JOHN CHANDLER looks at what's new from Marklin and Trix this year.
This year, the Marklin Group has published some 300 pages of new items across their Marklin, myWorld, Trix and Minitrix ranges (LGB is, unfortunately, outside the remit of this article). So, where does one start to assemble the highlights of such a vast collection?
To simplify matters, often the Trix HO range will mimic the Marklin HO range and this year is no exception. What is different is that the Minitrix range also has some items from the other two ranges, so let's start there!
MN46213 comprises a set of 12 German Federal Railroad (DB) type Fad 155 (former OOtz 41) 'Erz IIId' four-axle hopper wagons used for hauling iron ore. Each wagon features a shunter's platform and all wagons have unique running numbers. The Trix 6 wagon set, M24150, has different running numbers so the two sets can be combined into an 18 wagon train! (DC wheelset MN700580 and AC wheelset MN700150 can be used to convert between two and three rail operation.) A set of ten of these wagons is also offered in Minitrix as M15458.
Marklin and Trix offer a Class 43 'Long Henry' Oil Jumbo heavy duty locomotive (MN39884, M22986) to haul the rake of iron ore wagons. Both locomotives have Marklin's MFX as standard and a smoke generator may be fitted. Here, the link with Minitrix is broken as they recommend M16441CLUB, a Class 44 locomotive, to haul these wagons. As can be seen from the model number, this locomotive is a special edition uniquely offered to paid-up members of the Minitrix Club and, thus, does not appear on our web pages (Details of the Minitrix Club, Trix Club and the Marklin Insider Club can be found on Marklin's web site). (Note: Club Member Orders must be placed within deadlines set by Marklin. Sadly, for M16441CLUB, the deadline of 28th February has now passed!)
Staying with HO for the moment, MN39935 is worth a look. Originally from Viessmann, this is a fully operational ballast tamper machine. In 'Work' mode, the unit crawls along the track almost driven by the tamper tangs. This unit will only operate fully on a digital control system.
MN39260 (M25260), Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) class RAe 4/8 'Churchill Arrow' electric double powered rail car, is unique, at least in prototype, as only one was ever built for the National Exhibition in 1939 and has taken royalty and leading statesmen all over Switzerland. It's name derives from it having been 'loaned' to Sir Winston Churchill during his tours of Switzerland. It is still in service as a private hire charter train.
MN39462 (M22830) has to be on my list of favourite locomotives and is here offered in the latest livery (introduced in 2020) of the BLS in Switzerland. Slightly more powerful than the SBB Re460, the BLS Re465 is used both on passenger and freight workings.
MN37793 (M22381) moves us (rapidly) into France! This model of the TGV Duplex (i.e. double decked) train features a motor in both end cars! The basic set can be expanded to a prototypical 10-car set with MN43423, MN43433, and MN43443 (M23487, M23488, and M23489) add-on sets.
Let's finish our look at HO with MN39544, ROBEL powered track car based on the class 700 of the Luxembourg State Railways (CFL). This unit, often referred to by enthusiasts as a 'Hedge Cutter', can be seen in many countries across Europe as part of their maintenance trains. Like MN39935, this is a collaboration with Viessmann and has a fully operational hoist. This unit will only operate fully on a digital control system.
Staying with Marklin for the moment, let's drop down into Z Scale.
MN88083 and MN87352 form a typical Epoch II passenger train complete with dining car. The coaches are fitted with close coupling hooks.
Whilst I have managed to avoid any references to the classic E03 locomotive (both Marklin and Trix have new examples this year), I can not pass by without mentioning MN88206, German Federal Railroad (DB) class 220 (former V 200.0) heavy diesel hydraulic general-purpose locomotive in the elegant crimson / grey paint scheme of Era IV. This workhorse provided the basis of the British Class 42/Class 43 Warship locomotives used mainly in the Western Region.
Jumping from one (almost) extreme to another, Gauge 1 beckons.
MN55526 has to be worth a mention. From the Marklin New Items brochure, I quote: 'In 1919, the Swiss industry delivered four test locomotives for various uses to be selected as suitable units for electric operation on the Gotthard, among them freight locomotive Fc 2x3/4 (starting in 1920: class Ce 6/8I) 12201. It was a 2-6-6-2 freight locomotive taking into special account the line conditions on the Gotthard. It could pull a maximum of 860 metric tons up a 1.2% grade. Its locomotive body rode on two three-axle power trucks, each of which was driven by two traction motors using jackshafts, driving rods, and side rods. Originally planned only as a six-axle unit, the electrical part turned out to be so heavy that two additional pilot wheel sets as well as small hoods became necessary. Due to these hoods, the unit was quickly given the nickname 'Köfferli-Lok'/'Little Suitcases Locomotive', but 'Schlotter-beck' or (approximately) 'Shuttering Tank' also gained popularity due to its rough riding.'
Shrinking back to N Scale, M18214, M18414 and M16100 join to form a commemorative train celebrating 50 years (1971 - 2021) of DB's 'Intercity' branded trains.
Staying with this theme, M16823 combined with M18851, M18215 and M18216 make up an express passenger train which can typically be seen all over Germany.
M18201, 2 German Federal Postal System (DBP) type Post mr-a railroad mail cars, in an ocean blue/ivory basic paint scheme, can form a novel addition to most passenger trains. The same length as standard passenger cars, they would not look out of place in any express or long distance train.
For the younger model railway enthusiasts, Marklin, in their myWorld range (aimed at the 3 or over age group), offer a harbour-based theme with their MN29342, 'Harbour Logistics' Starter Set comprising a locomotive (with joystick remote control), two wagons and an oval of track. The set features sound and lights from the train. MN72223, Freight Ship and Harbour Crane, complements the starter set to enhance the scene.
New High Speed Trains have been added to the range, including MN29430, a German ICE3, along with MN29406, TGV Duplex and MN29338 'Thalys', all as starter sets which include track and joystick remote controller, from which a larger layout can be built.
Remember that MyWorld is to the HO Scale and uses a plastic version of the Marklin and Trix C Track so that they can be intermingled. An adaptor wagon (MN44107) is available to allow a MyWorld wagon to be coupled to an HO train and vice versa.
I hope that this has provided an introduction to the many new items from the Marklin Group this year. If any of these are of interest, place your orders sooner rather than later as, is so often the case these days with limited production runs, so many items may be pre-sold out before they reach the shops.