Marklin’s Z Gauge steam locomotives pack a lot of punch with well realized detail, historical accuracy and mechanical realism. The recent release 88015 is an Era III Class 01 painted and lettered for the DB. Locomotive features Wagner smoke deflectors, Marklin states in the description it is an older design locomotive with smoke deflectors of this type: first time as a DB model for Era III.
The locomotive is a fine example of German steam locomotive technology, the Class 01 celebrates 100 years since its first build date (1926). This milestone is incorporated in the design of German Class 101 electric locomotive, and it is available in Z gauge as Marklin 88668.
An important express steam locomotive for German rail, Class 01’s were built by 6 companies adhering to standardize specifications whereas no deviation in design allowed for repairs throughout the system. As a Z gauge locomotive, 88015 stands out as rather foreboding model as it is likely seen in real life with large driving wheels and impressive scale even in 1:220 scale. As a model the locomotive features smooth operation and working headlights on locomotive in forward direction. Tender does not have working lamps, they are instead suggested by bright white painted ones. The coal tender is type 2 ´2´T34, it was used by the DRG, DR and DB railways. And paired with various steam locomotive classes thus it is included with many Marklin Z gauge steam locomotives.
Warning stripes are painted on the loco and tender buffers in bold white, the one I received had a manufacturing flaw thus one tender buffer was missing some paint: that’s a first! Warning stripes appear to be printed versus boiler bands which are hand-painted and a stand-out detail feature.
The very attractive 87615 “Blauer Enzian” (Blue Gentian) coach set is suggested for this locomotive, but whereas the locomotive is available the coach set is not, I don’t see any USA dealers with one available. Note: 87615 is the second release of Blue Gentian coaches, first it was realized as a train set: 81176 (Insider Model) paired with V200 diesel locomotive (2013). Note: train set 81176 was released in 2 versions, couplers (same for both sets) were installed in different sequences. Not an important deviation. An important earlier train set incorporating similar coaches was the “Henschel-Wegmann” set 81436 (Insider Model 2005). If you already own train set 81176, coaches from the set could be used with locomotive 88015 as they are from Era III with similar appearance.
