Author Archives: garygraves

Marklin Rheingold Passenger Set 87269: MHI Release

Marklin’s passenger set 87269 is a One Time Series available only through the Marklin Dealer Initiative Program (MHI). This is not the first version of Rheingold coaches in burgundy and ivory paint scheme, they have been available as single cars since 1975, but this set includes the very interesting “hump-back” dining coach which was newly tooled for the 2004 “Rheingold Car Set (1)”: 87265.

Marklin 87269 Avumz 111 compartment car, 1st class

Marklin 87269 Apumz 121 open seating coach, 1st class

Marklin 87269 WRumh 131 “hump-back” dining car

This is first time interior details have been modeled on Rheingold coaches which also includes the omission of “RHEINGOLD” lettering on the vistadome based on the prototype from 1973-1974. Accordingly the vista dome car was used on the Rhine until 1975 according to Marklin literature.

It is notable to discuss Marklin’s Era III and Era IV Rheingold sets in side by side comparisons. Note: nickel window trims are fashioned on Era III coaches which has been replaced with brass trims on Era IV set 87269.

For this blog post the Rheingold sets with burgundy and ivory paint schemes will be discussed including: 87265 – Rheingold Set 1 (MHI-2004), 87285 – Rheingold Set 2 (MHI-2004) and 87269 – Rheingold set (MHI-2018).

87265 (3 car set): 1- type Avumz 111 compartment car, 1st class, 1- type WRumh 131 dining car, and 1- type Apumz 121 open seating coach, 1st class

87285 (3 car set): 1- type Avumz 111 compartment car, 1st class, 1- type Adumh 101 vista dome, 1st class and 1- type ARDumh 105 bar car, 1st class

87269 (5 car set): 2- type Avumz 111 compartment cars, 1st class, 1- type ADumh 101 vista dome, 1st class, 1- type WRumh 131 “hump-back” dining car, and 1- type APumh 121 open seating coach

Marklin 87265 WRumh 131 “hump-back” dining car

Marklin 87265 Avumz 111 compartment car, 1st class

Marklin 87265 Apumz 121 open seating coach, 1st class

Marklin 87285 Adumh 101 vista dome (“RHEINGOLD” lettering in silver below observation window)

Marklin 87285 Avumz 111 compartment car, 1st class

Marklin 87285 ARDumh 105 bar car, 1st class

Note: set 87269 does not include the ARDumh bar car

Two Small Bridges for Z: Faller + Archistories

Archistories “Norbertus” Bridge is packaged with a keystone dated 1945, it is a masonry bridge constructed of cut stone that serves as a small bridge for single track train. Faller’s “Laasan” Bridge is a much earlier bridge and the first cast iron bridge in Europe, the original bridge was destroyed in 1945 giving these two bridges an interesting connection.

The Archistories bridge is suitable for crossing small stream, path or road, it is a sturdy build kit with heavy cardboard frame and structure. The railing provided with this kit is sturdy as well. It is a very easy to build kit for a small railroad.

Faller’s bridge is not only based on a prototype, it is based on a very early bridge erected in Poland at the end of the 18th century. The filigree cast iron spans are dynamic and lively from several vantage points, it is primarily used for small cars and trucks plus foot traffic. The kit was very easy to build, but mine was missing the #3 parts thus missing ‘L’ shaped sections had to be modeled with leftover card-stock.

Marklin factory truck crossing bridge is from the recent release cast metal truck set: 89023.

Archistories American Prototype: 101181 “Goldtree Station”

If it is possible to visit a late 19th century western United States town built by gold perhaps this station in its small dimensions satisfies that goal. Measuring 5 inches in length x 2 1/2 inches in overall width x 2 inches in height the “Goldtree Station” by Archistories is the fictional hub and gatekeeper for the outside world, it greeted new comers with grand dreams of making it rich and goods to keep a decidedly inhospitable landscape habitable.

This year marks the important anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad: 150 years East and West coasts joined by rails at Promontory Point, Utah. And a good time to consider modeling a western gold rush community in Z starting with this nice building exclusively sold by ZScaleHobo.com. And Marklin’s “Bumble Bee” locomotive and its passenger set from a few years back are a good train set for this station.

A fairly simple to build kit featuring partition walls which aid in realistic lighting effects, filigree parts which add realism to platform supports, and a mix of building materials including terracotta roof tiles and wood construction.

Goldtree station signage is laser cut with an appropriate American style font of the 19th century.

