Category Archives: Marklin Special Imprints

Marklin MSI’s: railbuses

Railbuses in Germany actually look like buses and a few other countries do too. The “Economic Miracle” in Germany occurred during the 1950’s, and the class VT 98 railbus was part of this history. Marklin added this railcar to the line-up with the first one being released in 1988 as item #8112 “Chiemgau Bahn” and then the special imprint “McDonald’s” also in 1988. Versions abound but for this topic of discussion the focus is on special imprints which like the first two releases (8112) are also in part regional railbuses.

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  1. 88701 – German Federal Railroad (DB) class 798 railbus lettered for “McDonald’s voll in Fahrt.” Sold as a starter set with track and transformer. Edition size: 1000. Koll’s #88701. Released 1988.
  2. 88817 – Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) class 798 railbus and class 998 trailer lettered for RAG. Special imprint collaboration between Railex and Z Club International. Koll’s #91702. Edition size: 3000. *Originally sold unpowered.
  3. 88164 – Prignitzer Eisenbaum GmbH class 798 railbus and class 998 trailer lettered for Prignitzer Eisenbaum GmbH regional rail line Berlin. One Time Series 2001. Produced in collaboration between Marklin and Eurotrain/idee+spiel cooperative.
  4. 88165 – Elbe-Weser GmbH (EVB) class 798 railbus and class 998 trailer lettered for EVB the Lower Saxony German regional rail line. One Time Series 2002. Produced in collaboration between Marklin and Eurotrain/idee+spiel cooperative.

Siding: 88164 + 88165 were only available to German Dealers that were members of the Eurotrain/idee+spiel cooperative.

 

MSI’s: DB passenger coaches

Very few Marklin Special Imprints of passenger coaches exist in comparison to other car types. Many of these never made it to the United States dealers, and today they are usually only available through secondary market or German dealers. Part of the fun is the search, and Ebay can sometimes be the only option, but a careful eye on dealer websites can sometimes be helpful. Some dealers are now featuring a category for consignments on their websites. Putting a special imprint in your train set can add uniqueness and specificity that not everyone can lay claim to. Pull up a chair with a cold refreshment and start hunting!

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1a. 87295 – German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG) type DABz 756 1st and 2nd class coach in “Traffic Red” paint scheme. Two sided special imprint car: side 1- idee+spiel – 1000 Spielwaren-Fachgeschafte.

1b. 87295 – German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG) type DABz 756 1st and 2nd class coach in “Traffic Red” paint scheme. Two sided special imprint car: side 2- EUROTRAIN – Modellbahnen 1. Klasse.

2. 87296- German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG) type Dbz 751 cafe car 2nd class in “Traffic Red” paint scheme lettered ZugCafe. Destination signs: RegionalExpress RB50 Dortmund Hbf. One Time Series 2001/02.

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3. 8716.1728 – German Federal Railroad (DB) “Silver Coin” 2nd class coach commemorating MIBA’s 40th Anniversary.

4. 87399 – German Federal Railroad (DB) type 2nd class coach with special imprinting: KUNSTHALLE TUBINGEN. Special edition car produced to mark the occasion of Marklin Exhibition at Kunsthalle Tubingen art museum, Tubingen, Baden Wurttemberg, 11/15/2003 – 2/15/2004.

*Siding: Marklin 87399 coach is same car type as the coaches found in Marklin’s 8135 train set “Dompfeil”. It is also a compatible coach for repainting for SJ service, FR has a stencil kit available to convert these coaches to SJ.

MSI’s: Marklin 8600 car type

The first MSI using the Marklin 8600 car type is lettered for Carlberg, it was produced in 1977 with Koll’s #77001. The Koll’s catalog states the edition size as 800 which makes the number produced considerable, but this car is none the less rare and seldom offered for sale. The Carlsberg car is not depicted in this collection so a brief description of its appearance is in order, it varies from the regular production model 8608 in that it has red coloration filling in the five small details on the lower green stripe running under logo otherwise the cars are the same. This collection begins with a 1978 car lettered for Atlantik with Koll’s #78701 with edition size of 500.

Click on photos to make larger!

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  1. Atlantik, Koll’s #78701, Miba/Monk #024, edition size: 500, released 1978
  2. LBS, Koll’s #78701, Miba/Monk #023, sold as part of a starter set, edition size: 1000
  3. Ehrmann, Koll’s #79501, Miba/Monk #031, edition size: 500, released 1979
  4. Obletter, Koll’s #79503, Miba/Monk #033, edition size: 500, released 1979
  5. MEHR AM MARKT, Koll’s #79504, Miba/Monk #032, edition size: 500, released 1979
  6.  HOCHhERZ, Koll’s #79701, Miba/Monk #029, edition size: 500, released 1979

