Marklin Era V freight car set 82542 includes 4 type Eanos-x 052 gondolas painted and lettered for DB Cargo and DB respectively. Here is a set I nearly passed on as I have a number of Eanos gondolas already by Marklin and FR, but I changed my mind after seeing this set in person.
Marklin 82542
Not visible in the Marklin photos of the set are their loads: each car is loaded with a different scrap metal load including pipe, i-beams, and crushed rusty metal. Very good realistic representation of rust and oxidized metal. Marklin in the past has not made these loads instead they have come from specialist manufacturers in Germany, and they are usually labeled as such on the bottom. But these loads are not labeled thus I don’t believe they are made by Marklin, but I am also not sure.
Marklin 82542
A recent development is the use of a translucent plastic used to make the red Eanos cars, I first noticed this type of plastic with the tank car from the DR passenger set: 87503. The plastic is so translucent a small amount of light illuminates it. It’s a bit distracting and unrealistic thus I must give a rather mixed review for this set. Note: see translucence of red cars in photos.
Faller 282702 Banhhof Langwies (released: December 2023)
Faller’s continuation of laser cut card-stock buildings include two I have waited for: train station and lodge for Swiss Alpine theme. Combining wood and card-stock parts Faller has produced 2 buildings unmistakably Swiss in appearance.
Faller 282772 Alpenhaus Langwies (released: January 2024)
On a personal note, I have 2 laser-cut structures based on the Swiss Alpine theme in my collection, I have owned them for many years, but they weren’t enough to base a layout on. Faller’s Swiss Alpine build kits have inspired a layout build for this Summer (2025).
Left to Right: Faller 282772 (Alpine Lodge), Fides CH1039 (Alpine Covered Bridge), FR Freudenreich ZB570 (Attendant’s House RhB Railway), and Faller 282702 (Langwies Station)
Fifteen years ago I purchased a covered wood bridge (CH1039) manufactured by Fides/Milbert Creations (Montreux, Switzerland), it is handmade balsa wood construction comprised of numerous parts with realistic printed wood shingle roof. Scaled for ‘Z’ the bridge is naturally finished, and it is presented in a nice display box diorama alpine illustration. I haven’t found much evidence for the company’s output, their products don’t show up on internet searches, and I presume the company was dissolved many years ago. This example I purchased on Ebay.
My second structure was purchased maybe 10 years ago, it was produced as a kit by Harald Freudenreich (FR): ZB570- Swiss (SBB/RhB) Attendant’s House (RhB) build kit “Zm Warterhaus der RhB.” It is a railway building also referred to as “Guard-House” for RhB railway. Kit features etched nickel parts and wood construction: balsa wood laser-cut parts, brass gutters and downspouts and printed terracotta tiles for roof. Kit was delivered unpainted. In my examples I painted shutters and used Danish Oil on other wood parts. Roof material was painted with gouache which I like using, it is opaque watercolor which dries quick and can be reactivated with water to smooth out and blend to one’s desire. Note: FR produced accessories such as Guard House to go along with locos and rolling stock in production thus he produced RhB (Rorschach Heiden Bergbahn) items including Serie Fzeh2/4 cog railway locomotive (ZF108a).
FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”FR Freudenreich ZB570 “ZM Warterhaus der RhB”
Faller 282702 Langwies Station and 282772 Langwies Alpine Lodge are 2 laser-cut build kits released December 2023 (station) and January 2024 (lodge). Station kit includes 91 parts and lodge 126 parts, Faller states difficulty level as “Demanding.” I found both kits to be enjoyable to build, but they demand concentration and time as the instructions can be challenging to interpret. The wood parts in these kits include pieces that slide together, I found the station kit to have tighter fitting parts than lodge. If you buy these kits, I recommend building the lodge first which is somewhat easier than the station. Both kits needed excess wood removed within windows which is easy to do with a toothpick. Common sense and prior experience building kits like this in Z will be invaluable, but mistakes will still happen and remediating those errors are sometimes easy and sometimes hard. In the latter scenario apply some creative thought and add a modification or hid an error with a bush! Faller has been building scenery and buildings for multiple scale railroads, this experience and professional shows in these kits; they are must haves for the Swiss railway. Note: first time lettered decals have been included with a Faller Z kit as self sticking (station kit), formerly decals were cut from paper labels and glued on. Roofing material has a naturalistic aged color and texture thus no need to dry brush. I only painted chimneys in the final result (not pictured).
