Some early (earlier) Maerklin models came with rear lights. In electrics, this required up to three light bulbs per lok face (see: RET800). The reverse mechanism had three positions, forward, neutral (all lights on) and reverse. Many steam engines had lights at the front and reproductions of the lamps at the rear.
As models developed from having individual bulbs for each light to having one bulb with a light channel to the headlights, many models lost some features and ended up having lights that were on only in the forward direction that would change with reverse.
At the same time, it became possible for some models to have a dual (white/red) bulb set up that would allow for the rear end of the locomotive to have dual red lights, either using separate channels (separate lights) or using the same channel (integrated rear lights).
As models continued to progress, this type of setup became more standard. Today, with LED technology, rear lights and complicated setups (lanterns, etc) are much easier to reproduce in miniature, making their presence more common in models.
If your model has the holes for the lamps, you could probably build in some LEDs. If your model only has the silver painted lamps, you may have to drill the housing to insert LEDs.
Whether you choose to adapt your older models or operate them as they are is up to you.

Regards

Mike C

Hi,
I think it'll be either for the reason you stated;
(though I don't know enough about these older e-loks - information is scarce)
OR
if the prototype DO have marker lights,
it might be that Marklin just hasn't manufacture the PCB (with available rear light output) and LED board with red lights for these particular models.

A quick look at 39191 parts database seem to indicate this model still uses light bulb instead of LED (same like Ae 6/6 or Nohabs).

So the reason might even be true for both of the above...

This is exactly what I want to know...

Ray,
You got a point there.... most of the newer Marklin loks have red marker lights - but by default it's always on. You can't turn it off independently of the front lights.

The only model comes standard with excellent light arrangement is the BR218..
The BR 189 can mitigate this "marker light always on" problem somewhat as the long-distance headlights is switchable independently from the F1 lights - thus you can create the impression that it is running with front lights on and rear marker lights off.

Whereas all my SBB loks always have them on..

The whole thing doesn't bother me too much in terms of prototypical running of my models.
Just a pity that all these models with marker lights lack an extra toy...
(I prefer switchable rear lights as opposed to those 'crap' sound modules)

The other thing is if they can do it with the BR 218 - which is priced around about 209 Euro (incl VAT) or 176 Euros (excl); why can't they map the same function to all the other equivalent models?

Yes, we can probably rework the wiring... but isn't the point for Marklin to get it right the first place?

Hi,

I think the lack of red marker lights could be prototypical.
I do not know about the models listed by applor, but the electric loco E40 at the beginning had 3 white lights (on both sides), whilst the later production series 140 had five headlights (3 white and 2 red).
This is reported on issue 5 Oct./Nov. 2009 of Marklin Magazine.

Renato

The E 40 with three lights always had red rear lights (two light bulbs behind one screen).
Roco has red rear lights with their three-light E 10 / E 40 (prototypically), but you can't turn them off (not prototypically).

Better yet,
the new generation Trix models came standard with switchable lights at either end of the cab.
No need to rewire or do anything else other than getting a 21-pin decoder and Marklin slider.