Developed and built by Siemens Mobility this global locomotive concept can even be found in the ranks of Amtrak. Marklin’s new release ES 64 (EuroSprinter 64) with article number 88588 is painted and lettered for MRCEdispolok in matte black. This is a partially retooled Z locomotive in that it features a 3rd pantograph (non-functioning) along with 2 electrically functioning pantographs. Very attractive locomotive and new member of Marklin’s Taurus locomotives in Z.
By way of an announcement: German firm FR was recently rebranded as AB “Atelier Barkvieren.” This post will include a recent item produced by the newly minted firm. Not much is different between AB and FR comprising mostly Scandinavian models. Their current website reveals a noticeable reduction in locomotive offerings which might be temporary: wait and see. I hope for a fully recast range of items as before with prototypical rolling stock and locomotives of the highest quality plus high quality build kits.
On to the post titled “container shipping” which includes two recent offerings by the aforementioned company AB and Marklin. Why combine the two? Comparing similar car types by AB and Marklin reveals what is currently possible in Z. It might appear the AB model is more detail rich in some areas, but I would like to point out the differences without judging one as better than the other because each is as important to railroading in Z as the other.
The AB car painted and lettered for DB Schenker sits attached to a modified TAGAB Three-T class Os used to transport 40′ containers. Car type used in Sweden (Statens Jaravagar – SJ). Model features metal car frame and extensively printed container which is permanently attached to car body.
Marklin’s freight car set 82664 was recently released as a One Time Series for the MHI Program thus only available to MHI Dealers. Set includes 5 cars with containers painted and lettered for various firms. Twenty and forty foot containers detach from metal car bodies as they can be stacked too. End of car graphic details including essential prototype signage is not included. Warning stripes are painted on car frame ends. Containers feature precision posts which allow precise alignment stacked or installed on car frames. Era IV (1970-1990).
A modification I have seen over the years with this car type includes cutting off posts and gluing containers directly to car bodies: I don’t recommend this, it always turns out sloppy plus it is not necessary. And instantly the value of this set plummets.
Happy Railroading!
Marklin’s new addition to their starters sets was introduced in 2023, it is still in production and widely available. The box consists of two-parts: cardboard top with molded styro-foam. Less clear in the photos are 2 tape seals: after the sets are made and packaged in Hungary each one destined for the USA is opened (tape seal cut), original transformer is exchanged for USA suitable transformer then re-taped and shipped to America. The big ugly warning sticker (this time!!!) was placed on the styro-foam bottom. As some may remember my post for the anniversary starter set, big ugly sticker was placed smack dab on the the front of the beautifully designed box top.
Heading the train set is a class 285 diesel locomotive mated with 3 freight cars lettered for VTG: 1- Eaos gondola, 1- Falns dump car, and 1- Shimmns sliding dump car. No one would say the freight cars are rarely seen as they have been in the Marklin mini-club line-up variously over the years, but this is the first representation of the Class 285 painted and lettered for RheinCargo (Neuss, Germany).
A port and rail freight service company RheinCargo’s logo sports two arrows of corresponding red and blue suggesting the dual enterprise of rail and port freight service. The company is of course large with their primary origination ports in Dusseldorf and Neuss, Germany also their headquarters and registered city.
Finding photos of the prototype Class 285 diesel is a bit limited, but it appears simply with logo against silver body with little imprinting otherwise. Smooth body locos are perfect for advertising thus it is kind of refreshing to see the loco simply presented without other graphics.
Marklin 81875 starter set includes all that’s needed to start in ‘Z’ including transformer and track. And of course the set’s basic oval of track can be expanded with track sets which are a good deal and cost less than ala carte track buys.
The handsome silver Class 285 locomotive is of course built with the new generation motor both silent and smooth. Does anyone miss the hum of the old 3 and 5 pole motors? Maybe performance wins out in the day, but I like the new and old technology equally.
Is this set something to add to a collection that is already underway? Perhaps not if budget is a concern, but seasoned collectors whom I have known over the years pick-up every starter set because each is unique and complete: everything you need in the box. For me the decision to put this in my collection was easy: beautiful locomotive!
Good luck railroading and be well!
Siding: Faller laser-cut cardboard building “Old Spinning Mill” is featured in this post, it is available under article #282742. Note: still available ask your retailer!
Released to USA Dealers at the tail end of 2023 is the train set 81372: depicting a modern Era VI freight train painted and lettered for the firm EfW. Heading the train is the recognizable Class 212 known to mini-club collectors due to numerous versions released over the years. There have been fewer examples modeled after private firms, this one for the traction construction company operating out of Frechen, Germany.
Marklin describes the set as EfW (Westerwald Railroad Enthusiasts Transportation Company). I haven’t found information on the Westerwald Railroad Enthusiasts Transportation Company.
The train set includes a class 212 diesel locomotive and 4 DB AG type Fas 126 dump cars. Hydraulic dump cars include loads of gravel.
The locomotive on close examination reveals the logo for ‘EfW’. Crimson paint scheme is similar to that used by ‘DB’.
The set maybe based on the prototype used in Westerwald, Germany (concerning Marklin’s description). A Google search for Westerwald translates to “Western forest.” Westerwald comprises a mountain range and various mining activities: slate, iron ore, basalt, and clay.
Siding: cooling towers depicted in photos are laser-cut build kits by Archistories. And available from ZScaleHobo.com and ZMonster.com.
It’s 2022, and many new Z items coming this year from Marklin including Vectron series locomotives. The first release for this new series is painted and lettered for OBB as item #88234.
Based on OBB (Austrian Federal Railways) prototype class 1293, Marklin 88234 portrays a multi-system locomotive built by Siemens Mobility. Era VI thus currently used in Europe. Operating for little more than 4 years the multi-system OBB Vectron’s are certified for use in Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and Italy.
The very handsome modern locomotive is modeled in Z with 4 pantographs, add-on handrails with highly polished silver wire and bold paint and lettering for OBB. Snow-blades are suitably represented too!
Running characteristics are up to the standards achieved with the new motor technology. And headlight and trailing lights are LED powered.
Very exciting new locomotive class featured in the Marklin Z line-up.
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.
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/
First the freight car set and then sometime in the future the designated locomotive such is the case with set 82435 who’s locomotive (88204) has yet to be released, thus if you plan to run that locomotive you might consider buying this set before it sells out.
The bright and lively paint scheme of this car set comprises three type Eamos side dump cars painted and lettered for the firm RTS Rail Transport Service GmbH, Fischamend, Austria.
This is not the first release of this car type which is popularly used by several rail services, it features hydraulics to lift and dump loads.
Siding: Marklin RTS diesel locomotive class 221 (former V200) is the appropriate locomotive to complete this Austrian set.
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
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.
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’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.