Bob - The difference is the product numbers

Wasn't that helpful? Let me know if there is anything else I can be of help with.

I think the only difference externally is that the 146.1 has a destination blind above the cab windscreen. Can anyone confirm this?

www.railcolor.net is an excellent website for information, although I find that it's new format is a little more confusing than it's earlier setup.
You can also find a lot of pictures of these trains at www.br146.de or www.railfaneurope.net. Look for 145/146/185/SBB482/SBB484/BLS485 to name a few.

The original lok was the 145, which was developed for the Cargo Division of the DB. A few of these new loks were leased to DB Regio for local shuttle service commuter trains. Based on this experience, DB Regio placed an order for similar loks with a few minor differences. These loks, when delivered, were known as 146.

Since then, a multi-system version was introduced for DB Cargo, as well as for SBB Cargo. These loks were the class 185 and Re 482. Further developments led to the 185.2, 185.5, Re 482.2 (035-049) and the multi-system (AC/DC) loks of the SBB Re 484 series.

Some of these upgrades were applied to later deliveries of the 146, resulting in loks of the 146.1 subseries.

All of these loks are part of the Traxx series of locomotives designed by Bombardier.

Ma-Trix' hobby series do not reflect all of the differences between the various lok subtypes. The new models from Trix represent the latest variants of the models, as do the models from Roco and ACME/RailTop.

Regards

Mike C

Lutz:

A very nice collection. I have a few of these:

BLS (36832)
SBB (36851)
SBB/RAG (36857) Conrad exclusive
DB (36850)
R4Chem (36830)
Hoyer (36858)

I have added sound to my 36851. Has anyone had any luck contacting x-train for the replacement light boards for these?

r/mark

Hi Mark,

that's one of the two newer ones missing on my upper picture. For only 50€ during a special sale by Conrad it was even a real bargain. Including this one, up to now I have 4 SBB cargo Re481/482's. The second one is the BR185 525-3 (ROCO), operating on behalf of bls cargo. I bought it as it fits nicely to my Märklin Re485 and I had pictured its prototype quite a bit during its first operating days in Spiez, etc. Although the ROCO decoder is a bit "weak", I could still manage to synchronize the two locos for multi-traction driving. Maybe Märklin offers this one (or the one with light green livery) also.





Glad to hear about your successful conversion! Another model railroader in my neighborhood here tried it some time ago also - as well w/o success (he'll get his light boards now from another source).

Edited by moderator 11 January 2011 14:01:48(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Lutz:

I am hoping that Marklin will offer the second (Angel Trains) BLS paint scheme. There is also one with darker green ends. I would be intersted in this 'other' source for light boards. These would look much better with white vs. yellow leds and red reverse lights would be nice as well.

The 36857 was hard to find as Conrad does not ship to the US. I found one on eBay and a resonable price.

r/mark

Lutz:

Thanks for the photos! I eagerly await news on the light boards and new paint schemes from Marklin for these hobby loks. They may not be perfect, but they run well and are a great value.

r/mark