Marklin recently released a large set of freight cars (82641) for global shipping theme (Era VI), it includes eight type Sgns 691 flat cars with tank and dry storage containers. Various railroads and shipping companies represented in the set are colorful and graphically interesting.
82641-0882641-0882641-0782641-07
The release comes boxed in what Marklin calls a display box, it is intended as counter display for dealers who may opt to sell individual cars from the set. Marklin produced large car sets in the past thereby giving customers flexibility to buy 1 or all cars from the sets. With one local exception USA dealers have offered complete sets only. Cars in the set are each housed in familiar Marklin Z hard plastic boxes, and each is assigned a number 82641-….. (01-08).
82641-0682641-0682641-0582641-05
Flat cars are manufactured with the relatively new technology: metal impregnated plastic. Increased weight is the primary benefit thus better running performance, and maybe casting detail is improved. Car bodies are superb, they feature open frames with extensive fine paint and lettering.
82641-0482641-0482641-0382641-0382641-0282641-02
Containers are of great variety, but they are the typical containers Marklin has offered before: open bottoms with no prototypical lettering on doors, but very fine lettering otherwise. Tank containers with protective frames are standard fare offered before, tanks are finely painted and lettered, but protective frames which are manufactured apart from tanks and assembled later may need removal of excess plastic. Six tank containers are included, 3 in my set had issues: 1 missing mounting pin, 1 needed plastic trimming around pins to mount and 1 needed trimming/leveling of plastic base otherwise it wanted to pop off. Repairing tank containers took no more than a minute thus no big deal. Note: no problems whatsoever with dry containers. Further comment on tank containers: mounting has always been an issue with some collectors opting to cut off pins and epoxying the tank containers directly to the flat car. I do not recommend gluing, instead I recommend very carefully removing extra plastic in casting with a razor blade. Except for lack of graphics on doors of dry containers and mounting pin issues with tank containers this is a very good set to add to your collection.
82641-0182641-01
Siding: Released in 2024/25. Marklin suggests locomotives 88136 (diesel Ludmilla) and 88235 (electric Vectron) for freight set 82641.
Delivery has started in the United States for a most interesting Z gauge diesel, it peaks my interest for 2 reasons: big big snowplows and Scandinavia. Plus it is another version of the well received NOHAB locomotive type as seen in Marklin’s Z gauge line-up.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
Marklin’s 88362 is a regular production item that will undoubtedly generate a lot of interest. Scandinavian railroads are now represented more and more by Marklin for us Z-scalers which is wonderful to see, FR Freudenreich was solely representing the railroads of Scandinavia with few examples from Norway. This Marklin loco is unique as a specialized maintenance of way locomotive for Norway, it is owned and operated by Rail Network (JBV) as class Di3 628. As stated in Marklin’s description it is a modified former class Di3a with the installation of snowplows. One of the more characteristic traits of Scandinavian locos are the inclusion of snowplows, nearly all that I have seen over the years include plows of various size with this loco presenting very large plows of heavy construction.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
When I saw the announcement for this locomotive I assumed plows would be made of plastic, it turns out they are metal and feature very good detailing including realistic profile and heavy beam construction. The plows are installed pushed into the buffer posts which might may not be concerning since the shell is made of metal impregnated plastic thus perhaps allowing a stronger joint, but care should be taken with this loco as it may not tolerated too much bumping. Track clearance with plows is as close as a hair width: almost!!! Very impressive to see the tight tolerances in design and execution. Very very high precision manufacture allows for models like this, each new technological advancement seems to have been applied to this loco. Made in Hungary 88362 is an attractive locomotive model with good paint detail work except on the one I received window trims are painted silver only on one end.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
I would not try removing the plows which are tightly installed and maybe glued in place. Horns between windshields appear to be add-on parts: exceptional! Middle axle on each wheel set is free from gearing thus wheels easily turn on their own, but they do not sit with the same contact with track as the geared axles with their wheels: not something to dwell on. Beautiful smooth running performance even at low speeds, and it moves quick when throttled up. 3 headlights changeover with direction of loco, but there are no trailing lights, I hope future designs add red marker lights to this series of locomotive. Headlights on this loco are not bright unless full throttle is applied.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
Big surprise: I read in description the locomotive comes with working warning lights above cabs, but to my surprise they pulsate simulating what would be seen with the prototype.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
At a length of 4 3/8 inches this is a long locomotive adding 7/8 inches onto the same locomotive type with buffers only (no plows). Manual that comes with loco warns the user to carefully check layout compatibility to rule out signals, catenary masts, bridge railings, and tunnel portals being in the way of plows. As can be seen in this post’s photos plows swing out over tracks quite far. Marklin states minimum track radius for this loco is 195mm/7 11/16 inches.
Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)Marklin 88362 JBV Diesel Class Di3 628 (Norway)
Overall a very good release, it represents how far Z gauge has grown by applying all the latest and newest technologies: maintenance free motor, metal impregnated plastic (heavier: more pulling power), and pulsing light feature (warning lights). And of course more Scandinavian trains and specialized trains.
A New Year and a new series for Marklin Z scale enthusiasts: “Pantone Color of the Year” freight cars. So far 2 cars have been presented coinciding with Pantone’s annual celebration “Color of the Year”: ‘Viva Magenta’ (2023) / ‘Peach Fuzz’ (2024).
Marklin 82164: 13-1023 Peach Fuzz
Pantone Color Matching System has been used widely by graphic designers and those in the print industry for 60 years. Developed from 18 basic colors each numbered and titled color can be faithfully reproduced using Pantone Matching System (PMS).
Marklin 82163: 18-1750 Viva Magenta
Pantone’s importance to the print industry perhaps inspired this new series. And maybe links with Marklin Magazin releases (2001 – present), it too makes reference to the print industry. And the unmistakable “Prussian Blue” painted freight cars and steam loco released in the series.
Marklin 82164: 13-1023 Peach Fuzz
Pantone describes Viva Magenta (2023): “….a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration….” And Peach Fuzz (2024): “It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”
Produced in HO as well as Z this new series is a “One Time Series.”
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16
By now collectors of FR Freudenreich of Germany should be aware of Harald Freudenreich’s new company: Atelier Barkvieren (AB). The only significant change has been logo and rebranding: articles continue to be presented in custom acrylic boxes with new logo ‘AB’ in red versus FR’s former blue logo. The recent release electric locomotive for NSB as Class EL-16 is evidence of Harald’s continued high level of design/craftsmanship/execution in Z gauge.
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16
Locomotive could be ordered analogue or digital, I ordered mine as analogue. As with most locos produced by Harald Freudenreich this one is no different exhibiting substantial weight for pulling long trains. Further this loco has a maintenance free motor which he has installed in locos for years prior to Marklin’s current practice.
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16
This is a lovely loco with very bright red paint scheme and yellow snowplows. Paint scheme is distinctive as it is used by the NSB Railway (Norwegian State Railways). The former company FR produced another electric loco for NSB as Class EL-18 (47.198.10) in an edition of 30. This loco included a modified Class 460 Marklin shell repainted and lettered, it included a snowplow that required separate installation by collector following small modification to shell. Surprisingly Marklin never produced this loco in Z although one was produced for HO, perhaps a future release is in the making?
FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18FR 47.198.10 Class EL-18: snowplows are cast metal, they were glued on to shell after shell modification unlike locos that followed with plows attached to truck assembly
Performance of this loco is exceptional of course with 4 operating lights activated for direction of travel, but trailing lights are not included. The loco I ordered is non-digital, it is robust, but motor noise is noticeable perhaps due to my basic test track installed directly on plastic table, cork or foam roadbed will certainly deaden the sound. Not sure if the digital version includes sound, and I don’t know if it features a VELMO decoder. My train collection is mostly for display thus opting for the analogue version of this loco made sense for me. I have digital FR locos and a few Marklin ones too, and they provide an experience running trains on par with their HO ccounterparts with surprisingly loud and defined sound features.
