There is a fine blog on the internet that came way before me, it got me started on the path of troubleshooting and repairing z. This is a short entry because I just want to introduce another blog that has very useful and important information:
http://www.zscale.org
I just wrote an entry about the easy repair and motor upgrade for a diesel F7, but other repairs are not so easy. If general maintenance is all the doctor ordered stay away from tear downs of locos with side rods except if you have nothing to lose due to a major issue, wheels are completely tangled in who knows what in this case the choice is easy but not the repair. I find repairing locos to be very enjoyable, I have repaired every type of z train including complete tear-downs. Taking everything apart and putting back together again is easier than Humpty Dumpty by a long shot, but aligning side rods can be difficult work for the uninitiated. Side rods on locos attach to multiple wheelsets, their function on models is decorative, but if they are poorly aligned they will not move, or if pairs are misaligned directional travel is interrupted such is the case with the Swiss Krokodil: loco might only run well in one direction if the side rods are not synchronous.
Word of caution: get some experience with diesels and electrics before moving into steam engine repair.
Particularly difficult locos to tear down are all versions of the ‘mallet’ locos, followed by Swiss Krokodil, and finally followed by big steam and little steam.
The 8862 Amtrak F7 is a member of the original line of F7’s produced for mini-club. And it features the “tried and true” 3 pole motor #264440. No need to upgrade original 3 pole locos to 5 pole except for the following reasons: 5 pole motors are quieter and lower idling speeds. Some members of the z community feel 3 pole motors are more durable, but I am not of that thinking. The current cost of the replacement 5 pole motor is on average $50 for the #211903 that replaces #264440. Marklin has made available almost all 5 pole motor replacements for the diesel, steam and electric locos, there are a couple of exceptions including the Zeppelin. I highly recommend upgrading 3 pole rail buses just for the lowered noise, these locos don’t seem to have as much buffering as the rest.
For an easy 5 pole motor upgrade I chose the 8862.
Parts Breakdown:
First: use a pair of synthetic .70mm or thinner guitar picks gently slide each between the shell and chassis either side as illustrated, shell will slide off easily, Marklin depict small screwdrivers used in their literature, but the soft flexible guitar picks risk much less damage to inside of the shell. Photo exaggerates use of the guitar picks, shell slides off with very slight pressure using these.
Second: with a toothpick or very small screwdriver push the axles out of chassis thereby releasing the trucks. Set aside the top gear for cleaning.
Third: unscrew the single black screw in circuit board followed by prying off circuit board, very gently apply just enough pressure the release circuit board from 4 clips that hold it in place.
Fourth: remove lightbulb and set aside, very carefully bend capacitor straight up to allow easy removal of circuit board mounting frame (I use a pair of tweezers as a way of holding wires in place as I gently bend them equally), unscrew circuit board mounting frame from chassis, careful not to lose the three tiny screws. Set aside circuit board mounting frame.
Fifth: with motor and transmission gearing still installed in chassis please take notice of the brass bushings and how they sit perfectly in place in the chassis, they need to be reinstalled in the same way.
Notes: motor only fits one way in chassis and worm drives face ends of loco.
Further notes: before installing new motor apply electricity to confirm it works, also break-in the brushes with slow and fast speeds, forward and reverse.
Follow a reverse course when putting the loco back together with a couple of important observations: use great care bending the new capacitor wires, check the whiskers from the circuit board engage with the capacitor wires, don’t forget the all important black screw attaching circuit board to chassis, a spot of Labelle 108 oil sparingly to all moving gears only except gears from motor those will get enough oil from transmission gearing, lightbulb will slide into clips before screwing in place black screw for circuit board, and lastly cattle catcher if you choose to install slides on post at end of loco after removing coupler at that end: gently prying open the truck will allow access to coupler and spring, I normally leave the spring intact in case I want to reinstall the coupler at a later date.
Hope this information is helpful, and you may consider upgrading other locos with 5 pole motors.
