Everyone is familiar with, or has heard of the Maerklin HO model of the freight train gepackwagen numbers 4600, the 4699 and the 4889 issued since year ".". It has also been included in many train sets, and it would be surprising if you did not own one. I have quite a few of them, because it is such an interesting wagon.

By 1914 after an evolution spanning decades, this particular type of baggage or helper car became a standard in Prussia. Then from 1920, the newly formed DRG adopted this wagon for build-programs and allocation throughout Germany. The Pwg numbered over 9,000 (including those built prior to 1920), and lasted well into the 1970s. Many were rebuilt with minor detail changes, some had the raised roof area removed, and bay windows added to the sides.



A look at Maerklins’ I Gauge model shows why it interests me. Magnificent interior modelling is a feature of models 58117 and 58118. The photo below shows the look-out raised roof office compartment (in German the Zugführerabteil) with seating and work table for the train-director (in German the Zugführer).



The crate/baggage storage area also included a wood stove and a toilet as shown in the artists drawing below, and these are included in the Märklin 1 gauge models.





The basic Maerklin offering of this vehicle can cover eras 1-late III with minor alterations, so inclusion of a full length running-board, and repainting in KPEV colours is perfectly acceptable.
I guess there are a dozen different variations in the available HO models, mostly lettering and numbering. In my investigation of these models, I found that the body dimensions are all correct, but the wheelbase is about 4mm short. The body on one side incorporates the toilet window. The roof detail includes cabling for lighting, ventilation pods, and a poor representation of a stove vent. The underframe detail used by Maerklin is probably incorrect, the axleboxes being the roller-bearing type. These details are hardly noticeable, and in any case the overall proportionate look is correct.

Under the floor, the models include a gas tank for gas lighting, containing 400 or 500 litres (coal gas I presume) even into era III versions. While many were also fitted with electric lights, many of this class of Pwg lasted well into the DB era with gas lighting. Surprisingly, some units getting a fairly heavy overhaul or rebuilding without the raised roof area in the 1950s retained gas. The sole-bar (the black side frame under the body) lettering printed by Maerklin often shows the gas tank capacity detail, and probably also shows if electric lighting is fitted.
Electrically lighted units had no generators or batteries, probably to keep things simple. Since a Pwg is normally hauled right behind the locomotive, a cable connection furnished the 24 vdc from the locomotive's system.

One other interesting fact about the German Gepäckwagen in both freight and passenger versions, is the application of the sliding doors.
The design of the Pwg was based on the design of the G wagon (Gedeckter Güterwagen) of the time.
On the G type wagons, the slide door mechanism was symmetrical.
Whichever side you were facing, the door slid to the RIGHT.

On the Gepäckwagen, the door slid to the LEFT on the toilet side, and to the RIGHT on the opposite side.

The running quality of the Maerklin Pwg model is superb.

The 4699:

You can purchase un-boxed examples of the 4699 quite cheaply (running number 120398 for era II), because it came with many train sets. I use these for re-lettering and re-numbering.
The latest example from Maerklin of the 4699 type, is the 46983 which carries a Nurnberg number 131617 for era II, and represents a pre-1920 build.
On this 46983 model I replaced the stove vent with a lathe-worked example.
Detail note: - the storage compartments were typical for the wagons during eras I and II. You can see them in the lower body alongside the office door. They contained flares, lanterns, a bicycle, and fuel brikettes for the stove or for wayside stations and depots.



In the next example (a 4699) I fitted a replacement stove vent from an old Trix model.
The lathe examples take me at least one hour each, so are made only when I have nothing else to do. I have included a basic interior as part of the body shell. I also fitted a full length metal running board from an old die-cast Trix model.


In 2020, Märklin announced a new model 46985 in the colours of the Prussian (KPEV) Railway for around 1914. It would be nice if Märklin could go to a little extra detail to suit this era I version. Without sacrificing the robust quality of the model, they could add the full length running board (as in my example above) and hand rails mid-body-sides either side of the doors. There are plenty of records from that era showing these typical details. Some records show ladders at one end of the body as well.

