How would one 'fake' a Marklin model train??

Paint does look 'odd'. Perhaps repainted, perhaps it's the lighting.

Some models are easier to 'fake' than others. A TP800 would be difficult to fake. A 3045 would be easier (using a 3047 as a base.)
I had a 3045 which I sold on eBay. The buyer insisted to come in person to inspect it. He told me that he wanted to make sure it was genuine, as counterfeited ones are circulating. Yes, mine was genuine, and sold!

Cheers,
Ricky

The seller says it was made from a a 3945 parts kit

Another point is, the kit didn't come with a original box as shown on ebay.
it was a brown box with parts wrapped in paper.
I bought quite a few of these kits in the 1980's e.g. 1 x 3911, 2 x 3914, 2 x 3924, 2 x 3947, 2 x 3948 and didn't know or could not relate to the 3915 (I'm still having nightmares about it).

the loco as advertised on ebay, is in my opinion not a true representation of the model itself, it is not a 3045, it is a 3945, hence no service papers with it, which the seller points out further down the page. he also mentions, there is no coloured ring on the smoke stack.

regards.,

John

Hi,

I've written to the seller pointing out, there is no 3045.2. Kroll's catalogues in the past have indicated a sub number as e.g. 1, 2 or 3 etc etc. to highlight changes which have been made to a particular loco.
A kit is always and always will be referred to as a 39.. number and the 3045.2 is a self made addition, which is in my opinion, a misrepresentation of the model in question and the price dose reflect or blends itself to the original model 3045.1.

Having made the effort and explaining the true number of the loco further down the page, the seller is fully aware of the correct loco number but hasn't reflected this in the main title and therefore has deliberately concealed the official catalogue number and replaced it with a fictitious number 3045.2

regards.,
John

Relist after unsold.

I would agree with you, Florian. However, die-hard collectors have a different way of looking at models.

They look at them as collectable toys, rather than model representations of real locos. This is reflected in the way they value the physical condition of the item above it's play value or running qualities, with many not even prepared to run their prized possessions for fear of losing some value.

I guess in some ways it's a completely different hobby!