Hi all,
Finally I managed the long drive up to Sydney and back to collect this.....
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/380309682416 (** UPDATE 03/04/2020 ** Auction link long since dead but I've added the original photos from the auction at the end of this post to show how it was in the listing)
7 hours to Canberra Friday night, overnight stay with my sister-in-law & family, 3 hours to Sydney Saturday, RAIN the whole way there and back, (three hours across Sydney just to collect it due to traffic) and then back to Canberra, stay the night and back down yesterday. I am knackered!!
But... now I have something to play with. It needs some refurbishment, but nothing serious. There are a couple of signals missing which I shall have to replace, may have to put out a 'wanted' advert for those but the priorities are....
1: Buy or build some trestle's to support it. I need some form of collapsible legs.
2: Light vacuum, clean the track, clean the accessories. Get rid of the surface rust on the motor covers (points, uncouplers etc) - need to get some rust killer for that and then some 'gun blue' to restore the finish. For the rust killer I previously used a product called "Jenolite" that I got from Repco, if I recall it's basically Phospheric Acid which eats all rust leaving behind bare metal so you need to apply protective treatment (repaint or gun blue) pretty quick.
3: Test run to see what works and what doesn't. Most of the circuit track flippers seem sticky and they can be a nightmare to get free again, then again, they may just be dusty and need a decent clean so that will be fun.
4: Work out the sequence of operation to restore the original automatic operation that it was designed for. I have to admit, it's an unusual design. Particularly the upper circle. You'd never build that into an operational or play layout cause it has no purpose, but as a showpiece to capture the attention of shoppers in a retail store it would be very effective. There are three controller inputs so it clearly supports a minimum of three trains fully automated, possibly more. And that's completely analogue.
The wiring underneath is superb - all correctly colour-coded exactly the same as other display layouts I've seen - nice straight lines, minimal excess or loose wire. Pics of that will follow in due course.
Down the track I'd like to make some modifications to incorporate Digital control possibly to include touch-screen operation. I acquired some ex-hospitality Point of Sale Touch screen PC's which several of the MMRC members in Wellington now have and I brought my one with me here so it would be cool to have a play with the possibilities of that.
Ideally of course I'd love to exhibit it, as something different. I'm very pleased it's K-track although it is 2100 series so the track is a little more susceptible to corrosion but it does make the 2-rail purists look again when a lot of them think Marklin is just M-track. My main issue there is transport. It won't fit in my Lancer wagon so it's either bigger transport (trailer perhaps), OR, look at whether I can 'surgically' divide it into two halves. Ultimately that would make it easier to transport back to NZ (if I wanted to) but I would need to remove EVERYTHING across the centre line, and then find some way to cut through the centre very neatly - possibly a fine band-saw would do it and then find a way to rejoin the halves in a snug fashion. More thinking out aloud there but it's a possible option although it would then mean it was no longer factory original.
And of course if I exhibit, do I go it alone, or in conjunction with a club perhaps? - the Marklin scene here in Melbourne is sparce to say the least. I did approach the 'local' Essendon CLub at the most recent train show two weekends back, the minute I said I modelled Marklin, the response (not unkindly) was "we'll change that:". Of course I know they were teasing, but it's that immediate response that Marklin is just not part of their thinking which is a little off-putting.
The modelling and scenery techniques are all the same, much of the technical stuff is the same, but we're not kindred spirits like in the MMRC or even other clubs that are at least "marklin-friendly". I digress.
And of course I need something to run on it. I have a lovely little near-new 3200 starter set and have got the inner
circuit running, the 3000 and three wagons ran around that just great and look like they were made for each other. Nadine was tickled pink to see it run and the little lights in the turnouts (most not working but that will be mostly bad connections) etc. Oh and I'll HAVE to get lights in the houses - absolutely.
My choice in rolling stock will be what I already have, a Railbus 3016/4018 (just love those), and perhaps a Telex shunter. I really want lights in passenger coaches but long coaches can look a bit silly on small layouts. Perhaps on the outer circuit? - talk me into it.
Operation-wise, it will look most effective if I can get the trains alternating across the different loops either in sequence (analogue) or at random (digital). Hmmmmm possibilities.
I know something like this is not everyone's cup of tea but consider this... I'd never be able to build a layout here what with renting and other demands on my time. The layout includes 2 double-slips, 8 turnouts, 2 uncoupling tracks, (all electric), 2 signals (and two missing) several circuit tracks, not to mention the normal straightd and curves and a bunch of houses etc. If I stripped the layout they'd easily be worth more than the $200 I paid, and to buy those in either used K or C track would be a heap more than that. So it's still a bargain which ever way you look at it.
If I do display it, this layout lends itself perfectly to a "Thomas" type of operation, and kids could run it.
But my very first step is a quick email to Mother Marklin to see if they have a copy of the original specs or instructions for it as that will save a bit of time. Fingers crossed.
Hope some of you enjoyed this.
Cheers
Cookee
Melbourne









ORIGINAL LISTING TEXT
This conveniently sized layout was built by Faller and Marklin as a display model.
It has 3 separate circuits but can be powered by a 1 x 30VA transformer, which is included.
The layout uses stainless steel K-track and has 10 electric points, 2 signals, and 2 un-couplers.
The underboard wiring appears professionally done.
The layout has been in storage for a considerable time and some remote-contolled accessories may need some attention and TLC.
The Faller buildings are mostly in good condition and present well.
The layout measures 2M x 1M, weighs about 25kg and will be available as PICK UP ONLY from Pennant Hills.
Note: The table below the layout is NOT included
Edited by user 03 April 2020 10:05:40(UTC)
| Reason: 2020 - Added original ebay listing images and text