While I am a member over on a mostly Marklin forum, I am curious if anybody else here is modeling with Marklin trains? Are you running analog or using Marklin Systems digital control? I am building a small HO layout using Marklin's mobile station II to control the trains and turnouts digitaly. I like the simplicity of thier 3 rail AC system, and with the new C track, sort of like Kato Unitrak, the little studs in each cross tie are hardly visable. I know Marklin isn't as common in the USA as it is over in Europe but I really like the quality and support from the company, despite the companies financial struggles a few years ago. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Yes for many years - I switched over to US 2 rail in 2000 - a couple of shots of the old layout:
send me a PM if you are interested in more info on the layout..
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Mike,
while not modeling with Marklin, I have a few pieces of track and three locos, which I now and then set up on the dining table to give them a workout. I keep them for reasons of nostalgia, having started my "career" as a model railroader with a train set from Marklin 54 years ago. All of the locos are 30+ years old and as young and fresh as if they were made just now. There is a lot to say against Marklin´s proprietary 3 rail AC system, but it´s absolutely foolproof and the quality is unsurpassed.
When Marklin went into receivership a few years ago, it was a sad day for all fans of Marklin trains worlwide. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Plutar, who took over the management of Marklin as a caretaker, Marklin could be saved and is now a part of the Dickie Toys group. Marklin is now on stable feet again.
Yes it is good to see Marklin back on solid footing again, along with LGB and Trix. So far I am very happy with my class 24 digital starter set from 2012. Slowly working on a layout depicting the flatlands of northern Germany where these engines worked. Will be a branch line layout as doing double track main line on a 4x8 table is a bit cramped. And I have to much eye/hand cordination issues to try to work with fine scale catenary. So era III branchline steam it is! Also have a class 86 that will be off to a Marklin repair center as it has blown up its 2nd decoder due to a short somewhere in the engine. Marklin USA didn't get it right the first repair, so off to Helmut's Hobbies as they were suggested as an excellent place to tackle its issues. Mike
emdmikeSlowly working on a layout depicting the flatlands of northern Germany where these engines worked.
Although they were designed to work the flatlands of northern Germany, most of them saw service in Pomerania and East Prussia, which fell to Poland in 1945 after the German population had been either killed or deported.
Those who made it to the West mainly saw service in the Rhineland area, southwest of Duesseldorf, where I saw them in my childhood days. Deutsche Bundesbahn took them out of service in 1966.
Deutsche Reichsbahn in the eastern part of Germany kept them rolling a little longer, but by 1971 they were all out of service. 24 009 was eventually sold to West German enthusiast and is now the sole survivor in working order of this class. Two more are on display, but beyond repair.
Good luch with the repair job on your class 86!
I sent the class 86 to Reynauld's to be sorted out as I am not totaly sure why it killed 2 decoders, with the 2nd one being installed by Marklin either in the USA or Germany. So better to let a authorized shop deal with it. That lok hasn't run enough to polish up the wheel treads yet. Wonder where 24 014 ended up, that is the one from the starter set. Its running better and better the more I run it. Was quite stiff right out of the box. Atleast one of the class can still run. Seems like its the little "work a day" engines like the class 24 that do not survive well into preservation in most areas. I will have to research the area south of Duesseldorf for modeling ideas. Mike
I was born and raised in that area and I can tell you it´s not really a pretty region to live in. It is one of the most populated areas of Germany with rather unsightly buildings and plenty of heavy industry. Certainly not your picture book Germany with rolling hills, snaking rivers, castles and ginger bread houses.
Unfortunately, most of the buildings you can buy from Faller, Kibri or Vollmer won´t fit to that area, as they are the ones you will find in southern Germany - the picture book country.
I am starting to find that out. That being said, my gauge one locomotive and train is Swiss. I have an Aster SBB Eb 3/5 in live steam and I have been slowly getting gauge one freight wagons for it to pull. I have the HO version from Marklin with MFX sound in layaway. Thinking of shifting the layout look to Swiss area. Or just a generac Euro look so I can run Swiss and German engines. Mike
I like Swiss style layouts
My litlle (3 by 5 ft.) HOm narrow gauge layout follows Swiss prototype...
Lucky you to have a Aster SBB EB 3/5 gaugew one live steamer!
And it was pure luck that I ended up with it. I was trying to trade off 3 smaller live steamers, a Ruby #5, Roundhouse Sammie and Roundhouse Bertie. All smaller/basic engines. A modeler on another forum traded me the Aster for them. The Aster had not been run in many years and I had to do some overhaul work on it. But I have it running on blocks now and its first track test will be in just over a week. Mike