Hello all,

I was browsing the new items 2004 pricing and found that the mentioned loco's, DB BR185/SBB BR482 are VERY cheap for Märklin standards (+/- 80 EUR here).

They cost only 2/3 of loco 30322 (new version of DB BR81, +/- 120 EUR)?!?

Will performance/quality suffer from this pricing?

The description mentions switching of lights, but there are no 'light-icons'. Does anyone know more about these models?

Bert

Hi, the 38850 and 36851 are completely new developed, I think Marklin has developed it to attract beginners and modelers whoo have less money to spend.
Looking at the photos they look nice, but I also can see that some details like the handrails are moulded integraly with the body, probaably to simplify assembly.

As for the decoder, according to the 36*** number it probably lacks load regulation.

Overall I think that it has a good value for money, especially when compared to the 30322 you mentioned.

Greets, Winston

Having mostly SBB items on my layout, the 36851 is a must have!!! And with this pricing it's gonna be mine very very soon!!!

Hi all, cardan drive could be a Trix design, it's not the first M* Lok with this feature. Diesels already exist with cardan drive (ÖBB2070 and similars) and no doubt they are Trix. Another example is E44.
Regards,

Hi all:

Anybody bought these items (36850, 36851)? If so, please give us some comments!

Regarding the decoder, it will probably be a "castrated" (= no DCC and only 80 addresses) LokPilot which has been dimensional redesigned to fit the old and trusted decoder clip.

For images have look at: http://hgh-esn.ath.cx/p03_maedec_dig04_PIC_gross.htm

Gino

Hi guys
I generally don't like[:(!] the horizontal( along the length of the body) motors and drives ( Cardan/Worm) - I find the models that I have with this design are very weak and at a low speed setting can stall, say after a red signal changes to green or starting off on a slight slope at slow speed. Examples like the NS cargo diesel (37641) and all its variants. They are good looking locos but I find it annoying. The little Seetal Croc. (37521) which I think is just a fantastic model has the same weak charactersitics[V] I guess the E44 would be the same.

I have the SBB on order, but have not heard anything yet in the US. I'll post a note when I receive it and give it a run.
Kevin

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Have you really tested all the variants of the MaK diesels ?
I have both a 37645 and a 37646. Most of the MaK models have lousy speed charateristics as you describe, but it should be blamed on bad/obsolete decoder design, not mechanical design. The 37646 has a newer "really regulated" decoder and it runs just fine. The 37641-37645 have the old decoders.

Maybe I should add that I have seen problems with the 37646 too, similar to what you have described. But the problem got gradually worse until I had to investigate it. It turned out to be bad solderings on the decoder. Not the mechanics. After repairing the solderings there are no problems. I also replaced the decoder in my 37645 to the newer type, and no problem with that one either since then.

[size=1]
Have you really tested all the variants of the MaK diesels ?

I once thought they were all alike as well, and so did my local dealer. And so I got a 37641. Boy, was I disappointed when I got home and tried it.
Luckily for me, my local shop is very service minded with nice people and so on. So even though I've got the 37641 with quite a discount (only on that particular model), I could exchange it freely for any other MaK model. I then got a 37657 instead. Now that's service
And what a difference. The new one runs much better.

I know, I know. It was my fault that day.
My dealer is more than happy to demonstrate various loks anytime. Last week, I had a prototype of my homemade digital signal module with me (described in the digital forum), and we quickly hooked it up to his test track. And he went totally bananas. He just couldn't stop playing with it, even while serving the customers
So no, I don't have a problem getting anything demonstrated before I buy it. He loves playing with the stuff as much as he does selling it [:p]

Which reminds me.... I'll better get down there and get a demonstration of the nice little 37364 one of these days. I want it badly.

This loc has the most hours driven on my track and that from the club. It drives analog and digital good. The loc can drive digital in speed step 1. Is has also a big flywheel. There is only one setback. The loc is difficult to open. You need a magnetic screwdriver our a very steadfast hand.

Another thing that I have doubts about these two locos 36850/36851 is if they have any lights, there is no mention of them on the catalogue. Does anyone have any idea about this.

Chris

Don't worry, friends - just read M's data sheet: this loco HAS lights Well, if you wanna have sound you can buy an sound module later ...

