Hello fellow collectors.

The early 700/800 catalog items carried an Alphanumeric number which I suggest was chosen to represent the model. These were in use from 1938 to 1957. The difference between 700 and 800 series models was the mechanism used to reverse the motor. 700 series had a manual reversing lever and the 800 series had the newer FernUmshalter (Remote Reversing switch) fitted inside.

Format of the number

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AA nnn (A)(A)(A)

>>1st letter
>>2nd letter
>>nnn Series number 700/800
>>3rd/4th Letter - special feature

Letters added after the number usually referred to some special feature. e.g. HR 700 A the A=Anhang(Attachment) of a cow catcher(Kuhfanger) this was added to make the model acceptable for the USA market where early locos were fitted with cow catchers. N on the end denoted a new coupling fitted RS 800 N.Similarly the addtion of LMS and LNE were to indicate LMS=London Midland and Scottish Railway and LNE = London North Eastern railway.

German Terms

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Schlepptenderlok = Steam Locomotive with a separate tender
Tenderlok = Steam Tank Locomotive
Ellok = Electric Overhead Locomotive
Triebwagen= railcar
Schienenbus = railbus
BR= Baureihe locomotive class
K= Kupplung (Klauenkupplung (Claw Coupling), Bugelkupplung(Loop coupling)
U=Umschalter(Reversal switch)
S=Stromabnehmer (Pantograph or Strom/ current abnehmer/collector)

Train types

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Described in German literature that may have been used by Marklin to number their models

H -- HauptbahnStreckeZug - Mainline Train
F -- FernZug - Long distance train
R -- ReiseZug - Passenger express train
E -- EilZug - Fast stopping stain
G -- GuterZug - Goods Train
P -- PersonnenZug - Passenger Train
D -- DZug - DurchgangZug - Through fast passenger train
N -- NahverkehrsZug - Local or branch line train
M -- MischverkehrsZug - Mixed traffic train (passenger or Goods)

Proposed Catalog Number Meanings

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I have no proof of the meaning that I have attached to theh catalog numbers below and would be happy if other collectors had any knowledge of the Marklin Factory backstory as to how they were chosen. Until then here is my proposed meanings based on my observations of the Locomotives an their descriptions in older Marklin catalogs.

R 700/800 - R=Reisezug (Passenger express train Locomotive) .... 0-4-0 Steam Locomotive with Tender
RU 700/800 - as above plus U=fernUmschalter (Remote reversal)
RS 700/800 - R=Reisezug S=Stromabnehmer (Passenger express train electric overhead locomotive)... 0-4-0 Electric Locomotive
RSU 700/800 - as above plus U=fernUmschalter (Remote reversal)
RM 800 - R= Reisezug M=Mischverkehr (Passenger and Goods Mixed Traffic) 0-6-0 BR24 Steam Loco
RSM 800 - R=Reisezug S=Stromabnehmer M=Mischverker (Passenger Electric Mixed Traffic Locomotive)

ES 800 - E=Ellok S=Stromabnehmer (Electric Overhead Loco) 1'B1' BRB E18 Simplified Electric Loco
E 800 LMS - E=England Model of a 2P 4-4-0 of the LMS railway.
SLR 700/800 - SL= Stromlinien R=ReiseZug ( Streamlined Passenger express engine) Note the nose shape and cab window indicating that this was modelled on the NYC Vanderbuilt engine and was destined for the USA market. However there were variants made for UK market with LMS and LNE attached to the catalog number. These were manufactured during the age of streamliners such as the A4 PAcifics, Coronation Scots in England.
HR 700/800 - H=Hauptbahn R=Reisezug (mainline passenger train locomotive)..2'C1'..4-6-2 BR 01 Pacific Steam Locomotive
HS 700/800 - H=Hauptbahn S=Stromabnehmer (Mainline or express passenger train electric overhead Locomotive) 1'C1' BR E18 Simplified Electric Locomotive
TWE 700/800 - TW= Triebwagen E= Eilzug (Fast railcar)

