Just received third generation Era 4 diesel class 232: 88322. First and second versions of this locomotive class were released as Insider Model 2022 (Era IIIb) and train set 81320 (announced Fall 2022) painted and lettered for H.F.Wiebe including class 320 (Era 4) loco plus 2- Fcs hoppers and 2- Res low side cars. Regarded as the largest German diesel locomotive, it impresses in Z gauge!
Marklin 88322 is painted in a fictitious paint scheme for TEE Service, Marklin further describes the locomotive as an early 1970’s diesel which is interesting from the standpoint of its fictional status, but likely dating it to paint schemes used for the TEE train sets. From what I understand the locomotive was classed only as class 320 for the DB before it was sold to private firms, it was never additionally classed as 232 which shares the same classification as the ‘Ludmilla’ diesel locomotive built in Russia. But it is fictional so it doesn’t matter. Built by Henschel in the early 60’s class 320 diesels were used for all service including freight and passenger thus it could haul heavy trains and express ones too! What could be more attractive from the standpoint of a universally used locomotive and one suited for TEE service although never employed by it.
Comparing 88320 and 88322 there is one improvement that stands out: wheel-set pick-ups are now darkened, they no longer are seen as shiny brass parts above wheel-sets as can be seen in photos.
88322 is a dynamite locomotive both attractive in TEE paint scheme, but it runs really really well with quiet propulsion. And it includes lighted and modeled engine room just like its predecessors. Modeling of vent fans is superbly detailed as we have come to expect from Marklin. A good bit of weight for excellent wheel traction and the power to haul long trains. Shell does not include the metal/plastic construction as other locomotives have been manufactured in last few years. Features bright warm white headlamps (forward) and bright red trailing lights that change over with direction of travel. The engine room features lighting, but brightness is subject to how fast the loco travels thus kind of dim at slow speeds. Marklin’s website describes the model having roof lighting, mine does not (both clear panels on roof do not light) perhaps a repair is needed(?).
Follow-up: loco arrived differing a little from Marklin’s description as noted in previous comment. I took the shell off, I discovered roof panels were blacked out with opaque black foam. I ran the loco without shell which revealed LED lights only on center of circuit board for engine room lighting, lights spills out from top of circuit board achieving good overhead lighting of the engine room detail with this part being slightly angled up instead of flat to the windows . Circuit board also had the red/white lights on both ends, but no lights for roof panels. I pulled loco 88320 from my collection, on the track this locomotive does not have engine lights, instead it has lighted roof panels only. In conclusion: depending on loco, collectors gets one or the other: roof panel lights or engine room lights: not both. It looks like someone mistakenly allowed the same description for both locomotives on their website. I think it’s more interesting that the locomotives are built this way, it gives each their unique character.
Note: if your loco arrives in need of warranty repair it will take effort and patience. First contact dealer you bought it from, the dealer will direct you to send it to them, dealer ship to Marklin, Marklin makes repair themselves, or they send to Germany. It may take months! If you buy from ZScaleHobo.com, Frank Daniels tests each locomotive to verify everything works which is a great customer friendly service only he offers thus you avoid the headache of Marklin warranty!
Another feature of this locomotive are the add-on metal hand-rails, which are shiny silver wire, as they are not painted, it gives the locomotive a three-dimensional appearance. Small manufactures of highly crafted Z gauge articles have used add-on parts including metal handrails for years, examples include FR Freudenreich and Z-Modellbau to name a couple.
Siding: with shell removed one can wonder where Marklin goes next with circuit boards and Z gauge: maybe Marklin Z Gauge digital is right around the corner!
