Category Archives: Faller

Faller 282800: Three-Sided Half Timber Farm Kit

As the title suggests Faller’s new 3 part farmstead is inspired by German timber frame construction, it is recognizable to all who have built model houses and buildings for German themed layouts thus there are many such kits in plastic and cardboard. This cardboard kit for Z scale by Faller contains the typical characteristics of Fallers laser-cut cardstock buildings including interior masking (introduced in their plastic kits years ago) and lightweight paper parts. Building the kits is fun but challenging particularly with the filigree paper ‘timber’ parts. So far I have built 16 Faller Laser-Cut Kits with no regrets or problems; they take good magnifying goggles, tweezers, small drops of good glue and PATIENCE. The finished builds are excellent, and I highly recommend them.

I divided this article into 3 sections mostly to show what the kit looks like built without alteration followed by 2 sections covering my attempts to add realistic color and texture. I am not a professional scenery modeler, and my steps taken should be considered as one way to do things not the only way to do things.

Section 1: How the Buildings Look Built with no Alterations

Note: end walls of barn were installed improperly, stucco wall should be installed other end so stucco wraps around building. Mistake is less noticeable further in build.

Note: roofing materials used by Faller are heavily detailed which is a nice feature, but they fray easily when bent from their flat original state. I score along the seem with 3 light scores with razor blade which significantly helps make a good bend.

Note: brick walls and fencing come with the kit to frame out the barnyard, there are numerous layout designs to consider along with Faller’s own suggestions.

Section 2: Attaching Buildings to a Light Birch Plywood for Later Layout Installation. Plus First Steps with Color and Scenery Construction.

Buildings glued to very thin birch plywood available from hobby stores which was first painted black.

Note: application of pigment with an airbrush to establish a layer of aging.

Note: dry-brush was used on roofing material to bring out texture, it was applied with inconsistent amounts of paint to mimic how roofs age with time.

Section 3: Fine-Tuning Paint and Textures. And Adding Cows and Shrubs

Note: fine brown ballast by Woodland Scenics was applied to ground surface.

Note: very thin birch plywood is prone to warping even at time of purchase, but it will be flat when glued to layout board.

Note: numerous dry-brush applications were used to enhance color and texture, I have gotten better results with my projects by not rushing things thus I came back to this model many times and tweeked this or that.

Note: Dark brown paint was applied to ground to suggest the varying shades of earth, grass will later be applied in patches to further layer the visual detailing surrounding the farmstead buildings. Dairy cows by Preiser were added to the pen. When this small diorama is ready to install on layout more animals will be added, flower boxes installed on house, tractor or other equipment placed somewhere in scene, and a tree or 2 will be added for shade. I will also open a door and add a figure too!

Thank you for having a look and happy railroading!

Faller 282795: Kandelhof Cinema

Kandelhof Cinema (No. 282795) was released last year, it serves as another interesting architectural offering by Faller for Z gauge. Faller is unique in that they offer both laser-cut cardstock kits and plastic kits. Faller’s build kits in cardstock or plastic share one thing in common: interior detailing in the form of masking. First designed for plastic kits Faller’s ingenious masking material provides window details (curtains and drapes) while also providing opacity after insertion of light inside buildings thus plastic parts don’t unrealistically glow. The mask material for laser-cut kits is unchanged from earlier versions for plastic kits even though the mask’s opacity is not an issue with cardstock kits, window details are thus provided for realism as an unchanged characteristic of Fallers kits.

This example based on prototype (Freiburg, Germany) comprising 4 story multi-use building which includes a cinema. Other parts of the building suggest apartments. Faller’s kit is a very good translation of the prototype with one difference: kit building is freestanding whereas prototype is abutted with another building. Faller thus added a garage and receiving area along with a wall of windows which make for a very interesting building irrespective of the prototype.

