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.
FR #45.814.01 for DSBFR #46.807.01 for SJ
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.
Mixed containers by FR and MCZ ModelsMarklin 82662 with FR/MCZ Models container lettered for HYUNDAI (prototype: 40′ high cube) *all other containers MarklinMarklin 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 8800 special Golden Loco (1972) and Archistories ARC-104171 Transfer Table Shed Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972) and Archistories ARC-104171 Transfer Table Shed
In two years Marklin “mini-club” will be 50 years old, and this loco too! The common theme of course is gold in celebration of this milestone. The 1972 Nuremberg Toy Show would introduce ‘Z’ as Marklin’s new model railroad gauge; they touted it as the smallest in the world, it would eventually be eclipsed by T gauge thus becoming the second smallest gauge today, but who cares at this point.
Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)
Marklin produced the gold 8800 locomotive on the occasion of the 1972 Nuremberg Toy Fair and announcement of their new ‘Z’ gauge model railroad. Presented in a special box the gold locomotive was given to Marklin’s business partners (some have suggested it was a gift for members of the press?) at the 1972 event. Edition size is unknown, but it is fair to say limited. Interest in the model has waned over the years after reaching auction prices of $2000 twenty years ago (based on other collectors’ information and not verified by this author), today examples sell for $150- $300 sometimes missing the original box.
Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)
Many details about this model have been gathered over time from numerous sources thus some inaccuracies maybe unavoidable, as new information comes forward I will seek to update this post.
Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)Note: plating reveals texture in the casting similar to gold-leaf which is not seen in painted versions Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)
Looking out for counterfeit versions: one dealer told me years ago following high auction prices that Chinese firms were making fakes. I haven’t seen any fake versions, but another dealer told me fake ones have 5 chrome gears whereas originals have 5 openings in the oil pan with 4 bronze gears and 1 chrome one. The locomotive also featured the original 3 pole motor which was used in mini-club locos until the introduction of the 5 pole motor in 1998. Original shells were gold plated metal casting thus no tarnishing will further distinguish it as authentic. An original box is another helpful article to find with this loco, it featured wood grain in its design as other mini-club locos, but also featured metallic sheen too. Note to collectors: original complete box is perhaps equal in value to the locomotive.
Original presentation box for Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)
“Goldene Lok (Golden Lok)” and “Goldiloks (Goldilocks)” are nicknames given by collectors for the locomotive, but Marklin may have originally named it “Goldene (Golden)”. Produced in gold perhaps distinguishing it as being made during the Olympic year of 1972?
First fold-out: “She is a delightful present for her (you?) and much more” -Google Translate
Box features multiple fold-outs and text: “it (locomotive) is the symbol of the <Golden> chance 72” thus marketing the new gauge as “the first world record of the olympic year.” Further describing the attributes of the new small gauge we have all come to know and appreciate.
Original presentation box for Marklin 8800 special Golden Loco (1972)
Note: 50 years on and this little loco runs like a top due to the extremely good design and manufacturing at Marklin: here’s to fifty more!
Siding: rough performance and shaking with steam locomotives maybe due to bent side rods, if the side rods are bent inward they can impede smooth running, bending the side rods outward with great care should remedy it
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.
Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)
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.
Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)
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.
Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)
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.
Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)
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.
Marklin 8800_Goldene locomotive and Insider car 80329 “Miele” (2019)
Siding: Insider Members belonging to the club for 5 consecutive years receive the special imprint car “marklin INSIDER – 5 Jahre”.
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.
First the freight car set and then sometime in the future the designated locomotive such is the case with set 82435 who’s locomotive (88204) has yet to be released, thus if you plan to run that locomotive you might consider buying this set before it sells out.
The bright and lively paint scheme of this car set comprises three type Eamos side dump cars painted and lettered for the firm RTS Rail Transport Service GmbH, Fischamend, Austria.
This is not the first release of this car type which is popularly used by several rail services, it features hydraulics to lift and dump loads.
Siding: Marklin RTS diesel locomotive class 221 (former V200) is the appropriate locomotive to complete this Austrian set.
“From house to house” freight transport during the Economic Miracle thru the 1960’s comprised open and closed container types for transporting all manner of goods: gravel to food. Goods delivered from customer to customer according to Marklin literature presumably circumventing a distributor.
Cars rebuilt from war time G 10’s provided frames for the newly classified BT 10’s used to haul open bins in this Marklin new release set.
Included with the set is a Kälble delivery vehicle with trailer and Eosakrt container load.
