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.
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/
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!
Marklin 86000-1 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.
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. 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. Marklin 86000-3 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III. 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. 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
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 82315 (2011)
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 Magazin – 2011 (80821)Marklin Magazin – 2011 (80821)
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 HamburgMarklin 82315_1 with car number 599 529 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG HamburgMarklin 82315_1 with car number 599 532 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG HamburgMarklin 82315_1 with car number 599 537 (2011-MHI) lettered for VTG HamburgMarklin 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.
Marklin 82318_1 with car number 519 634 (Munchen)Marklin 82318_1 with car number 519 634 (Munchen)top view 12 acid pots Marklin 82318_2 with car number 550 923 (Dresden)Marklin 82318_2 with car number 550 923 (Dresden)Marklin 82318_2 with car number 550 923 (Dresden)Marklin 82318_3 with car number 528 992 (Altona)Marklin 82318_3 with car number 528 992 (Altona)
Marklin 88953 (One Time Series-2015) class 74 tank locomotive
One of the many benefits of Marklin Insider Club membership includes subscription to Marklin Magazin (English text). The glossy well produced magazine features articles helpful to HO and Z gauge modelers as well as Gauge 1 from layout design and scenery tips to historical background. I look forward to getting the big white envelope with this magazine as well as Insider News magazine. Plus twice a year up to date news from Marklin is delivered on DVD with English subtitles and beautiful videography. And then there is the Club card and free club car in your choice in gauges: HO or Z. So that is my plug for Marklin Insider Club, it is a very good deal and investment in your hobby: $99/year.
Marklin’s Magazin releases are easy to spot featuring characteristic Prussian blue paint scheme sometimes basing their designs on the magazine’s printing heritage. Releases also highlight newly tooled cars sometimes for the first time.
2001 marked the occasion of the first such release of a freight car in Z, and the series includes one locomotive. So without further ado I will present each release starting with the first one:
Marklin 80811 (2001) type Rils car with tarp cover for transporting steel coilsMarklin 80812 (2002) type Lgjs 598 flat car with 5 tanks corresponding to printer’s inkMarklin 80813 (2003) type Eaos 106 high side gondola with load of wood chips for paper productionMarklin 80814 (2004) type Sammp 705 heavy duty flat car with replica of a machine glazing cylinder Marklin 80815 (2005) type Re 687 four-axle flat car with system containers painted to represent colors used to print Marklin MagazinMarklin 80816 (2006) type low side car with brakeman’s platform loaded with reams of paper used for printingMarklin 80817 (2007) type diesel/heating oil tank carMarklin 80818 (2008) type Bt 10 flat car loaded with Efkr Pa containers for raw materialsMarklin 80819 (2009) type Shimmns 708 sliding wall box carMarklin 80820 (2010) type Lb 576 flat car loaded with 3 type Eoskrt coal containerMarklin 80821 (2011) type acid transport car with acid tanksMarklin 80822 (2012) type OOTZ hopper carMarklin 80823 (2013) type VH 14 livestock carMarklin 80824 (2014) type refrigerator car based on German Railroad Association Drawing A2Marklin 80825 (2015) type Tms 851 two-axle sliding roof car with brakeman’s cabinMarklin 80826 (2016) type Eanos high side gondola for transporting wood chipsMarklin 80827 (2017) type Fas 126 side dump carMarklin 80828 (2018) type Zans four-axle funnel flow tank carMarklin 80829 (2019) type E 037 2-axle gondola
In 2015 Marklin released the first locomotive painted and lettered for the Marklin Magazin series, it would no doubt include the latest developments in Marklin Z locomotive design including improved running gear of the class 74 (former T 9 K.W.St.E and Prussian T 12) tank locomotive. It is a stout little locomotive with sharp lines and handsome Prussian blue paint scheme.
Marklin 88953 (2015) Marklin Magazin special one time seriesMarklin 88953 (2015) Marklin Magazin special one time series Note: trailing lights are non-functioning and painted white
The large building kit 16071 includes 4 buildings including barns and farmhouse. This very interesting MBZ kit includes 4 buildings also available separately with open frame/stucco construction farmhouse, stucco barn and two random rubble stone foundation barns. Two barns: one small and one large stored hay, feed, equipment and the occasional member of this farm’s livestock community. Roof color was applied with dirty sponge and pigments. Stone foundation was painted using dry brush.
MBZ 16071 (farm house)
Multi-generational farmhouse with shuttered windows and flagstone open porch is at the center of this farm complex. Stucco was painted with white pigment mixed with yellow pigment followed by light dusting of dry gray pigment to weather and age stucco.
MBZ 16071 (barn 3)
The small storage barn or shed is comprised of stucco, its use was determined by what needed to be stored whether equipment, feed or ciders. This kit is less detailed than the other three so details could only be suggested by paint. Stucco treatment included few areas of repairs to show age, it would have been slightly less maintained than the main house structure thus keeping it water tight was enough maintenance. Presumably the first building erected on this farm perhaps starting out as a barn/farmhouse combination, it may have been used for numerous activities long before the large barns and farmhouse were built.
Marklin classic locomotives and rolling stock are worth another look even with today’s technological and aesthetic advancements with contemporary Z gauge.
Seen here with Faller’s laser-cut building “Town Corner House” (282782)
Here we have a classic locomotive from the 1990’s train set 8133: Rheingold. This class S 3/6 Pacific was first used in 1928, it pulled the first Rheingold train originating in Holland with final destination Basle, Switzerland thus began the story of the famous train with elegant appointments on May 15, 1928 thus Era II.
Long out of production the train set belonging to this locomotive disappeared from production in 1998 having an eight year history in the program. It never featured a 5 pole motor as standard equipment having fallen out of production in the year the 5 pole was introduced, but its original motor is/was a robust affair with very good running qualities. And motor upgrades are available today as part number 211909.
Just this week I purchased the train set as “Dealer Old Stock”, it was like receiving a shiny new car from 20 years ago that has not been driven. Of course it needed an old change and cleaning due to HOS (hardened oil syndrome), but 15 minutes in the garage the loco is as good as new.
Nothing compares these days to the classic steam locos, this one features shiny silver wheels, shiny black paint, and hand-painted boiler bands making it a new favorite of mine.
Dipping into buying mint/new old dealer stock is an untapped potential of modelers with train sets suffering HOS selling for $200 ‘as is’ which happened with this purchase. And the set included 5 highly detailed coaches along with the loco and tender. With a little experience HOS can be easily overcome, it usually amounts to one gear being stuck by hardened oil.
Special note: sometimes not always the original oil has attached itself to the plastic light rods used for headlamps thus they might pull-out as the shell is removed, be aware of other parts coming undone as the shell is removed, 5 minute epoxy will permanently anchor any static parts that loosen up.
Siding: brushes for the original 8133 locomotive with 3 pole motor is part number 8989.
