Z Gauge Pullman Coaches Before AZL

Hallmark/Lionel Observation Coach from “FREEDOM TRAIN” Christmas Ornament Series repainted Cornell Red with Lehigh Valley Railroad Decals

Z scale railroaders 25 years ago interested in modeling passenger trains comprising Heavyweight Pullman Coaches were faced with few options, that is until AZL. Old timers in the hobby will remember as few of us do today a limited number of American prototypes from the manufacturers, there were few coach options compared with today.

Casting includes solid deck railing and pronounced rivets.

AZL has boldly provided a well thought out program of heavyweights which interests me with today’s post, but I will be following up at a later date with a much researched train customized with AZL Heavyweight Pullmans, so stay tuned.

One idea that sprung up years ago were Christmas ornaments manufactured by Hallmark with Lionel branding, those ornaments complemented the scale of Z gauge quite well thus they became the only working option before AZL’s heavyweights hit the market. It should be noted Lionel produced their version of heavyweight coaches albeit with compression when the prototypes were on the rails (1930’s).

Original Box for FREEDOM TRAIN Coaches which were sold individually as Christmas ornaments. Note: Lionel branding whose famous 1930’s pressed steel heavyweight coaches were produced in a number of versions including the “Blue Comet” in Standard and O Scale.

Of course these coaches by today’s standard are a bit primitive with heavily pronounced rivets and soft details with no filigree parts modeled, but they provided an experienced modeler with a project for a Saturday afternoon.

Each FREEDOM TRAIN coach was delivered with added lettering and eye hook for hanging on the Tree.

To describe these coaches as they compare with AZL, one would start with weight: both are similarly weighted which is impressive. Plastic is much thicker with Hallmark cars and their casting is less detailed with rather toothy rivets. Hallmarks also came with unique couplers not suitable with MicroTrains or Marklin thus modelers had to change out the trucks for those with suitable couplings at additional expense. A friend told me a pair of suitable wheel sets with Marklin couplers cost $39.00 which was a large added expense.

Well made and designed with 4 machine screws holding top and bottom together and plugs holding wheel sets in place.

The Hallmark coaches I was given were themed based: “FREEDOM TRAIN.” I am not sure if a locomotive was designated for the set, but I would assume yes. The signage is pushed onto to the sides of the cars presenting a difficult problem removing as they were partly glued on with plastic cement. After removal rough surfaces had to be smoothed and holes filled in, but the rest of the disassembly was easy as all parts were screwed together, even window glazing is unglued within the interior. All in all taking the coaches apart was without issue: less than 5 minutes. I left the hole in the roof which supported an eye hook for hanging on Christmas trees as I plan to return these to their original intended purpose.

A couple versions of wheel sets were once available with Marklin or Micro-Trains couplers.

Painting and decals followed starting with stripping paint, I started with 70% rubbing alcohol which was adequate: paint came off after scrubbing with toothbrush in 1/2 hour. Note: stripping paint off plastic models is completely safe with rubbing alcohol, but model has to be submerged in solution when scrubbing otherwise rubbing alcohol stops doing its work quite quickly. Paint used on the Hallmark ornaments isn’t as thick as Marklin (by a long shot!) thus your results with other manufacturers will vary. Note: I found repainting AZL followed in much the same time (15-30 minutes) with 70% rubbing alcohol, but I have more to say concerning AZL so come back later to read that post.

Toothy high relief rivets impeded application of decals

Due to the heavily pronounced rivets decals do not sit anywhere close to flat, I used Walthers SOLVASET after setting decals with Microscale MICRO SET both solutions do the same job, but Walthers is a stronger solution for flattening those decals on rough surfaces. Note: decal setting solutions must completely dry between applications. I also used decals that were older perhaps 25 years old, some did not separate from backing paper thus I used Microscale Liquid Decal Film which is applied to the full sheet of decals and allowed to fully dry before cutting to size and submerging in water. Microscale Liquid Decal Film is a thick liquid when applied, but it completely smooths out and disappears.

Overall length of coaches are close to prototype.

