Here are some pics of a Marklin 3308 BR-85 that I redoing. I had originally converted it to digital with a 9050 about 15 years ago. I just replaced the decoder with a new Marklin sound decoder. I started by cutting out the driver's side window to be able to have a driver figure looking out. I modified one of the figures from the Faller Lokfuhrer set until I was satisfied that he looked OK. I them repainted him and glued him in place. Using Humbrol Signal Red I pained the center axle and the outer rim of the wheels. On these older Marklin locos, these are shiny nickel plated which isn't very realistic.

I them airbrushed some Tamiya German Grey to simulate grime and then followed it up with Tamiya Buff to simulate road dirt and dust. I confined this to the lower half of the engine cab, saddle tanks and running gear. I added Tamiya Flat Black to the uppermost areas to represent soot deposits. Finally, I sealed it all with a coating of Testors Dullcote and to lay a foundation for the rust and lime deposits I plan to add later using powder pigments.

Looking for some feedback at to what you all think.

Chuck

A lot of black and white photos of BR85, but so far I'm having trouble finding too many colour versions. As they were retired in 1961, and only 10 prototypes existed, colour photos are probably not super plentiful.

Here is one from era III:



Black and white:





However, copying weathering on other era II/III DR/DB tank locomotives would likely be comparable.

-Brandon

The nickle axles are one of the biggest tells for the older models putting them off for realism. Just painting them has made a tremedous difference on this model. I think it loos good. Looking at prototype photos you will never see them shiny and nickle plated, the moderned blackened metal Marklin is much more close to the real thing. BR85 were often used as helpers doing hard work on heavy grades. It's not impossible in my mind that they would be dirtier than general service locomotives.

However, for supreme irony, here is the only preserved BR 85 (007) today. Someone thought it would be good if it looked more like 3308/3309! :)



-Brandon

It's those darn DR/DB guys taking care of their locos! You will see Era IV steam locos starting to look pretty ugly. But, as I said, only 10 prototypes, all working hard, maybe it was hard to find extra locos on the roster to take one down for cleaning :)

I agree with the weathering principle. I find that compared to the real thing sometimes weathering needs to be exaggerated to make sense in an H0 world. It's all really a bit of a theater production anyway :)

-Brandon

Very nice Chuck, great work! I think it looks really good.

Cheers,
Gordon

One more image to help you finalize the job :) BR85 is one of my favourite loks. When 37098 came out, I got 37098-01, which is fantastic. Sometimes I wish I got both!



-Brandon

In addition to 3308/3708, Marklin also made a DR version in 1997, 33081.



Marklin did make these DB versions: 3309, 3709, 37095, 37096, 37097, 37098 (-01/-02) . There were a couple of Hamo versions as well. I suspect if they develop a new tooling for BR85 we will see more DR and DB issues.

-Brandon

Can't wait for DRG version of BR 95 to come out!

BR 85 is also one of my favorites. I just upgraded my 3308 to MFX sound etc. the great weathering demonstrated above has inspired me to do the same. I will publish a pic when it is accomplished.

I think you would be correct Chuck.

The problem with new builds with fixed chassis is that you only get a two axle Loco model as far as tractive effort is concerned. The middle three axles are lightly sprung and provide no traction at all which affects their ability to pull heavy trains, or in some cases much of a train at all up a grade or spiral, evidenced by my newer class 50's and 41's

This is what regretfully, made me decide to pass on this year's Insider model, the class 96, and instead, invest , in one or two maybe, other Class 85's,

A DRG version of the '96 might tempt me for "light duties"

Well, I was able to get back to finishing my BR85 and I ran into a problem.

The weathering powders that I ordered arrived Friday just in time for some weekend work. I applied the powders and had it looking rather good. When I airbrushed the Testors Dullcote over the powders to fix them in place I noticed that the color all but disappeared. Oh well I thought they're show up once the Dullcote dries. WRONG! When it dried it looked like I had never added them in the first place. I had applied about 6 or more light coats because I wanted the covering to be durable. It has to stand up not only to handling but the splattering of the smoke fluid. Oh well, as a modeller I'm no stranger to projects not going as planned.

Starting over, I decided that I would just use paint for all the weathering and in the end I glad I did. I not only added some whitening on the top and in the whistle area to simulate lime deposit buildup but also added some light rust streaks down the tank sides in the area of the water fill hatches at to both couplers. The final touch was adding pin washed to the piping detail, air pumps, walk grates and any other detail parts to help make the molder in detail "pop". I have some scale coal ordered to add to the bin when it arrives. I'll post some pics when I'm finally finished.


On a slight different note, I noticed in looking for info on this engine that Marklin issued it in two different style packages. One is the normal white box and cover sleeve and the other is a rather unique blue based box with a clear top and sleeve. I kinda looks like the later Primex style clear view boxes. I can't recall ever seeing this style of packaging used for any other Marklin products. Why was this done? Is it unique to this one engine? Is one style box rarer than the other?Thanks for any help.

Chuck

That's an interesting observation Glen. I seem to find that the newer loco seem to pull better for me. The newer locos with the can motor drives I think are geared lower which adds to their pulling power.

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

I think the clear box you mentioned was unique to the Br85 and was only used for the first versions. I suspect it was an experimental design of packaging which they chose not to continue. I believe that this box design comes chronologically between the blue/orange type and the white type.

I don't have any of these boxes, but I have heard that they fall apart rather easily....

looking good!

I have seen this as well, but pretty much exclusively on early issues of the 3308/3309 models. I believe this packaging became brittle and fell apart over time. I seem recall reading somewhere that this was introduced for the 1985 models only, but I can't guarantee my memory is correct. I have (to admit to having?) two 3309 models, both came in the later white box.

Additional discussion in part about the early 3308/3309 boxes:

https://www.marklin-users.net/fo...t16716_3309-queries.aspx

-Brandon

Just perfect.

Simply wonderful

Thewolf

Brilliant weathering!

It's very well done! The tanks are metal as well as the boiler? I'm looking for a newer version with close couplers. The cost to retrofit an older model will be half the cost of a new one. That is with sound.