Category Archives: Sold Out at the Factory

New Marklin Z Loco Design and Groovy Train Set

Marklin’s MHI Release 81356 includes a new design Class 141 electric locomotive and 3 “Silver Coin” coaches comprising their “Commuter Service” train set, but first let’s look at the loco’s new design.

Under the shell are numerous new details at work to support the new motor concept currently being used in new locos. A few basic observations are the robust cast metal frame supporting the circuit board and trucks. Another interesting detail about the frame is its split design: frame is actually two parts held together with 6 machine screws located variously: 1 pair each end and 1 pair in the middle inside an easily removable section between the trucks. Circuit board is sandwiched between the two sections of frame as are all inner workings, and lamp circuit boards are held in slots front and back, two small pieces of black foam are installed between the two sections of frame below the lamp circuit boards. Everything looks different than a traditional Marklin Mini-Club model, but similar in their straight forward design thus it is possible to take it apart but with some difficulty.

Removal of 6 screws holding the frame together should provide easy disassembly of the loco but that is not the case. Bushings holding the frame parts and screws are tightly fitted and prone to breaking plus circuit board is taped down on one end (2 bushings on my loco were stripped with a crack in one). And freeing the circuit board is half the battle as the frame is gently pried apart a little at a time from end to end with care not to break the bushings. Bushings are tightly mounted in the frame thus the frame is tightly held together even without the screws, it appears the screws main job is expanding the bushings thus making a tighter connection with the the 2 part frame (?).

After the frame is pulled apart the trucks simply pop out, their plastic housings fit within indents in frame and secured by pressing the frame parts together. A further interesting detail about the trucks are the nylon gearing which have been greased not oiled at the factory. And coupler/spring assembly is secured by plate facing up rather than down as with previous locos. If there is a problem with coupler/spring which there shouldn’t be the loco will have to be taken apart to free the trucks.

A motor with robust worm drive is maintenance free (no brushes to be replaced) and quiet to run, but instructions do advise oiling the trucks from time to time (intervals of 20 hours run time). Note: small pieces of yellow acetate are mounted below both lamp circuit boards.

The loco in my set arrived with poor/non-working running characteristics, one truck stiff and seized (angled upward not parrellel to underside of shell): trucks should rock gently up and down with wheel-sets able to make contact with track. Taking the loco apart and reassembled fixed the problem: something was out of sync likely due to shipping. Not a big deal, but I would advise sending defective items back to Marklin thus receiving full warranty coverage, I don’t advise following my lead.

The shell of this loco is a real winner as can be seen on the roof with improved detailing with addition of add-on parts. And grab rails below windows on both ends. The latter was a great surprise! This set is part of a small handful of items in recent years manufactured in China following the Kittel of recent memory.

Marklin’s description of the set: German Federal Railroad (DB) “Commuter Service” train set: 1- class 141 electric locomotive with 5-light headlights / marker lights, multiple forced air vents with vertical fins, and a continuous rain gutter, 1- type Bnrzb 725 “Silberling” (Silver Coins) commuter car, 2nd class, 1- type ABnrzb 704 “Silberling” (Silver Coins) commuter car, 1st/2nd class, and 1- “Silberling” (Silver Coins) commuter cab control car, 2nd class, with an engineer’s cab. All of the units look as they did in Era IV. Special One Time Release for the MHI Program (Marklin Handler Initiative).

81356-3 (Note: yellow stripe denotes 1st class section)

81356-4 (note: headlamps, marker lights and destination board illuminate in both directions of travel

Siding: Parts List for this set does not include part numbers for retaining bushings for frame and no part number for circuit board, Marklin indicates parts on schematic without part numbers require Marklin repair department.

Tank Transport Set: Marklin 82229

Not sure how many Z gauge railroaders were waiting for a tank transport set, but all indications when considering its popularity with other gauges suggest a few! And just learned today Era III is one of the more popular era’s for the German model railroading market further adding to the potential interest in this set.

