Category Archives: K.Bay.Sts.B – Royal Bavarian State Railways

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 builds the legendary ML 2/2 in Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maffei built the ML 2/2 steam locomotive in 1906-1908, Z-Modellbau built it first as a Z scale model. The observation has been made many times equating the appearance of early German steam locos with toy trains, but the ML 2/2 was a hardy locomotive that proved it’s worth.

 

Built for the Bavarian State Railways the ML 2/2 was equal measure to the PtL 2/2 built by Krauss. Service duties included all such description on branchlines, and it could be operated by a single driver due to its semi-automatic gravity fed firebox. 24 locos were produced until it was retired in 1924.

Z-Modellbau has done it again with one of the finest Z scale locos ever available, the fine detailing of this loco has no rivals. And it is very small and true to scale with the prototype’s external cylinders modeled with smooth moving side rods of an ingenious design. This little gem is all metal construction featuring brushless motor and window glazing in the cab.

The ML 2/2’s place in history has been preserved in Z by Z-Modellbau, every inch of this is a masterpiece even though it’s total length is less than inch.

Running performance is superb at slow idle through full throttle.

Marklin’s 82391 (2005) high capacity coal hopper lettered for K.Bay.Sts.B is a perfect choice for this loco as well as Marklin small loco repair shed 89805.

Photo: here the ML 2/2 details are seen with coal bin in cabin roof and Marklin compatible coupler.

The scaling of Z-Modellbau locos creates a dramatic appeal on the layout due to their small size. Juxtaposed next to larger more powerful stream loco the ML 2/2 will stand out next to those towering express locos. Train sheds and buildings will also offer interesting juxtapositions and already there are buildings by Archistories and Marklin that fill in this time-frame for authentic prototypical railway scenes.

Photo: on a siding or near a loco shed the idling ML 2/2 will have great appeal on rural railway lines hauling passenger and/or freight.

Marklin’s New Brushless Motor: Good News Follow-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The other day I submitted a post for your review which posed questions about the new brushless motors making their appearance in Marklin Z locos. And one example of a new release steam loco that had an operating issue that I included in that review.

The steam loco is the Bavarian 88923 with the very detailed running gear and side rods, out of the box it inexplicably stopped in the forward direction but ran well in reverse. Today I decided to problem solve the running performance and discovered some interesting things about the new motor.

Note: roller stands are great on those occasions a loco needs testing, they keep it in place so inspecting what is wrong is easy. Many companies make roller stands, this one is by Marklin (89932).

The new motor for the 88923 is a solid case brushless type that attaches to the end of the loco chassis in much the same way as the former 3 and 5 pole mini-club brush motors: a permanent gear mounted to the motor engages with the transmission gear whose other end is the worm gear which engages with the gears that move the wheels. The motor is secured to the chassis with a single screw like before, but the new motor has two alignment pins that engage in the end of the chassis which place the motor and chassis in precise alignment. Out of the box this loco ran rough in forward and stopped, but it ran well in reverse. I took the loco apart and removed the motor and transmission gear, I carefully reinstalled the transmission gear after applying a drop of oil on the worm gear and opposing gear, I was careful to align the two pins on motor with chassis applying a little pressure. It took 4-5 tries after moving the gears a little bit to properly seat the chassis and motor, but the tolerances seem to me to be more stringent with this new motor. The old motor assembly of the brush motors seem to have a little wriggle of the shaft and transmission gear alignment which suited that design well, but I believe the new motor assembly is a tighter system at this connecting point between motor/transmission gear/chassis. The glitch I experienced I believe was a very slight misalignment during assembly. I am happy to report that the loco runs like a dream, it is quiet and runs at very low speeds.

Photos: under the hood of the 88923 shows wire leads from motor soldered to chassis pick-ups which are taped down to facilitate removal and installation of shell. Note: solid motor case with no access points for oiling, this is a maintenance free system. Normal sparse oiling of wheel-sets still applies. Hiding wires will be part of this new world of mini-club, but this example has deep channels on each side to hold the wires flush and out of sight.

The new loco for Kay.Bay.Sts.B is not only a great runner, it is a wonder to watch the lively action of the side rods. The shell detailing and paint scheme complete this work of art, it is spectacular!!!!

Note: instructions that were packed with my loco show it with the old 5 pole E251 202. The installation of the new motor in this loco may not have been originally planned, but you will know which motor you have in this loco by looking at it: solid case is that of the new brushless motor original 3 and 5 pole motors had a center bushing that required a very lite drip of oil periodically.

Link: original instructions for the 88923 showing 5 pole brush motor thus incorrect oiling instructions are outlined

https://static.maerklin.de/damcontent/8e/b3/8eb3f2fa2c6e805cc71c54ea3801462c1489755052.pdf

Photo: view of two Bavarian class S 3/6’s with new brushless motor (bottom: 88923) and former brush motor type (top: 8108)

Siding: motor upgrades have been available for all the mini-club locos since the 5 pole was introduced on the BR 143 in 1998 with some requiring soldering, I don’t think future upgrades with the brushless motor will be available to convert this locomotive class in former releases due to the machining of the frame with the 2 motor alignment holes.