Category Archives: Era V

OBB Eurofima Car Set: Marklin 87343

This year a new release Eurofima car set has been released and available now (87343), it’s painted and lettered for OBB (Austrian Federal Railways). The coach set’s release is the second Eurofima set for OBB in 18 years. Released in 2003, Marklin 87342 features a different paint scheme that gives the set a very different look compared with 87343: deep red paint being swapped out with bright orange and broad white stripe. But the two sets fall within different eras marking the difference in paint schemes: 87343 (Era IV) and 87342 (Era V).

In 2003 set 87342 was released as a One Time Series which coincided with the release of the first Taurus (Marklin 88580), it too was painted and lettered for OBB (Era V). This history which Marklin charts is inclusive of the various eras with this striking example.

Marklin 88580 (2003) Taurus general purpose locomotive used throughout Europe (photo courtesy Marklin)

Marklin 87342 (2003) Eurofima car set (photo courtesy Marklin)

As with its predecessor set 87343 includes 1- 1st class coach and 2- 2nd class coaches. The yellow stripe above windows indicates 1st class as well as its more obvious markings. Here is a round-up of photos including each side of the 3 coaches:

Marklin 87343_1a (type Amoz 1st class Eurofima express coach)

Marklin 87343_1b (type Amoz 1st class Eurofima express coach)

Marklin 87343_2a (type Bmoz 2nd class Eurofima express coach)

Marklin 87343_2b (type Bmoz 2nd class Eurofima express coach)

FR and Marklin compatibility in container freight

Marklin 98062 (special imprint for Post Museums Shop)

A very important freight car type for railroads of all nations trading globally are those transporting containers. Depictions of this freight started appearing about 20 years ago in the Marklin Z line-up with several sets for DB (82360: 1997-1999), DB AG (82367: 1999-2001) and SBB (82368: 2000-2001); individual cars and train sets with this freight appeared later, but all conformed to a rather standard container based on 20 and 40 foot containers placed on Lgis 598 or Sgs 693 car types.

Variations in length and lettering have been offered thus far by Marklin, but another company worth a look at is FR (Freudenreich) whose line includes numerous interesting container freight cars lettered for international shipping companies interchangeable with the two Marklin car types. Marklin compatible couplers are also standard on FR freight cars.

More solidly constructed than Marklin, FR in partnership with MCZ Models produce containers which are finished along all seams and use the same pin specs as Marklin (NEM380 specification) thus fully compatible with designated container cars offered by both companies.

Marklin 82662 with FR/MCZ Models container lettered for HYUNDAI (prototype: 40′ high cube) *all other containers Marklin

Marklin 82662 loaded with FR/MCZ Models container lettered for ScanDutch (prototype: 40′ standard 42R1 reefer container)

With two exceptions all FR containers are interchangeable with Marklin: FR #46.818.40 (4 car set sold out) and #46.818.14 (4 car set currently available) feature permanently cemented containers.

Not all containers are shipped by sea some are transported only by truck and rail owing to unique possibilities for model railroaders.

Note: FR and MCZ Models containers available at ZScale Monster Trains: http://www.zscalemonster.com/mcz/ and FR trains available directly from FR Freudenreich: https://fr-model.eshop.t-online.de/

Z -Modellbau: “Vanoli” Koff II

One of the smallest locomotive types offered by Z-Modellbau is the Kof diesel who’s line-up includes this Swiss one plus German, Austrian and Norwegian variants. Painted and lettered for the private firm “Vanoli” this class Kof II features dark gray and yellow paint scheme.

Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982

Locomotive features full metal construction and brush-less motor making this one of the smallest locomotives in Z with its own motive power. Unique coupler design interfaces with Marklin, it is otherwise unobtrusive. Non functioning headlamps are very precisely painted in. Fully glazed operator’s cabin plus separately applied parts include coupling hoses.

Because of its short length the locomotive can potentially have difficulty thru turnouts otherwise the operation is smooth with very sensitive braking characteristics.

Paired with a funnel flow car the scale of this locomotive is truly impression considering it too can easily pull a line of freight cars through a yard. Unique in recent offerings by Marklin are second release freight cars which feature authentic ‘weathering’. The Swiss firm Wascosa has been featured numerous times in the Marklin mini-club line-up, but for the first time Wascosa’s paint and lettering scheme was applied to the newly produced funnel flow car type in set 82530 (2013) which included 4 blue Wascosa cars as part of the 20 car set, it was later released in ‘weathered’ variants (item #82482- 82485).

Administration building for the DB can be seen along the tracks, this laser cut building was included with Marklin turntable 89982.

Marklin Cast Metal Truck Set: 89023

Marklin new release diecast truck set features 4 trucks and a forklift: two trucks are factory weathered.

Several Era’s are represented in the set including Era 2-6 with interesting and advertising for a brewery truck and Marklin factory truck. Features of the set include custom weathering for two trucks but also fine graphic printing and painted details including grill and lamps on Marklin truck.

Attractive paint schemes for trucks found in several earlier releases including the factory, museum sets and insider models.

Forklift included with the set in bright safety yellow paint scheme, it features remarkably good casting and details.

Siding: set appears to be cast and painted in Germany

Marklin’s New Release Station Kit: 89703

Marklin’s current program features several new laser-cut buildings including this one: Item 89703 – Bausatz Bahnhof Eckartshausen-Ilshofen (Sulzdorf).

