Category Archives: Layouts

Royal Wurttemberg (K.W.St.E) T 9 tank locomotive: Marklin 88952

The 2005 release of the Marklin T 9 tank locomotive painted and lettered for the Royal Wurttemberg State Railroad (K.W.St.E) featured a 5 pole motor and it was the first of its type for this railway produced in the mini-club line-up.

The 88952 produced in 2005 as a “one time series” celebrated “200 Years of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg.”

The Era I locomotive is appropriately coupled with Wurttemberg coaches: 80105, 8700, 8701, and 8739. Marklin’s recent release 5 coach set is also a very good choice: 87009.

Coach 8739 trails the T 9 with destination boards for Boll-Goppingen, its operating number E4 2733 was produced by Marklin from 1989-1998. Eleven years in production does not make this coach particularly rare, but this open corridor coach has been popular with modelers of early trains. Check out the next section detailing the relationship between this coach and locomotive.

Following years of innovation by modelers of Z one such development proved invaluable: marrying coaches with short locomotives. Locomotives of short length and weight have proven to be less than rewarding to operate on the mini-club layouts with turnouts and crossovers with their slight dip in power, short locos are challenged to pass freely through these track features, but one creative minded individual came up with a solution: wiring the axles of a coach to the leads of the locomotive thereby extending the length of the locomotive. In this case the 88952 with 3 powered axles has been extended with 2 additional axles. Wiring the coach involves some soldering and drilling with micro bits, but it is overall a fairly straightforward and easy repair the second time around, the first time should be counted as a learning curve. Adding an LED light panel at the same time is just a little more work. In this example a draw-bar was installed thus permanently coupling the loco and coach together. Performance for this type of locomotive is improved greatly.

Here are photos of the electrical upgrade:


Marklin 89793 – Hamburg Dammtor Station: revised build solution

Marklin’s very large laser-cut kit for the Hamburg Dammtor Station was broken into 2 parts on delivery and sold separately: station kit (89792) + bridges and arcades (89793).

The bridges and arcades modeled the elevated approach based on the prototype which includes shops and approach bridges. The shops portion of the kit could be built along one side of the elevation, but it did not include enough solid brick for both sides presumably giving a choice between dividing it 50/50 between the sides. Or the other option leaving one side complete and the second side un-decorated so to speak. If your layout includes 360 views perhaps finding a solution for completing both sides is for you as it is for me.

I have two complete kits including the one depicted that I will be using for a Christmas layout, this kit I divided the walling and shops equally between the two sides leaving large sections on both sides bare card-stock. What to do?

Archistories the company well documented by me on this site came out with a solution: “Masonry Slab Sheet” (ARC 806181), it simulates shaped and tinted concrete or natural slab rock. In the case of the Marklin 89793 in will provide natural stone retaining walls extending past the arcade shops. Installing on a layout will require a smooth transition from masonry built elevation to natural fill elevation. Photos are readily available on-line to view the Hamburg station as it looks today.

Note: my photos show installation of sheet sections directly to the original unfinished sides, but after completion I may redo the attachment after installing a thicker base perhaps 1/16″ inches. Projecting the slab stone out from the sides a little maybe much more natural in appearance.

The height of the elevation is 1 1/8 inches thus one sheet of Archistories ARC 806181. There is a correct orientation to the sheet with top and bottom either end of the vertical sheet, further the vertical sheet has a top and bottom which can be delineated after careful observation.

Faller Laser-cut: Quakenbruck Town Hall

Faller 282774

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.

Archistories: Church St. loannes Paulus II (404181)

The recent release by Archistories is a neo-Gothic church solidly built of stone, leaded and stain glass at least for the prototype, its interpretation into Z scale is rather remarkable with an overall height of 4 1/2 inches x overall length of 4 1/2 inches.

A lovely 19th century church dedicated by namesake with Pope John Paul II is every bit as charming as its real world counterpart existing in same form throughout Europe and America.

A large bronze bell can be peered through slats in the clock tower below the gilt weathervane.

Intricate window moldings are assembled without glue owing to the high degree of design and precision found in Archistories kits. Simply put: printed mylar suggesting lead glass or stain glass is popped into each window opening followed by likewise installing moldings lastly followed by tiny bit of glue on the exterior framing surrounding each window.