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16 + FR 47.819.02 “Motortransport”
Detailing includes numerous add-on parts including mirrors that are silvered. Roof equipment is well detailed and pantographs are item specific and scaled accurate unlike the more generic Marklin pantos.
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16 + FR 47.819.02 “Motortransport”
Paired with the earlier release freight set: 47.819.02- Norges Statsbaner AS (Norwegian State Railways-NSB) “Motortransport” 4 car set with two pairs of permanently coupled type Hccrrs autotransportwagens privately owned and lettered for Auto Transport Service A.s. Drammen. Four car set includes 2 pairs locked together with drawbar and vestibules.
AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16 + FR 47.819.02 “Motortransport”AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16 + FR 47.819.02 “Motortransport”AB 47.137.11 Class EL-16 + FR 47.819.02 “Motortransport”
As the title suggests Faller’s new 3 part farmstead is inspired by German timber frame construction, it is recognizable to all who have built model houses and buildings for German themed layouts thus there are many such kits in plastic and cardboard. This cardboard kit for Z scale by Faller contains the typical characteristics of Fallers laser-cut cardstock buildings including interior masking (introduced in their plastic kits years ago) and lightweight paper parts. Building the kits is fun but challenging particularly with the filigree paper ‘timber’ parts. So far I have built 16 Faller Laser-Cut Kits with no regrets or problems; they take good magnifying goggles, tweezers, small drops of good glue and PATIENCE. The finished builds are excellent, and I highly recommend them.
I divided this article into 3 sections mostly to show what the kit looks like built without alteration followed by 2 sections covering my attempts to add realistic color and texture. I am not a professional scenery modeler, and my steps taken should be considered as one way to do things not the only way to do things.
Section 1: How the Buildings Look Built with no Alterations
Note: end walls of barn were installed improperly, stucco wall should be installed other end so stucco wraps around building. Mistake is less noticeable further in build.Note: roofing materials used by Faller are heavily detailed which is a nice feature, but they fray easily when bent from their flat original state. I score along the seem with 3 light scores with razor blade which significantly helps make a good bend.Note: brick walls and fencing come with the kit to frame out the barnyard, there are numerous layout designs to consider along with Faller’s own suggestions.
Section 2: Attaching Buildings to a Light Birch Plywood for Later Layout Installation. Plus First Steps with Color and Scenery Construction.
Buildings glued to very thin birch plywood available from hobby stores which was first painted black.Note: application of pigment with an airbrush to establish a layer of aging.Note: dry-brush was used on roofing material to bring out texture, it was applied with inconsistent amounts of paint to mimic how roofs age with time.
Section 3: Fine-Tuning Paint and Textures. And Adding Cows and Shrubs
Note: fine brown ballast by Woodland Scenics was applied to ground surface.Note: very thin birch plywood is prone to warping even at time of purchase, but it will be flat when glued to layout board. Note: numerous dry-brush applications were used to enhance color and texture, I have gotten better results with my projects by not rushing things thus I came back to this model many times and tweeked this or that.Note: Dark brown paint was applied to ground to suggest the varying shades of earth, grass will later be applied in patches to further layer the visual detailing surrounding the farmstead buildings. Dairy cows by Preiser were added to the pen. When this small diorama is ready to install on layout more animals will be added, flower boxes installed on house, tractor or other equipment placed somewhere in scene, and a tree or 2 will be added for shade. I will also open a door and add a figure too!
Thank you for having a look and happy railroading!
Wait is over: Marklin USA has delivered Marklin 88240 to dealers.