MS 800 - M=Mischverkehr S=Stromabnehmer (Mixed Traffic Overhead Electric Locomotive) 1'D'1' DB E18 Electric Locomotive
CCS 800 - CC= 2 sets Coupled Wheels S=Stromabnehmer or S=Schweiz (Swiss) 1' C C 1'.. Ce6/8 SBB Crocodile
CM 800 - C = 3 Coupled Wheels M=Mischverkehr (Tank Engine with 3 driven axles for mixed traffic)
CE 800 - C= 3 coupled wheels E=Ellok (Electric (Rangier) Shunting locomotive)
DA 800 - D=D-Zug A=Aufbau Kunstoff (Durchgang Zug - Through Passenger train, Aufbau -Construction from plastic)
DB 800 K - D=D-Zug B=ScheienenBus (Duchgang Zug Railbus) K= Kleinanzieger (small trailer)
DL 800 - D=Doppel or Diesel L=Ellok (Diesel ellectric) Destined for USA market
DT 800 - D=D-Zug or Doppel T=Triebwagen (Through Passenger Train Double railcar)
FM 800 - F = Fernzug M=Mischverkehr (Long Distance mixed traffic locomotive)
F 800 - F=Fernzug (Express Passenger Steam Locomotive) 2' C 1' .. 4-6-2 BR 01 Pacific Steam Locomotive
SK800 - S=Stomlinien K=Kupp (Streamline Locomotive made by Krupp The prototype had 4 driving wheels not three but marklin made it as a 4-6-4 to negotiate the curves)

SE 800 - S=Schnellzug E=Ellok (Express Train Electric Locomotive) BR E44 Electic Locomotive. All wheels driven
SET 800 - S=Schnellzug E=Ellok T=geTriebe modified (German Electric Locomotive) BR E44 Electic Locomotive. I suggest T was just a differentiating code for modified transmission from the earlier SE 800 the later models had only the middle two wheels driven
SEW 800 - S=Schnellzug E=Ellok W= Western Europe BR BB 10000 der SNCF
SEF 800 - S=Schnellzug E=Ellok F= Frankreich (French) BR BB 10000 der SNCF
SEH 800 - S=Schnellzug E=Ellok H= Hollandisch (Holland - Netherlands)BR 1100 der NS

T800 - T=Tenderlok (Tank Engine)
TM800 - T=Tenderlok M=Mischverkehr (Tank locomotive for Mixed Traffic Trains or shunting) c .. 0-6-0 BR 80 Class Tank Engine
TP800 - T=Tenderlok P=Passengier (Tank locomotive for Passenger trains) 1'C1' .. 2-6-2 BR 64 Class TAnk Engine
TT800 - T=Tenderlok (Goods Tank engine) I suggest T= geTriebe fur Langsamfahrt (special low gearing Transmission fitted for slow running goods trains) 1'D1' 2-8-2 BR 86 Tank engine

G800 - G=Guterzug (Goods Locomotive) 1'E .. 2-10-0 BR 44 Heavy Goods Engine
GN800 - G=Guterzug N=Neu(New) Schweisstender (Plastic tender). 1'E .. 2-10-0 DR 044 Class Heavy Goods Steam Loco. The Original G800 had a diecast Nietentender the later models had the Schweisstender
GS800 - G= Guterzug (Goods Locomotive) S=Stomabnehmer or Swedisch (SJ Sweden) SJ Da Class Electric Locomotive

Edited by user 11 June 2019 13:30:54(UTC)  | Reason: Clarify and added more detail

Hi (name?),

I agree with Kurt, it's a very good attempt and I think more than coincidental that most of the codes seem to follow your logic. I have from time to time wondered myself about the naming convention and that there appeared to be some consistency to it, but the idea to settle in and really study it was always put off for a 'rainy day' :-)

Taking your theory into account, I wondered about the GS800? - although it was never released as such (it came in 1957 as 3018/3019) it was planned for 1956.

The only other 'G' is the G800, so I suggest GS800 - G=Guterzug (Goods Locomotive) S=Stromabnehmer?, even though in the catalogue it's a "Mixed Traffic" Loco and came in a starter set with Passenger coaches but never as a freight set.

Good effort, certainly worth of serious consideration. Have you ever seen it discussed on any of the German forums?

I'd like to hear what Markus Schild has to offer re this.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve and Kurt I found this website that shows a picture of the original Green Swedish DA Locomotive that MArklin based their model on.
https://mytrains.se/page.php?51

I now remember why I don't have a green 3019/GS800 in my collection. I could never find passenger cars to match with it (discounting the fact that the 3019 is a bit pricey...) The GS800/3018 matches with my #4020/4021, but I never thought to match a 3019 with freight cars. Good to know that I could match one with my SJ freight cars as well. ... back to the hunt.

Kurt

I overlooked of course the other 'g' - the GN800 - 'N' has not appeared with any other models.

Speculation ? (the differences between G & GN were discussed here... https://www.marklin-users.net/forum/posts/t2717-G800---GN800-difference

PS - be nice to have your name to address instead of just your handle :-)

Edited by user 10 June 2019 11:12:26(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified