Category Archives: Collecting

Marklin 88040 + 88041: class 42.09 Franco Crosti locomotives

The German class 42.09 steam locomotive from era III was realized in 2005 as another interesting Marklin Z featuring the Franco-Crosti modification of a class 52 locomotive, a collaboration between two Italians included a system modification which made use of exhaust steam as well as exhaust gases incorporating a main boiler and secondary boiler to effectively utilize more of the energy produced by the BR 52. A second boiler/smoke gas pre-heater below the firebox was thus coupled with a chimneys attached to each side of the boiler, this system modification would be identified as Franco-Crosti boiler.

Attilio Franco and Dr. Piero Crosti designed the first such boiler nearly 20 years before class 42.09 was built . Modification to the wartime class 52 locomotive by Henschel in 1952 resulted in reclassification due to increased axle-weight resulting from the added 2 ton weight of modification.

Referred to as economisers (Abgasvorwarmer) the Franco-Crosti modification of 2 class 52 locos had a relatively brief service life of less than 10 years, but another 31 class 50’s were rebuilt by Henschel with Franco-Crosti boilers by the end of the 50’s.

Marklin’s release in 2005 of the 88041 was preceded by another Franco-Crosti locomotive (88040) for Insider Members in 2003. Painted in photo-grey for Henschel’s builder photographs 88040 with operating number 42 9000 is based on prototype retired in 1959 (Bingerbruck, Germany).

Painted and lettered for German Federal Railroad (DB) Marklin’s 88041 includes Wagner smoke deflectors and tub-style tender with operating number 42 9001 thus based on prototype built in 1952 and retired in 1960 (Oberlahnstein).

Siding: more than 7000 class 52 locomotives were built during World War II by 13 manufacturers throughout Europe

Marklin 81191: Commuter Service Train Set

The German commuter train set modeled in Z is based on an Era III prototype with class 78 steam locomotive for the German Federal Railroad (DB).

Marklin train set 81191 includes 4 coaches and a tank locomotive. Released in 2011 the set was in the regular production until 2013 thus rare but not as rare as limited releases.

The 4-6-4 tank locomotive class 78 included with this set includes the fine running 5 pole motor and predates improvements to current highly detailed running gears incorporated into steam locomotives of current generation Marklin Z’s, but this locomotive is handsome nonetheless and features finely detailed metal casting and nickel add-on parts including whistle and bell.

Included in the set are 3 coaches and baggage car: 1- type PW3PR 3-axle baggage coach, 1- type C3PR04 3-axle compartment coach without brakeman’s cab, 3rd class, 1- type BC3PR03 3- axle compartment coach without brakeman’s cab, 2nd/3rd class, and 1- type C3PR04 3- axle compartment coach with brakeman’s cab, 3rd class.

On the heels of this post is the recent release 87040, it varies with cars of set 81191 featuring similar baggage car and 1 three-axle coach, and it includes 2 two-axle coaches. Paint scheme and era are the same and a loco to go with this set is the upcoming release 88031: class 24 with tender.

The added bonus of interior details of the new coach set 87040 bring to life more realism with Era III railroading.

Compartment coaches of this type were repainted and lettered from earlier era, they featured compartments accessed from exterior doors. Relatively short in length these coaches were designed to be boarded quickly and featured running boards full length of car.

Siding: German steam locomotives with painted red frames are a distinctive feature, but the purpose of red paint was to better detect stress fractures during routine inspections.

Marklin Insider Model 2018: BR 01 (88012) Locomotive

Marklin’s Insider Model for 2018 is based on the 1957 BR 01 express locomotive of the German Federal Railroad (DB). The particularly attractive locomotive featuring steel blue paint scheme is released as an important anniversary model celebrating 25 Years of the Insider Club.

Locomotive features the new generation motor thus a maintenance free brush-less type still requiring infrequent light oiling of moving parts only.

Warning stripes are realized on locomotive’s pair of buffers. Tender too!

Locomotive can be seen passing Marklin’s new station 89703.

Hand-painted boiler bands in silver.

A specially designed wood presentation box is included with the locomotive featuring its design on the lid.

Siding: some dealers have suggested having extra 88012’s available this year for non members of the Insider Club, but joining the Club is easy and comes with numerous perks including yearly catalog, Insider News Magazine, Marklin Magazin, “A Year in Marklin” (DVD), invitation to order Insider Models, and the free Insider Club car in choice of gauge.

Pairing 2 New Releases by Archistories and Marklin

The year is 1957 as the DB BR 01 crosses Altenbeken Viaduct pulling “Lorelei” train set.

Recent Releases: Marklin 88012 Insider Model 2018 and Altenbeken Viaduct by Archistories (item #128171). Trailing the BR 01 loco is the “Lorelei” train set by Marklin released in 2003 – 2006 as an MHI Exclusive release.

Coming soon: posts covering each including cross reference guide to Marklin’s passenger sets and individual coaches thereby facilitating easy determination of era’s and railways.

Plus next time the viaduct is seen it will be authentically weathered after filling gaps in the cardstock and retouching.

For now:

Marklin Special Imprints: 8661 type box car

In the rare collectible category of Marklin Z special imprints is one for 8661 style box car. The early box car type with brakeman’s cab (8661) models an era I and II freight car, it has been released in Marklin’s regular program for many years primarily as a bier wagon but also as a general freight car with and without advertising. The prototype’s wooden construction is detailed in the model depicting vertical boards, corner iron mending plates, round buffers, and windows on all sides of brakeman’s cab. Using this style of freight car is another category of special imprints, other freight car types include modern examples. As few as 100 wagons were produced for any given design starting in 1991. Historically a special imprint was commissioned by a private individual/firm in collaboration with the design team at Marklin thus limited Marklin productions.

Note: outside firms through the years have purchased unpainted freight cars of various types from Marklin for private printing, these cars are referred to as “Industry Prints”. Industry Prints differ from Marklin special imprints with the omission of ‘m’ often but not always printed very small on two sides of freight cars. Further verification of a Marklin special imprints can be found using the Miba/Monk list, if it is on the list Gilles Monk has collected it and archived these treasures on his exclusive list; Mr. Monk only collects Marklin special imprints thus Industry Prints will not be included on his list or confused with the Marklin models.

As a collector of Marklin special imprints I can attest to the patience required finding these cars, my 8661 car collection is 10 years in the making with as few as 1 found in a year to more recently finding 10 within a two week span. Most special imprints are secondary market thus having passed through at least one collection. More successful collectors will find these cars listed by European dealers on Ebay, but ZTrackResale.com is another source for Marklin collectibles as well as other Z gauge items in gently used condition (highly recommended source!).

Included here are 10 special imprints of the 8661 style box car recently added to my collection:

Wimpfener Heimat-Bote released 1995. Koll’s #95701. Miba/Monk #895. Edition: 100

Konigsbrunner Edel-Pils (DR) released 1996. Marklin #8661.013. Miba/Monk #1009.

Konigsbrau OGGENHAUSEN (Wurttemberg) released 1996. Marklin #8661.025. Miba/Monk #1025.

Zotler Bier-Rettenberg (Augsburg) released 1999. Marklin #8661.051. Miba/Monk #1213. Edition: 100

Engelbrau RETTENBERG (Augsburg) released 1999. Marklin #8661.053. Miba/Monk #1249. Edition: 100

Nattheimer Ochsenbrau (Wurttemberg) released 1999. Marklin #8661.054. Miba/Monk #1246. Edition: 100

Brauerei Stolz Isny (Wurttemberg) released 1999. Marklin #8661.056. Miba/Monk #1248. Edition: 100

Memminger Burger&Engelbrau (Augsburg) released 1999. Marklin #8661.057. Miba/Monk #1250. Edition 100

Bell Basel (SBB CFF) released 2003. Marklin #8661.909. Miba/Monk #1586. Note: originally sold in Switzerland

Hasen Brau Augsburg Aktienbrauerei Zum Hasen ZFI (DR) released 2013. Marklin #8661.081. Miba/Monk #1723. Edition: 150

Siding: those new to this blog will find other box cars in this category under section Marklin Special Imprints: 8661.