Most probably they are not the best locos not even reliable! However I want that SBB Cargo loco on my layout. No matter if it runs or not... It will look nice with the 460s. I am going to buy it this weekend and let you know.

I am also awaiting reports from those who bought as I have ordered the 36851.
I picked up the SBB Cargo class 421 last year and my son (who will be five at the end of Feb) just about jumped out of his pants when he saw the new class 482. I figure at that price he can have a lok all his own to run!!
If all goes well I'll pick up the 36850

Hi there,
Long time since my last post over here...
Finally the waiting has ended for the new Märklin 36850, the hobby BR 185, today I've got the loco from the dealer.



First impression: nice loco, it resembles the BR 185 well and doesn't look strange beside a similar loco like the BR 152. And it's al METAL [^], the loco is not extremely heavy, about the weight of a MAK-diesel loco.

The power line on the roof is a one-piece plastic part, it sure looks like plastic too, some paint one the insulators will aprove the sight of it, this also aplies for the brake sufaces on the wheels.

Although the bogies and the underneath equipment are simplified it doesn't look bad when the loco is on the layout, only when one is taking a closer look it wil catch the eye. The plastic grab-irons, the connector boxes beside the third headlight and the base of the windshieldwipers are a litle coarse, but OK it's a low-cost hobby loco...

paintwork and printing are the usual Märklin quality and inscriptions seem to be complete.

I used some prototype-photo's found on www.br146.de to check details and looks.




On the inside we see the cardan drive and a small flywheel, the arrangement does remind me very much of the Piko hobby-loco's.
The motor seems to be a quite cheap looking 3-pole DC-motor as also used in toys etc. The bogies, axles and gears are all made of plastic. The whole loco is designed for rapid assembly with minimal parts to save costs.

I don't know exactly what kind of decoder is fitted.
Yellow LED's are fitted as headlights, it has no taillights.



Running the 36850

The loco is a nice runner, not very loud (plastic gears). At the lower speed steps the motor produces a little hum but it's less or equal to a 5* motor.

The loco easily hauls a 40-axle goods train up the slope which is around 8% and above expectations the decoder has load regulation and acceleration/brake delay, which is quite positive for a low-priced hobby loco!
The maximum speed is a little high and the acceleration/brake delay could be a little more, those things can be changed but I didn't try yet. In my opinion the differences between the lower speedsteps is a little too high. The headlights and acceleration/brake delay are digitally controlable.

Overal impression is very positive, the price/performance ratio is very good, I don't think anybody will be disapointed when buying the loco. Hopefully Märklin will develop more of these models and put them into starter sets to atract beginning Märklinists...

Regards Winston

Edited by moderator 11 January 2011 16:39:19(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Thanks Winst0n for that review. I think I will be picking up that lok also. [:p]

On the german insider forum there is a discussion that the cost for replacing a new engine in a hobbyloc will cost you about 11 euro. If the carbon brush from the engine from the hobby loc is worn out. You have to replace the engine and that will cost you almost 11 euro. If you can get the part.

I have heard this from another forum. If this is true I can not checked it my self, because I am not a insider member.

I have no idea if they can be made working. I think so may be. You can see on the pictures that the pantographs are not to bad.

Hi all,

Here is my 2 cents worth on these Engines:
At a retail price of $ 139.00 Canadian they are a absolute bargain.
Not even Athern Engines come close in price and value.( $60.00 add Lights add decoder ).
Marklin is all metal has a decoder and lights.
The Quality is what you expect from Marklin as far as replacemend of the Motor is concerned you would have to do the same on allmost any other Brand of Locomotive ( just remember that a armature on the regular Marklin Motor costs more then the complete Motor here ).
One can allways argue that somethings are not perfect however look at the Price[8)][8)].

Martin

For those who don't own the loco yet, you can see the exploded view and the partslist with prices on Märklins website.
Go to: www.maerklin.de
mouse over Service
in the rollout menu, click on Zeichnungen und ET listen
click on H0, and again on H0
Then roll down to the loco you want to see.
(could find no way for a direct link)

Yes, I've seen one yesterday. But not all orders have been supplied yet, according to M*.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that the "lower end" Marklin is a 4 axle drive, and the higher end stuff like the 393xx are two??? Wonder why Marklin never made higher end locs with two motors, a dual C-sine would be nice, I'm sure $100 more too!