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7. DOERING, Koll’s #80502, edition size: 500, released 1980.                                                               8. EICKELBERG, Koll’s #80503, edition size: 500, released 1980                                                              9. Almighhurt, Koll’s #80701, Miba/Monk #048, edition size: 500, released 1980                              10. BECK’S, originally sold as part of a starter set, Koll’s #81002, Miba/Monk #057, edition size: 100, released 1981                                                                                                                                        11. Modellbahn Pietsch, Koll’s #81502, Miba/Monk #054, edition size: 500, released 1981           12. mollmann, Koll’s #81503, Miba/Monk #055, edition size: 500, released 1981

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13. emil weber siegen, Koll’s #81701, Miba/Monk #052, edition size: 500, released 1981            14. Kukident 2-Phasen, Koll’s #82701, Miba/Monk #069, edition size: 500, released 1982         15. Ganser Kolsch, Koll’s #83001, Miba/Monk #084, edition size: 500, released 1983                 16. Dortmunder Actien-Alt, Koll’s #83003, edition size: 500, released 1983                                  17. FIRST, Koll’s #83005, edition size: 500, released 1983                                                                    18. DORTMUNDER UNION BIER, Koll’s #83006, edition size: 500, released 1983

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19. Stifts Pils, Koll’s #83007, edition size: 500, released 1983                                                            20. Koppmann, Schmidt, Koll’s #83501, edition size: 500, released 1983                                      21. OKI, Koll’s #84701, edition size: 500, released 1984                                                                       22. FESTO, originally sold as part of starter set 8158, Koll’s #84701, edition size: 100                   23. Circus RONCALLI, Koll’s #84702, Miba/Monk #118, released 1984                                            24. KRAFT NUR GUTES VERDIENT DEN NAMEN KRAFT, originally sold in starter set with car KRAFT Tomaten-Ketchup, Koll’s #84710.1, edition size: 1000

*Special note: MSI – Kraft editions using the Marklin 8500 car type started in 1984 with the only two car set released in the series, this first set included KRAFT NUR GUTES VERDIENT DEN NAMEN KRAFT and KRAFT Tomaten-Ketchup. The Kraft – Marklin series included releases with the Marklin 8500 car type as well as the 8615 car type which can be viewed in the MSI 8615 category. The series was distinguished by the unique design of the packaging which included cardboard sleeve illustrated with differing views of the “Kraft Train”, a styrofoam block was included inside the sleeve that contained the freight car and track accessories. It was possible to assemble a small oval track with sidings after collecting all the Kraft releases. All the Kraft editions are considered quite rare and even more so with the original packaging, but they are occasionally available through German dealers.

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25. KRAFT Tomaten-Ketchup, originally sold as part of a starter set 8163 with car KRAFT NUR GUTES VERDIENT DEN NAMEN KRAFT, Koll’s #84710, edition size: 1000 released 1984            26. KRAFT Scheibletten, originally sold as part of a starter set with track accessories, Koll’s #84711, edition size: 1000, released 1984                                                                                              27. Patrizier Brau, Koll’s #85002, edition size: 500, released 1985                                                     28. NOE, Koll’s #85701, Miba/Monk #117, edition size: 100, released 1985                                      29. KRAFT PHILADELPHIA, originally sold as part of a starter set with track accessories, Koll’s #85701, editon size: 1000, released 1985                                                                                               30. KRAFT Knack & Back, originally sold as part of starter set (no track accessories with this release), Koll’s #85702, edition size: 1000, released 1985

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31. Kodak, originally sold as part of starter set, Koll’s #85711, edition size: 500                             32. Der IBM Mittelstandsexpreb, Koll’s #86706, edition size: 500, released 1986                        33. Thurn und Taxis Regensberg, Koll’s #86001, edition size: 250, released 1986                        34. Budweizer, Koll’s #86002, edition size: 350, released 1986                                                          35. friesisch-herb JEVER PILSENER (dark green roof), Koll’s #86003.1 (version 1), Miba/Monk #132, released 1986                                                                                                                                    36. friesisch-herb JEVER PILSENER (dark olive roof), Koll’s #86003.2 (version 2), Miba/Monk #133, released 1986

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37. sinziger Mineralbrunnen, Koll’s #86004, edition size: 100                                                            38. HACKER-PSCHORR, Koll’s #86006, edition size: 200                                                                        39. Binding Export Privat, Koll’s #86010, Miba/Monk #144, edition size: 100                                  40. CLAUSTHALER Alkoholfrei, Koll’s #86011, Miba/Monk #163, edition size: 200                         41. Moguntia Pils, Koll’s #86013, edition size: 200                                                                                 42. Manzier Bier, Koll’s #86014, edition size: 100

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43. FAO SCHWARZ, originally sold by FAO SCHWARZ as part of a starter set, Koll’s #86501, Miba/Monk #289, edition size: 300                                                                                                           44. KRAFT jocca, originally sold as a starter pack with track accessories, Koll’s #86701, edition size: 1000                                                                                                                                            45. marklin CLUB, U.S.A., Koll’s #86703, edition size: 1500                                                                  46. Freedom, 1886-1986, Koll’s #86704, edition size: 500                                                                      47. stephenson, Koll’s #87002, edition size: 100                                                                                      48. Privatbrauerei seit 1842, Koll’s #87003, edition size: 100