Characteristics of Faller’s laser-cut cardstock buildings are fairly lightweight paper parts and some fragile parts as well, but overall the buildings have a realistic scale and color. Packaging is top notch with shrink-wrapped sturdy box, but packaging doesn’t always ensure perfect delivery of the kits if factory errors occur. In this example my kit was delivered with heavy curled and folded parts, it took a bit of finesse to put things right as well as a bit of patience. The fragile parts of Faller kits are the roof pieces, they fray just by looking at them. I have found a little extra scoring on fold line of roof panel helps otherwise paper breaks and separates unrealistically. Movie poster signage was a bit disappointing, it looks nothing like those on the box’s packaging. Also color of parts varies with those found illustrated on the packaging, but this I found minor.

Modification: I made changes to the kit including framing out cinema signage and repainting shutters. The kit instructs cinema signage to be glued to cardboard parts before gluing to building, I didn’t think this would translate well thus I opted to frame out the 2 signs. In the second modification I decided to paint the shutters in a color complementary to those found on prototype: dark red/mahogany. Kit provided light gray shutters, I felt more contrast would work better thus I airbrushed the shutters before installation. Airbrushing has become an essential tool for me to add a little weathering or change color of cardstock parts without damaging the kits with other painting methods.

Overall I would highly recommend Faller kit 282795: good fun and good architecture.

Thanks for taking a look at this post and happy railroading!

Just In Time: 88963 DRG Class 86 (new at USA dealers)!

New at USA dealers is Marklin 88963 tank locomotive Class 86 painted and lettered for DRG (German State Railroad) from Era II. An early German tank locomotive built in the years 1928 – 1943 for passenger and freight. Used on main and branch lines, Class 86 is one of the “Jack of All Trades” locomotive types. According to the Wikipedia page: 775 Class 86’s were built by various German Factories for use in the Mittelgebirge Region. Have a look at the Wikipedia Page for other historical details.

Marklin’s latest model of this fine locomotive is outstanding with great detailing of body and running gear. Two LED headlights illuminate its path, water tanks run length of boiler up to the cylinders, its a treat to watch the lively action of the moving locomotive.

Marklin’s first class 86 for mini-club was in production for a number of years starting 1980 until 2008, its item number 8896 painted and lettered for DB thus Era III. In 1996 the locomotive was reintroduced as a One Time Series for the MHI Program: painted “photo gray” and lettered for DRG with item number 88961. Both locomotives were powered by 3 pole motors.

As it happens (often) Marklin did not release a coach or freight set to go with this Era II locomotive this year, but there are plenty of good choices already produced including the very finely detailed 4 car coach set: 87681. The set is so good I am expanding this post to include lots of photos of it.

To fully appreciate the interesting architecture and detailing we look at each car independently thus next 4 photos are 87681-1: Baggage Car with 2 pair of hinged doors each side. Car number 101 976.

87681-2: 2nd and 3rd Class coach with curtain drawn over lavatory window (one side). Car number 35 909.

87681-3: 3rd Class coach with curtain drawn over lavatory window (one side). Car number 79 867.

87681-4: 3rd Class coach with curtain drawn over lavatory window. Car number 79 847.

Released in 2002, Marklin 87681 was offered until 2008, it followed the earlier release and first time introduction of identical car types as set 8768 (1990 – 1995), this set was painted and lettered for DB.

Final photo includes Faller’s new laser cut building: “Old Spinning Mill” article #282742. A good building design, but roof material is challenging to work with as its heavy texture gives way to damage during bending for assembly. Only trick I have found with this material is to score bending joints with a sharp knife otherwise material frays and you won’t have clean folds for assembly. Expect some less than desirable results.

Siding: hard to find ‘dealer old stock’ of this set thus the secondary/used market is likely only possibility. Check car numbers to confirm you have to a complete set.

German Federal Postal Train: 81341

The motive power of this train set has origins to World War II. Designed to be less visible to Allied bombing than steam locomotives the Class V36 diesel locomotive was produced in small numbers with just over 250. Many V36’s survived well beyond the 2nd World War due to its reliability and easy maintenance, its removable side panels allowed easy access to the engine. Not sure how many perished before War’s end or their numbers Post War, but those that did survive seem to have served branch-line railroads for both passenger and freight plus shunting operations.

Marklin has thus far released V36’s alone and in train sets for various eras, this train set based on the 1960’s prototype for the German Federal Postal Service (Era III).

A couple of box cars along with one stake car are included in the set. Plus a Tempo 3- wheeler delivery vehicle painted yellow and lettered for the German Federal Postal Service.

The locomotive is small but fully capable of hauling the 3 freight cars in the set. Marklin describes locomotive’s construction mostly of metal. It might stall out in a turnout at slow speeds due to its short length, otherwise a good reliable locomotive in ‘Z’.

Z-Modellbau.de was the first to produce powered ‘Z’ gauge locomotives of this scale, but Marklin has caught up with their V36 models. Marklin has further surpassed what was possible in ‘Z’ with the release of Volkswagen Klv 20’s: 88025 + 88026. Of course all these developments are only possible due to the new generation motor Marklin is now using.

Set is delivered in Marklin’s current white box and includes: 1- Class V 36 Diesel Locomotive, 2- type Gmhs 53 boxcars, 1- type Rmms 33 stake car with a brakeman’s platform, and 1 Tempo 3-wheel delivery vehicle with movable rubber tires.

This is an MHI Release thus it is only available through MHI Dealers.

Siding: buildings featured in this post are Faller laser-cut kits recently released.

Marklin 88146: Already Rare or at Least Hard to Find

I plan to spend a little more time with this model in a future post, but for now I am sending a shout out to anyone interested that now is the time to track one down even if you have a preorder for it.

In October (2021) Marklin sent a letter to dealers announcing a limited release of this model, they further explained the release would be smaller than anticipated and not all customers with preorders would receive one. I am one such customer thus when one became available on Ebay I ordered it. Some models might still be available through Marklin’s USA Dealer network or German dealers on Ebay.

Note about the model: small steam powered locomotive with passenger compartment based on the Era II prototype with paint and lettering for the German State Railroad. Manufactured in China, Marklin 88146 is a companion to the earlier release 88145, both are similar in appearance with the exception of paint and lettering, add-on parts and mechanism are identical. Collectors sometimes comment on Chinese manufacturing as a problem, but every add-on part which there are many was individually applied. And this level of production with a Marklin Z release is usually well done in China. “Usually” is the word of the day: my first 88146 was missing the left hand side rod, my second one was missing the add-on part installed behind left cab window. Both defects are covered by Marklin’s 2 Year Warranty, but I will be without this locomotive for quite some time.

Marklin 88146 (released 2021) + Nuremberg Toy Fair Cars (White Box Edition)

Paint, lettering, and details are finely produced on this model, it is a perfect locomotive to feature in a small railroad perhaps in a country setting too! It could be conceived to be a railcar propelled with steam propulsion, this all-in-one locomotive with passenger compartment can be hitched to a coach or freight wagon as the prototype required. Two Nuremberg Toy Fair cars from 2008 and 2017 complete the train each commemorates German Railroad history. The 2008 Toy Fair car painted and lettered for the RHEINGOLD train, and 2017 Toy Fair Car commemorates the 60th anniversary of Trans Europ Express.

Siding: Laser-cut cardboard building kit featured here is newly released (2021) by Faller as item #282773 (Eutin Pharmacy).

German E 18 Electric Locomotive: Marklin 88080 + 88088

Noticeable differences apply to Marklin’s Era III Class E 18 electric loco both on the outside and inner workings.

The Class E 18 electric locomotive was designed for express train service, it was built over a 20 year span starting in 1935 in Germany and Austria. Although it was designed for express train service it subsequently became an important general purpose locomotive. Marklin’s 88080 and 88088 are based on post war (Era III) prototypes.

Marklin 88080 was released in 2002, it stayed in the program until 2008. This attractive locomotive was the first mini-club Class E 18, its features include 5 pole motor and LED headlamps.

The recent release 88088 features a new motor designed to be maintenance-free: no longer are worn brushes changed out as was the case with the earlier 3 pole and 5 pole motors. The paint scheme is similar for both locomotives, but paint sheen varies: 88088 is matte (prototypical?), and 88080 is glossy which gives the paint an appearance of more saturation and maybe bluer looking.

Both generations of the E 18 are good runners with the 88088 running a little quieter and better at slow speeds. It should be noted that earlier versions of the E 18’s performance are exceptional: in my opinion no great improvement between the new release and the older versions, I don’t think a trade-in of the old for new is warranted: save your money for other new releases (?). Perhaps others may feel differently, but I have felt since its release in 2002 the 88080 ran superbly, and I still do, including all the various releases since 2002.

Marklin 88088 + Faller 282774 (Quakenbruck Town/City Hall)

How do they look? Paint scheme of 88088 maybe more prototypical (?). Paint is brighter on the 88080 due to its gloss finish.

Siding: releases of the E18 have included a bright pink/red instruction sheet placed over loco in box with instruction to store loco in box with pantographs fully extended thus to avoid breakage of the delicate roof details and wires rendered in plastic. This loco did not include this warning slip, but it is advised to store your loco with pantographs up!

DB Tank Locomotive: Marklin 88955

Marklin 88955 class 74 Era III tank locomotive for German Federal Railroad (DB)

The class 74 tank locomotive painted and lettered for the German Federal Railroad is a recent release sort of (2017-2018), I got mine recently but it proved to be a rather difficult loco to get a hold of: I should have pre-ordered it! Other locos in this series with improved running gear based on the first generation 8895 (2000-2006) were much easier to find than this one. Perhaps some dealers have these in inventory, it is or should be a fairly popular loco lettered for the DB and based on Era III: a perfect loco for small railroads and regional passenger traffic.

Several subtle modifications exist within the evolution of this tank locomotive for Z including brass bell prominently installed behind stack on the 88955. Identifying tank locomotives is easy, it is hard to miss the water tanks installed on the sides of the locomotive and coal hopper behind cab. Plus “tender-less” operation. Motor in the model is mounted vertically with worm-gear facing down, motor is 5 pole type with long brushes (part #89871) extending from the armature alongside the chassis providing current to the circuit board and LED lights. LED lights in this locomotive are bright and trailing lights continue to be rendered with paint versus working. Also features plastic couplers at both ends for push/pull operation.

Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen”

Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.

The curious coach seen here with 88955 is the graffiti car issued by Miniatur Wunderland (Hamburg) as one time release in 2008 (600 total): Marklin 98085 “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” and Miniatur Wunderland’s Car #10.

Faller’s continuing series of laser-cut building kits included this nice train station from a few years ago: 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen (based on 1915 prototype).

Siding: here is a link to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg: https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/

Marklin Z Tank Loco 8895: evolution of design

photo: courtesy Marklin
Marklin 8895 (2000-2006) German Federal Railroad (DB) class 74 tank locomotive. Era III.

Almost 20 years since the 8895 (2000-2006) debuted featuring the relatively new 5 pole mini-club motor (1998) with 7 variations in between.

Tank locomotives are smart steam locomotives featuring water tanks mounted alongside the boiler with coal bunker located behind cab. A few early example tank locomotives featured a coal hopper above cab and worked with gravity to self feed the system which for one man operation was ideal or at least manageable on small railroads. For a whole host of reasons the tank locomotive was the smart choice for economical and efficient operation for commuter traffic and the like.

The evolution of this locomotive class modeled in Z includes notable examples of various railroads and era’s. Plus of course increased detailing of locomotive’s running gear and side rods. An overlooked increase in side rod movement of Marklin’s new steam locomotives is a complex detail feature much improved from earlier examples. Thus far this locomotive has not been built with a brush-less motor, but the future seems just around the corner for what comes next.

Marklin 88951 (2003-2004) Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) class 74 (operating number 74 690). Era II.

Marklin 88951 (2003-2004) Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) class 74 (Era II) with destination boards: “Wannsee.”

