Marklin To Cease Z Scale Production???

[Anonymous]

That's what I've read on a couple of other forums. Apparently there are labor issues at their plant in Germany with job cuts and production being transferred to other countries. Do any of you have further information?

[Anonymous]

I would really be supprised to see Marklin stop production of Z scale after all these years, there is a large following for the Mini-Club as they call it. I do know that the German economy is feeling the trickle down pains from our own economy problems here in the States. They just layed off several hundred workers a few weeks ago. Just like here in the states, the market is flooded with product, and with folks layed off or working jobs that just barely pay the bills, trains are not selling fast enough to keep the jobs secure. With all the new high doller locos hitting the market in both HO and O scales, Not everybody has the income to buy everything they make. I know I dont, I buy what I can afford, if I cannot afford it with it comes out, I wait till I can and then buy it second hand on Ebay or a retailer that has it still in stock. I have no local hobby shop, nearest is over an hour away and with gas prices like they are, shipping from online shopping is much cheaper. Cheers Mike

[ddechamp71]

What I've heard is that Marklin has never made any money with Z scale. No losses, but only return on investment. That's why their Z scale products never went basically beyond german / swiss / austrian prototype, + a few other european (french, belgian and dutch) + a few (unprototypical) US. So if it's true it's sad as Marklin really launched Z scale...But I must admit that as an US prototype modeller, I've a lot of Micro-Trains, AZL and FR Models stuff, but quite no Marklin, precisely because their US rolling stock and motive power is not very prototypical to my eyes, and due to their lack of choice.

It's quite paradoxal as US prototype Z scale market has been exploding for 4 or 5 years, with far many more manufacturers and products than before...

Dominique

[Anonymous]

I understand that Marklin Z scale out sells Marklin HO and Maxi 1, so it would be strange that they would drop the line. I do know that Marklin moved some of their production to China so I'm sure that has the German labor market very upset. Also, Micro Trains has been increasing their production of Z so apparently people are buying the stuff.

[Bikerdad]

Just as an FYI, Germany's economic problems have very little to do with our economic situation, and much to do with their own structural problems (10% unemployment, anyone?) and the challenges of reunification.