I'm thinking of buying an E44, specifically the 37442 version. This bogies of this version, unlike earlier versions, have a total of 16 sandboxes (4 per axle). Earlier Märklin versions of this have 2 sandboxes per axle. My question is this: Are the bogie frames metal castings on this model, or are they plastic? If they are plastic, is it possible to remove the inner sandboxes, leaving the bogie frame looking like earlier versions of this model? Or, could I order bogie frames intended for an earlier version, say the 37440, and swap them?

Finally, I would be interested on any feedback on the new tooling E44 (34440, 37440, 39440, etc.) that anyone here may have.



Thanks,
Marty

I also have this model.
It has the 6090x series of decoder, which means Marklin Motorola with 28 speed steps. DCC/MFX have 128 speed steps.
Still, it's a lot better than those early cheap decoders with 14 speed steps.

I love the early generation e-loks, I have the E04, E10 ('54 prototype), E17, E19, E32, E44, E75, E91, E94

Thanks for the responses, guys. I will probably just look for a used 37440. It will run well enough for me and I prefer the bogies with only 2 sandboxes per axle. The majority of prototype pictures I have found on the internet show the bogies only equipped with 2 sandboxes per axle. The 4 sandboxes per axle seems to be unusual among the fleet of E44s.