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49. Schofferhofer Weizen, Koll’s #87006, Miba/Monk #M-227, edition size: 200                               50. Schofferhofer Hefeweizen, Koll’s #87007, edition size: 100                                                            51. BAYERISCHE BRAUEREI KAISERSLAUTERN, Koll’s #87009, edition size: 100                                52. Schultheiss, Koll’s #87013, edition size: 100                                                                                        53. ROMER PILS, Koll’s #87016, Miba/Monk #M-120, edition size: 100                                                 54. BRINKHOFF’S No. 1, Koll’s #87020, edition size: 100

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55. OHLIGSER PILS, Koll’s #87021, edition size: 100                                                                                 56. SPATEN, Koll’s #87026, edition size: 100                                                                                               57. RHEINGONHEIMER WEIZENBIER, Koll’s #87030, edition size: 300                                                 58. Braumeisters Kraftmalz, Koll’s #87031, edition size: 100                                                                59. LOWENBRAU, Koll’s #87032, edition size: 100                                                                                    60. Scharlachberg, Koll’s #87033, edition size: 200

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61. Carolus, Koll’s #87034, edition size: 100                                                                                               62. Ayinger, Koll’s #87036, Miba/Monk #M-185, edition size: 250                                                         63. Jupiler, Koll’s #87039, edition size: 300                                                                                                 64. Schweppes INDIAN TONIC WATER, Koll’s #87040, edition size: 200                                             65. Schweppes BITTER LEMON, Koll’s #87041, edition size: 200                                                           66. Schweppes BITTER GRAPEFRUIT, Koll’s #87042, edition size: 200

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67. Schweppes SODA WATER, Koll’s #87043, edition size: 200                                                              68. Schweppes GINGER ALE, Koll’s #87044, edition size: 200                                                                69. Schweppes BITTER ORANGE, Koll’s 87045, edition size: 200                                                           70. FAO SCHWARZ – 1862-1987 (150 Year Anniversary), Koll’s #87502, Miba/Monk #M-125, edition size: 300                                                                                                                                                71. Spessart Brauerei, Koll’s #88003, edition size: 100                                                                           72. hassia, Koll’s #88009, edition size: 100

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73. SUNTORY BEER CAN, Koll’s #88011, edition size: 100                                                                       74. KIRIN, Koll’s #88012, edition size: 100                                                                                                   75. SAPPORO BEER, Koll’s #88013, edition size: 100                                                                                 76. Frankenthaler, Koll’s #88015, edition size: 200                                                                                  77. Hannen Alt, Koll’s #88019, edition size: 200                                                                                        78. Hirter Pils, Koll’s #88020, edition size: 300

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79. Tucher, Koll’s #88022, edition size: 100                                                                                                80. Asbach-Uralt, Koll’s #88028, edition size: 200                                                                                     81. afri cola, Koll’s #88029, edition size: 100                                                                                              82. FAO SCHWARZ 1988, Koll’s #88501, Miba/Monk #M-368, edition size: 500                                   83. CHINESISCHER GARTEN, Koll’s #88701, edition size: 100                                                                 84. OSRAM, Koll’s #88701 (*from starter set 8170), edition size: 300

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85. Tente Rollen machen beweglich, Koll’s #88702, edition size: 100                                                 86. DEUTSCHLAND, Koll’s #88704, edition size: 100                                                                                 87. DURACELL, Koll’s #88705, edition size: 100                                                                                         88. Haller Lowenbrau, Koll’s #89004, edition size: 100                                                                           89. Underberg, Koll’s #89009, edition size: 500                                                                                         90. CLUB marklin 1989, Koll’s #89711, edition size: 350

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91. Canada, marklin Club ’89, Koll’s #89713, edition size: 200                                                              92. BASF TrockenEis, Koll’s #89714, edition size: 300                                                                              *The following cars from 3 car set: “Steirische Brauereien” (Styria Breweries), Koll’s #91001, edition size: 300. Individual cars numbered with Miba/Monk reference numbers.                           93. Gosser (Leoben), Miba/Monk #M-613                                                                                                   94. Reinighaus Bier (Graz), Miba/Monk #M-614                                                                                       95. PUNTIGAMER (Graz), Miba/Monk #M-615                                                                                           96. club marklin 91 TEE, Koll’s #91705, edition size: 500

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97. EUROPA ’92, Koll’s #92706, edition size: 200                                                                                       *The following cars from 3 car set: “Henninger Brewery,“ Koll’s #92001, edition size: 300. Individual cars numbered with Miba/Monk reference numbers.                                                            98. Henninger EXPORT, Miba/Monk #646                                                                                                99. Henninger Diat-Pils, Miba/Monk #647                                                                                               100. Henninger Kaiser Pilsener, Miba/Monk #648                                                                                 101. marklin club ’92, Koll’s #92716, edition size: 1000                                                                        *The following cars from 3 car set: “Weizenbier,” Koll’s #93001, edition size: 200. Individual cars numbered with Miba/Monk reference numbers.                                                                             102. Weizenthaler ALKOHOLFREI, Miba/Monk #M-775

