At last the Marklin guys have listened: More than five and a half years ago (!) they were informed in an other forum that the models of the crocodile Ce 6/8 II have a visible flaw on their "noses" because these should feature double maintenance hatches on the surface.

Now, in the new Marklin TV video no. 90, at the minute 15:47, the speaker actually announces that these "Revisionsklappen" have been improved compared with the pre-production sample that was originally presented and are now prototypically doubled.

Good work, Marklin - only perhaps slightly belated...

The locos in the 37565 crocodile double set from 2014 were each powered by two motors driving all 6 axles, but without all of the other cool technology that the Insider crocs have.

Oh goody, you mean there might be a chance I'll have it by the time of Ians Open house next month?

I won't hold my breath ...

This is not unexpected, nor is it permanent. Märklin would of course proceed deliberately in deployment of the new technology.
If the updated firmware for the /3 decoders does the trick, only deploy that firmware and the parts to the specific models being sold to get solid field test experience with the new technology. This allows for adjustments and service in a constrained space.

Once (assuming it does) the new telex technology proves itself out as working well and being stable, then I'd full expect all the /3 Märklin decoders to come with the firmware that supports that style of telex coupling, and the new telex coupling to eventually be sold as a retrofit kit.

For other decoder makers can also adjust their firmware to generate the necessary signal for the new telex decoder technology, and/or one could make a small circuit board that takes as input the traditional function decoder output and converts the signal to the needed levels to feed the new telex couplers. Thus I wold expect one could upgrade older locomotives without needing to replace the decoders in them, if the small add-on board costs less than a new decoder.

Its just a matter of time. Technically there cannot be any obstacle. Legally unless Märklin has patented the signalling needed for the new couplings and wont allow others to use them, there should be no obstacle there either. If they do patent-lock the thing then it will take a looooong time for the couplings get used, because I doubt anyone would replace a perfectly good digital decoder just to get this feature added.

So I'm still hopefull that in a year or two down the road we will see the new telex versions available as a solution to upgrade existing locomotives (with daughter card for not-updatable factory installed decoders). Of course this is a case where Märklin locking down the firmware update of factory decoders, if they did that, would be a problem, but then other companies (home audio, cars makers, etc) traditionally have done this routinely - you get the features that were on it when you bought it... so it may well require a decoder update to get the new telex... though in an industry with such a precarious position, that seems foolish, but that boat whatever it is, has sailed.

Insider Crocodile delay until July.

That still might be better than last year's first Insider model, which I did not receive until December here in the wilds of North America. The coaches didn't find their way to me until January!

Insider 2018 39567 Crocodile manual now available PDF.

Please read page 2 before use for first time.

>Download PDF<

For 6021 Control Unit - 39567 model can up to 9 Functions with two address coding (68/69)

Those are the same rules of operation that they list for the 2017 Insider 103, so it is most likely the same mechanism. After having some initial doubts I decided that these pantographs are a good design allowing for safe transport and storage plus smooth operation once they are unlocked. But I had never seen this system on any Märklin electrics in the past and I hate to admit that I did puzzle over those instructions for a bit before I grasped exactly what they were saying.

One other caution is that I found the ones on my 103 locked several times when I had not even been handling the locos and I have no idea what caused that. But if you don't see that they aren't responding, you could trash your power pantograph mechanism pretty quickly or at the least pull off the small cable. Maybe all of this has always applied to powered pantographs but the 103 is the first on my layout, so forgive me if I am being dumb.

You'll be at the end of the queue, but at least you are in the queue.

I was thinking it's better to order the Loco than not.
I ordered the railbus last year and it's a wonderful model but that one took a few months to arrive.

Hmm, stock picture, not a photo of the actual article being supplied. I don't think they have it in their hands yet.

Sorry can I make some dumb observations

The Ebay offering is Joes. He will not normally put things on there if they are not in stock and he's not allowed to anyway on ebay. Its on his non ebay website and as usual is a bit cheaper there and is showing green light "auf lager"


HE doesn't mention Insider Club membership so its for sale to anyone first come first served without the annual membership cost


If I was an insider and had ordered a bit late and was now wondering which side of Xmas I was going to get mine I would be a little fed up


I bet they are all gone by tomorrow


I am not an insider but have bought a couple of year out of date insider models at a good price but would accept they have not been the "must have" releases


I would have thought the croc would have been sold out/oversubscribed and my chances of picking one up would be zero


However all irrelevant to me - £500 quid at present is just not possible if I need to remain wed.

Well almost correct, because today (23.07.18) at Joes the Coroc is on red - not in stock.

https://estore-sslserver...15f08b03b/Products/39567

I ordered my Insider Croc at Joes and have it not received yet. But last year I did not buy the Insider steamer BR 75 and told it Joes. At the moment you can buy this loco (mine???) at Joes.

https://estore-sslserver...Products/%2239753%20-%22

On the other hand you still can buy the SNCF steamer 241-A for a really superb price: doubled to the original price.

https://estore-sslserver...15f08b03b/Products/39241

At Joes you get options - sometimes inexpensive, sometimes expensive - but you have an option.

One figure wear orange safety Hivest uniform is included with crocodile.

Superb. 👍

Unfortunately, the model is NOT superb. Marklin's quality control is either non-existant or constantly asleep.

As reported in the Stummi forum, they have actually managed to mount the additional "Abdeckblech/Revisionsklappe" on the wrong (front) side of the nose hood. See here: https://www.stummiforum....4&p=1856558#p1854799

It took us Swiss Marklin friends more than five years to get them to listen to our complaints about this relevant exterior detail, they received countless pictures showing what we meant - and now this...!

What next - perhaps a chimney on the tender of a German steamer...?

The discussion on the Stummi forum shows there is another peg on the cover that means you cannot turn it 180 degrees, the corresponding hole in the body can be seen in photos on Stummis, but is not illustrated in the parts drawing above. It is neccessary to cut the peg off to turn the cover around.

There is speculation on the Stummi forum that the two halves of the mould for the cover piece have been rotated 180 degrees relative to each other resulting in this situation.

Reply from insider club.

Dear XXXXXXXX,


thanks for your question.

You are right. We must make a correction at the part "Wartungsklappe". If we get new parts from the production we will send you automaticaly new parts.

Please have a little patience.

Good news.

Hi Tim
I will take mine tomorrow afternoon from my dealer.
On Monday I will publish photos and revue here...
Be A little patient
You can find pictures and comments in
https://www.stummiforum....4&p=1856558#p1854799
and
https://www.stummiforum....c.php?p=1856250#p1856250

Regards

Costas

Definitely a beautiful loco Costoas, and IMO the way that Märklin crocs run might be even better than how they look.

I am looking forward to your review. Enjoy!