Marklin: 88185 K.W.St.E. express locomotive

Marklin’s newly released 88185 class ‘C’ express locomotive of the Royal Wurttemberg State Railways features Era I paint scheme from 1915. The model features improved detailing and motor compared with the earlier version and includes improved side rod details and brushless motor.

The 88185’s cab has been the location of the backside of motor in the early release as well as this one, but the large brushless motor significantly protrudes through the cab of the 88185 thus maybe be seen as a less successful release in recent memory of Marklin Z steam locomotives featuring the new style motor. As for running and performance this locomotive runs very well with smooth acceleration and deceleration even at slow speeds.

An elegant steam locomotive with early streamlining characteristics including wind splitter cab.

Era I around 1910-1915 is as early as Marklin has gone thus far in the mini-club line-up – having one of the Wurttemberg locomotives is essential equipment for pulling Marklin’s wonderful coaches for this railway including: 87940 (2001/2002), 87950 (2001/2002), and 87960 (2001/2002). But the soon to be released Wurttemberg coach set 87009 is another option featuring for the first time interior details and gas tank installed on undercarriage of the class Di Wu 04 and Ci Wu 05 open platform coaches.

Marklin 87009

Maybe a future release of an Era I baggage coach and mail car will be a possibility.

Railex’s (Germany) models in Z gauge include Wurttemberg coaches from the 19th century made of brass and released a number of years ago with designation “Wurttemberger Zug – Set 1”:

Siding: Railex models in Z include coaches, freight cars, and locomotives with a primary focus on early 19th century German trains. Locomotives although very finely detailed and handcrafted lack their own power, ghost cars are generally used to propel the trains with motors hidden in coaches. Railex models are unique in Z having released many limited models exclusively in metal of prototypes not generally touched on by other manufacturers.

Siding: K.W.St.E. is the abbreviation for Koniglich Wurttembergischen Staats-Eisenbahnen with English designation Royal Wurttemberg State Railways.

FR: 46.815.01 Gbls boxcar in metal

The German type Gbls boxcar has been modeled in all scales as it is an important freight car commonly used for many years in Europe. A good solid construction and design make this a long lasting boxcar that travels throughout much of Germany and its neighboring countries.

FR has had their version in Z featured on the FR website for sometime thus it is available to order today. It features full medal construction, marklin couplers and modern updates to the prototype featured in the model: 46.815.01.

FR’s German made Gbls is modeled on Era IV for the SJ.

The obvious attention to detail and prototypical accuracy sets FR’s offering apart. Separately applied details include handrails, brakes and ladders. The undercarriage includes detailing as well along with the FR logo. Handmade in small batches FR’s offerings are highly collectible. Check out the big round brass buffers!

FR: 1960 Talsvagn Cinema and Bistro car of the SJ 46.220.31

Another new release by FR is the combination Cinema and Bistro car to supplement the 2 car sets: 46.220.32 and 46.221.32 with early 90’s paint scheme and lettering.

46.220.32

46.221.32

Based on the prototype half the car features elevated seating and cinema screen, other half features bar/bistro counter, bankettes and seating. And I am talking about the model too! Model features hand-painting of interior details thereby accentuating the elegant features inside this coach.

FR: Bio / Bistro (Cinema and Bistro) 46.220.31

Of course FR offers an LED lightpanel by Oliver Passmann custom designed for all the 1960 Talsvagn coaches, but in this case an easy modification needs to be made including filing down the slot housing the capacitor. A Dremel tool with blunt end fine grit grinding tool at low speed will remove enough of the extra floor panel giving room for the large capacitor. Note: other 1960 Talsvagn coaches do not require modification.