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103. OBERDORFER WEISSE, Miba/Monk #776                                                                                           104. Alpirsbacher Kloster-Weizen, Miba/Monk #777                                                                             *The following cars from 3 car set: “Stuttgarter Hofbrau,“ Koll’s #94001, edition size: 300. Individual cars numbered with Miba/Monk reference numbers.                                                            105. Hefe-Weizen, Miba/Monk #864                                                                                                           106. Volksfest Bier, Miba/Monk #865                                                                                                         107. Weihnachts-Brau, Miba/Monk #866                                                                                                  108. SUPER-WAHLJAHR 1994, Koll’s #94703, edition size: 500

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109. Rotkappchen, Koll’s #95006, edition size: 300                                                                                  110. Hasseroder Premium Pils, Koll’s #96005, edition size: 300                                                           111. 25 Jahre mini-club 1972-1997, 1997 Club Car, Marklin #8657.014, Miba/Monk #M-1085    112. piestinger, Marklin #8600.071, Miba/Monk #M-1208                                                                      113. Transportation Corps U.S. Army, 1998 Club Car, Marklin #8600.069, Miba/Monk #M-1167 114. marklin 140 Years, 1999 Club Car, Marklin #8600.086, Miba/Monk #M-1291

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115. Schofferhofer Weizen, Marklin #98019, Miba/Monk #M-1359, released 2000                    116. Sauerlander Winter, Marklin #98039, Miba/Monk #M-1455, released 2002                         117. LEEUW BIER – Valkenburg, Marklin #8600.137, Miba/Monk #M-1575, released 2003

MSI’s: Marklin 8615 car type

The container wagon 8615 has been in the Marklin line-up for many years. Marklin’s earliest 8615 special imprint model was produced in 1979, it was lettered for Germany’s largest malt roaster WEISSHEIMER MALZ with Koll’s #79701 in the stated edition of 100. Lettering on this car is on the roof panel otherwise the car is unmarked and painted yellow. As a note of reference this car was not reproduced by the Koll’s catalogs and this maybe this first photo posted of it online:

*Touch photos to enlarge!

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Other cars that followed were Kraft cars that were packed with unique packaging: illustrated cardboard sleeve with an inserted block of styrofoam containing the car and usually some type of track accessory. If you collected all the Kraft editions you would be able to assemble a small oval track with sidings. This includes the Kraft Editions with Marklin type 8615 printed by Marklin.

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The order of chronology for the 8615 Kraft cars began with KRAFT Mayonnaise.

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  1. KRAFT Mayonnaise, Koll’s #84701, edition: 500, released: 1984
  2. KRAFT Miracoli, Koll’s #84702, edition: 500, released: 1984
  3. FRAPAN, Koll’s #85701, edition: 500, released: 1985
  4. KRAFT – VELVETA, Koll’s #85702, edition: 500, released: 1985
  5. KRAFT Miracel Whip, Koll’s #85703, edition: 500, released: 1985

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6. Weissheimer Malz, Koll’s #79701, Miba/Monk #M-028, edition size: 100                                        7. Kodak, Koll’s #85711, edition size: 500 *sold as part of starter set                                                   8. VIESSMANN, Koll’s #86702, Miba/Monk #M-145, edition size: 100                                                    9. Privatbrauerei Their Dortmund, Koll’s #87001, edition size: 200                                                    10. 150 Jahre Eisenbahn in Osterreich, Koll’s #87502, edition size: 500                                             11. AL Loulakis, Koll’s #87708, Miba/Monk #M-173, edition size: 300

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12. Bison, Koll’s #87709, edition size: 500                                                                                                   13. Karl Bissinger, Koll’s #87710, edition size: 100                                                                                   14. LANDIS & GYR, Koll’s 87712, edition size: 200                                                                                     15. Mars, Koll’s #87713, edition size: 800                                                                                                    16. Farymann Diesel, Koll’s #87714, Miba/Monk #M-254, edition size: 200                                        17. SAROTTI, Koll’s #87715, edition size: 300

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18. MAXI MALZ, Koll’s #88001, edition size: 100                                                                                        19. PEPSI LIGHT, Koll’s #88003, edition size: 100                                                                                       20. SCHLADERER, Koll’s #88005, edition size: 100                                                                                     21. Schmucker Bier, Koll’s #88007, edition size: 100                                                                               22. Birkel, Koll’s #88711, edition size: 100                                                                                                  23. Hamburg-Mannheimer, Koll’s #88715, Miba/Monk #M-266, edition size: 100

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24. Hochtief, Koll’s #88716, edition size: 100                                                                                            25. Philipp Holzmann, Koll’s #88717, edition size: 100                                                                            26. Texas Instruments: TMS320C30 DSP – 33 Mio, rote Aufschr.                                                       Signale/Sekunde Electronica 88 (car features black text: “Texas                                                         Instruments”), Koll’s #88720, edition size: 300                                                                                           27. Texas Instruments: TMS320C30 DSP – 33 Mio, rote Aufschr.                                                 Signale/Sekunde Electronica 88 (car features red text: “Texas                                                            Instruments”), Koll’s #88721, edition size: 300                                                                                           28. SCHINDLER-CHEMIE, Koll’s #88722, edition size: 100                                                                        29. Persil, Koll’s #89701, edition size: 500