I recently completed my collection of VT 11.5’s with the addition of 88733 + 87933. Sets 8873- 88735 are stellar sets that have been continuously modified by Marklin not just in design but function that being electrical function with the couplers that link each car together. Keeping things simple and uncompromising are Marklin Z attributes, one need only look inside one these loco’s to fully appreciate the good functional design, they are easy to take apart and put back together with side rod locos being an exception. Well this is a first, I just received a lightly used 88733 (mint cosmetically) with one end car not working properly, the motor turned over very sporadically thereby becoming a ball and chain to the working end car. I have never encountered a faulty Marklin z motor before so discounting everything else from electrical shorts, mechanical and other electrical misalignments seemed to make sense, it is after all fairly simple to trace the electrical flow from the track to the motor. To my great surprise the problem rested with the motor and a very poor repair to a brush, even with new brushes the motor was rubbish. Not sure of its prior history, but I would not be surprised if the poorly repaired brush had something to do with the motor being fried. If the gears and wheelsets are moving freely, circuit board is not cracked and black screw is present that attaches board to chassis, wheels are clean, and whiskers are properly in contact with motor brushes then the problem is most likely the brushes themselves and maybe(?) the motor.
Side note: If you have congealed oil otherwise referred to as “hardened oil syndrome” (HOS) considered using the synthetic oil Labelle #108 which is a lightweight oil and plastic compatible as your oil of choice.
Marklin has produced many versions of the Swiss class 460 electric locomotive since the 90’s, one of the recent releases features lettering for VSLF – the Association for Swiss Locomotive Engineers. The striking design used by VSLF includes a watchful owl depicted on both ends and sides of the 460 locomotive along with a lively graphic design. The Marklin “One Time Series” model 88467 features the removal of the catenary screw on the outside of locomotive thereby providing a more seamless roof appearance, power from the catenary is no longer possible with this model, and the lights are provided by LED’s. One of the most successful 460’s released thus far, and one that will prove to be much sought after in the future.
VSLF is an interesting organization for training and certification of train operators in Switzerland as well as providing representation to their members: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.vslf.com/&prev=search
*You can download wallpaper under the ‘shop’ category at the VSLF site.
Marklin has and continues to produce limited editions in z scale that include several subcategories: 1. One Time Series, 2. MHI, 3. Export Models, 4. Marklin Magazine, 5. Insider Models, 6. SMI’s, 7. Industry Prints, 8. White Box Editions, and 9. Museum Editions.
symbol printed on the box next to the item number. These items are produced for one year on a limited basis. In the United States they are distributed through Walthers.. Under this category models are not only limited by being one time series, they are only available from dealers that are members of the Marklin MHI Exclusive dealer program. The coal transport trainset 81379 + 82379 are recent examples.
Marklin limited editions are not limited to these 9 categories as this blog will hope to clarify in future posts. The Nuremberg Toy Fair locomotives, one-off’s and limited starter sets further complete this topic, more for future discussion.
The last chance to get Marklin 89791 is fast approaching, there is no longer reason to wait because Trainz is selling it for the give-away price of $100.99 on Ebay, the listing indicates 4 are available: 2/14/16.
This is a very good and highly recommended set that includes: 1- well painted and detailed farm truck, 2- freight cars for transporting livestock, 1 well designed stucco barn, and loading ramp with movable fencing.
This laser-cut building kit takes time and patience to build. Recommended tools are magnifying goggles, tweezers, and plenty of good bright light as well as glue of course for the glazing application and card stock assembly.
Marklin 89791:
Marklin has produced many vehicles in z to complement rail loads or roadway details in plastic and metal. Plastic kits have come assembled and un-assembled including trucks and autos. The real topic of this post are the way cool cast metal vehicles that have sometimes been featured in freight cars sets as well as on their own. Accurately scaled fine cast metal autos painted and finished with rich detail, they are brilliant vehicles to accessorize your layout. Of the sets of vehicles only Marklin has released three in cast metal: 89020, 89021 and 89022. The Era II 89020 includes 4 autos, 2 delivery vans, 1 Benz truck, and 2 advertising kiosks. The Era III “Economic Miracle” 89021 set includes 7 autos, 1 travel trailer and 2 VW pickup vans. Set 89022 includes 7 autos and 3 vans.
