My Two Bob’s worth:

Originally posted by Dr. Dirt:
I's (sic) rather send out my thoughts and prayers to the thousands of people killed then worry about the Maklin (sic) factory being damaged.

I’m sure we all feel for the earthquake victims, that is what makes us humankind after all. I am sure that the agencies involved are capable even if they are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster.
This site gives an indication of additional hazards following such a disastrous earthquake:
http://earthobservatory....images.php3?img_id=18034


Originally posted by Lutz:
Surely means shipped from there; if it's that what the U.S. govmt (sic) is eager to know.

I am amazed by this statement. Shipped from there after assembly in an EU factory?
Yeah right!

I could as well not care less.

Well I do!
In the old days it was simple. “Made in Western Germany”!
Period.

Originally posted by Lutz:
Nope! Take another close look - otherwise I'll have to open a new thread in the quiz section

Lutz pleased do – to my untrained and uninformed eye I am beggared if I can see any clue.
Unless you mean the serial numbering system / sequence. If so the above statement applies even more so.
(But if you ask me any question on NZ military aircraft in the 2nd Big One, I would be able to quote not only the serial number and history but also its wife’s mother’s maiden name)

Currently still nearly 90% of all Märklin products are manufactured and delivered from their own factories in Germany/the EU.

Yeah right. I’m with Nev & John on this one. If less than 60% of M*’s rolling stock is being made in China I’ll be surprised.


Originally posted by John Black:
Why can't they be <u>honest to us</u> and tell us clearly where it's made? The only cause we must suspect why M tries to keep its customers in the dark when <u>deleting the country of origin on the loco</u> is they wanna pretend it were still German quality ...

Some people need to face facts – German quality is RAPIDLY becoming a myth.
Just as the sun DID set on the British Empire so too will it set on famed German quality. In both cases it was a pity but inevitable!

Originally posted (earlier) by Nev:
Ray,
I totally agree with you . But I hate it when People say it is made in Germany when it is not the truth .
If it looks good , is strong and runs well It is OK

So where do I stand on this issue?
Simple really - but then this is from a simple colonial from the Antipodes.

In my mind if a product is made in a certain country then bloody well say so.
Same should also apply for assemblies.
Companies need to face facts that consumers are not idiots.
Failure to do so may (will) result in their reputation being permanently damaged.
M* has had a big enough hiding lately maybe if they stood tall and TOLD the WHOLE truth then their respect could start to regain lost ground.

China and Chinese made? Well the ONE issue I have is the blatant coping of brands. It really annoys the hell out of me.
Neither is not a new phenomenon in Asia nor restricted to the Orientals but the flood of imitation goods is reaching plague proportions.
For example, back in the ‘70’s I well remember the copied 'genuine' cassette tapes being rammed under our noses in SE Asia - all Dua Ringgit of course.

I was told a story (unverified) about Hornby setting up a production facility in China. UK management reportedly arrived to check the first production batch and ordered its complete destruction due to shoddy workmanship. The staff were appraised of the way things WOULD be done and the quality that WOULD be maintained and since then the quality has apparently remained first class.
Like I say this story is unverified but if the same standards are maintained by M* then the only problem is the Country of Origin issue – and that cannot be blamed on the Chinese, just the Germans.

To paraphrase Bonaparte – China is a sleeping giant. Beware when she wakes up…

Hi all,
Macfire,excellent post and wonderful in it's honesty,I won't respond point for point but thank you for it.Juhan, can I repost on the M B&G? We had a small talk about ICE's in other countries and well, I opened my big mouth[B)]

Dr Dirt

[:I] [:I]

Lutz:

The 1:100 figures are great! Does anyone know where to get these in the US?

r/mark

Ah, yes, but you have tablelaps on the new coaches!

I still just cut off the legs. I think you can buy Preisers or another make without legs... even the manufacturers know coaches are poorly designed. I have some of the newer M Swiss coaches which I like but open them up and the interior is held in place with a piece of tape as the plastic insert does not clip in properly.
We pay plenty for a plastic coach so why not give us a decent interior .. and a metal chassis.

David

Ah, but if we all knew for certain it was made in China then we might just object to paying "Made in Germany" prices...

The problem of figures not fitting into coaches is an old one, and frankly I'm amazed that they still design coaches without any space for passengers. It comes to something when models made twenty years ago are better than brand new ones in that respect! I realise that the essential problem is that HO scale walls need to be thicker than scale to avoid the model collapsing like paper when you handle it, but that's no excuse for the lack of legroom.

Matt, Do NOT tell Lutz That he will have a Heart attack. m* can do no wrong. [xx(]

Ray Thats what I do but some have to be cut back considerably to fit in certain coaches. M made passengers a while back which although not up to the Preiser standard did fit quite well however they have changed their passengers which although they look better now have to have the legs operation.
With certain coaches and lighting units the feet of standing people have to be cut.
As I said I like these newer Swiss coaches they look good but spoiled by the way the interior is fitted and designed. Painting the interior and doing some modifcations can be good fun (on a rainy day) and is worthwhile.

David

And as long as they try to hide the truth from us they'll only feed suspicion [}:)]

Hi all,

It's gruesome,sawing off legs.Yet you can use those legs under an auto!
One can always get the saw,and prop up a figure,remember:



I would still like an answer about,what I asked for in this thread,the re-post and now about zinc-pest and the piracy problem,since we -know- that never happens anywhere.

Dr Dirt[V]