Good undercarriage equipment and frame work.

In conclusion: Z Gauge Enthusiasts are living with many choices these days, the hobby has never been more robust with new releases everyday it seems. Sadly MicroTrains is no longer producing their detail rich rolling stock, but modelers of American railroads across many eras have more options. As for this project I was happy to experiment with what others pursued many years ago, but today I don’t see any reason to make your own Pullmans from modified Hallmark Christmas ornaments: BUY AZL!!!!

Happy Railroading!

Siding: paint used for this project is Tru-Color which are solvent based paints based on accurate railroad colors. Advantages to using these paints include quick drying and accurate color, but they are premixed air-brush paints only, they are not brush-on paints. Delivered in 1 and 2 ounce bottles, paint level can sometimes be low from drying in the bottle after manufacture thus adding a little acetone takes care of that.

Marklin Z Diesel Locomotive: DB Class 232 + 320

Marklin 88320 (2022 Insider Model). Note: item number aligns with prototypical classification

H.F.Wiebe Locomotive from Marklin train set 81320 (announced Fall New Items 2022)

Marklin 88322 class 232 Diesel Locomotive with fictitious paint scheme for TEE Service.

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 train set 81320 (note item number aligns with prototypical classification)

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.

Marklin 88322 Diesel Locomotive class 232

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.

Marklin 88320 with bright brass wheel pick-ups

Marklin Locomotive from set 81320 with bright brass wheel pick-ups

Marklin 88322 with darkened wheel pick-ups

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.

Marklin 88322 circuit board with LED’s for engine room plus warm white/red LED’s both ends

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!

AZL’s PA1 Brass Locomotives: Design, Manufacture and Performance

Not many parts comprise the AZL Brass PA1

An article about AZL’s out-of-production brass Z gauge PA1 locomotives was not planned, but it was the result of a test drive so to speak. I recently bought a pair of these locomotives from a friend who knows and collects all things Lehigh Valley Railroad. I long admired the beauty of these locos and authentic appearance since seeing this set in his collection. So far my stuff collected since the early 80’s sits on shelves or in boxes, I don’t have a working layout, but I test everything I buy to verify everything is okee- dokee.

Wheel assemblies are permanently married in housing with gearing, cast wheel details include posts that slide into 2 holes either side of center wheel with airbrakes on top

Test driving the pair of brass PA1’s revealed a couple of surprising and interesting details for an article. They are louder than AZL’s current diesel loco offerings. And they don’t run as smooth either. One of the locos runs much better than the second which also had an odd defect: wheel set detail parts (black) do not stay on.

Current AZL PA1 on top shows design for power collection whereas AZL Brass PA1 has no such design

Current AZL PA1 on top shows wheel sets as a complete part made of plastic whereas AZL Brass PA1 has removable cast brass wheel set details painted black

Problem solving a poorly running Z gauge loco is typically narrowed down to dirty track or hardened oil. There are of course a few other issues which another of my articles addressed before. Having ruled out dirty wheels and track I was lead to look inside. Removing a brass shell is similar to plastic ones except the material is not flexible, but I simply used a pair of guitar picks (.70mm) wriggled between wheel set and mid shell, working back and forth with care and caution the shell came off: bit more involved than plastic shells. I was surprised with the locomotive’s minimal design: very few parts! As for trouble shooting: cleaning wheel gearing is limited with wheel assemblies permanently constructed: pins and gears are non-removable. Without being able to take wheel assemblies apart it is difficult to see how they work except to say motor receives electricity thru its worm gears from wheel assembly gears: bit primitive! But it works!

Current AZL PA1 locomotive on top shows a very different configuration than brass model on bottom with inclusion of circuit board thus very different handling of track current by locomotive.

AZL current model PA1’s use heavy die cast split-frames, brass PA1’s are similar in design but heavier: PA1 (current models) weigh just under 2 ounces versus PA1 (brass models) weigh just under 3 ounces.

