Category Archives: Marklin Freight Sets

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.

Marklin 82641: Set of 8 Type Sgns 691 Flat Cars with Loads

Marklin 82641 (8 individual cars + cardboard spacer)

Marklin recently released a large set of freight cars (82641) for global shipping theme (Era VI), it includes eight type Sgns 691 flat cars with tank and dry storage containers. Various railroads and shipping companies represented in the set are colorful and graphically interesting.

The release comes boxed in what Marklin calls a display box, it is intended as counter display for dealers who may opt to sell individual cars from the set. Marklin produced large car sets in the past thereby giving customers flexibility to buy 1 or all cars from the sets. With one local exception USA dealers have offered complete sets only. Cars in the set are each housed in familiar Marklin Z hard plastic boxes, and each is assigned a number 82641-….. (01-08).

Flat cars are manufactured with the relatively new technology: metal impregnated plastic. Increased weight is the primary benefit thus better running performance, and maybe casting detail is improved. Car bodies are superb, they feature open frames with extensive fine paint and lettering.

Containers are of great variety, but they are the typical containers Marklin has offered before: open bottoms with no prototypical lettering on doors, but very fine lettering otherwise. Tank containers with protective frames are standard fare offered before, tanks are finely painted and lettered, but protective frames which are manufactured apart from tanks and assembled later may need removal of excess plastic. Six tank containers are included, 3 in my set had issues: 1 missing mounting pin, 1 needed plastic trimming around pins to mount and 1 needed trimming/leveling of plastic base otherwise it wanted to pop off. Repairing tank containers took no more than a minute thus no big deal. Note: no problems whatsoever with dry containers. Further comment on tank containers: mounting has always been an issue with some collectors opting to cut off pins and epoxying the tank containers directly to the flat car. I do not recommend gluing, instead I recommend very carefully removing extra plastic in casting with a razor blade. Except for lack of graphics on doors of dry containers and mounting pin issues with tank containers this is a very good set to add to your collection.

Siding: Released in 2024/25. Marklin suggests locomotives 88136 (diesel Ludmilla) and 88235 (electric Vectron) for freight set 82641.

Marklin 86306: “Langer Heinrich” Ore and Coal Car Set

Sixteen years ago (2008) Marklin released 86306 as a One Time Series: “Langer Heinrich” (Long Henry) ore hopper set along with steam locomotive 88971 to complete the train set. Comprising 20 large capacity hoppers the complete car set measures 39 inches (end to end).

The set was delivered in a cardboard box measuring 8 9/16 x 7 5/16 x 2 inches with display features (illustrated fold-out) for dealers at their store whereby individual cars could be purchased from the set. Sold also as a complete set with high price tag: as memory serves over $800 U.S.

Painted and lettered for the DB (Era III) 20 type Fad-50/OOtz large volume hoppers for ore or coal comprise set 86306.

So why post this set now some 16 years after its release? Simple answer: what a beautiful collection of hoppers. Each hopper is painted and lettered with its own car number, plus hoppers feature weathering and real iron ore load. Very realistic down to the smallest details, every car is unique thus this post includes photos of both sides of each hopper.

Included in the caption is the item number followed by car number to help assist in identifying these cars.

Based on the post-war prototype which ran from Ruhrgebiet to Emden, Germany the Langer Heinrich was double-headed by 2 Class 44 Steam Locomotives.

The heavy weight of the Marklin cars may require 2 Class 44’s for pulling power thereby creating the prototype train. Marklin 88971 was the loco designated for this set which features a 5-Pole Motor: last generation motor.

Note: hopper 14 is incorrectly identified with car #612 206 in Collection: Marklin Spur Z (2015), correct number is 612 208.

Early German Railroading: New ‘DR’ Sets

Marklin’s recent release Era II freight sets include 2 for the DR: 82327 + 86010. Each is identified as Deutsche Reichsbahn thus Era II freight sets. Cars from 86010 are based on an earlier car type from Era I, prototype used on the K.Sa.St.E. B. (Royal Saxon State Railways- Königlich Sächsische Staatseisenbahnen) and released as Marklin item #8601 (1991-1998). Set 82327 features O 10 gondolas released many times before in sets and individual releases including 82322 for the DB (1997-2001).