What we have with this set are 3 heavy flat cars with tank loads in a box with a “MADE IN CHINA” label. Not sure if the label applies to tanks only and not cars? Or assembly origin? It doesn’t really matter as this set is superlative! Marklin indicates set as new tooling which applies not only to the tanks but also the Ssy 45 4-axle heavy-duty flat cars. A very similar heavy duty flat car was released for the first time years ago as 82351 for DRG (2000-2006), it was a type SSym 46. The SSym 46 would continue to have a flourishing history in the Marklin line-up, it was released in sets, singular car releases with various loads, and special imprints too. But excluding a general similarity in appearance between the Ssy 45 and SSym 46 certain details including length vary. For one the total length of the SSym 46 is longer (7/16 inch) and heavier, and they each share differences in the equipment detailing. Six wheel trucks are used on the SSym 46’s versus 4 wheel trucks on the Ssy 45’s.

Three Leopard 1A1 tanks are loaded on the flat cars based on the prototype from Era III for the DB. Tanks are beautifully cast in plastic with imprinting. After a thorough inspection of each I cannot detect any flaws. Turrets are separate from the tank bodies and secured with screws: each rotates. Due to the lightness of the tanks and the likelihood they fall off the moving cars 3 pieces of gray weighted material is included, instructions state to roll each up into a log and place inside the tank. The weighted material is considerable in weight and will not damage the cars or tanks so states the instructions. Stakes are also included with the set. The well known firm of Schuco manufactured the tanks which comes as no surprise since anyone’s guess would be Schuco based on fine detail and quality.

New Passenger Set for DR/GDR: Marklin 87513

Marklin has released for the first time coach set 87513 painted and lettered for DR/GDR with car type Daai baggage car and Baai 2nd class coaches. Falling within Era IV this set depicts a prototypical passenger set for East Germany as operated by the German Democratic Republic (1949-1990) and DR. Marklin mates this set with the soon to be released steam locomotive 88032 which is based on a class 37 locomotive from 1970. Attractive 2nd class coach set based on the prototype with few comforts with no nonsense green paint scheme and bold ‘DR’ lettering.

Marklin 87513_1a (Type Daai baggage car)

Marklin 87513_1b (Type Daai baggage car)

Marklin 87513_2 (Type Baai 2nd class coach)

Marklin 87513_3 (Type Baai 2nd class coach)

Smallest in ‘Z’: Marklin 88025

Marklin 88025 + 89805 (loco shed from set)

Based on the DB class Klv 20 maintenance-of-way vehicle Marklin’s 88025 is surely the smallest powered vehicle in ‘Z’ gauge history. Railex was probably the first to offer small locomotives for Z with their line of Kof shunting locos, but each was mechanical or non-motorized. Z-Modellbau is another evolution in small locos featuring various small locomotives including railcars and Kof’s. And they feature very good powered designs with brushless motors. But this new Marklin offering goes further, it is the smallest powered vehicle thus far for Z gauge railroading based on a modified VW bus used for MOW service.

Many photos of this vehicle exist with a simple google search, but I haven’t seen one featuring what appears to be a rack with bins on the roof, I am assuming it is a storage feature for tools, but I cannot verify this even after much research. Photos of the prototypes show headlamps covered over and non-functioning, instead they featured a pair of lamps installed either side of windshield, perhaps the prototype could not be modified for rail use while keeping the stock VW headlamps? Marklin’s model depicts headlamp area covered or as part of the body contour thus no functioning headlamps.

One of the recent examples of Marklin’s new technologies for Z is metal incorporated in the casting plastic for electric and diesel locos, adding a little weight in the shell is a genius move and adds to the overall better running of these locos, I tested this tiny crew bus through a turn-out without any skipping or hesitation: exceptional runner!

The impressive comparative size of the 88025 alongside the recent release 88484 (SJ RE 14).

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.

Z -Modellbau: “Vanoli” Koff II

One of the smallest locomotive types offered by Z-Modellbau is the Kof diesel who’s line-up includes this Swiss one plus German, Austrian and Norwegian variants. Painted and lettered for the private firm “Vanoli” this class Kof II features dark gray and yellow paint scheme.

Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982

Locomotive features full metal construction and brush-less motor making this one of the smallest locomotives in Z with its own motive power. Unique coupler design interfaces with Marklin, it is otherwise unobtrusive. Non functioning headlamps are very precisely painted in. Fully glazed operator’s cabin plus separately applied parts include coupling hoses.