Plastic part covers middle part of split frame, the snap-on part is a guide to how much space should exist between frame sides: it should snap-on and not fall off

Glazing for 4 small windows in shell is achieved with acetate attached frame, masking tape may have been used so acetate retains folded shape and perhaps better fitting of frame inside shell

My go to gear cleaning tool: tapered soft bristle nylon brush purchased at a home improvement store.

The frame design is ingenious as it provides a substantial amount of weight plus it functions to hold wheel sets and motor securely in place. After cleaning and removing minor amounts of lint (not sure if locos had much running time) I found the frame is not screwed tightly together, but it is screwed together just enough to allow wheel sets to move freely plus engage with worm gears, I found this part was a bit trial and error with testing on track: tightened but not too tight. A folded piece of acetate was glued on frame as it provides window glazing for shell, and masking tape installed on acetate was used to seat frame in shell (?). Cast brass wheel details are secured with post/pins that slide into holes in wheel sets as seen in photo, but with this model three could not be secured, fourth is tightly staying in place. I tried a number of things to tighten their mounting, but I settled on a tiny bead of 5 minute epoxy (size of pin head) which I can remove in the future if the need arises.

AZL Brass shell is highly detailed with authentic paint and lettering for this late 1940’s diesel locomotive

AZL Brass PA1 is handmade with numerous details built into shell which has been soldered and shaped with precision

AZL Brass PA1 interior shell detail shows much handmade work

The shell is entirely handmade with numerous parts soldered, shaped and built into the highly detailed locomotive which was painted in prototypically correct ‘Cornell Red’ with accurate operating number. And ‘Black Diamond’ logo proudly displayed on front. Couplers are interesting as they are separate from trucks: bolted to shell. Brake hoses are rendered in fine detail too. Unfortunately no working headlight which is of little concern to me as I have other early highly detailed brass models without lights. Great looking locomotive even under high magnification: a significant accomplishment in Z gauge.

Locomotive built for AZL by AJIN Precision Mfg., South Korea. The now shuttered company was well known for precision brass manufacture, this being a very good example of what they could do.

Berlin Anhalter Bahnhof: Marklin 89200

Marklin’s massive building kit 89200 was announced as a new item more than 20 years ago, it was an eye-popping new release with a footprint 34 x 18 inches thus collectors had to have room or make room for it. The kit is now long out of production and hard to find, but some still circulate as dealer old stock. I bought one when it came out, but I ended up selling it owed largely to lack of space, but I regretted the decision and bought a second: it’s has been sitting on a shelf for years. Time has come to get on with it and build it with a proper dedicated table more as historic display piece rather than part of a layout.

There is much than can be read online about the old station which was built in the late 19th century and later largely destroyed during WWII, but if the bad guys had won the station would have gone anyway. Some of the building still exists mostly as a preserved ruin, its colors made up of various shadings of ochre.

For those interested in buying a kit, I want to point out a couple of things to look for in determining if the kit is complete. First the kit should include the plastic building parts which will be found loosely thrown in box without wrapping: many sprue fragments floating around. Second it should include an architectural rendering of the buildings footprint which is excellent and suitable for framing. Third it will include build instructions. And fourth it will include 4 ZAMAC die cast pieces to adorn the buildings facade, high quality detailed castings will be found in a plastic bag floating in the box. The large diecast piece in my kit is not level thus it falls over because of the uneven base (blue tape in photo was necessary for it to stand): repair should be easy. Much of the time this kit will have a damaged box due to flimsiness and large size.

AZL PA1 Diesel Locomotives: Lehigh Valley Railroad

AZL PA1 Diesel Locomotives in Brass and Injection Molded Plastic: left to right plastic, brass, plastic, brass

This Summer I am highly focused on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. I have been reading and acquiring many books on the topic, plus weekly get togethers with a Lehigh Valley RR expert and author. Not only was the L.V.R.R. running trains from NYC to Buffalo and Toronto as joint operation with Canadian National (Maple Leaf Train), but here at home they owned and ran the Liberty Bell system of electric trolleys with runs to Philadelphia, PA. If I were a kid growing up in Lehigh Valley before the take over of the automobile I would have ridden their street cars semi weekly or more to visit the tri-city area: Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, it was the way to get around Lehigh Valley, PA!