Era III set painted and lettered for use on the German Federal Railroad (DB).
The recent release freight car set of 3 painted and lettered for K.P.E.V. includes gas car, beer car, and livestock car for Era I railroading.
Graphics and variety of early car types make for some very interesting early railroading possibilities.
Included in this set is a tank car comprising three cylinders for transporting coal gas used for lighting and heating. This car type could be dispatched with coaches to replenish a station, it was not exclusively coupled to a freight train only.
Marklin 86604_1 (KPEV)
Livestock car comprising a brakeman’s cabin, sliding doors and open gates likely included the latter for ventilation otherwise it was a closed wall box car.
Marklin 86604_2 (KPEV)Marklin 86604_2 (KPEV)
Lastly is the bier wagon car type featuring historical paint and lettering for early companies within Europe, in this example the firm Lorenz Pfannenberg Söhne, Zerbst (Germany), Exportbier Brauerei.
Another Christmas has come and gone but with it we are left with a unique freight car celebrating Christmas with a snowman theme: Marklin’s 80629 for Z.
A couple of decades worth of Christmas releases each with their own design and acrylic ornament, but this year’s release featured a rather curious snowman theme with etched acrylic design standing upright inside the freight car.
The very striking design including two snowmen and presents is further brought to life with crystal clear etched and polished plexiglass. Acrylic ornament is two tone with colorless front and orange background shell riddled with glitter. The very pretty low side freight car is painted red with snowflake design.
This year’s release will catch a lot of twinkle lights under the tree, and it is still available.
Marklin 88955 class 74 Era III tank locomotive for German Federal Railroad (DB)
The class 74 tank locomotive painted and lettered for the German Federal Railroad is a recent release sort of (2017-2018), I got mine recently but it proved to be a rather difficult loco to get a hold of: I should have pre-ordered it! Other locos in this series with improved running gear based on the first generation 8895 (2000-2006) were much easier to find than this one. Perhaps some dealers have these in inventory, it is or should be a fairly popular loco lettered for the DB and based on Era III: a perfect loco for small railroads and regional passenger traffic.
Marklin 88955 class 74 Era III tank locomotive for German Federal Railroad (DB)
Several subtle modifications exist within the evolution of this tank locomotive for Z including brass bell prominently installed behind stack on the 88955. Identifying tank locomotives is easy, it is hard to miss the water tanks installed on the sides of the locomotive and coal hopper behind cab. Plus “tender-less” operation. Motor in the model is mounted vertically with worm-gear facing down, motor is 5 pole type with long brushes (part #89871) extending from the armature alongside the chassis providing current to the circuit board and LED lights. LED lights in this locomotive are bright and trailing lights continue to be rendered with paint versus working. Also features plastic couplers at both ends for push/pull operation.
Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.
The curious coach seen here with 88955 is the graffiti car issued by Miniatur Wunderland (Hamburg) as one time release in 2008 (600 total): Marklin 98085 “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” and Miniatur Wunderland’s Car #10.
Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.
Faller’s continuing series of laser-cut building kits included this nice train station from a few years ago: 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen (based on 1915 prototype).
Marklin 88955 + Marklin Special Imprint 98085: “Graffitiwagen-Knuffingen” . Plus Faller 282704- Bahnhof Huinghausen.
Siding: here is a link to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg: https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/
Five hundred plus years since the German Beer Purity Law casting Germany as serious about beer as anyone can be. Beer advertising is a widely produced motif on Marklin freight cars in Z crossing numerous eras and freight car types. Two freight sets for DRG (Era II) include one time series sets from 2001 and 2003 for MHI Program.
The first set to consider for Era II modeling is set 86615 which includes road transport set for Ganter Brewery (Germany). Set includes refrigerator car painted and lettered for BRAUEREI GANTER, FREIBURG im BREISGAU plus Kaelble type 70 021 tractor and DRG Culemeyer design road roller. One Time Series 2001. Set features die-cast road roller and truck.
Marklin 86615 (MHI-2001)
Another brewery themed freight car set is 82519 released in 2003 for the MHI program. The one time series Deutsche Reichsbahn-Geselischaft (DRG) bierwagen set is painted and lettered for Ledererbrau Nurnberg. Set includes refrigerator car with brakeman’s cab, low-side car with brakeman’s cab and die-cast delivery truck with 3 wood barrels. Packed in a custom tin box along with beer coasters lettered for LEDERER PREMIUM. Era II.