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30. STP, Koll’s #89703, edition size: 200                                                                                                       31. SWG, Koll’s #89704, edition size: 200                                                                                                     32. TIEK MASCHINEBAU, Koll’s #89707, Miba/Monk #M-382, edition size: 100                                  33. HEIM, Koll’s #89712, edition size: 100                                                                                                   34. PALMERS, Koll’s #89712, edition size: 500                                                                                            35. Vierzig Jahre Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Koll’s #90709, edition size: 200

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36. dallah, Koll’s #90710, edition size: 100                                                                                                 37. H. Bahlsen Hannover, Koll’s #90714, edition size: 500                                                                     38. Herder, Koll’s #91704, edition size: 100                                                                                                *The following cars were sold in a three car set: The Automobile Companies                                  of France. Marklin #88126, Koll’s #92706, edition size: 1000. Released 1992.                                     Distributed to Marklin dealers in the United States, Canada and France.                                             Individual cars are numbered with Miba/Monk reference numbers                                                      39. RENAULT, Miba/Monk #M-736                                                                                                               40. CITROEN, Miba/Monk #M-734                                                                                                                41. PEUGEOT, Miba/Monk #M-735

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42. TIEK, Koll’s #92707, Miba/Monk #M-669, edition size: 100                                                                43. MITSUBISHI PAJERO, Koll’s #92710, edition size: 100                                                                        44. EUROPA ’92, Koll’s #92711, edition size: 200                                                                                       45. 90 Jahre Harley-Davidson: 1903-1993, Koll’s #93706, edition size: 1000                                      46. HERMA, Koll’s #94723, edition size: 100                                                                                               47. IBM (spelled using pictogram: ‘eye’ ‘bee’ ‘M’), originally sold as part of starter set which included ‘IBM’ pin and tag along with loco and track. Marklin #8180 S, Koll’s #95701, edition size: 300. *Featured on cover of “Koll’s Spezial Katalog 1997.”

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48. 150 Jahre Eisenbahnen in Wurttemberg, Koll’s #95713, edition size: 1000                                49. Rolls Royce 90 Jahre, Koll’s #95714, edition size: 600                                                                       50. Maybach Motonenbau…150 Geburtstag von Wilhelm Maybach, Koll’s #96711, edition size: 1000                                                                                                                                                          51. ALNO die Welt der Kuche, Koll’s #96712, edition size: 100                                                            52. Carl Zeiss, 150 Jahre, Marklin #8615.008, Miba/Monk #M-999                                                      53. Carl Zeiss, Partnerschaft auf lange Sicht, Marklin #8615.016, Koll’s #96715, Miba/Monk #M-1007, edition size: 100

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54. B&O Chartered 1827, Miba/Monk #M-1085, released 1997                                                             55. Miele, Miba/Monk #M-1188, released 1998                                                                                         56. digital, Marklin #8617.068, Miba/Monk #M-1279, released 1999, lettered with Digital Equipment Corporation’s 1993 logo                                                                                                             57. W 02-02-02 M, Marklin #8617.103, Miba/Monk #M-1490, released 2002, car celebrates the 2002 wedding of Prince Alexander and Princess Maxima of Holland

Industry Prints

Industry Prints are Marklin freight wagons designed and painted by private enterprises. Modellbahn Freund, St. Louis, MO imported and sold these cars, the plastic boxes for cars sold by Modellbahn Freund were affixed a label with this stores name and address. Sometimes collectors have suggested Modellbahn Freund commissioned these cars, and they were printed in the United States, this is a mistake; all ‘Industry Prints’ were printed in Germany by Baur-Druck Bad, Waldsee and sold by Schmidt, Germany. Cars were distributed in the United States and Germany. The earliest ‘Industry Print’ in this collection is a gondola from 1983.

Further research can be found at www.z-freunde.de, much of the information given in this post was kindly provided by this organization. *Information provided has been provided after much research, new details and corrections will be made as more is learned about these cars.

Click on pictures for larger views:

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1. Altglas ist Rohstoff mit oder ohne Glasbeladung, gondola with load of glass for recycling, 1983

2. Old Heidelberg BEER  Blatz MILWAUKEE, WIS. (ocker), 1983 *color variations of this car exist in gold, silver and white

3. Gatzweilers Alt (Haus rechts), 1983

4. HOCHDORFER BIER Goldstern (blau), 1985

5. Schwarzkopf, 1986

6. Bass Ale, 1986 Distribution: Germany 40 and United States 140

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7. Chihuahua MEXICAN BEER (weib), 1986 Edition: 140

8. Coors Light, 1986

9. GRIZZLY BEER CANADIAN LAGER (grun), 1986

10. Labatt’s BEER Canadian BIERE, 1986 Edition: 100

11. MICHELOB BEER, 1986 Edition: 125

12. Miller High Life

 