FR’s 1960 Talsvagen coach sets: 46.220.32 + 46.221.32

Furthering FR’s offering of 1960 Talsvagen coaches for SJ include the recent releases of 2 car sets: 46.220.32 includes 1- 1st class coach + 1- 2nd class coach and 46.221.32 includes 2- 2nd class coaches.

46.220.32

46.221.32

Painted and lettered for SJ following the paint scheme of the early 90’s these coaches also include the new logo: modern take on the winged logo dating back to the late 19th century which originally featured a railway wheel with chamfer and wings as seen here in a very early hat badge alongside a 1950’s updated hat badge:

Elegant bright colors exemplify modern SJ paint schemes following the originating paint scheme of red/brown with a simple boxed in SJ logo branding the 1st examples of 1960 Talsvagens.

A custom light panel comprising LED’s designed and manufactured by Passmann is available as an accessory on the FR website. Installation is not hard with the right tools including soldering iron, tweezers, magnifying goggles, and tool (Bug bending tool) for precision bending wheel wiper whiskers for electrical pick-up.

Note: Harald Freudenreich can deliver the coaches with bogies and roof panel removed to make installation of the light panel easier versus disassembling the coaches for the upgrade.

Siding: Bug bending tool is an indispensable tool for etched metal build kits, I haven’t found anything quite like it and I would highly recommend this item for every Z gauger’s tool box.

Marklin: 88135 newest ‘Ludmilla’ diesel

After reunification in Germany the class of diesel locomotives nicknamed ‘Ludmilla’ were reclassified BR 232 by Deautsche Bahn (DB AG) with their former life as BR 132’s of the East German railway system (DR- Deutsche Reichsbahn: 1949-1993) built starting in 1968 by the firm Voroshilovgrad (Russia).

This heavy weight freight locomotive is still in widespread use within Germany and Poland with 400 operating units. It is a beautiful and particularly impressive locomotive with two cabs and a length of 68′ 3 3/4″. More than 700 locomotives were built between 1973-1982 with 3000 hp motors and operating speed 75 mph. Other class ‘Ludmillas’ were soon retired after German reunification, but the class 232’s are still in use today nearing 50 year service record.

Marklin’s recent 2018 release of 88135 is painted and lettered for DB/Railion (Era V), it is now designated as ‘sold out’ at the factory. 88135 is the latest release in the series which includes: 88131 (2009), 88132 (2014), 88133 (2013), 88134 (2016), and 88135 (2018). Plus sets: 81450 and 81451.

Note: Marklin 88131 is based on the BR 234: rebuilt 232 with bogies allowing an increase in the operating speed (87 mph)

Note: Marklin 88134 is based on the East German DR’s BR 132 with representative paint scheme from 1982

Note: Marklin set 81451 features the class 233 ‘Tiger’ (Ludmilla), this trainset is still available. A very nice and interesting H0 scale version of the Tiger (Ludmilla) includes the very latest cold steam technology and in digital operation can be controlled to simulate engine start-up idling (minimum exhaust), running operation (medium exhaust), and maximum exhaust, it is found under item #36431

81450 (2009/2010)

81451 (2017/2018)

88131 (2009) MHI Release

88132 (2014)

88133 (2013)

88134 (2016)

88135 (2018)

A common feature shared among all models in this class are LED headlamps and trailing lights, cab interiors suggested in white relief, superb running performance even at low speeds, excellent pulling power and varying roof equipment details specific to the prototype. A truly outstanding series of Marklin Z locomotives.

Siding: ‘BR’ designation preceding locomotive classification number is an abbreviation for the German word Baureihe which means class thus BR or class refers to locomotive classification

Siding: Archistories building kit ARC-114111 “Gantry Crane” is seen depicted in the background with Marklin 88135, it is a fine detailed kit with swiveling platform. It is available from zScalemonster.com and zScalehobo.com.

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