In the last year or two Märklin has issued retro items from the 1960's/1970's in the blue boxes that were in use at that time. Some items (E03's come to mind) were newer technology items, but issued in a blue box, but other items are from the tooling in use in that period. This trend seemed to start in conjunction with Märklin's 150th birthday.

So far we have had

30159 SBB Ce 6/8 Crocodile - 1996 Insider Model
2009 Museum Car
2009 Magazine Club wagon kit 'Ford'.
28950 Le Capitole Set
30210 V200
00796 Tin Plate Coach set
37574 E03 Triple Set
37629 Union Pacific F7
30050 Br23
26490 Blue Bird Alco PA1 set.

We also had the 31859 / 31860 set of 3 Crocodiles, but they did not come in a blue box.


Are these items something you find appealing, and want to buy? Or do you see them as just another sales gimmick?


If you like them, which other items would you want to see Märklin produce. A 30470 Br44 perhaps, or maybe a 30150 Crocodile?

Edited by user 26 January 2011 09:01:21(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I like the items, but prefer to get an original of that item on ebay. Mostly they are readily available and usually cheaper than the "replicas".

I prefer the new boxes simply because I´ve got alot more of them, but as I´ve ordered the Blue Bird I´ll buy one in the replika boxes wether I like it or not.

I really like the old art work. The fact that someone was paid to paint an item and give it something more than what a photo could depict is something special that does not exist today.
All though with today's highly detailed models I would want to see a real photo of it before I deiced to buy it.

Thanks Stephen, I've updated the list.

I love them. I have a 30159 and would like to find a Le Capitole. Call me old fashioned. If I am not mistaken Lionel and MTH, javascript:insertsmiley(' ','/forum/Images/Emoticons/msp_love.gif')both have made reproduction vintage loks and cars a big part of their business.

Thom, especially for you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2859...&hash=item35aaaa2d45

I'm not buying an item just because of the box. I'm buying it because I'm interested in the model.

A few years ago, an Italian firm produced heavily overprized replica boxes for older Märklin stuff, which were sold on model train fairs in Germany and the Netherlands. They finally had to stop the sale of their replica boxes due to copyright problems. I just wondered about people who were willing to pay 50 € or more just for a cardboard box with a styrofoam inlay....as there are many other things one can buy for that money....

Regards,
Florian

Yes, like I said in another post, I did order 3 of the 00796 set (1,2 and 3) from a guy in ebay....I can't buy the whole set at this time....

Guess ya had a clown for breakfast

Edited by user 25 January 2011 16:22:42(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

BigD - congratulations, my friend. Great poll on our classic blue boxes !!!
And since they are classic marklins with a soul *) of course I'll buy more than just two or three

So far: #30050, 30210, 37629, 37227, 00796, 45644 (M should add the wonderful box also to that Gator)
Wish list: #30470, 30480. And many more. Basically they could revive lots of their 1960s program ...

Gives 'em additional cash - and collectors of classics the opportunity of their life.
However - thank Doc Pluta the world's top maker of MRR has found back to its roots.

*) Terminus technicus by our Great Alberto Pedrini

Edited by user 25 January 2011 17:32:59(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Great points, Sir

Edited by user 25 January 2011 19:38:52(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Right, Juhan ... simply embarrassing ...

And totally inadequate for locos with a several hundred euro price tag.
Look sells. Even $20 cellphones have more eye friendly boxes and manuals.

I have reply from Marklin that 26490 should correct 1,999 set.

There is a error in the brochure.

I think we can do with a new poll - "At what age exactly do others consider someone to be OLD"?

Reminds me of the popular bumper sticker seen on cars driven by spotty-faced little blow-hards with pubic hair glued on their faces.... "If it's too loud, you're too old" - I'd insult them back but they're not smart enough to get it.

(Someone will know a good come-back for that sticker by the way)

So for me, I'm YOUNG at 54, still think like an 18yo with the benefit of experience to guide my impulses.

I like the style of the replica Blue Box items, I don't have any yet, but I'd be happy to, especially the 10-coach set, 00796. I'd like to see a similar style freight set with popular wagons from the same era.

Cheers

Cookee
Kiwi in Melbourne

Ok ok ok my apologies gentlemen, i mean older than me.

No problem, Steve - that brand new (era III) freight set #45644 oughta be your ticket ...

And Mecano of 2009



It's also retro box

Just love these blue boxes. Both old and the new retro-boxes.
But an old blue box in bad condition is not so nice i think.
So i prefer a new retro-box or an old box in nice condition.

However, i like most the blue boxes with the old M logotype
in capital MARKLIN. These boxes were made to around 1973.
The newer blue boxes with the new marklin-logo is not so nice.

NOTE: Some of the new retroboxes has the old colour style,
but the new marklin-logo. Not so nice. (Example 28590).

But some has luckyly "full-retro-style" with the old MARKLIN logo

Look at these boxes and see the big different.

BR44 and twin electric locos 125 years of M in Gery boxed.

Good poll BD

Blue box or bust has been my collecting attitude over the course of the last year, but maybe I should say tinplate or bust. My collection stems from the late 50's to early 70's. I am really just nostalgic for the Märklin that I grew up with. I initially looked at but decided I have no interest in digital, so now I try and locate what I am looking for through auction sites. You can still find some pretty good deals if you know what you are looking for and are patient. I have no interest in current Märklin items, retro or not. My father has purchased a few of the "new" white/gray box wagons and loco's and they just don't compare to the Märklin of old (for both of us), so much so that I am going to be selling all of our newer sets. I know that the details are much nicer on the newer units, but so what? I can't see any details as the trains are running by anyway and any guests that come by just see cool model trains. The other reasons to own modern would be for digital stuff, which (no offense) people seem to have lots of problems with. There is a certain satisfaction you get from setting up a complicated analogue environment and watching it work for you. Additionally, I like being able to troubleshoot an analogue loco on my own without having to involve any other parties. In the end though, the box matters not, just what is inside it. My .02 cents.

You can still get masts for the old style catenary, Electrotren make them, and you can get them from the Eurolokshop for $1.50 USD each. Electrotren also made the old style wires for a while (half of my catenary is Electrotren wires), but they are now making newer style wires, which they claim can be used with their old style masts.


www.eurolokshop.com

Thanks for the info but yes, I already knew that and I bought 30x masts from them last year. They are OK and will get the job done but their (Electrotren) assortment of overhead wires is strongly lacking. Cheers,Peter

Right, my friend - loverly, indeed
... and then there was that two-trains tinplate set #50 (though no old box, alas)

No, but I can get some.