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13. Miller HIGH LIFE

14. Miller Genuine Draft

15. Lite BEER A FINE PILSNER BEER

16. Pabst Blue Ribbon The Real Taste of Beer, 1986 Edition: 180

17. TSINGTAO BEER, 1986 Edition: 170

18. REINZ Dichtungs-Prazision weltweit, 1987

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19. Lindt…IL GUSTO DI FAR PLACERE, 1987

20. GURTEN BIER (silber), 1988

21. INTERFRIGO mit oder ohne DB-Zeichen, 1988 Schmidt #116

22. INTER FRIGO Basel (weib), 1988

23. TRANSTHERMOS KUHL VERKEHR (weib), 1988

24. VW Volkswagen – da weib man, was man hat (gold), 1988

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25. VW Volswagen – da weib man, was man hat (weib Emblem hell – oder dunkelblau), 1988

26. Worb Brauerei egger bier (weib), 1988

27. Ulmer MunsterBier (weibes Band), 1988

28. VOHRINGER & KOPP Internationale Spedition (weib), 1989

29. Friedrichshafen Zeppelin (silber – weib), 1992

30. Eichbaum Pilsener Eichkrone Seit 1679 (weib), 1996 Nicknamed “Corpse Beer,” because the brewery is located next to a cemetery.

SMI – 8656: Hbis car type

Marklin special imprints pertaining to the Hbis car type with few exceptions are of Swiss origin. Car type is SBB Hbis. And with few exceptions produced in an edition size of 300 total.

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1. Roland Zweiback (two sided – opposite: Roland Sticks), Marklin #88656.1, Koll’s #93701, Miba/Monk #791. Released 1993.

2. Feldscholosschen Bier, Marklin #88657.1, Miba/Monk #824.

3. Dunkle Perle, Marklin #88657.1, Miba/Monk #825.

4. Hopfenperle, Marklin #88657.1, Miba/Monk #826.

*2-4 originally sold as a three car set: 3 beers brewed by Feldschlosschen Brewery, Rheinfelden, Switzerland. Released 1994.

5. CARGO DOMICILE, Marklin #88656.6, Koll’s #94701, Miba/Monk #880.

6. Kaselocher – “Swiss Cheese”, Marklin #88656.5, Koll’s #94702.

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7. Haco FARMER I, dunkel ohne Wagendaten, Marklin #88656.4, Koll’s #94703, Miba/Monk #868. Released 1994.

8. PEPSI, Marklin #88657.2, Koll’s #95001, Miba/Monk #883. Released 1995.

9. Schweppes, Marklin #88657.4, Koll’s #95002, Miba/Monk #918. Released 1995.

10. rivella (two sided – opposite: GRAPILLON), Marklin #88657.5, Koll’s #95003, Miba/Monk #995.

11. PTT – Post Schweiz – LA POSTE/ LA POSTA/ DIE POST, Marklin #88656.7, Koll’s #95701, Miba/Monk #940.

12. FONTESSA ELM, Marklin #88657.8, Koll’s #96002, Miba/Monk #967.

 

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13. Ovomaltine, Marklin #88657.9, Koll’s #96003, Miba/Monk #1027.

14. Maggi, Marklin #8657.007, Koll’s #96705, Miba/Monk #1015.

15. sihl + eika papier, Marklin #88656.8, Koll’s #96706, Miba/Monk #966.

16. JURA-SEL AUS DER SCHWEIZ, Marklin #88657.7, Koll’s #96708, Miba/Monk #996.

17. EPA, Marklin #88657.11, Koll’s #96709, Miba/Monk #1016.

18. SULZER BULACHGUSS, Marklin #88657.6, Koll’s #96711, Miba/Monk #1028.

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19. Schindler Waggon, Marklin #88657.10, #Miba/Monk #1047.

20. Sihl papier, Marklin #8657.904, Miba/Monk #1048.

21. CFL – ohne Werbeplakate, Marklin #82151.1, Miba/Monk #1049.

22. CFL – mit Werbeplakaten, Marklin #82151.2, Miba/Monk #1050.

23. CFL – mit BW-Motiv, Marklin #82151.3, Miba/Monk #1051.

*21-22 originally sold as a three car set: CFL – Luxembourg Car Set.

24. DANZAS, Marklin #8656.902, Miba/Monk #1068.

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25. MIDOR, Marklin #8657.905, Miba/Monk #1079.

26. HENNIEZ, Marklin #8656.900, Miba/Monk #1089.

27. Monte Generoso, Marklin #8657.901, Miba/Monk #1099.

28. Hurlimann, Marklin #8657.907, Miba/Monk #1100.

29. DENNER SUPERDISCOUNT, Marklin #8657.900, Miba/Monk #1119.

30. RiCHiNA TRASPORTi, Marklin #8657.909, Miba/Monk #1134.

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31. Bahnruhling SBB, Marklin #8656.903, Miba/Monk #1135.

