Another Christmas has come and gone but with it we are left with a unique freight car celebrating Christmas with a snowman theme: Marklin’s 80629 for Z.
A couple of decades worth of Christmas releases each with their own design and acrylic ornament, but this year’s release featured a rather curious snowman theme with etched acrylic design standing upright inside the freight car.
The very striking design including two snowmen and presents is further brought to life with crystal clear etched and polished plexiglass. Acrylic ornament is two tone with colorless front and orange background shell riddled with glitter. The very pretty low side freight car is painted red with snowflake design.
This year’s release will catch a lot of twinkle lights under the tree, and it is still available.
Harald Thom-Freudenreich’s new release “lift and dump” car for NetRail is another production in FR’s already extensive line of Scandinavian rolling stock for SJ.
FR 46.330.01 type Fs-u + Z-Modellbau 3107 class Kof II
Paint scheme and lettering depicts NetRail’s lift and dump car used for transporting loads such as gravel, ballast or other loads unaffected by weather. The striking black paint scheme and red axle bearings are further combined with applied detail work found in other FR freight cars, this one being injection molded with applied metal add-on parts.
FR 46.330.01 type Fs-u + Z-Modellbau 3107 class Kof II
The class Fs-u lift and dump car can be found on other railroads including the SBB although the odd pairing with a Koff II painted and lettered for the private firm Vanoli (Switzerland) is an unlikely pairing: Z-Modellbau article #3107.
One of the smallest locomotive types offered by Z-Modellbau is the Kof diesel who’s line-up includes this Swiss one plus German, Austrian and Norwegian variants. Painted and lettered for the private firm “Vanoli” this class Kof II features dark gray and yellow paint scheme.
Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982
Locomotive features full metal construction and brush-less motor making this one of the smallest locomotives in Z with its own motive power. Unique coupler design interfaces with Marklin, it is otherwise unobtrusive. Non functioning headlamps are very precisely painted in. Fully glazed operator’s cabin plus separately applied parts include coupling hoses.
Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982
Because of its short length the locomotive can potentially have difficulty thru turnouts otherwise the operation is smooth with very sensitive braking characteristics.
Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982
Paired with a funnel flow car the scale of this locomotive is truly impression considering it too can easily pull a line of freight cars through a yard. Unique in recent offerings by Marklin are second release freight cars which feature authentic ‘weathering’. The Swiss firm Wascosa has been featured numerous times in the Marklin mini-club line-up, but for the first time Wascosa’s paint and lettering scheme was applied to the newly produced funnel flow car type in set 82530 (2013) which included 4 blue Wascosa cars as part of the 20 car set, it was later released in ‘weathered’ variants (item #82482- 82485).
Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982
Administration building for the DB can be seen along the tracks, this laser cut building was included with Marklin turntable 89982.
Z-Modellbau Kof II “Vanoli (#3107) + Marklin 82484 + Administration Building from Marklin set 89982
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/
Five hundred plus years since the German Beer Purity Law casting Germany as serious about beer as anyone can be. Beer advertising is a widely produced motif on Marklin freight cars in Z crossing numerous eras and freight car types. Two freight sets for DRG (Era II) include one time series sets from 2001 and 2003 for MHI Program.
The first set to consider for Era II modeling is set 86615 which includes road transport set for Ganter Brewery (Germany). Set includes refrigerator car painted and lettered for BRAUEREI GANTER, FREIBURG im BREISGAU plus Kaelble type 70 021 tractor and DRG Culemeyer design road roller. One Time Series 2001. Set features die-cast road roller and truck.
Marklin 86615 (MHI-2001)
Another brewery themed freight car set is 82519 released in 2003 for the MHI program. The one time series Deutsche Reichsbahn-Geselischaft (DRG) bierwagen set is painted and lettered for Ledererbrau Nurnberg. Set includes refrigerator car with brakeman’s cab, low-side car with brakeman’s cab and die-cast delivery truck with 3 wood barrels. Packed in a custom tin box along with beer coasters lettered for LEDERER PREMIUM. Era II.
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)
photo: courtesy Marklin Marklin 8895 (2000-2006) German Federal Railroad (DB) class 74 tank locomotive. Era III.
Almost 20 years since the 8895 (2000-2006) debuted featuring the relatively new 5 pole mini-club motor (1998) with 7 variations in between.
Tank locomotives are smart steam locomotives featuring water tanks mounted alongside the boiler with coal bunker located behind cab. A few early example tank locomotives featured a coal hopper above cab and worked with gravity to self feed the system which for one man operation was ideal or at least manageable on small railroads. For a whole host of reasons the tank locomotive was the smart choice for economical and efficient operation for commuter traffic and the like.
The evolution of this locomotive class modeled in Z includes notable examples of various railroads and era’s. Plus of course increased detailing of locomotive’s running gear and side rods. An overlooked increase in side rod movement of Marklin’s new steam locomotives is a complex detail feature much improved from earlier examples. Thus far this locomotive has not been built with a brush-less motor, but the future seems just around the corner for what comes next.
