Category Archives: Freight: Container

Container Shipping in Z: Marklin and FR (“AB”)

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!

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/

Marklin Magazin: Limited Releases for Marklin Z

Marklin 88953 (One Time Series-2015) class 74 tank locomotive

One of the many benefits of Marklin Insider Club membership includes subscription to Marklin Magazin (English text). The glossy well produced magazine features articles helpful to HO and Z gauge modelers as well as Gauge 1 from layout design and scenery tips to historical background. I look forward to getting the big white envelope with this magazine as well as Insider News magazine. Plus twice a year up to date news from Marklin is delivered on DVD with English subtitles and beautiful videography. And then there is the Club card and free club car in your choice in gauges: HO or Z. So that is my plug for Marklin Insider Club, it is a very good deal and investment in your hobby: $99/year.

Marklin’s Magazin releases are easy to spot featuring characteristic Prussian blue paint scheme sometimes basing their designs on the magazine’s printing heritage. Releases also highlight newly tooled cars sometimes for the first time.

2001 marked the occasion of the first such release of a freight car in Z, and the series includes one locomotive. So without further ado I will present each release starting with the first one:

Marklin 80811 (2001) type Rils car with tarp cover for transporting steel coils

Marklin 80812 (2002) type Lgjs 598 flat car with 5 tanks corresponding to printer’s ink

Marklin 80813 (2003) type Eaos 106 high side gondola with load of wood chips for paper production

Marklin 80814 (2004) type Sammp 705 heavy duty flat car with replica of a machine glazing cylinder

Marklin 80815 (2005) type Re 687 four-axle flat car with system containers painted to represent colors used to print **Marklin Magazin**

Marklin 80816 (2006) type low side car with brakeman’s platform loaded with reams of paper used for printing

Marklin 80817 (2007) type diesel/heating oil tank car

Marklin 80818 (2008) type Bt 10 flat car loaded with Efkr Pa containers for raw materials

Marklin 80819 (2009) type Shimmns 708 sliding wall box car

Marklin 80820 (2010) type Lb 576 flat car loaded with 3 type Eoskrt coal container

Marklin 80821 (2011) type acid transport car with acid tanks

Marklin 80822 (2012) type OOTZ hopper car

Marklin 80823 (2013) type VH 14 livestock car

Marklin 80824 (2014) type refrigerator car based on German Railroad Association Drawing A2

Marklin 80825 (2015) type Tms 851 two-axle sliding roof car with brakeman’s cabin

Marklin 80826 (2016) type Eanos high side gondola for transporting wood chips

Marklin 80827 (2017) type Fas 126 side dump car

Marklin 80828 (2018) type Zans four-axle funnel flow tank car

Marklin 80829 (2019) type E 037 2-axle gondola

In 2015 Marklin released the first locomotive painted and lettered for the Marklin Magazin series, it would no doubt include the latest developments in Marklin Z locomotive design including improved running gear of the class 74 (former T 9 K.W.St.E and Prussian T 12) tank locomotive. It is a stout little locomotive with sharp lines and handsome Prussian blue paint scheme.

Marklin 88953 (2015) **Marklin Magazin** special one time series

Marklin 88953 (2015) **Marklin Magazin** special one time series Note: trailing lights are non-functioning and painted white

Marklin Special Imprints: 8600 Series Cars

In the late 1970’s thru now Marklin Special Imprints have been available on a very limited basis. As older collections are dismantled and sold these rarities can only be found occasionally on Ebay. Growing a collection of special imprints takes time and commitment due to their very limited availability, but the hunt is fun! Marklin has continued to produce special imprints cars mostly commemorating train events, but the early cars celebrated a vast array of products and manufacturers with very exciting graphics and always featuring the Marklin “m”. The Marklin “m” on the sides of these cars indicates printing by Marklin versus its omission on privately printed cars known as “Industry Prints” equally rare and sought after.

In the Marklin Special Imprint category is the 8600 type refrigerator car, this car type has been used more than any other for special imprints possibly owing to its smooth sides.

Printed in small numbers these commissions are often limited to 100-200 worldwide with the Swiss Hbis car types printed in editions of 300 and others of 500. A good reference for SMI’s is Koll’s Spezial Katalog 1996 + 1997, both highlight year produced, edition size and value. Pricing SMI’s is tricky business possibly due to their infrequent appearance in the market, but rare items tend to be hard to price in general.

Here are four recent finds on Ebay:

1. NORTHEIMER DIAT PILS, Koll’s #87018 (year produced 1987), edition: 100

2. DAB (Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei) Pilsener, produced in 1998 to commemorate the Intermodellbau ’98 1-5 April 1998

3. Lohrer Bier, Koll’s #88023 (year produced 1988), edition: 100

4. Bad Vilbeler Ur Quelle, Koll’s #88010 (year produced 1988), edition: 200

Siding: Koll’s published 4 books for mini-club collectors: KOLL’S PREIS-KATALOG MARKLIN Spur Z 1996 (standard releases), KOLL’S SPEZIAL KATALOG 1996 (SMI reference book), KOLL’S PREIS-KATALOG MARKLIN Spur Z 1997 (standard releases), KOLL’S SPEZIAL KATALOG 1997 (SMI reference book). The two standard release books are fun to look at, but the ultimate guide for standard releases is COLLECTION Marklin Spur Z released in 2015 by Thomas Zeeb, this book was released in a special boxed edition with the 2015 Toy Fair loco 88422: BR 111 with experimental paint scheme. Note: Marklin loco 88422 was originally released with the book, but it is also being sold now without the book, before you order one ask the dealer if it includes the book.

FR Week: SJ Container Transport Set 46.818.04

A very interesting freight transport type are container cars lettered for international shipping companies. All over the United States and abroad shipping containers arrive in port then carried by truck or train to various destinations, Marklin and FR have released a number of interesting European individual cars, sets and trainsets.

FR’s recent release of a 4 car container set (FR 46.818.04) is lettered for Safmarine, HYUNDAI, HAMBURG SUD, and MAERSK SEALAND on cars lettered for Swedish MidCargo AB. Collectors can opt to run these cars on any Scandinavian railway and choose to realistically weather them as mentioned by Harald Freudenreich.

The prototype is a rebuilt class Os low side gondola modified for container service redesignated class Lgns 443. This car type is seen in Sweden heavily rusted which can be achieved by weathering. The model includes 4 cars with permanently mounted containers. A beautiful set with weathered wheel sets to use in mixed freight or unit trains!

As always FR packs there cars in custom foam lined acrylic boxes: very high production quality!

Z Trains Weekly

World of Z scale trains!