This long awaited model has just been delivered and I would like to share same impressions of my model with you.

Physically, also indicated by its adjacent product number, it is based upon the E10.3 design #39120 which was newly released last year (mine is from the new 2007 production). So, no surprise that they both look very similar.



The CS/MS controls as well don't expose any difference (other than the different road numbers); light, horn, station announcement and delays are the same.



However, besides the different paint scheme ("std DB blue" vs. "Rheingold") there are some easy external visible differences, like the missing rails and support platforms for the shunting personnel at the loco front.



But there are also differences at the inside, maybe not very clear immediate but latest recognizable when comparing the driving characteristics of the two models.



Although still having the same part # (as well as the one for the motor) the motor control pcb of the new model has once more been slightly modified - which is the key part of the new SDS technology.



Driving with same decoder parameter settings for both locos shows the new model to appear at start slightly slower and a bit smoother than the older one (which is not bad either, at least for my model), but has a higher end speed at the highest speed step. Both locos at factory preset to a Vmax value of 225 and Vmin of 17. Power non-sensitivity is the same for both locos.

In summary, the new Märklin Rheingold loco is a very attractive addition to my other locos for that purpose (left side are the two Märklin models, on the right side and middle top similar ones from ROCO). Until now, besides performing their duty with regular Ep.III D-Zug trains, they are used to pull my Rheingold train set from LIMA, which will eventually be expanded/replaced by the soon to be delivered fine Märklin and TRIX Rheingold cars.

Thankyou Lutz for this. I have a 39121 on its way and am looking forward to getting it.
N

Thanks for your informative report Lutz. I think a 39120 will have to be my next loco purchase.

LUt6z,
Which Rheingold Cars are you referring to.?
I had the Lima Rheingold set and I think that I may have made a Hasty decision in selling them. The 4228 is not a Patch on the Lima Set

N

The 43850,60,70 and 80 will go with the 39121.

All four due August.

Thanks for the report.
Nice pictures of a very nice model which is good value for price.
Yes,PCBs look very differentfrom one model to another.
I didn't succed in seeing them both together(the blue one + the one with Rheingold livery), I'm just wondering if front skirts are similar or diffrent....because of the delimitation of colors, it's not easy to see on pictures...
(Know hy ?.. What I like ont this lok is the front skirt going very low...[:p][:p])

Hi Nev,

these (they were offered once in 1:100, but the new Märklin and TRIX ones - #23410-23413 - look way better):



This Ep.III Rheingold has nothing to do with the Ep.II Rheingold cars and Märklin set #4228.

Hi Lutz,

Congratulations and thank you for the extensive report.

Are both of the bogies driven?It seems the motor is placed in the middle of the locomotive.

Kind regards
Guus

THankyou Lutz for the information.

I think a set of the new Marklin Cars should now go on order.

Thanks for the sad News Stephen. Make a Nice Christmas present though.
Nev

I would like to agree with Jeehring.

Yes, if anybody knows, I would like to hear about the mix of steam, diesel and electric used (geographically) on the Rheingold in the blue/beige and red/beige era.

Here is a link that describes some of the train make-up, but not the different forms of traction.
http://www.dbtrains.com/en/locomotives/epochIII/E10.12-13

regards
Kimball

To part answer my earlier post, apparently the V200 was used on part of the Rheingold route. I am not sure of the geography or the route, but the Duisburg - Emmerich section was not yet electrified.

In this section, from 1962- 1966, diesel locomotives of the series V 200 were used.

See link
http://www.heinrich-hanke.de/ei.../rheingold_1962-1965.htm


regards
Kimball

Hi Nev,
Yes it would be worth trying out sometime.

When you get the CS back. please let me know, and we might arrange for my 39120 to couple up with your 39121 and see how it works.

I can double head engines now, but I set the controllers (2 x MS)separately, and judge the speed as closely as possible.

regards
Kimball

Thanks Lutz for the instructions and the Video.
Kimball & I can do some driving when I get the 121 ans the Cs is back from Upgrade.

Hi Lutz,
I really appreciate the effort and time you spent on this.
Great pictures of the CS.
That is an excellent description of "how to do it".

I am really happy with the 39120 (which is earlier motor), and no doubt Nev will be happy with his 39121. We can now figure out the multiple running.

regards
Kimball

The 39121 with matching coach 43870 is in stock.

See the picture on ebay click HERE