The 4889:

The 4889 is more likely to represent the gepackwagen after 1945 when re-building or refurbishment took place. So it does not include the storage compartments which show on the 4699, and this is the only difference between these models. In the photo the compartments space is now taken up by a route blackboard and holder for destination labels. On this example I also removed some ventilation bulges on the office roof, and added my own lathe-worked stove vent.



If you would like a comprehensive look at the Pwg14 as it came to be known in era III, I recommend the marklinfan website at http://www.marklinfan.net/il_pw...iaio_per_treni_merci.htm
The images of the Gauge 1 example are from their site.

As an added interest, I visited the DB Museum (annexe) in Koblenz in November 2018, and managed this picture of the running gear and axle box of a Pwg which is being restored.
The housing casting (for the plain axle bearing) shows it was built in 1923.


In 2020 Märklin announced a new Pwg model 46986 with lighting and a sound decoder.
This model and a Pwg included in a freight set 48829 have significant upgrades over the 46983 of this review.
For a complete review, see 48829 review

The change in modelling the axleboxes is particularly significant.
The top model in the photo below is the new plain oil axlebox of 46896 which suits eras 1 and II.
The bottom model is the roller bearing axlebox on the 4699/46983 which does not suit era I and II models.



Note in December 2025:
My newest addition is the Märklin 46987 era II model of this ubiquitous series of train helper cars or Pwg. Between 1913 and 1925 around 9752 examples were built, and many ran until the 1960s. This model represents the Pwg Pr 14 as it may have looked at the end of the 1920s. The major variation from the standards set by many previous Märklin models are:
1. Full length running boards. Most of these were cut back by the early 1950s to individual steps under the loading door, and office compartment.
2. Doors no longer slide. Sliding doors would not be functional in a model where the full length handrails are modelled.
3. Body moulding detail has changed to suit the era, including hand rails and different storage doors along the office sides.

Inscriptions in yellow gold on the sides of the wagon include:
1. The running number, the roundel with Reichsbahn eagle, and the genus name in this case Breslau.
2. The name of the home station for this vehicle was Hirschberg (take your pick from Baden in the west or Thuringia in the east)

Inscriptions on the storage compartment doors are:
1. Lanterns and Oilcans
2. 4 torches
On some earlier versions of storage such as the 4699, I have noticed Bicycles mentioned. Presumably these were the folding type with which the zugführer could proceed quickly alongside the stopped train when required.

I thought I would present this model with a shallow comparison from one modelled 60 years ago.
The Trix Express 20/68 completely done in die-cast metal and tin-plate, was described on the box as a Zugbegleitwagen, or train helper car.
In the photos I have used the Trix Express 454 plastic body version, which is exactly the same as the die-cast model in every respect. My comments on this model are:
1. This model has the full length running boards in tin-plate.
2. The measurements of the model agree precisely with the later Märklin examples (except in bodyside height). Because of its plastic body, I could modify it slightly to be more akin to most iterations of the Pwg Pr 14.
3. The stove chimney is more effectively modelled (metal turning) than any of the Märklin versions.
4. I retain the Trix Express couplings, because NEM362 compatible couplings are available for use in adjacent modern models.





This particular model will enable Märklin to more faithfully present era I (pre-1920) versions to the market. Perhaps some changes to roof detail and side storage bays may be needed.
I enjoy my models of these wagons including examples made by Fleischmann and Piko.

Here is a close-out scene from my layout as a Merry Christmas shout for all members of the marklin-users.net site, with a special thanks to Adrian (xxup) and other site monitors who do a great job of facilitating this platform, and a silent remembrance of Juhan who began this site 25 years ago.


Kimball Thurlow 2025

Edited by user 20 December 2025 07:23:19(UTC)  | Reason: added information on later iterations to 46987

Information now contained in the main post.

Kimball

Edited by user 25 December 2018 02:28:18(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I updated the main post with all extra detail.

Kimball

Kimball, I've had these for years but never looked into the detail, thanks for the information, it makes a lot of difference when you hear and read the story behind this baggage car, it makes you like the wagon more, even knowing there is nothing inside.

John