Pictures of Layouts from Around the World

Last Schuco Monorail Sold at Disneyland

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In 2012, Schuco published a book about their history since they are now 100+ years old.  In the book, there are only 2 pages concerning the monorails.  It is still great information.  For example, Schuco spent over $250,000 DM in just the development of the Disneyland monorails.Apparently this was a tremendous amount to spend on a new toy product.  There were also arguments whether the monorails should be 1:90 scale or 1:87 scale.  The head of Schuco won out on this argument.  Schuco had a model car line that was already 1:90 scale.  When the monorails failed to sell well, workers blamed the choice of the 1:90 scale over 1:87.  I think this was a scapegoat excuse as probably most modelers would not care about the minor difference. The book mentions that Schuco gave up on the Disneyland monorails in 1969.  In my opinion, Schuco "gave up" after poor sales during the 1967 Christmas season.  As mentioned above, I have not found a toy catalog past 1967 that lists them, nor can I find them listed in a 1968 Schuco catalog.  Again, I have found them in a Schuco 1969 AND in a 1970 Schuco price list.  I’m guessing that Schuco stopped producing them around 1968 or 1969 and for the next couple of years just sold off whatever they had in inventory.

Website updated 1/22/26*

Schuco Disneyland Monorail Basic Facts

Denver, Colorado April 11 & 12 National Western Complex 4655 Humboldt St.

The 1961 to 1970 Schuco1:90 scale model Mark I

The first Disneyland monorail, the Mark I, was introduced at the park June 14, 1959.  There was a red and blue one with the red being the one to operate that day.  Schuco did not offer its first set until Christmas of 1961.  I have read that the price of that set was $39.95 at the park.  This price has also been verified by several collectors.  In today's money, that would be over $300!  Remember, it only cost $3.50 to gain entrance into Disneyland in 1961.  You could purchase a book of 10 tickets plus admission for less than $5, so this new monorail train set was rather pricey for the time.  For Christmas of 1962, Schuco offered a downsized starter set in an effort to lower the price.  This one started at $29.95, but Schuco continually lowered prices as time went on.  A collector tells me he bought a set on a Disneyland vendor's cart for $25.  Click here to see pictures of actual Disneyland price tags! 

Why Collect Schuco Disneyland Monorails?

I have been doing the Greatest Hobby on Tour for several years now.  What makes this model train show different than other shows is that there will be several manufactures such as Lionel and Bachmann present along with the regular booths and tables of model trains for sale.  Before Covid in 2020, there used to be four shows a year, always in a different city, and a city could not be repeated for at least five years.  After Covid, there were only two cities a year selected.  Now for 2026, there is only one so it may be a long time before it ever appears in Dallas again.  The show runs Saturday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm.  I will have items for sale and a layout.  I hope to see you there!

What is it like to work at Disneyland?  CLICK HERE!

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The real Mark I monorailas it appeared in 1959 at Disneyland!

Welcome to the website dedicated exclusively to the 1960's HO operating model of the Disneyland monorail!

The monorails were offered at other hobby shops throughout the world, not just at Disneyland.  Collectors have shared various prices for these.  The large S set featuring a Mark II monorail (four units instead of three) was priced anywhere from $89.95 to $125.  That is close to $1,000 in today's dollar!  Needless to say, the combination of a high price, the declining interest in model trains in the 1960's, and the fact that the Schuco monorails were known to have their own operating personalities led to low sales, and thus the low number of sets available today.  The last year the Schuco Disneyland monorails appeared in a Christmas catalog that I can find, is 1967.  I can’t find a 1968 Schuco catalog where the monorails appear, BUT, I have recently purchased a 1969 Schuco catalog, and the small and large sets are listed!!  

What's for Sale?

Dallas, Texas March 28 & 29 Dallas Market Hall 2200 N. Stemmons Fwy.

The purpose of this website is to share information about these fun and well engineered, transformer controlled, model trains designed after the first monorails operated in Disneyland.  Hopefully, whether you are a collector, operator, or both, you will find the information you need here!  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Most of my research and information comes from years of talking to collectors and acquiring brochures from Schuco, or catalogs from toy retailers.  Therefore, any information you may have would greatly enhance the knowledge shared here!  Please email me at Trainfool@aol.com with any information, stories, or pictures you may have. With that said, here are some basic facts I know about the Schuco Disneyland monorails.  There is much more detail in the "Schuco Disneyland Monorail Basic Facts" section.  

Keeping Your Monorails Running

Advertised as the “Largest Model Train Show West of the Mississippi," this show is one of the best.  There will be major manufactures, hundreds of “For Sale” tables with model train related items, and a huge variety of layouts from Z to HO to O to G to LEGO.  And, yes, there will be a Schuco Disneyland monorail layout!  I will also have items for sale.  The show runs 9am to 5pm Saturday and 9am to 4pm Sunday.  If you are thinking of traveling to a show, this is the one you want to choose.  Denver is the hub for some major airlines, so check for any inexpensive deals.  See you there!

Sets Produced by Schuco

Disneyland Monorails

One of the best parts about this hobby is hearing all the stories people are willing to share about their past monorail purchases.  This one comes from Jim and I’ll let him tell his story:   “I have a Schuco Disneyland monorail, it still runs.  My monorail was the last one sold at Disneyland.  I wanted one for a long time and when I finally had enough money to buy one I went to the Tomorrowland Toy store in the park and the large overhead oval monorail track was gone.  I asked the clerk about buying one and was told that it was no longer available.  I asked if they were going to get anymore in and they referred me to the store manager.  The manager said it was a discontinued item, but said they had an unboxed partial set left.  They said it only had 12 curved pieces of track and a monorail, no box.  They gave me a price of around $100 and I bought it.” According to Jim, this took place around 1967 or 1968.  Thanks Jim for sharing your story!  If you have any similar experiences, please email them to Trainfool@aol.com.

*What's been recently updated:

What’s for Sale/Accessories (1/22/26); What’s for Sale/Sets, Monorails & Transformers (1/22/26); Home Page (1/18/26); What’s for Sale/Miscellaneous (1/18/26); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Idaho (1/2/26); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/California (12/21/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Georgia (10/22/25);  Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Alabama (9/17/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/Europe/Italy (9/6/25); Sets Produced by Schuco (8/15/25); Keeping Your Monorails Running/Oddball Trouble Shooting (6/26/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Tennessee (4/14/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Texas (2/3/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Wyoming (1/28/25); Pictures of Layouts from Around the World/North America/USA/Ohio (1/25/25)