Greetings Jeff,

Me being a Maerklin H0 addict myself,i have looked at Maerklin Maxi models more than once,they hold a special "tinplate" charm of their own.
Maxi is having the same scale format as the more detailed Spur 1 Maerklin items,they can run on the same track.
Maxi is basically made of folded tinplate whereas Spur 1 can have a lot of plastic parts.
I hold a number of old catalogues and brochures issued by Maerklin and would be most happy to assist in finding the items you are looking for.
In the Maxi range Maerklin issued a BR18 steamloco in black as well as in blue livery,i would love to own these two one day,just for static display.
On the other hand,the BR01 steamloco issued in the Spur 1 range is magnificant also,tough choises!

I will try and find some Bavarian Spur 1 items for you,okay?

Cheers,
Paul.

I have the 54104, which i find really nice

An old story showing pictures of that set can be found here: http://www.marklin-users...MAXI-bed-time-story.aspx


Generally; but not without exceptions;

Maxi is numbered 54xxx

Older Marklin "not maxi" 1-gauge locomotives is numbered 57xx, these are usually analog, and not as nice detailed as never locs.

Never Marklin locomotives are numbered 55xx or 55xxx; these are IMHO the most beautiful and detailed.


I hope this helps a little.

Per.

Jeff,

Check items on the following shortlist:

54107 Bavarian "Glaskasten" with 2 coaches,nice!
54562 Bavarian S3/6 steamloco in blue,very very nice!!!!
54104 Bavarian Donauwuerth 2-axle steamloco with 2 coaches.
54102 Bavarian E69 2-axle electric loco with 2 coaches,in green.
54201 Bavarian E69 electric loco in blue and white,coaches 54711 and 54851 luggage.
5452 Bavarian 2-axle steamloco Aloisius.
54523 Bavarian 3-axle steamloco Ludwig.
5471 Bavarian coach.
54563 Bavarian S3/6 steamloco in Rheingold colors.

If you ask me,i would opt for the 54562 S3/6 first,she is a stunner!

A very good source for Maerklin stuff is www.Ebay.de,look in the catagory Modellbau,type in the Maerklin productnumber and most likely someone in Germany is prepared to sell it to you.
Mind you,there is currently a 54562 for sale for Euro 799.- plus postage.

Cheers,
Paul.

Edited by user 08 July 2012 18:15:04(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Maxi and Spur 1 have scale 1:32,tracks 45 mm apart.
The trains appear to be in proportion with the track,imitating regular day to day mainline railwaytraffic.

LGB (taken over by Maerklin) imitates a narrow gauge railwaysystem.
The scale is IIm or 1:22.5,tracks 45 mm apart.
The trains clearly show a narrow gauge image.

Recently,LGB have been offering modern trains in G scale,1:26 to 1:29,tracks 45 mm apart.
Because of the larger scale,normal gauge trains look more natural on the 45 mm track.

Paul.

Hi Guys,

No idea why, but a couple of years ago, I got the NYC "Big Krok". I figure it will look good in a display setting. Like Paul I also like the Maxi Rheingold steamer.

Jeremy.

Edit. ps. Paul - Thanks for the best explanation I have ever had of the scale/gauge thingy.j.

Without wishing to confuse the scale issue further,it should be noted that Maerklin once had their own narrow gauge productline called "Minex".
The scale was 1:45 and trains were designed to run on the H0 metal track.
Minex was only sold between 1969 and 1972,apparently there was not a great demand from the market.
Please see the book "Mythos Modelleisenbahn" pages 202/203,Hatje Cantz Verlag,ISBN 3-7757-9183-3.

Paul,

Forgive me for the very slow response to your excellect and much appreciated information regarding Bavarian Maxi models. Looks like I'm in for some real fun searching for some of these. I've been able to pick up a few pieces here and there but the S3/6 has become a "must have". We rode behind one last year, beautiful locomotive! Now to study and digest all the information you've provided. You've been a great help.

Jeff Livingston

Marvelous video Paul. I'm suprised though how few people seem to be there. S3/6 3673 is the locomotive we rode behind last year at Nordlingen. Stunning locomotive in green. The blue is nice but the green is impressive. I'm taking your list and a few other items I've found and attempting to put together photos and numbers of the Bavarian Maxi equipment. Passenger cars seem to be a problem. The four window sheet metal cars included in sets 54104, 54102 and 54201 I'm told are "Barvarian" styled and the higher end plastic cars in the 54107 "Glaskasten" set are "Wurttemberg". Pricing is another issue I'm working on. When I started collection Lionel many, many years ago I got burnned more than once because I didn't know the value of particular items. The internet is very helpful in solving this problem but prices seem to be highter in the US market. We're planning a return trip to Germany this fall and hopefully I can locate some of these items I'm interested in adding to the collection.

Many thanks again for your help,

Jeff Livingston

Jeff,

Herewith some pixs from Maerklin catalogue 2003/2004 (in Dutch),the Bavarian set 54107.
The coaches show the Bavarian white/blue insignia.

Paul,

If anything I'm troubling you. If it wern't for the willingness of gentlemen like yourself, Markus Schild and others to share your knowledge I'd be completely lost. I started this Maxi project so my girlfriend would have something of her own to run at our monthly garden railway get togethers. I research and model the Oahu Railway and Land Company and military railways that were here on Oahu and serve as Historian at the Hawaiian Railway Society, www.hawaiianrailway.com. In truth, I've become fastrnated with the Bavarian branch lines and the Marklin Maxi product line myself and it's getting hard to tell if I'm buying stuff for my girlfriend or myself. I've started checking Ebay.de and have a much better feel for pricing now. Set prices, such as the 54102 and 54104, seem about the same as those in the U.S. but individual item prices are much better in Germany. Selection is also much larger. Power is not a problem as I've been changing the circuit boards to run on straight DC like my other models. Eventually I'll get the Marklin system to use at home but will have to change boards to run at friends layouts. Thanks again for your help and the great catalog photos, they are much better than those I can capture from the web.

Jeff Livingston