A new post for a older locomotive: “Marklin/Shimano” 8837 EuroSprinter, I have never seen this loco before. This one came up on Ebay coming to me with no information, but it was clearly based on Marklin’s EuroSprinter 8837 (1994-1998). Upon receiving the locomotive I inspected the shell, I determined the original shell was simply sprayed over with new paint and lettering: a professional job? yes. It turns out the original loco was recycled to make a new one as can be seen by ghosting of original graphics in the paint. Who made it is an open question, but it looks on par with Marklin production versus what is referred to as Industry print (third party without using Marklin’s design and production team) which tend to use thicker paint with less detail.

One other loco of this class was produced in a limited release: 88371- German Federal Railroad (DB) BR Eurosprinter electric locomotive. One Time Series 1998. Special imprint model with inscripton: “Help for MUKO Mukovizidose-Hilfe eV.” Limited edition of 200 worldwide. This locomotive does not have a ghost image of an original 8837 thus confirming this mystery: who produced the ‘Marklin/Shimano’ loco?

Further complicating matters the MUKO loco was assigned article number 88371 and presented in Marklin’s brown mini-club box of the day also imprinted with article number 88371. If you were to google 88371 you’ll end up with entirely different locomotive: class 285 diesel loco painted and lettered for the firm ‘ITL.’ If you have the 2015 complete regular production Marklin Z catalog this locomotive was assigned a unique article number 88371A03 thus correcting a numbering mistake 16 years before. The new number allowed Marklin to place the ‘ITL’ loco in succession to 88370 class 246 ‘Metronom.”

Incorporating both brands as advertising on sides of loco suggest a collaboration of sorts thus likely produced by Marklin further based on the high standard of production. It was likely produced around the end of production for 8837 in 1998 corresponding to MUKO’s release.

Siding: ‘SMI’ is an abbreviation for “Special Marklin Imprints.” Marklin has produced commissioned special imprint models (mostly rolling stock) since the late 1970’s. Most of these models are identified by a small ‘m’ printed on sides of box cars and other rolling stock. This identification has not been found on locos designated special imprints.