American Z Line (AZL) #1826 PA1 w/operating number 604 (brass edition)

American Z Lines (AZL) cardboard boxes for brass editions: blue top and white bottom with stickers one end. Boxes features dense foam inserts.

June included a trip to Hornell, NY to see the Union Pacific Big Boy which was a treat to see it and close to home, as my Wife and I missed it time and time again on its home turf. We chased it so to speak and saw it in Sayre (PA), Waverly (NY) and even behind a Arby’s somewhere near Binghampton, NY. The Big Boy’s trip to Philadelphia periodically had layovers including Sayre, PA on the grounds of the historic Lehigh Valley Railroad Locomotive Shops which closed March 1976. The former site includes extensive trackage and the old station is home to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Museum. A further note: Sayre is named after L.V.R.R.’s Engineer Robert H. Sayre, who made the railroad.

AZL PA1’s: 64416-1 + 64416-2 w/operating numbers 606 and 609

AZL Jewel Boxes for PA1’s include snap closures and contoured top and bottom cradles for locomotives likewise produced for other current AZL articles.

I plan to devote a couple of posts in coming weeks to the Lehigh Valley Railroad for Z Gauge, but the first one is a rather brief offering/introduction concerning paint scheme: AZL locomotive PA1. I have two pair of PA1’s: one brass and one injection moulded plastic. Note: prototypical L.V.R.R. trains ran pairs of PA1’s manufactured in the late 1940’s.. The brass set was released with four available running numbers in an edition of 16. The plastic set is currently available with two different operating numbers. Paint scheme for the L.V.R.R was ‘Cornell Red’ which is accurately represented only in the brass sets. As can be seen the current PA1’s are painted with a lighter color suggestive of orange/red. As a color it’s attractive, but it is way off from the prototypical paint which serious modelers may find disappointing. AZL got the color right with the original brass sets which also match Tru-Color’s ‘Cornell Red’ premix airbrush color. One day and perhaps another post I will have a solution to tone down the newest generation PA1 from AZL in the meantime buyers might want to consider if the ‘off paint color’ is an issue for them before buying.

Note: AZL is currently offering diesel locomotive class RS-3 for L.V.R.R. similar paint as the PA1’s. I would love to own this locomotive but not in this color.

A note about the prototypical paint scheme ‘Cornell Red’ used by L.V.R.R. includes documented variations in appearance: paint used by L.V.R.R. was ordered from various manufacturers thereby differences occurred with the color. Plus appearance of well used locomotives show color changes from dirt, soot and grime. Thus modelers concerned with prototypical trains may find historical color photos as best source for painting and finishing.

Manufacturing Note: brass editions made in South Korea by AJIN Precision Mfg. (1976-2008) and current plastic injection models are made in China.

Once Upon a Time: Building Kits in Z Gauge

GC Laser #59025 Lindsay Bros. Entry Backdrop + Marklin 88625 (class E8A)

I am starting a new series of posts examining older (some very old) building kits for Z gauge partly inspired by a gift of a friend: great variety of Z gauge building kits from the 80’s and 90’s. Already this part of the Z gauge history is now 25-35 years ago which astounds me, where has the time gone; my old vintage Marklin Z locos and rolling stock are now like old friends. Scenery went through an evolution in this timeframe just as trains did.

C Laser #59025 Lindsay Bros. Entry Backdrop

American manufacturers of building kits were small and larger but still small compared to German makers. A great variety of kits included paper, wood and plastic: cast, laser and photo etched.

In the mix is this first kit by GC Laser a known manufacturer for Z gauge buildings: #59025 Lindsay Bros. Entry Backdrop. This is a space saving backdrop building featuring a beautifully detailed facade. Constructed of laser cut cardboard and wood, kit features parts that are glued to both sides of a 3/16″ piece of wood. Very quick and easy to assemble with blackout paper attached as the final step. No need to paint this building due to very realistic color and detail.