New locomotive for SBB featuring new technology and tooling!! Based on prototype Re 6×6 electric locomotive in fire red paint scheme (Feuerrot) with road number 11666 “Stein am Rhein.” Re (‘R’: rapid) designation refers to higher cornering speed. I included the Google link below for further information on Swiss Locomotive Classification.
Extensive features are all in the details: highly detailed engine room which is unlit. Detailed buffer plates with realistic prototypical circular array of bolts. Separately applied grab rails which has been applied already to other locos. Very finely cast and painted vent covers along roof and atop roof. Snowplows are included as a part to install, I will detail installation later in post.
New technology applied to loco include split frame and sliding center wheel set with 4 very thin wheels unique to this model. Wheels have black spokes with highly detailed trucks.
How does it run? Loco requires a little more effort to place on tracks, but side lighting with flashlight does the trick. And it runs and performs perfectly, no one will be disappointed with this fantastic locomotive.
Snowplow Installation: Marklin includes snowplow parts inside box. Not sure why these were not factory installed as they are not exclusive for display purposes, loco will not be hindered from turning with snowplows installed. Maybe the reason is they are prone to falling off, they attach on one installation point. I applied a small dot of 5 minute epoxy to secure the parts. Refer to photos:
Snowplow is attached by pushing post into hole in coupler box.Proper installation of snowplow does not interfere with coupler, frame or chassis: ‘v’ points to coupler forming the realistic snowplow shape.
Since it’s (88240) release Marklin has announced another Re to be released at the end of the year: 88241.
Developed and built by Siemens Mobility this global locomotive concept can even be found in the ranks of Amtrak. Marklin’s new release ES 64 (EuroSprinter 64) with article number 88588 is painted and lettered for MRCEdispolok in matte black. This is a partially retooled Z locomotive in that it features a 3rd pantograph (non-functioning) along with 2 electrically functioning pantographs. Very attractive locomotive and new member of Marklin’s Taurus locomotives in Z.
Marklin’s new addition to their starters sets was introduced in 2023, it is still in production and widely available. The box consists of two-parts: cardboard top with molded styro-foam. Less clear in the photos are 2 tape seals: after the sets are made and packaged in Hungary each one destined for the USA is opened (tape seal cut), original transformer is exchanged for USA suitable transformer then re-taped and shipped to America. The big ugly warning sticker (this time!!!) was placed on the styro-foam bottom. As some may remember my post for the anniversary starter set, big ugly sticker was placed smack dab on the the front of the beautifully designed box top.
Heading the train set is a class 285 diesel locomotive mated with 3 freight cars lettered for VTG: 1- Eaos gondola, 1- Falns dump car, and 1- Shimmns sliding dump car. No one would say the freight cars are rarely seen as they have been in the Marklin mini-club line-up variously over the years, but this is the first representation of the Class 285 painted and lettered for RheinCargo (Neuss, Germany).
A port and rail freight service company RheinCargo’s logo sports two arrows of corresponding red and blue suggesting the dual enterprise of rail and port freight service. The company is of course large with their primary origination ports in Dusseldorf and Neuss, Germany also their headquarters and registered city.
Finding photos of the prototype Class 285 diesel is a bit limited, but it appears simply with logo against silver body with little imprinting otherwise. Smooth body locos are perfect for advertising thus it is kind of refreshing to see the loco simply presented without other graphics.
Marklin 81875 starter set includes all that’s needed to start in ‘Z’ including transformer and track. And of course the set’s basic oval of track can be expanded with track sets which are a good deal and cost less than ala carte track buys.
The handsome silver Class 285 locomotive is of course built with the new generation motor both silent and smooth. Does anyone miss the hum of the old 3 and 5 pole motors? Maybe performance wins out in the day, but I like the new and old technology equally.
Is this set something to add to a collection that is already underway? Perhaps not if budget is a concern, but seasoned collectors whom I have known over the years pick-up every starter set because each is unique and complete: everything you need in the box. For me the decision to put this in my collection was easy: beautiful locomotive!
Good luck railroading and be well!
Siding: Faller laser-cut cardboard building “Old Spinning Mill” is featured in this post, it is available under article #282742. Note: still available ask your retailer!