Marklin 88951 (2003-2004) Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) class 74 (operating number 74 690). Era II.Marklin 88951 (2003-2004) Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) class 74 (Era II) with destination boards: “Wannsee.” Marklin 88952 (One Time Series-2005) Royal Wurttemberg State Railways (K.W.St.E) class T 9. Era I. Note: modified from delivery with added pick-ups connected to wheels of coach thus electric is picked up from wheels of locomotive plus 4 wheels on coach: benefits traveling through turn-outs with dips in electric flow.Marklin 88952 (One Time Series-2005) Royal Wurttemberg State Railways (K.W.St.E) class T 9 (Era I) with Faller laser-cut building “Quakenbruck Town Hall” (282774) in background
Note: Marklin’s 2005 release of 88952 celebrated “200 Years of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg”
Marklin 88953 (One Time Series-2015) class 74 painted and lettered for Marklin Magazin Note: features for the first time improved running gear
Note: metal front coupler was replaced with standard plastic one with 88953’s release
Marklin 88954 (2015-2017) Belgium State Railways (SNCB) class 96 locomotive. Era III. Note: features hand-painted boiler bands for the first time and handsome paint detail on the cylinderMarklin 88954 (2015-2017) Belgium State Railways (SNCB) class 96 locomotive. Era III.
Note: German locomotives feature red paint in their design to make stress fractures easier to detect on inspection
Marklin 88955 (2017-2018) German Federal Railroad (DB) class 74 tank locomotive. Era III.Marklin 88955 (2017-2018) German Federal Railroad (DB) class 74 tank locomotive. Era III.Marklin 88956 (2016-2018) French State Railways (SNCF) class 130 TB. Era IIIMarklin 88956 (2016-2018) French State Railways (SNCF) class 130 TB. Era III. Note: trailing lights are suggested and non-functioningMarklin 88957 (One Time Series for MHI Program-2017) Royal Prussian State Railroad (KPEV) class T 12 based on 1915 prototype which was used for commuter service in Berlin. Era I.Marklin 88957 (One Time Series for MHI Program-2017) Royal Prussian State Railroad (KPEV) class T 12. Era I. Note: two trailing lights in this version
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
Marklin came up with the idea to release Halloween themed cars as part of two starter sets beginning in 2003; they included track, loco and set 00832 included a couple of ceramic jack-o-lanterns.
Unfortunately the starter sets included the standard class 89 steam locomotive that usually goes in starter sets, but the locos came in black; they would have been better if painted with Halloween theme?
The four cars total for Halloween included 2 per set released 2003 + 2004 respectively. Set 00815 included two cars (type 8600 and 8615) painted with glow-in-the-dark pigment.
“Ghouls” – Type 8600 refrigerator car from starter set 00815 (2003) Note: features glow in the dark paint“Pumpkins and Ghouls” – Type 8615 car from starter set 00815 (2003) Note: features glow in the dark paint
And set 00832 also included car types 8600 and 8615 (2 cars total in set) with bright orange and black paint scheme.
“Scary Face” – type 8600 refrigerator car from starter set 00832“Jack-O-Lantern” – type 8615 car from starter set 00832
After writing this post I realized there are any number of interesting Halloween themed trains including haunted houses, dead trees, candy corn loads for custom painted in orange gondola and on and on. A fun project to break up the long term goals of more serious layouts: we all need more projects?
Siding: collectors tend to sell these cars in pairs so keep an eye out, value for Halloween cars range from $25-$50 a piece; they are the most valuable part of the starter sets and the locos are not special so I recommend going for the cars only and saving some dough.
Another tradition at the holidays is Marklin Christmas releases in Z. Going on 22 years the Christmas releases comprise many more cars than other categories of holiday special imprints. And the designs are mostly secular with a couple of religious themed cars.
Due to their limited release status Christmas cars tend to sell out fast with a few tending toward rarer status which I will point out in captions. Great series that I have grown to appreciate more and more with time; each car is delivered in a small gift box with clear acrylic themed Christmas ornament. In addition to the ornament releases for Christmas are American and European prototype starter sets not included in this post.
In order to tackle 22 years of Christmas releases I will simply caption each photo with catalog number, year, and note if car is particularly rare, but first a rather unusual car given to Marklin employees: 8661-000? year?
“Weihnachtszeit ist Marklinzeit” (Christmas Time is Marklin TIme) Marklin 80607 (1997)Marklin 80610 (2000)Marklin 80611 (2001)Marklin 80612 (2002)Marklin 80613 (2003)Marklin 80614 (2004)Marklin 80615 (2005)Marklin 80616 (2006)Marklin 80617 (2007)Marklin 80618 (2008)Marklin 80619 (2009)Marklin 80620 (2010)Marklin 80621 (2011)Marklin 80622 (2012)Marklin 80623 (2013) RARE Note: car features a ‘black’ Santa, it is a particularly difficult car to locateMarklin 80623 (2013) Marklin 80623 (2013)Marklin 80624 (2014)Marklin 80625 (2015) Marklin 80625 (2015) Note: small decorated Christmas tree is included with carMarklin 80625 (2015) “FROHE WEIHNACHTEN” (Merry Christmas) imprinted on roofMarklin 80626 (2016) note: newly tooled type Eaos hopper Marklin 80627 (2017) note: “XMAS” is laser cut from cardstockMarklin 80628 (2018)
Siding: one Christmas release not reported here is 80609 featuring type O 10 freight car for K.W.St.E with brakeman’s cab and load of paper wrapped chocolate. Also included with the release was a small decorated Christmas tree. Released 1999.