Railroads grew quickly after completion of the Transcontinental Railroad as did towns throughout the United States. Station and depot types changed too thus small stations with attached freight depots largely disappeared in the teens and 20’s, they were replaced by masonry structures supporting a network of hubs as people and goods were transported all over the United States. Towns who’s singular purpose supported the gold rush either grew independent of it or largely ceased to exist.

Note: exclusive worldwide dealer for this item is Zscalehobo.com

Construction notes: the ingenious feature of this Archistories kit are snap-in window frames and glazing, pre-cut glazing snap into place with gentle pressure followed by window frames, filigree timber sections are finally glued in place and permanently seal windows. Open freight doors are possible but interior detailing will need to be designed by the builder. *use glue sparingly and use great patience with light paper parts which cannot be realigned after gluing, plus snap-in window frames are prone to easy breakage, fraying and distortion.

Another important construction note: Part F10 is a delicate filigree part comprising the main entrance framework, after removing this part from the part sheet two more tabs need to be removed from either side of door frame: brackets should be flush to the structure. In my interpretation of this building it was missed thus reflected in the photos. A second important point is to install the 4 brackets (Part H4) for freight room before attaching roof.

Marklin 88035- Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad 2-6-0 “Mogul” locomotive featuring brass construction (2004-2006)

Marklin 81772: DB “Light Freight Train”

Just now arriving at dealers in very limited quantities is the Marklin train set 81772 for the MHI Program, it is another version of the V36 diesel locomotive in Z. Each release thus far has included modifications to the original prototype built as a solution for moving goods with less detection than steam trains during the war years.

Based on the Era IV V236 prototype of the German Federal Railroad (DB) featuring a roof cupola this train set includes interesting farm themed loads: hay bales, tractor and trailer.

Referred to as a “Nurnberg” roof cupola this modification relocates the operators’ controls and seat to the top of the cab thus allowing full 360 degree views.

Type low side Klm 441 cars make up the train set and include tall stakes that can be installed. The interesting car type with metal sides and no hand brakes was released a year ago with and without hay bale loads. Hay bale load is molded composition and painted to reflect the color of natural hay. Tractor and trailer are wonderfully detailed including painted grill on tractor and rolling rubber tires. This set includes the very best tractor ever released for Z gauge.

Marklin 81772 + Archistories 111181 (Makeshift Tower) + MBZ R16066 (Field Barn)

New generation motor powers the loco which features leading and trailing LED’s. Locomotive runs smooth due to excellent weight and motive power.

A great collection of rural farmsteads are available in laser-cut kits by Marklin, Archistories, MBZ and Faller. MBZ’s “Granary” is one such rural building associated with grain and feed storage with very striking design.

Archistories 110181 + 111181: Railway Buildings

Archistories: 111181 (Makeshift Yard Tower)

Archistories new releases as of late Spring 2019 include 2 very interesting railway buildings: Makeshift Yard Tower and Distant Railway Office (Milepost 271).

Makeshift railway structures are a common feature of many railroads, they may include a recycled boxcar, repurposed building, or even a revamped “Donnerbuchse” (thunderbox) coach constructed by Archistories in kit form for Z. Built in the 1920’s thunderbox coaches were built entirely of steel and iron owing to their virtually indestructible nature and long life. Comfort was a secondary feature of these open coaches: rail and coach noises were amplified due to lack of sound buffering which led to the nickname “thunderboxes.”

A modification to the prototypical coach includes a bump-out which widens the mid section of the coach for viewing station. Further recorded in the model building are rivet heads along steel sheeting sections and heavy steel open frame steps and platform structure. This is a small building model, but it is packed with details and all edges are crisp: precision planning and implementation. Superb kit and remarkable achievement in a very small building. Light air-brushing to suggest dirt and grime is all that is needed with this perfectly pigmented kit.

Note: building kit presents two challenges: curling the roof section and assembling the stairs. Roof section: An un-tapered dowel, paintbrush, or other round implement is all that is needed to careful round out the roof section. Stairs: assemble one side of stairs at a time applying a small drop of glue with a toothpick followed by great care and patience with other side. Magnifying goggles, tweezers and toothpicks are required along with glue.

Distant railway offices are unknown in the United States in the form of this German example with 2 mechanical levers comprising a very small interlocking plant. Signage provided with the kit is lettered “Milepost 271” suggesting a particular point on the railway far from urban center. Perhaps the building further served as mail post. Kit includes two sets of signage with no hard-fast rule about placement.

Note: easy build kit comprising well made parts. Even with this tiny building no parts arrived damaged, distorted or missing: excellent kit!