Based on the 1867 Bavarian station today disused of its original purpose in Sulzdorf, Germany this kit is very good, it is a handsome medium size station featuring block construction and ample waiting platform.

The kit assembles rather quickly due to few embellishments, but it does not lack the color and character of the original structure.

Signage is offered with several variations printed on a small sheet but cutting them out is rather a difficult task. No partition walls as with Archistories so lighting the building will be unrealistic unless some modification is made. Overall a very good to scale station that is very easy to assemble.

Siding: weathering will add interest to the building including brown and/or black chalk in the tiny nooks and crannies dirt would naturally collect on a 100 year old train station. Light fixture is represented but non functioning, painting the bulb with gold paint will give the impression of light or further modify the building with a working bracket light available on Ebay.

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.

SBB: FR Freight Car Set 41.345.12

The recent release of an SBB 2 car set by FR with type Xas73 ballast cars is already sold out, it took just a week for all 22 to be sold, but the obvious appeal is evident in this highly detailed metal car set.

For Era IV-VI, type Xas73 ballast cars are mechanically operated hoppers loaded with railway ballast: an operator can open and close 4 separate discharge gates by means of large handles modeled in FR’s car set.

Ballasting railway right of way is an important function of MOW services, but not many examples exist in Z at least for the SBB (Swiss Federal Railroad). Paint scheme of gray with white lettering is based on the prototype, this same paint scheme has been used with other rolling stock of the SBB not limited to MOW traffic.

Limited to 22 sets only is a very small edition compared to the sizable releases by Marklin and others. I was lucky enough to see it listed on the FR website and ordered immediately, one more reason to frequently check in with the FR website, registering your email with Harald Freudenreich will also ensure that you receive the semi-annual newsletter.

Car set comes packaged in the standard FR plastic box silkscreened with the FR logo, dense foam lining keeps the cars safe.

Pulling the ballast cars is a BR Re 4/4 II for the SBB. This general purpose locomotive was released by Marklin for Z in 2012 as item #88590.

Marklin new 2016 Fall items in Z

Just announced in Marklin’s New Fall Items catalog are coaches, tank cars and a new class 110 loco. And a new Christmas car edition featuring the newly tooled type Eanos gondola. Furthering the heavy weathering releases of the past few years one of the new releases include type funnel-flow tank cars lettered variously for VTG, Wascosa, Ermewa, DHL, and GATX. From the release photos these cars look to be realistically weathered with the oily grime associated with frequently used petroleum tank cars. What’s next in the weathering department at Marklin? Perhaps the next release might be a loco? Also announced is an interesting set of passenger coaches that will be available individually each with its own item number. Featuring Eurofima cars from SNCF, DB and SBB this set is an MHI Release thus a “One Time Series”. Also the just announced MHI Release of a new class 110 electric loco with item number 88412. This class 110.3 loco is Era IV in cobalt blue paint scheme with “pants crease” streamlining on each cab end.

Here is the link to the new catalog:

http://www.maerklin.de/fileadmin/media/produkte/Neuheiten/Maerklin_H-NH2016_EN.pdf

General Maintenance of the Marklin 88712: BR 406 DB AG or ICE III

Marklin has designed locomotives and train sets with unique properties sometimes custom to a particular model. Whether it is the TEE train sets and its many variants or the ICE 1 or 3, couplers and powered units have been rethought and redesigned. The 88712 was produced in 1999-2005, it is based on the Era V ICE III DB prototype. Two variations of the 88712 include version 1 with 3 pole motor (1999) and version 2 with 5 pole motor (2000-2005). This train set could be supplemented with 4 add-on coaches to make-up a prototypical train set: 87711, 87712, 87713, 87714.

The design of this loco includes a unique power unit located in the middle of the train, the BordRestaurant dining car houses the motor and circuit board, but this car does not receive the power from the tracks instead each coach picks up power that is sent to the middle car thereby driving its two geared trucks. Added efficiency is achieved by the heavy weighted chassis of the dining car giving its wheel sets much needed traction. Couplers used in this set are those created for the 88711 Max Liebermann which are characterized as flat plastic couplers faced on both sides with conductive metal. Couplers are held in place on one end of each car with clips accessed from the underside of car. In order to remove this semi-permanent coupler simply release clip.

Maintaining this ICE train set is easy. The pantograph end of the dining car is gently pried upwards thereby releasing the shell. The capacitor wires maybe soldered to the circuit board thus take great care to avoid breaking any wires. No problem with broken wires, but repair will take a little longer as the wires will need soldering. The trucks do not have electrical contacts so they come apart easily and go back together easily. You may opt to tear down to the gears to remove old oil and crud. I bought mine from a collector who never ran theirs and as a result it was caked with hardened oil (HOS!!!!!) throughout the trucks and gears to the transmissions and even motor. Whenever you buy used Marklin Z expect the worse, you may need to replace brushes at the very least, but you might need to roll up your sleeves and remove crud and old oil. Not sure if I am a nerd, but I like tear downs and restorations!

If you own or are planning to buy an ICE III it will not disappoint, this is one of the finest Marklin Z’s for running characteristics and design true to the prototype.

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