JEP was a French manufacturer that made trains in 0/027, S, and H0 gauge. They
also made lithographed, tin, clockwork toy automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft and other motor miniatures.
JEP cars traditionally carried a trademark on the radiator of the particular vehicle replicated.
The company began in 1899 as Le jouet de Paris. Later in 1909 they
were taken over by the larger Société Industrielle de Ferblanterie (SIF), and joined
forces to produce toys under the label "JP". Eventually this
label changed into "J et P" and in 1928 into "Jep". Under this name the brand achieved
great success, as technical systems for manufacturing were continually improved.
During the 1st World War the company was requisitioned by the army to produce
military accessories in tin plate. The great start of the company began in 1920 and the Golden Age
of the 30's with the most beautiful models of French trains. The "Pacific" and "Fleche d'or" are
fine examples of these high quality trains that could compete with the best productions worldwide.
Around 1935 the factory in Montreuil, a suburb of Paris, employed 750 workers and was handling
over 10 tons of material each day. After the 2nd World War in 1948, a range of HO gauge trains were added to
the line. The company competed with the likes of Hornby France,
Jouef and LR, and
other French manufacturers. The post war products where completely different than previous production.
The engines became more scale like models. However, the entire line of rolling stock and passenger cars
were produced without modification for 35 years, except for the inclusion of automatic couplers in 1952.
The company ceased production of model trains and toys in 1965. Manufacturing was shifted
primarily to parts for the automobile industry.