Light naturally falls in and around the building further highlighting the architectural details.


The smallest details are found with the separately applied strap hinges on the real wood doors.

Although small in size this kit will take the better part of a day to assemble as it combines layers and layers of detailing all but vacant in other manufacturers’ kits.

Key features of this kit are the very well produced and illustrated instructions which are meant to be followed in order. Please note: part ‘B’ which there are 4 total appears on two parts sheets and careful to glue on clock faces in correct orientation.




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:



Notes from a Marklin Insider: Precision and Z Scale

photo: Marklin 88091 KPEV BR P10  (Insider Release – 2003)

I received Marklin Insider Club News in yesterday’s mail, it features a two page 25th Anniversary chronology of the Insider Club in Z. The article highlights the collector Rolf-Dieter Woerz who is a long time Marklin collector and enthusiast, he was at the very beginning of mini-club in 1972! And he was a first year subscriber to the Marklin Insider Club!

photo: Marklin 81436 DRG BR 61 (loco from Henschel-Wegmann set – Insider Release 2005)

Mr. Woerz comments on the precision required in Z: “If you build in Z, you can’t cut corners.” How how true!

photo: Marklin 88010 DB BR 01 express locomotive and tender (Insider Release – 2012)

Whether gluing a shutter on a laser cut building or weathering rolling stock precision is demanded every step of the way. The right tools and techniques are part of this so called precision, but patience and confidence mirror the same. Research , time and experimentation help build the foundation for precision work while personal charm and expertise form the working methods that can be used for success in Z.

photo: Marklin 88053 DRG BR 53 loco and condensation tender (Insider Release – 2007)

In celebrating post 301, I hope to continue to share my insights in Z scale. And I hope to help others avoid mistakes that I have made along the way.

photo: Marklin 88183 DRG BR 18.1 express locomotive lettered for 1936 Olympics (Insider Release – 1996)

Siding: Marklin Insider Club membership in the United States is just $99/year and includes the magazines: Insider Club News, Marklin Magazine, and catalogs. It also includes an invitation to purchase Insider locos plus each member gets a free car in their selected gauge. As Florian Sieber states: “The Club is not there to make a profit, but to be a platform to promote communication.”

photo: Marklin 88294 DB BR 96 heavy freight locomotive (Insider Release – 2013)

Swiss Alpine Structures in Z

If you are a specialist Swiss modeler in Z chances are building structures have been difficult to find off the shelf. Or perhaps you are already building scratch-built structures. This post focuses on two rare off the shelf structures, but they could also be successfully built with balsa wood from your local hobby store.

Two very interesting alpine structures are a covered bridge and guardhouse used on the RhB railway (Rhaetian Railway). The covered bridge was offered fully built by FiDES of Switzerland, it featured balsa wood construction with printed (not etched) shake tile roof.

I wasn’t able to find any current information for this company, this one being the only example I have found. I cannot verify when the bridge was produced or whether it was marketed outside Switzerland, I found this one on Ebay.

In addition to being fully assembled the bridge was further glued in place within the cardboard carton thus I was not able to do a great job photographing it for the blog post. By my count the bridge incorporates over 100 individual parts each measured, cut and assembled: lot’s of work.

A similar bridge could be scratch-built using balsa wood and leftover parts from other kits for the roof. Good scenery construction could include this bridge known to Alpine hikers in multiples along a path and over water or even rock falls. Steep inclined features would also include granite outcroppings, pine trees, snow or random length grasses with pretty flowers. Bridge used in a town setting would also feature flower boxes because hey this is Switzerland.

Another good Swiss alpine structure is an older FR building kit for guardhouse on the RhB railway.

Very infrequently FR produces metal and wood structures that bespeak the precision and historical accuracy presented by FR in each one their releases. This building kit includes numerous dimensional strands of balsa wood as well as etched balsa and nickel parts including window frames.

Instructions are in German with excellent photo illustrations, using illustrations only I was able to deduce the order and correct assembly of all parts. Metal gutters and downspouts I will add in the future along with finish work, but at this point it looks pretty good, and I am happy with the results.