Footprint: 3 3/8 ” (length) x 3 1/16″ (height) x 5/8″ (depth including sidewalk). Signage is very attractive, but does not appear to refer to an actual business based on Google search for this post.

I will be posting other early kits in the next few weeks as I build them to show and review. Thanks for looking and Happy Railroading.

V 100.57 Diesel Locomotive for Salzburg Transport Logistics, Inc.: Marklin 88212

Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed

Featuring distinctive yellow green/light gray basic paint scheme SETG (Salzburg Transport Logistics, Inc.) rolling stock specializes in freight transport. Headquartered in Austria, SETG (based on google search) runs a regular route between Koper (Slovenia) and terminals in Enns/Salzburg (Austria), its freight includes timber, steel, agriculture, chemicals, vehicles and other freight.

Color of the delivered model is more attractive than Marklin’s advertising photos suggest: green is less bright and less ‘electric’. Light gray referred to in description is closer to grayed white so to speak. The appearance Marklin 88212 is striking: much better in person. Highly recommended loco featuring highly detailed lettering, metal construction and fine LED headlights and trailing lights. Of course this is another in the long evolution of this locomotive class represented in Z gauge, first one released in 2001 as item #88690 (turquoise) BR 212 for German Federal Railway (DB), it featured the last generation motor (5 pole): 25 years and going strong!

Pictured with Marklin 88212 is Archistories Two-Bay Locomotive Shed (ARC-102121) building kit featuring precision laser cut card-stock parts, it features glued windows and hinged doors, its design inspired by Prussian Railway Architecture.

Archistories kits represent a modern approach to significantly improve architectural examples for model railroad layouts in Z. This topic is currently being explored on this site in coming weeks: Z gauge building examples from the past 35 years (stayed tuned!).

Archistories dealers in the United States include Zscalehobo.com and Zscalemonster.com.

Siding: weathering an Archistories building is another topic for another time: perhaps this week!

Siding: Archistories (ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed) made its debut on ZTrainsWeekly.com October 2015, 10 years later I continue to highly recommend this kit for ease in construction, durable build materials and historical appearance. And with all Archistories kits, builders will receive very high value for their purchase.

AMTRAK Class E8A Diesel Locomotive: Marklin 88625

Marklin 88625 Class E8A Diesel Locomotive (collaborative project with AZL)

Marklin’s collaborative project with AZL has included 4 class E8 and E9 diesel locomotives: and now 5 with the release of 88625 (announced 2023).

Announced for the first time in 2014, Marklin released Pennsylvania Railroad class E8A (88629), and 2 Export Models: Southern Pacific class E9 (88628) and Union Pacific class E8A (88627). Announced in 2015, Union Pacific E8B (88626) was not issued as an ‘Export’ Model, but it was likely produced in similar numbers to the UP E8A (88627).

Class E8A painted and lettered for AMTRAK varies from earlier releases including white carton with printed article number. It should be pointed out earlier releases of the E8 and E9 were presented in black boxes with printed article numbers stuck on boxes.

Design and motive power is identical with all locomotives in this article: split die cast frame is a particularly good feature as it allows superior tractive effort. Also traction tires installed on one wheel of each wheel set. The locomotives are each delivered with an extra wheel set, locomotives released before 88625 included extra wheel set without Marklin coupler installed: spring, coupler, and coupler hook is a separate part included in box. Marklin 88625 is delivered with Marklin coupler installed wheel set which is not prototypical in appearance as it ruins the sweeping aerodynamic lines of the loco.

