The Zig Zag trains on this page demonstrate that the idea had at least some international appeal. First up is this Crazy Express made in England. The box says "I Swirl, IWhirl, Twirl, and Curl." No manufacturer is noted. For some reason I suspect this was made by Mettoy but I have to admit it's a gut feel. All tin, even the wheels, I suspect this was made in the late forties to early fifties. The box art noes not have a prewar feel to it. Any of my Anglo-Saxon friends care to chime in here, I'm all ears.


I bought this one in the late nineties. It's made in the USSR. I have not seen many toys made in the USSr. I believe I have three or four pieces in my collection. The set is about 1/2 the size of the American and Japanese made examples. I have no Idea what the text on the sides or the box says. Maybe one of our Eastern European friends can translate for us.


This Big Comic Circus Train is from the seventies or later. Probably the eighties. It is made in Taiwan and is battery operated. The operation is excellent, much better than the clockwork examples. I was going to give this to one of the little kids in the neighborhood until I installed the batteries and watched it run. Now, I'm keeping it for my grandchildren.
The engine and car frames are plastic but the car bodies are lithographed tin.


This Snake Train, made in Japan, is one of my favorites. I love the box art. The boy on the right is excited and his dog has decided to give chase. The cowboy is also excited and has decided to pop off a round. The Indian in the background is shooting an arrow at it (how sterotypical) and the little sissy boy on the left is frightened. (You can tell he's a sissy by the hat!)
The operation of this set is by friction motor which also makes the eyes pop in and out.
This one makes my dog completely crazy!