Category Archives: Marklin Z Insider

Marklin Insider Car 2019: 80329

Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)

Two bits of history hitched together: 47 years apart. This year’s (2019) Insider car for Z (released 2020) is painted and lettered for the German firm Miele pictured here with Marklin’s “Goldene” locomotive from 1972.

Recently released 80329 is the 26th freight car given to Insider Members as part of membership in the club which also includes other perks including subscription to Marklin Magazin, Marklin Insider magazine, yearly catalog, invitation to purchase Insider locos and last but not least the bi-annual DVD showcasing news from Marklin as well as railroading highlights from around the world.

German firms chosen for the Insider Club release cars are sometimes known to collectors in the United States and sometimes not, Miele may fall within the latter partly due to little advertising in the United States and small dealer network for their products, but this appliance manufacturer who opened their doors in 1899 has revolutionized household appliances including inventing the vacuum cleaner, electric dishwasher and household laundry machine.

The type GI 11 high capacity box car forms the basis for this release and used on the German Federal Railroad (DB) during Era IV.

Forty seven years is a long time since the release of the 8800 “Goldene” locomotive, but we are fast approaching the 50 year anniversary of Marklin mini-club thus the little loco type 8800 with version 1 tooling is appropriately finished in gold to celebrate this upcoming milestone.

Siding: Insider Members belonging to the club for 5 consecutive years receive the special imprint car “marklin INSIDER – 5 Jahre”.

Marklin BR 18’s, S 3/6’s and C’s: Survey in Z Gauge

Probably it’s the wind-splitter cab that makes the class BR 18 express locomotive recognizable, but its 4-6-2 wheel arrangement identifies it as a Pacific type. With its roots going back to Era I Bavarian class S 3/6 and Royal Wurttemberg class C are complimented by CIWL serie 231’s from Era II and III.

Marklin’s extensive offerings of this express locomotive type include sets with coaches (81…’s) and solo locomotives (88…’s).

Variations in the line-up are wide ranging and go beyond having/not having smoke deflectors and paint scheme to include various motive power: 3 pole, 5 pole, and brushless motors.

Marklin 88185- Royal Wurttemberg State Railways (K.W.St.E.) class C express locomotive. Era 1 (1915).

Marklin 88922- K.Bay.Sts.B. (Koniglich Bayerische Staatsbahn – Royal Bavarian State Railroad) BR S 3/6 express steam locomotive. One Time Series 2008.

Marklin 88923- K.Bay.Sts.B. (Koniglich Bayerische Staatsbahn – Royal Bavarian State Railroad) BR S 3/6 express locomotive. Era I. One Time Series for MHI Program – 2015.

Marklin 8108 (train set)- Societe nationale des chemins de fer francais (National Society of French
Railways/French National Railway Corporation) / Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (SNCF/CIWL)- “Nostalgie Istanbul-Orient Express” Serie 231 Pacific express locomotive with tender. Era III.

Marklin 81080 (set)- French State Railroad / Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (ETAT/CIWL) “International Long-Distance Express Train (Orient Express)”: BR 231 express locomotive with tender (ETAT). Era II. One Time Series 2008.

Marklin 88183- German State Railroad Company (DRG) BR 18.1 express locomotive painted and lettered for 1936 Olympics. Insider Club Model 1996. Era II. Operating number 18 137. One Time Series.

Marklin 8133 (set)- German State Railroad Company (DRG) “Rheingold” BR 18 (Pacific Express with operating number 18434). Era II.

Marklin 81331 (set)- German State Railroad Company (DRG) “75 Years of the Rheingold” BR 18.4 express locomotive and tender. One Time Series 2003.

Marklin 81332- German State Railroad Company (DRG) “90 Years of the Rheingold” BR 18.4 express locomotive with type 2’2’ T 26.2 tender.

Marklin 81426- German State Railroad Company (DRG) express locomotive with tender BR S 3/6 DRG Bavarian Group Administration (operating number 18 434) . Era II.

Marklin 88910- German State Railroad Company (DRG) BR 18.4 express locomotive with operating number 18 470.

Marklin 88184- German Federal Railroad (DB) BR 18.1 express locomotive based on 1954 prototype: Era III.

Marklin 88040 + 88041: class 42.09 Franco Crosti locomotives

The German class 42.09 steam locomotive from era III was realized in 2005 as another interesting Marklin Z featuring the Franco-Crosti modification of a class 52 locomotive, a collaboration between two Italians included a system modification which made use of exhaust steam as well as exhaust gases incorporating a main boiler and secondary boiler to effectively utilize more of the energy produced by the BR 52. A second boiler/smoke gas pre-heater below the firebox was thus coupled with a chimneys attached to each side of the boiler, this system modification would be identified as Franco-Crosti boiler.

Attilio Franco and Dr. Piero Crosti designed the first such boiler nearly 20 years before class 42.09 was built . Modification to the wartime class 52 locomotive by Henschel in 1952 resulted in reclassification due to increased axle-weight resulting from the added 2 ton weight of modification.