To change out the front wheel set follow instructions included with model. Takes just a few minutes starting with Step1: removing shell (I use same method for all plastic shell removals): wiggle 2 very soft flexible guitar picks near wheel sets, shell should pop off without being damaged. Step 2 pull off black section (fuel tank) to expose screw (3 screws hold frame together). Step 3 loosen/remove screw at wheel set you want to remove and loosen center screw (no need to remove). Step 4 using a slotted screwdriver carefully pry apart frame just enough to remove wheel set. Step 5 save as much grease from original wheel set to apply to new wheel set. Step 6 place new wheel set in place and retighten screws (check wheel set moves freely from side to side before continuing). Step 7 install Part #6 from parts list (Rail Guard), prongs on part #6 slide into holes on end of locomotive frame/assembly (this is not a snug fit, it will be loose). Note: part #6 on parts diagram shows coupler installed in part #6, mine was delivered unglued thus it does not stay in place. Note: it is recommended to use 5 minute epoxy versus Super Glue cementing plastic parts (Super Glue will deform and melt plastic parts). Step 8 install shell which will fit snugly and hold Part #6 (rail guard) in place.

Marklin E8A, E8B and E9 incorporate AZL’s split frame and motive power design

3 screws secure split frame: removal of fuel tank reveals center screw

wheel sets make contact with electrical contact strip running thru frame

A couple of more differences to point out: 88625 is MADE IN GERMANY, it includes sticker on box, previous releases were made in China. Air horns on roof of locomotive (88625) are bundled together, formerly the horns included 2 as individual add-on parts this tooling change appears to have taken into consideration prototypical accuracy.

Addendum: after writing this post I have been made aware that the ‘Made in Germany’ sticker attached 88625’s box was a factory mistake: all AZL items are made in China.

A locomotive with very good detail, heavy construction and smooth operation: highly recommended. Overall a very good Z gauge locomotive, but I would suggest an improvement would be lighted number boards (?).

Sugar Beet Train Set: Marklin 81773 + 82396 + 82540

Marklin 81773 train set (announced 2025)

It has arrived: Marklin train set 81773 and freight set 82396. Identified as sugar beet freight train of the firm Grafschaft Hoya (VGH) both offerings include type Eo 17 gondolas with sugar beet loads. A build kit for loading equipment is also included with the train set.

The important arrival (this author’s opinion) of 81773 marks another release of the German V36 diesel-hydraulic locomotive in the mini-club line-up.

261 WR 360 C14 locomotives were built in Germany during wartime as a less conspicuous alternative to steam locomotives in shunting operations. After the war surviving WR 360 C14 locomotives were designated V36, and their future operations included Branchline passenger and freight as well as shunting, their useful life extending to early 80’s.

Marklin 82396 (2 car freight set to supplement 81773 train set)

More than 10 years later Marklin has released locomotives and train sets (8) with variations of the V36: 88770 Double Diesel class BR236 German Federal Railroad (Insider 2015), 88771 East German Railroad (DR) class BR 103 (former V 36) announced 2018, 88772 class V36 DB Museum Nurnberg locomotive (limited 499) announced 2021, 81341 German Federal Postal System train set: class V 36 locomotive, 3 freight cars and Tempo vehicle (MHI Release) announced 2022, 81770 German Federal Railroad commuter train set: class V 36.2 locomotive and 3 type “Thunderbox” coaches announced 2016, 81771 Railbouw Leerdam (Netherlands) maintenance of way train set: class V 36 locomotive and 3 type side dump cars announced 2023, 81772 German Federal Railroad (DB) freight train set: class 236 locomotive, 3 low side freight cars (as new tooling, 1 with hay load), and tractor + trailer (MHI Release) announced 2018, 81773 Grafschaft Hoya (VGH) beet transport train set: class V 36 005 (former DB 236 237-4), 3 type Eo 17 gondolas with beet loads, and build kit for beet loading machine announced 2025.

As Marklin charts new territory with technology and design mini-club’s future is bright with possibilities. And as a collector I never imagined the trains we are offered today back in the late 80’s. This new set is an example of what Marklin has made possible which was not possible in the 90’s: reliable motive power in small locos. And with working headlights and trailing lights.