#89020
#89021
#89022
Marklin also produced case vehicles sold with building kits, #89796 “The Plant” and #89791 “Livestock Transport add-on set” are two such examples
#89796
#89791, note this set included a barn made of laser cut cardstock (not pictured), two freight cars for transporting farm animals, farm truck, and cattle loading ramp (not pictured)
Farm truck from #89791 features fine printing on doors and finely painted grill and headlamps
I decided to include the word ‘reconsidered’ in my title for these two Marklin items because both kits have not been available for many years, but I think it is important to mention them here because of their connection to Archistories. The two building kits comprise sets 1 and 2 of Marklin’s “The Plant”: item #’s 89796 and 89797. Marklin lists them as being in the program from 2010- 2013, they were a departure from previous building kits offered by Marklin which were high quality plastic kits of both modern and historic design. Except for a few small companies no manufacturer was offering alternatives to plastic. Kibri, Vollmer, and Faller produced the only European architecture for z, each of the three manufacturers produced very high quality plastic build kits with excellent detail and even lighting masks, and one could further customize with painting and scale accessories. Painting techniques could further bring out the mortar lines in brick work as well as roof tiles, weathering gave these kits a natural look, but I found certain limitations with plastic, transforming this material to something more akin to the prototype was difficult. Then along came Marklin’s “The Plant” building kits which established a new direction for Marklin z gauge accessories. At the time of this writing Marklin has since released or announced the release of the 89792 Hamburg Dammtor Station, 89793 Dammtor arcades and bridges, two small maintenance facilities: 89805 + 89806, 89982 Turntable with roundhouse and administration building, and 82394 brewery building kit. Essentially all the plastic kits listed by Marklin have been phased out. There will always be nostalgia for the original resin and plastic Marklin kits, they were very good to scale and coupled nicely with z trains, but the new card stock kits will open up new possibilities for capturing the essence of real prototypical architecture. At the forefront of this movement is the manufacturer Archistories who have been mentioned numerous times on this blog, it was Archistories who was commissioned by Marklin to produce the kits for “The Plant”. Keeping these kits affordable while at the same time producing very good buildings was achieved successfully, they inspired me to want more. And they have since produced a very good line up of residential and industrial buildings with the architectural sensitivity I have come to expect from Archistories.
A description of “The Plant” is in order:
#89796 includes 1 production hall, 1 heat generation building with smokestack, and 2 heavy duty flat cars with cast metal trucks each painted blue and orange respectively.
#89797 includes management office building, production hall with ‘mansard roof’, factory workshop with ‘saw tooth’ roof, and 1 guard house.
In order to stay within Marklin’s budget for the project Archistories had to restrict incorporating certain elements they employ with kits under their brand name including detailing and partition walls.
In addition to great detail and depth of color laser cut card stock buildings are opaque so interior lighting is easy, entire buildings don’t glow, the light can be successfully directed within an interior.
“The Plant”: #89796 + #89797 building kits with accessories.
electic generation building with smokestack from 89796
production hall from 89796
administration building from 89797, note: center facade has variations in window design
production hall from 89796
factory workshop with ‘saw tooth’ roof from 89797
factory workshop with ‘mansard’ roof from 89797
guard house from 89797
2 heavy duty flat cars with truck loads, note: freight cars and trucks were delivered in an unnumbered standard Marklin plastic box
Starter sets for Marklin Z have been released in a variety of formats each includes track, train and transformer, and they have been released as regular production and special imprints. Special imprint starter sets are not released anymore, but in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s they were released in small editions that included a special imprint freight car sometimes combined with a special imprint locomotive. The “IBM” starter set is one such example, it included the ‘8615’ type car with the special imprinting of “Eye-Bee-M” designed by Paul Rand in 1981. This colorful imprint against a black ground was accompanied by a printed tag and pin each with same imprinting. This starter set includes a European mini-club transformer, small oval of track, BR 89 locomotive, and an brown 8610 freight car. The special imprinting of the “Eye-Bee-M” car includes the printed ‘m’ denoting Marklin special imprinting. This set was produced in 1995 in an edition size of 300, its Koll’s #95701. The car was featured on the cover of “Koll’s Spezial Katalog-1997”.