Referred to as economisers (Abgasvorwarmer) the Franco-Crosti modification of 2 class 52 locos had a relatively brief service life of less than 10 years, but another 31 class 50’s were rebuilt by Henschel with Franco-Crosti boilers by the end of the 50’s.

Marklin’s release in 2005 of the 88041 was preceded by another Franco-Crosti locomotive (88040) for Insider Members in 2003. Painted in photo-grey for Henschel’s builder photographs 88040 with operating number 42 9000 is based on prototype retired in 1959 (Bingerbruck, Germany).

Painted and lettered for German Federal Railroad (DB) Marklin’s 88041 includes Wagner smoke deflectors and tub-style tender with operating number 42 9001 thus based on prototype built in 1952 and retired in 1960 (Oberlahnstein).

Siding: more than 7000 class 52 locomotives were built during World War II by 13 manufacturers throughout Europe

Marklin Insider Model 2018: BR 01 (88012) Locomotive

Marklin’s Insider Model for 2018 is based on the 1957 BR 01 express locomotive of the German Federal Railroad (DB). The particularly attractive locomotive featuring steel blue paint scheme is released as an important anniversary model celebrating 25 Years of the Insider Club.

Locomotive features the new generation motor thus a maintenance free brush-less type still requiring infrequent light oiling of moving parts only.

Warning stripes are realized on locomotive’s pair of buffers. Tender too!

Locomotive can be seen passing Marklin’s new station 89703.

Hand-painted boiler bands in silver.

A specially designed wood presentation box is included with the locomotive featuring its design on the lid.

Siding: some dealers have suggested having extra 88012’s available this year for non members of the Insider Club, but joining the Club is easy and comes with numerous perks including yearly catalog, Insider News Magazine, Marklin Magazin, “A Year in Marklin” (DVD), invitation to order Insider Models, and the free Insider Club car in choice of gauge.

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)

Marklin Insider 81352: “DB Freight Train for Coal Transport”

“Remarkable things come in small packages!” An often used expression with new and veteran Marklin Z enthusiasts, but never as true as with model 81352. Here is a class 80 tank locomotive one of the smallest German steam locomotives used for shunting and general regional freight traffic exquisitely realized as a smooth running Marklin Z gauge locomotive heading 5 cars loaded with coal.

Note: photos only show 4 of the 5 coal cars!

What can be said of this locomotive referred to as “Little Bull” in the Marklin literature is all positive, it features glazed window openings, very detailed running gear with side rods of great complexity, superb weathering, LED headlamps, and brushless motor. And it looks great! Cars too!

Type 0 10 and 0 11 wagons loaded with removable coal inserts complete the Era III set.

Much care and attention to detail went into the production of this latest Insider release that will add a high level of realism to a prototypical mid century layout. Weathering was presumably applied with airbrush, but the level of quality maybe difficult to match even for the more experienced modeler.

*MBZ cardstock building #16058 (weathered) available exclusively in the United States from Reynaulds

As a bonus the train set included an unfinished brass casting of the locomotive shell, it is remarkable to see the unpainted and unfinished casting next to the finished loco which suggests the massive amount of handwork that takes place before these sets reach the collector.

A real stunner of a train set!

Siding: tucked nicely inside the small cockpit of this loco is a new brushless motor described as maintenance free, but other aspects of the loco require the usual maintenance including periodic oiling of wheels (as little as necessary which is not much) and wheel cleaning.

Streamlined Tank Locomotive BR 61 001: “Henschel-Wegmann”

The legacy of Marklin Z collecting is the historical heritage charted with unusual locomotives such as those we can no longer see in person. Germany’s BR 61 001 was one of two locomotives used for express train service for the Henschel-Wegmann trainset: Dresden-Berlin Route. Two versions of the BR 61 001 have been produced by Marklin for Z gauge: original prototype version (81436 trainset) and post-war version (88610).

photos: Marklin 81436 – Henschel-Wegmann BR 61 001 (DRG)

Built in 1935 the BR 61 001 (DRG) was a carefully designed locomotive for speed and efficiency, its lightweight and streamlining including coaches allowed increased speed, plus hauling just enough coal and water for one-way travel allowed further weight limits thus replenishing supplies in Berlin or Dresden was an efficiency standard implemented by its design.

photos: Marklin Z BR 61 001 (DRG) *originally released by Marklin as the “Henschel-Wegmann” trainset 81436 included 4 streamlined coaches with matching paint scheme not pictured.

Note: Marklin 81436 was the 2005 One Time Release for Insider Members.