Sugar beet transport does not subsume conversations concerning rolling stock of America railroads, but it should. In North America sugar beets are harvested in numerous colder climate states and Canada. A few years back my Wife, Mother and I witnessed a sugar beet loading facility in North Dakota, their equipment was not unlike what is seen in Europe. And of course it is an important crop in North America finding it in many food items for good or bad. Marklin has loaded up the gondolas of the train set and supplemental freight car set with very realistic sugar beets from a Fall harvest. Sometimes loads are labeled with manufacturer stickers in this case no labels can be found, but I believe the loads for this train set were likely made by Heico-Modell as they are known for very very good sugar beet loads for model railroading. High praise is warranted for these sugar beet loads which fit snugly in Marklin’s gondolas, and heaped over top edge of gondolas realistically suggest the natural loading process at a sugar beet facility.

Marklin 81773 (type Eo 17 gondolas with sugar beet load)

Marklin 81773 (sugar beet load possibly manufactured by Heico-Modell)

Locomotive features LED lights, motor with bell-shaped armature, and very very dark green paint scheme which almost looks black under most lighting conditions. Paint scheme has similar but different attributes of PRR’s Brunswick Green. Almost electric yellow striping around body of loco with matching engine grill, red frame and wheels make for its interesting appearance.

Operationally the loco runs flawlessly when tested with realistic tiny headlights and trailing lights which change over from white to red depending on direction of travel. If I were to run this on a layout with turn-outs it might stall within a switch as it is short and lite. But keeping good current running through your layout with clean track and solid connections should likely remedy this potentiality.

Interesting to read Marklin’s description concerning the locomotive which is a preserved museum locomotive, it is required to maintain last paint scheme in service, and it must remain in the area of its last activity.

I bought 2 of these sets, one was delivered with missing part which I feel is important to include a photo of as it conceals screw holding shell to motor/chassis (I think?). Marklin is sending me a replacement snap on part in 4-6 weeks.

Defective (missing cover) V36 (set 81773)

Included in the train set is a build kit for sugar beet loading, it is modeled after the prototype which features wheels. Two functions of prototype appear to include shaking off dirt and loading in rail car. The model is okay, its scale along side the train is very big and basic functions are suggested not detailed in the finished build. Build instructions are basic and confusing requiring a little extra patience thus much time is needed even for this small kit. Parts are very small to tiny and made of lightweight paper materials, thus it will challenge even the more experienced laser-cut cardboard builder. Lots of room for improvement, but it is important with its flaws to accessorize a sugar beet facility.

Marklin 81773 Sugar Beet Loader (laser cut cardboard build-kit)

This is the second time Marklin produced a sugar beet themed Z gauge item. In 2016 they announced a Swiss freight set for sugar beet harvest which introduced new tooling for the EANOS high side gondolas: 82540. The freight set also included a build kit for another example of beet loading this one superb. Sugar beet load for 82540’s EANOS gondolas identical in appearance to that included with the current train set. 82540’s sugar beet loading machine is smaller than 81773’s, but it loaded with many more details and signage based on a more mechanical prototype.

Marklin 82540 Sugar Beet Loader (left) and Marklin 81773 Sugar Beet Loader (right)

Several Marklin dealers have this train set and freight car supplemental set still available, I highly recommend it.

Fish Belly Bridge: Marklin 89758 Building Kit (2019)

Here is a build kit suitable for Germany and the United States. Released in 2019, Marklin 89758 is another laser-cut cardstock building kit based on a fish belly bridge. Such a design allows for very heavy freight trains, in the United States Lehigh Valley Railroad built a steel fish belly bridge in 1901, it connected Easton, PA and Phillipsburg, NJ. This bridge is now abandon, but its original purpose was transportation of very heavy freight trains hauling coal. Interesting to note: this bridge was built on piers built in 1866, it stands today far outliving its useful life.

Marklin’s 89758 is described in Marklin literature as similar to one historically protected in Plettenberg, Sauerland, Germany.

The bridge model represents a steel bridge with quarried stone piers. It measures: 8 5/8 inches (length) X 1 1/8 inches (width) x 1 1/8 inches (height). The build is straight forward comprising precision parts that fit together without modification thus a very fine kit. My only criticism for the kit is a limited number of gusset plates. I may opt to use paint with dry brush and/or air brush for an added layer of weathering perhaps making the bridge look for ‘steel’ like.

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