Although a very small building it required hours of assembly including measuring and cutting window glazing plus measuring and gluing all other parts.

A good solid building that features already painted metal shutters, doors and window frames. Roofing material had to be measured then cut, it was printed on textured paper to give the look of three dimensional terracotta tile, even the color is very good.

I probably won’t add aging to this structure as I associate Switzerland without air pollution, but perhaps even darkening is a correct patina? Chimney will get dressed up with a piece of flagstone during finishing touches as well as stucco application to sides with white paint. Footing for vertical support beam will also be painted concrete. And one cannot forget flower boxes hey this is Switzerland!

The prototype probably included a signal and short siding for passing trains, but as of this writing I have not found a picture of the prototype. For the layout this building could be connected to the hiking path previously suggested with the bridge, it too could have been a way station for hikers boarding a train, but this is a far off structure in the mountains inaccessible to auto traffic.

Siding: outstanding glue with easy applicator is Noch Laser-Cut Adhesive #61104 available from zscalehobo.com, I highly recommend this glue for laser-cut card stock, balsa wood, and metal or any combination thereof.

One More class F boxcar and counting: FR’s masterwork!

The workshop of FR Freudenreich has been busy with 3 releases of class F boxcars of FS-Italia. All releases of this boxcar have been limited releases and all sold out quickly.

This one is lettered for SBB with the typical white on gray signage associated with SBB upper left corner. Following WWII this boxcar was allocated to Switzerland with the firm commitment it never leaves Switzerland.

FR’s limited release includes a whopping 20 total units, it did not take long to disappear from store shelves so to speak. I recommend to those interested in collecting FR items a weekly visit to the website is a good idea. Items depicted as out of stock require pre-order for next production run, limited items are only on the website for as long as the edition is still available.

Siding: Faller’s Bahnhof Huinghausen station with attached freight depot is based on a station which now serves as a railway museum: Faller #282704 (*easy kit to build with interior masking for lighting details).

Factory Weathering: Marklin 82267 boxcar

Marklin’s factory weathering doesn’t get any better, and this example is another superb example. Featuring a post on one freight car is worth the effort, single cars can sometimes be overshadowed by the glaring goodness of fancy beautiful train sets and locos in the mini-club program, but individual cars add interest at sidings as they are essential to railroad operations.

Turn this car in the light and depth of detail reveals those qualities such as crisp timber construction, lettering and tiniest bolt heads.

Mated with the early Marklin logo this type GI high capacity boxcar with brakeman’s platform is Era III and weathered to perfection.

Note: The prototype of this Era III boxcar was perhaps loaded with diecast H0 locos and tin-plate rolling stock and other Marklin toys of the 1950’s.

Note: The un-weathered version of the GI boxcar with Era III Marklin lettering was featured as the 2009 Museum Wagen (Item #80020).

Siding: MBZ building kits such as the one featured in this post are available in the United States exclusively from Reynaulds.com. MBZ kits are a bit more primitive and tricky to assemble as compared with Archistories kits which are rigid precise constructions. A natural old weathered look is inescapably linked to MBZ, they are good kits to round out the architecture on a layout or diorama.

 

Marklin 8904: auto set worth considering or reconsidering!

In the program forever maybe (?) is the Marklin 8904 Bausatz PKW (automotive) set. Here is a nice build kit worth considering in the current paint schemes and car types.

Four car types each including 3 of each in various paint schemes. Note: each car type is packaged separately with complementary parts. A simple snap and glue kit of 3 parts for a finished car: shell, frame and glazing. The solid glazing part is sandwiched between the shell and frame after applying two tiny drops of glue, I used Faller Super Expert which is a solvent based glue that dries fast.

Originally designed as an accessory to use on a layout these cars also fill out the load on the auto transport cars including the last release car set 87092 which included 3 auto transport cars DDm 915.

Marklin Autoreisezug 87092

If you need to fill up a parking lot quick this kit takes a little more than a minute a car and includes 12 autos with good detailing. As an added bonus each car can be customized by painting in the bumpers and lamps. Add a white roof to add contrast to the rest of the car.

A real bargain selling for $1.25 a car! Can’t beat that! And will be rust free forever!