Speed was everything in the mid 30’s with the BR 61 001 competing with the speed record set by the 1932 “Flying Hamburger” of 99mph seen here as Marklin 88870:

The BR 61 001 was no slouch setting a record 109mph which would remain unbroken for the Dresden-Berlin route through the next century.

photos: Marklin 81436 – BR 61 001 (DRG) original prototype

Post War the BR 61 001 was repainted and lettered for the German Federal Railroad and allocated to Bw Hannover. Its use was limited to 6 months in the late 40’s followed by 1 year of service logging thousands of miles between November 1950 and November 1951 whereupon it suffered serious accident damage, a year later (1952) it was retired and finally scrapped in 1957.

photos: Marklin 88610 – BR 61 001 German Federal Railroad (DB) post-war version

Streamlining of early German steam locos was perfected with the class 61 incorporating the tank locomotive concept with bold body contouring which allowed fast express train service, it was state of the art in the mid 30’s whose life was cut short in the early 50’s. Another example of preserved railway history in Marklin Z.

photos: Marklin 88610

Note: fine detailing and large brass steam whistle

Will there be a BR 61 002 released in mini-club? The more powerful locomotive built in 1939 featured larger water tanks, smoke deflectors and 3 axle bogie, such a release would complete the historical record of this locomotive class.

Marklin Insider 88507: cab forward BR 05 DRG

One of the more interesting Z items released in the past few years was the 2014 Marklin Insider “Fine Art” edition 88507. The release of the BR 05 Era II cab forward steam locomotive marked the first and hopefully not the last special “Fine Art” releases, it was produced in brass with numerous add-on parts and filigree spoke wheels. Motive power is provided by new coreless motor with bell shaped armature. Available to Insider Members, the release was presented in special packaging including wooden box and certificate. Possibly due to the high price of this locomotive some were not delivered and a few are still available from dealers including Reynauld’s in IL.

Built in 1937 the BR 05 003 was the only cab forward design produced of the class 05, it resumed post war service in 1950 after restoration work was performed by Krauss-Maffei, it was retired in 1958. Cab forward steam locomotives are a technical marvel which allow better visibility but require larger crews.

The Marklin model is 5 inches in length over buffers, due to brass casting it is heavy featuring a robust motor thus mechanically sound and smooth running. If the locomotive is displayed it can be fitted with full skirting provided with the model or skirting can be removed for running on track with maximum radius of 195mm, with full skirting the locomotive can only go straight. Spacing adjustable between locomotive and tender. As with past historical releases Marklin has included a cast metal builder’s plate for Borsig.

BR 05 003 was scrapped in 1960, photographs and technical models provide the historical record of this interesting locomotive.

Siding: joining the Marklin Insider Club is less than a $100 a year, member benefits include the annual Club Car in the scale of choice, Marklin Insider Magazin, Insider Model reservation certificate, Insider Club News, annual catalog, laminated club card with member’s name, and “Year of Marklin” DVD.

Happiness comes 1:220: Marklin 88010

Photos: Marklin 88010 “2012 Insider Model” class 01 express locomotive of the DB.

Reaching back a few years (very few years 2012) to the Insider Model of 2012 is the 88010 a superlative locomotive not only for German railroad history but also mini-club history. On its release mini-club collectors for the first time received an important German express locomotive modeled in 1:220 with detailed running gear and working side rods of an advanced state of design. “How did they do it? How could they do it?” were at least two of the questions that swirled in the ‘Z’ community. But then something truly remarkable happened Marklin advanced these design skills to each of the steam locomotive class in subsequent years. But wait they simultaneously applied the same design skills and inspiration to the diesel and electric locomotive classes. Long time collectors of Marklin Z could not have anticipated the advancements to this rarified hobby, but here we are on the other side of what many of us thought was impossible. What a great and lovely time to be part of the “mini-club” Club!

As the models come closer to the prototypes those reasons for not going ‘Z’ become evermore present: reality modeled in Marklin Z achieved at the smallest scale without compromising the prototype. Sure it is charming and fun to collect larger scales that are modeled to move freely on a layout with all the functions you would expect, but trains of other scales as we go up in size require sensitivity to length and size in order to work flawlessly with the radius curves, turnouts and special features. Z scalers appreciate those concerns are mere fodder for this scale, as such we enjoy unprecedented freedom to explore large layouts that might include multiple towns modeled with accurately represented trains in the same space a larger scale might only include a few buildings with an oval layout maybe on a 4’x8′ board. Z is limitless and the potential to build and design a large layout is not out of reach of most railroaders even those living in a small apartment in Manhattan: 1 foot of track length equals 220 feet of prototypical track length, at 6 feet we are approaching a 1/4 mile. Add a complete loop and a radius we are close to a mile. But many ‘Z’ers I have met over the years don’t limit their layout dimensions to the traditional 4×8, they have no rules. Taking over a room in a house might be a man cave to some but for others it is peace of mind for many wives and partners, but Marklin mini-club is not limited to men only it is a hobby enjoyed by women as well. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than reading a book on railroading, designing the ultimate layout, building a beautiful Archistories laser cut building, or cleaning and maintaining your layout and collection. The ultimate railroading experience is ‘Z’, this scale overtakes the senses as it has since 1972 and many of us ‘Z’ers are among the happiest people alive: cheers Marklin!

Siding: join the Insider Club with benefits that include the Marklin Magazin, Insider Magazine, free club car in the gauge of your choice and invitation to own Insider locos which often introduce new tooling!

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