Marklin 88952 (One Time Series-2005) Royal Wurttemberg State Railways (K.W.St.E) class T 9. Era I. Note: modified from delivery with added pick-ups connected to wheels of coach thus electric is picked up from wheels of locomotive plus 4 wheels on coach: benefits traveling through turn-outs with dips in electric flow.

Marklin 88952 (One Time Series-2005) Royal Wurttemberg State Railways (K.W.St.E) class T 9 (Era I) with Faller laser-cut building “Quakenbruck Town Hall” (282774) in background

Note: Marklin’s 2005 release of 88952 celebrated “200 Years of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg”

Marklin 88953 (One Time Series-2015) class 74 painted and lettered for **Marklin Magazin** Note: features for the first time improved running gear

Note: metal front coupler was replaced with standard plastic one with 88953’s release

Marklin 88954 (2015-2017) Belgium State Railways (SNCB) class 96 locomotive. Era III. Note: features hand-painted boiler bands for the first time and handsome paint detail on the cylinder

Marklin 88954 (2015-2017) Belgium State Railways (SNCB) class 96 locomotive. Era III.

Note: German locomotives feature red paint in their design to make stress fractures easier to detect on inspection

Marklin 88955 (2017-2018) German Federal Railroad (DB) class 74 tank locomotive. Era III.

Marklin 88956 (2016-2018) French State Railways (SNCF) class 130 TB. Era III

Marklin 88956 (2016-2018) French State Railways (SNCF) class 130 TB. Era III. Note: trailing lights are suggested and non-functioning

Marklin 88957 (One Time Series for MHI Program-2017) Royal Prussian State Railroad (KPEV) class T 12 based on 1915 prototype which was used for commuter service in Berlin. Era I.

Marklin 88957 (One Time Series for MHI Program-2017) Royal Prussian State Railroad (KPEV) class T 12. Era I. Note: two trailing lights in this version

Faller Laser-cut: Quakenbruck Town Hall

Faller’s recent release laser-cut kit is a town building which further builds on this company’s foray into high quality building kits: Quakenbruck Town Hall. Texture and color seem more realistic in card-stock versus plastic owing to the popularity of this building kit type with today’s Z modelers.

Featuring fine architectural details including clear-story above door followed by further embellishments accentuating central tower structure, building is further sheathed with terracotta tile roof and patinated copper. The strong structural look of this building results from the masonary construction and simple 4 corner design wrapped by blocks.

Included with the building is a very nice accessory statue made of cast resin which sits atop a card-stock pedestal. The statue depicts a rather familiar hero of liberty with sword in one hand and flag in the other.

Putting the kit together is a rather quick and easy affair with few visible seams in the finished building. One odd exception should be made with the kit: the finished roof is attached to the finished base versus building the structure up and attaching roof sheathing at the end. This method of assembly does not allow gluing within the building, it must be applied along the outside seams: not a big deal except the two pieces required a bit of wriggling to attach.

The lovely statue arrives attached to its casting sprue with a dark red natural color. It was easy enough to cut the statue away from the sprue and gold metallic paint worked well to paint it. The pedestal could be a candidate for painting as well.

Overall a very good new building kit by Faller which features their signature window masking plus excellent packaging and instructions.

Faller New Release: Bahnhof Durlesbach #282708

Faller has continued releasing laser-cut kits with the addition of #282708 station kit. Building features a freight depot, sheltered waiting platform as well as interior public spaces and telegraph room plus upstairs apartment for station master.

Based on the prototype from 1911 it is another historic train station offered by Faller as a laser-cut kit in Z gauge.

Faller kits do not feature partition walls, but they do include very ingenious paper masking giving each window unique impressions of window treatments: curtains and shades. New LED lighting systems generate enough output to illuminate this feature, traditional mini-Club 10 volt bulbs don’t cut it. Plus LED’s can be adjusted.

Faller kits arrive in sturdy cardboard boxes with well wrapped parts. Instructions are for the most part clear and orderly, and quality of parts is good. Some experience building laser-cut kits is recommended due to the lightweight nature of some parts, modelers will be less likely to be able to move parts after glue as with plastic kits. Roof sheathing looks great out of the box with already a natural like patina.

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