Set 82327 is a unique release because of 3 details: paint and lettering for the DR, Tempo A400 Delivery Van and light weathering suggestive of dirt/grime kicked up from track. The Tempo van is cast metal featuring rubber tires that rotate and prototypical paint scheme from the late 30’s.

Set 86010 features 3 type K Wuppertal gondolas each equipped with 6 hatches that can be opened because of course each is hinged. Bold lettering for the DR contrasting against brown paint scheme.

FR and Marklin compatibility in container freight

Marklin 98062 (special imprint for Post Museums Shop)

A very important freight car type for railroads of all nations trading globally are those transporting containers. Depictions of this freight started appearing about 20 years ago in the Marklin Z line-up with several sets for DB (82360: 1997-1999), DB AG (82367: 1999-2001) and SBB (82368: 2000-2001); individual cars and train sets with this freight appeared later, but all conformed to a rather standard container based on 20 and 40 foot containers placed on Lgis 598 or Sgs 693 car types.

Variations in length and lettering have been offered thus far by Marklin, but another company worth a look at is FR (Freudenreich) whose line includes numerous interesting container freight cars lettered for international shipping companies interchangeable with the two Marklin car types. Marklin compatible couplers are also standard on FR freight cars.

More solidly constructed than Marklin, FR in partnership with MCZ Models produce containers which are finished along all seams and use the same pin specs as Marklin (NEM380 specification) thus fully compatible with designated container cars offered by both companies.

Marklin 82662 with FR/MCZ Models container lettered for HYUNDAI (prototype: 40′ high cube) *all other containers Marklin

Marklin 82662 loaded with FR/MCZ Models container lettered for ScanDutch (prototype: 40′ standard 42R1 reefer container)

With two exceptions all FR containers are interchangeable with Marklin: FR #46.818.40 (4 car set sold out) and #46.818.14 (4 car set currently available) feature permanently cemented containers.

Not all containers are shipped by sea some are transported only by truck and rail owing to unique possibilities for model railroaders.

Note: FR and MCZ Models containers available at ZScale Monster Trains: http://www.zscalemonster.com/mcz/ and FR trains available directly from FR Freudenreich: https://fr-model.eshop.t-online.de/

Marklin K.P.E.V. Era I set: 86604

The recent release freight car set of 3 painted and lettered for K.P.E.V. includes gas car, beer car, and livestock car for Era I railroading.

Graphics and variety of early car types make for some very interesting early railroading possibilities.

Included in this set is a tank car comprising three cylinders for transporting coal gas used for lighting and heating. This car type could be dispatched with coaches to replenish a station, it was not exclusively coupled to a freight train only.

Livestock car comprising a brakeman’s cabin, sliding doors and open gates likely included the latter for ventilation otherwise it was a closed wall box car.

Lastly is the bier wagon car type featuring historical paint and lettering for early companies within Europe, in this example the firm Lorenz Pfannenberg Söhne, Zerbst (Germany), Exportbier Brauerei.

DRG Brewery Freight Sets: Marklin 82519 + 86615

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.

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.

German Federal Railroad Freight Set: 86000

Marklin 86000-1 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

A good lesson in collecting Marklin Z: if you missed out on something because it “sold out” perhaps a dealer somewhere may still have it. Occasionally dealers are offered incentives to buy a particular item from Walthers at deep discounts thereby having an inventory of a particular item. As we all have experienced with certain dealers who no longer stock an inventory of Marklin Z it is easy to assume an item is no longer available forever and ever, but this is not my experience: set 86000 is one such example, I never got around to order it when it was easy to pick up, but I checked in with a local dealer and whala! Never give up the hunt for out of production Marklin Z and don’t ever settle for spotty condition reports from individuals selling used, more times than not those items are far worse than reported: buy new and take care of your stuff!

