is that they are an expensive hobby. You can't just run down the the store for parts and accessories. It can take years of collecting to get a large set (my set was largely formed over about a 5 years period with occasional additions over the next 5 years). And they are finicky to run, but they will run very well ONCE you know how to run them and you know how to clean and care for the track.

One more thing, the Schuco Monorails are INCREDIBLY durable except for the paint (particularly the silver). I have not seen any "Toy" from the 1960's that can take the level of use that these can take. Doug Burwell takes his to shows and runs them for 8 hours or more a day. I have never seen a Schuco engine that I couldn't get working and Doug told me than in all the dozens of engines he a seen, only one he couldn't get running. Most of the Schuco Monorail collectors are very helpful supportive of others getting started.

A few more comments.

It would be a good idea to learn more before buying. Certainly ask questions here (or write Doug) before bidding and read everything on Doug's site about the sets and models. If you can't get something for significantly less than what Doug is selling it for, then you are paying too much. I certainly goofed on some of my early purchases back in the late 1990's before there was so much information readily available on the net.

A bunch of random information learned through the years:
There are subtle variations between the models. For example the earliest ones didn't have the red "tail cones" nor "weights" (the weights are black pieces of metal that add weight and one side is longer to trip the automatic switches). Rail comes in many varieties (Doug and I compiled many different variations). Even "rusty brass" track can be restored (but I wouldn't bother with steel rail).

I wouldn't bother with getting an original Schuco Transformer; they are expensive (particularly the US version which are rare) and even the "good ones" can have issues. By far my favorite transformer is the LGB 50081 (no longer made, but available since it was their beginner model). It kind of works like the original transformer but is much more reliable and puts out a smoother voltage with its more modern electronics. If you can get it in expensively, the PIKO 28VA Train Transformer and Speed Controller also works pretty well but it is a two part deal (transformer and controller) and does not have as high an output at the LGB 50081 (I use the high output of the LGB 50081 when I am first getting trains going on the rail. Note these are all aimed at "G" scale trains. A typical HO transformer does not put out enough voltage or current to drive a Schuco monorail.

I could go on . . . The Schuco really are a great hobby. They are so much more flexible than rail trains or the modern toy monorails. But part of the "hobby" is learning how to get them running well.