Because of its short length the locomotive can potentially have difficulty thru turnouts otherwise the operation is smooth with very sensitive braking characteristics.

Paired with a funnel flow car the scale of this locomotive is truly impression considering it too can easily pull a line of freight cars through a yard. Unique in recent offerings by Marklin are second release freight cars which feature authentic ‘weathering’. The Swiss firm Wascosa has been featured numerous times in the Marklin mini-club line-up, but for the first time Wascosa’s paint and lettering scheme was applied to the newly produced funnel flow car type in set 82530 (2013) which included 4 blue Wascosa cars as part of the 20 car set, it was later released in ‘weathered’ variants (item #82482- 82485).

Administration building for the DB can be seen along the tracks, this laser cut building was included with Marklin turntable 89982.

DB Tank Locomotive: Marklin 88955

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.

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.

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).

Siding: here is a link to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg: https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/

DRG Brewery Freight Sets: Marklin 82519 + 86615

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.

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.

German Federal Railroad Freight Set: 86000

Marklin 86000-1 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

A good lesson in collecting Marklin Z: if you missed out on something because it “sold out” perhaps a dealer somewhere may still have it. Occasionally dealers are offered incentives to buy a particular item from Walthers at deep discounts thereby having an inventory of a particular item. As we all have experienced with certain dealers who no longer stock an inventory of Marklin Z it is easy to assume an item is no longer available forever and ever, but this is not my experience: set 86000 is one such example, I never got around to order it when it was easy to pick up, but I checked in with a local dealer and whala! Never give up the hunt for out of production Marklin Z and don’t ever settle for spotty condition reports from individuals selling used, more times than not those items are far worse than reported: buy new and take care of your stuff!

Modellbahn Ott Hobbies in Boyertown, PA is family owned and winner of several “Marklin Dealer of the Year Awards!” I know them well, I have been buying trains from them since the mid 90’s, you won’t find a problem here! Set 86000 I have the privilege of now owning, and I am thus pleased to feature this set released 4 years ago thereby adding another set of cars to Era III modeling.

Marklin 86000-2 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

The set includes 2- type Glmhs 50 box cars, 1- type Tehs 50 refrigerator car painted and lettered for Lowenbrau (Munich) and 1- type R 10 stake car with brakeman’s cab with load of rails (12 total). Marklin’s description of the set includes reworked prototypical car floors in the box and refrigerator cars.

Marklin 86000-3 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

Note: upon inspecting and photographing the box cars in the set I noticed a variation in the paint color which is interesting: 1 appears to be brown while the other is red/brown in a darker hue: curious! And cool!

Marklin 86000-4 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

Recommended USA Marklin Dealer: Modellbahn Ott Hobbies, 42 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, PA 19512 – https://www.modellbahnott.com

Acid Transport Cars in Marklin Z: 82315, 82318, and 80821

The very interesting acid transport car based on its prototype from the early 1920’s was released first as a set of 5 in 2011 (82315). Plus an individual car for Marklin Magazin’s 2011 (80821) edition. This year a second set was released for Era II as item number 82318.

Marklin Magazin’s 80821 featured acid pots with characteristic Prussian Blue paint scheme associated with the series. Often newly tooled freight cars are released first for the Marklin Magazin series.

Marklin 82315 freight car set included 5 acid pot cars with brakeman’s platform, it was one time series for MHI Program (2011). Two versions of the set were released this one being 82315-A01 with all cars featuring brakeman’s platform only, version 2 included two cars with brakeman’s cab and three with brakeman’s platform. All USA dealers at the time of release sold version 1 thus version 2 is the rarer set: some rumors suggest set 2 was a mistake (?). Based on the Era III prototype cars are painted and lettered for the firm VTG and used on the German Federal Railroad (DB).

Marklin 82315_1 with car number 599 526 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG Hamburg

Marklin 82315_1 with car number 599 529 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG Hamburg

Marklin 82315_1 with car number 599 532 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG Hamburg

Marklin 82315_1 with car number 599 537 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG Hamburg

Marklin 82315_1 with car number 599 548 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG Hamburg

Freight set 82318 released 2018 includes 1 tank car and 2 acid pot cars: “DRG Liquids Transport” set. Based on the early 1920’s prototype each acid pot car includes a brakeman’s cab. Era II.