32. BIERE VALAISANNE, WALLISER BIER, Marklin #8657.910, Miba/Monk #1136.

33. Wie fahrt man Gut? (two sided – opposite: Qui va bon train?), Marklin #8657.908, Miba/Monk #1157.

34. Swisscom Unterwegs zu neuen Horizonten, Marklin #8657.911, Miba/Monk #1172.

35. ascom verbindet Menschen (two sided – opposite: ascom relie les hommes), Marklin #8657.916, Miba/Monk #1230.

36. Spanish Brotli Bahn Chrom, Marklin #8656.905, Miba/Monk #1232.

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37. Usego III, Marklin #8656.901, Miba/Monk #1233.

38. 100 Jahre DB Museum (pressegeschenk – press gift), Marklin #8657.026, Released 1999 to celebrate 100 year anniversary of DB Museum.

39. Knorr Chirat, Marklin #8657.914, Miba/Monk #1234.

40. Happy Birthday, Marklin #8657.915, released 1999.

41. PTT Union, Marklin #8657.917, Miba/Monk #1238.

42. Lindt 1845, Marklin #88656.9, Miba/Monk #1241.

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43. Sinalco, Marklin #8656.910, Miba/Monk #1296.

44. Cargo Domizil (two sided – opposite: Cargo Domicilio), Marklin #8656.909, Miba/Monk #1297.

45. VMB – VEREINIGTE MINERALWASSER AG, Marklin #8656.913, Miba/Monk #1312.

46. COOP – ARNI, Marklin #1998.1.1, Miba/Monk #1137.

47. COOP – GALA, Marklin #1998.1.2, Miba/Monk #1138.

48. COOP – Picanta, Marklin #1998.1.3, Miba/Monk #1139.

*46-48 originally released as three car set in 1998.

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49. Bischofszell MIGROS – Gutes aus der Schweiz, Marklin #8657.919, Miba/Monk #1344.

50. Haco FARMER III (grun), Marklin #8657.921, Miba/Monk #1362.

51. EICHHOF (two sided: pictured side depicts bottle of Eichhof Klosterbrau with amber background – not pictured side depicts bottle of Eichhof Braugold with deep blue background), Marklin #8657.922, Miba/Monk #1363.

52. Maggi II, Marklin #8656.916, Miba/Monk #1368, released 2000.

53. FELDSCHLOSSCHEN – Das Leben macht durstig, Marklin #8656.917, Miba/Monk #1388. Released 2001.

54. COOP naturaplan, Marklin #8657.924, Miba/Monk #1428, released 2001.

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55. GURTEN BIER, Marklin #8657.925, Miba/Monk #1429, released 2001.

56. Wir bewegen. 25 Jahre Rangierbahnhof Limmattal, Marklin #8656.925, Miba/Monk #1587, Released 2003.

Marklin Special Imprints – MSI’s – Introduction

Marklin produced special imprints cars and locos since the 1970’s in limited editions. This section will document many of these items categorized by car type and chronological order. Chronology and details concerning each are based on the two “Koll’s Spezial Katalog’s” from 1996 and 1997 as well as the well known archive of Gilles Monk. The Koll’s catalogs listed each item by car type in sections starting with the earliest and ending with those produced up to and including 1997, with few exceptions it is a nearly complete record for “mini-club’s” first 25 years. All ‘Z’ items listed in the Koll’s catalogs are numbered by a unique number assigned by the authors of the Koll’s catalogs: first two digits correspond to the release date followed by a sequence of numbers corresponding to chronology of release in a given year. Gilles Monk without question is the world leader in collecting Marklin Z, he is officially recognized with this title by the Guinness Book of World Records, it is quite a feat that one person has been able to collect all releases of special imprints. For the public record Mr. Monk has generously made available his list of special imprints in chronological order which correspond to his unique numbering system. There are some discrepancies with chronology between Koll and Monk for releases within a given year, but each is in agreement for release years; photographs depict the order presented in the Koll’s catalogs. The photographs that I provide depict my collection which is not complete, as my research continues I will upgrade details about other cars not currently in the collection. Very few photos exist of SMI’s, they were never documented in catalogs by Marklin. The internet provides scant photo review of these wonderful cars. And if you have the Koll’s catalogs they only presented good black and white photos of most not all cars. For the first time I hope to help other collectors of SMI’s see these graphic and wonderful cars in full color. As a point of reference I have made every attempt at providing accurate information, some details may change over time based on my continued research.

Blue? Prussian Blue rolling on the rails

Marklin Magazin has been published by Marklin for a number of years, it is a glossy well produced magazine with contents covering Marklin trains and train history. And it is included with your ‘Insider’ membership! So what’s with the title of this post Prussian Blue? Prussian Blue is the traditional blue used in blueprints and since 2001 the characteristic color used for Marklin Magazin’s special edition cars. Marklin Magazin’s “Car of the Year” is often Marklin’s car with new tooling for that year, pigmented in Prussian Blue and lettered for Marklin Magazin. Sometimes a theme is introduced such as the 2002 release 80812: type Lgjs 598 flat car loaded with tanks corresponding to printer’s ink used in the production of the magazine. Or the 2006 release 80816: type low side car with brakeman’s platform loaded with real rolls of paper, Marklin notes 20 metric tons of paper are used for each issue of Marklin Magazin. New releases of Magazin special edition cars are available from your dealer through Walthers, but they sell out quickly.