Modellbahn Ott Hobbies in Boyertown, PA is family owned and winner of several “Marklin Dealer of the Year Awards!” I know them well, I have been buying trains from them since the mid 90’s, you won’t find a problem here! Set 86000 I have the privilege of now owning, and I am thus pleased to feature this set released 4 years ago thereby adding another set of cars to Era III modeling.

Marklin 86000-2 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

The set includes 2- type Glmhs 50 box cars, 1- type Tehs 50 refrigerator car painted and lettered for Lowenbrau (Munich) and 1- type R 10 stake car with brakeman’s cab with load of rails (12 total). Marklin’s description of the set includes reworked prototypical car floors in the box and refrigerator cars.

Marklin 86000-3 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

Note: upon inspecting and photographing the box cars in the set I noticed a variation in the paint color which is interesting: 1 appears to be brown while the other is red/brown in a darker hue: curious! And cool!

Marklin 86000-4 (2013-2014) German Federal Railroad (DB) Era III.

Recommended USA Marklin Dealer: Modellbahn Ott Hobbies, 42 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, PA 19512 – https://www.modellbahnott.com

FR 41.332.02: SBB low side gondolas for MOW service

Rolling stock representing MOW service cars can be found for Swiss Federal Railways manufactured by FR. The FR 2 car set with item number 41.332.02 includes 2-type Xs71 low side gondolas used in this example for hauling away old wood sleepers.

Featuring authentic weathering and aging the sleepers in these loads look like perfect examples to be removed and replaced with new ones. Maintenance of way operations are as important in Switzerland as with any other railroad in the world, but their exemplary track maintenance practices excel far and above other countries including the United States.

As with all FR rolling stock the chassis is constructed of metal, and body is constructed of injection molded plastic (*some FR freight cars are constructed entirely of metal, the rule for FR seems to be utilizing the correct materials for the design build). FR insignia is incorporated on the underside of chassis.

This set combined with FR’s and Marklin’s Sersa sets round out a track maintenance trainset used in Switzerland.

Marklin 88692

Marklin 82517

FR 41.331.12

Siding: Sersa is a privately owned company for the repair and maintenance of railway right of way in Switzerland.

“All Is Not Lost”: 82540- Sugar Beet Harvest gets a fix

I was excited to get to the recent release of 82540, it came with cars of a superlative quality and as an extra bonus a card-stock build kit for beet loading machine of the prototype installed along a railway siding in Germany. Just the other day I wrote about the revelation of getting this freight set and building the kit, I made a few mistakes with the beet loader kit that were easy to rectify hence the title of this post. All is not lost many times with railroading, we modelers figure out a way to modify and fix problems in design or construction and sometimes the reconfiguring is big and sometimes small, but it is a good process and rewarding just the same.

I came across three excellent photographs on the web of the prototype for the build kit that gave me a better idea how to fix the loading area of the machine, the prototype features a angled sides for the beet loading which form a tub. I decided to go with this and add two strips that accentuate this design feature of the prototype using parts saved from the kit. With cardstock kits we are left with numerous parts that can be incorporated later so I save everything for future projects. My repair worked out great and I am happy with the result, weathering with dirt will follow and even some small areas of rust. As for the prototype it is a small machine built to a permanent foundation along a rail siding. And as a difference with the kit the roofing sheathing is translucent to block rain and sun, the build kit’s roof is opaque. The prototype sees a fair amount of use therefore I suggest heavy weathering is appropriate with dirt, grime and even rust along areas the have wear.

As can be seen in these excellent photographs the new build kit included with 82540 is very accurate, but you may pull your hair out building it due to the small parts. Nimble fingers are your best tools along with those all important magnifying goggles.

Note: I am researching the photo credits for these three excellent photographs which I found during a Google search for this beet loader. For research and educational purposes these photographs fully illustrate the scale, location, and construction of this specialty rail siding machine. The photographer will receive photo credit when I locate them.

Siding: Manufacturers of card stock kits recommend wood glues for assembly, but common white glue can also be added to that list which is mildly acidic. I use PVA (poly vinyl acetate) which has neutral ph, it is available at all art supply stores. I like PVA for its consistency and thickness, plus it sets up very quickly, and the neutral ph guarantees no future discoloration of paper.

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