MBZ Pump Station and Water Tower: 16092 + 16093

MBZ Pump Station and Water Tower are good examples of those used in Germany, both feature brick construction and tile roofs. Built alongside rail yards and residential buildings water towers are abundant and variously designed throughout Germany. Pump stations provide the water and water towers pressurize the system through gravity feed.

The pump station by MBZ is the only one of its type offered for Z scale, it is a very good kit with construction challenges due to its small size: corners are a little tricky to join. Other manufacturers’ kits start with stiff cardboard frames glued to finely detailed outer wall and roof parts, MBZ kits rely on thick side walls and roof parts to be all-in-one parts which are much more difficult to secure and finish with sharp corners as with examples in this post.

MBZ Water Tower 16093 is of a rather plain construction but features nice brick embellishments. Corners do not go together easily with this kit otherwise it is an easy kit to build.

Available at Reynauld’s 16092 (Pump Station) $16.84 and 16093 (Water Tower) $33.23

Siding: MBZ HO kits may vary greatly from their Z gauge kits featured in this blog.

MBZ Rural Structures: 16133 + 16175 (Apiary and Brick Oven)

Accessorizing MBZ’s farmsteads and rectory might include their bee house and bake oven: 16133 and 16175.

These great little stand alone structures and very easy to build, but you will need tweezers and patience. I pre-painted the parts due to the small size and followed up at the end with some touch-up painting.

The bee house is accessed by a door on the back wall, but it can be married to a barn if desired: many were. Stone foundation was painted with dry brush.

Brick ovens were built for large houses or production baking of other sorts including the commercial enterprise of a local baker. Although it could be used for general baking and roasting they were generally used for bread baking. Building a fire to heat this large oven was impractical for a small farmstead, but infinitely more practical for MBZ’s Rectory (R16089) who’s retired priests and ministers could find comfort and reflection baking loaves of bread for their community.

Available at Reynauld’s 16133 (Bee House) $7.39 + 16175 (Brick Oven) $16.16

MBZ Rural Structures: 16088 (Hohenberg House)

Hohenberg House designed to be a multi-family dwelling or shop and dwelling with stucco construction and mansard roof further extends the MBZ rural offerings.

Kit was easy to assemble with the exception of the dormers which were challenging to seat in roof panels. Note: imperfections are part of the charm of MBZ kits and wonky dormers are part of that charm.

Available at Reynauld’s for $41.62

Marklin 88001: Museum Edition Class 80 Steam Locomotive

The recent release 88001 steam locomotive continues Marklin’s limited release Museum locomotive series this time based on the class 80 steam locomotive in Bochum-Dahlhausen Museum’s collection.

Housed in a wooden box the locomotive comes with a numbered certificate with stated limitation of 499. Locomotive features photo-grey paint scheme with operating number 80 030.

The class 80 locomotive is a tank locomotive: coal bunker is behind the cab with water tanks welded to the sides. The model features the new generation brush-less motor and finely detailed running gear. Locomotive features metal construction with fine detailing, glazed cab windows and LED lights.

Marklin 88001 leading train of 8661 cars variously lettered SMI’s

Built in the late 1920’s for switching/shunting work, class 80 030 was built by Hohenzollern, its service life extended nearly 50 years retiring as an industrial switcher for the coal mining industry.

Marklin 88001, Marklin 8661 SMI cars variously lettered, and Archistories “Makeshift Yard Tower (111181)”

Marklin 88001 leading train of Marklin SMI 8661 car types produced in 1996

MBZ Rural Structures: 16071 (4 Piece Barn Set)

The large building kit 16071 includes 4 buildings including barns and farmhouse. This very interesting MBZ kit includes 4 buildings also available separately with open frame/stucco construction farmhouse, stucco barn and two random rubble stone foundation barns. Two barns: one small and one large stored hay, feed, equipment and the occasional member of this farm’s livestock community. Roof color was applied with dirty sponge and pigments. Stone foundation was painted using dry brush.

Multi-generational farmhouse with shuttered windows and flagstone open porch is at the center of this farm complex. Stucco was painted with white pigment mixed with yellow pigment followed by light dusting of dry gray pigment to weather and age stucco.

The small storage barn or shed is comprised of stucco, its use was determined by what needed to be stored whether equipment, feed or ciders. This kit is less detailed than the other three so details could only be suggested by paint. Stucco treatment included few areas of repairs to show age, it would have been slightly less maintained than the main house structure thus keeping it water tight was enough maintenance. Presumably the first building erected on this farm perhaps starting out as a barn/farmhouse combination, it may have been used for numerous activities long before the large barns and farmhouse were built.

Available at Reynauld’s for $158.96

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