Notes on special Marklin editions

Marklin has and continues to produce limited editions in z scale that include several subcategories: 1. One Time Series, 2. MHI, 3. Export Models, 4. Marklin Magazine, 5. Insider Models, 6. SMI’s, 7. Industry Prints, 8. White Box Editions, and 9. Museum Editions.

  1. All limited edition models should be considered “one time series”, but they vary from official “One Time Series” within the regular production items. Briefly One Time Series are regular production items with  symbol printed on the box next to the item number. These items are produced for one year on a limited basis. In the United States they are distributed through Walthers.
  2. In 1990 Marklin created the MHI (Marklin Handler Initiative) Program. Items falling into this category also include the “One Time Series” symbol: . Under this category models are not only limited by being one time series, they are only available from dealers that are members of the Marklin MHI Exclusive dealer program. The coal transport trainset 81379 + 82379 are recent examples.
  3. Export Models as the name suggests are models designed for railroads outside Germany and exported to those countries on a limited basis. These models can be exceeding difficult to collect, their prices reflect their scarcity. Marklin 82376 is a good example of a 2 car hopper set lettered for the Netherlands. FullSizeRender-3
  4. Marklin Magazine is delivered through membership in Marklin’s Insider Club, models celebrating the magazine feature a characteristic dark blue color and imprinted with the Marklin Magazine logo. Car types in recent years depict cars with new tooling thereby announcing the release of new car types within the regular production line for z. Not every dealer will order these for their inventory and because they sell out fast they can prove difficult to collect unless you are willing to pay a fairly high collectible price after they sell out at the factory.
  5. Insider Models are of two types: rolling stock and locomotives. As a member of the Marklin Insider Club members are given one free car usually of a type with new tooling, they are also given a certificate in their name for securing the locomotive for that year. Therefore the limitation is based on Insider membership and the number of reserved loco’s.
  6. SMI’s are a particular favorite of mine, they are designated as Special Marklin Imprints commissioned privately for printing by Marklin. Marklin collaborates in the process with design requirements, usually a minimum order is 100. Car types for imprinting are 8600’s, 8612’s, 8615’s, 8626’s, 8656’s, and 8661’s. I don’t believe 8626 and 8656 are available anymore for special imprinting. Special Imprint cars include the ‘m’ designating they were printed by Marklin, this is an important mark otherwise they fall into my last category “Industry Prints”. SMI’s are a big category of collecting, these uncommon cars are imprinted with all sorts of interesting graphics variously designating wide ranging content, some collectors only collect SMI’s which speaks to the highly rewarding hunt for these rare finds.
  7. Industry Prints are similar to SMI’s with one important difference, they were not printed by Marklin, Marklin’s contribution is limited to the    unmarked cars only. Privately printed by Baur-Druck Bad Waldsee “Industry Prints” were sold by Schmidt in Germany for distribution in Europe and the United States. Here in the USA some were sold by Modellbahn Freund, St. Louis, MO, their sticker is sometimes attached to the plastic box if you happen to find one of these. This category of special imprints is not covered in the Koll’s books, the only reference is what can be found on the internet.
  8. White Box Editions are special cars typically commemorating special events and housed within a white box.
  9. Museum Editions had their start in 1987, each year a new museum car is released that highlights a company with historic or other ties to Goppingen, Germany home of Marklin. These highly collectible cars are often delivered inside a specially printed tin box and sometimes they include a cast metal truck or car. Most dealers have these in their inventory as they are distributed by Walthers. The rarest of this category are two cars: 1987 (1st year of the museum editions) and #80021 from 2010.

 

Marklin limited editions are not limited to these 9 categories as this blog will hope to clarify in future posts. The Nuremberg Toy Fair locomotives, one-off’s and limited starter sets further complete this topic, more for future discussion.

IBM Starter Set

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Starter sets for Marklin Z have been released in a variety of formats each includes track, train and transformer, and they have been released as regular production and special imprints. Special imprint starter sets are not released anymore, but in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s they were released in small editions that included a special imprint freight car sometimes combined with a special imprint locomotive. The “IBM” starter set is one such example, it included the ‘8615’ type car with the special imprinting of “Eye-Bee-M” designed by Paul Rand in 1981. This colorful imprint against a black ground was accompanied by a printed tag and pin each with same imprinting. This starter set includes a European mini-club transformer, small oval of track, BR 89 locomotive, and an brown 8610 freight car. The special imprinting of the “Eye-Bee-M” car includes the printed ‘m’ denoting Marklin special imprinting. This set was produced in 1995 in an edition size of 300, its Koll’s #95701. The car was featured on the cover of “Koll’s Spezial Katalog-1997”.

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