Welcome to the forum   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Share
Options
View
Go to last post in this topic Go to first unread post in this topic
Offline kimballthurlow  
#1 Posted : 12 June 2018 05:33:21(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
A Rolling Stock Review – Maerklin 46983 Pwg in HO, new from 2017.

1. Güterzug-Begleitwagen - Freight train escort car, or
2. Güterzug-Gepäckwagen - Freight train baggage car

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.

The Maerklin 1 Gauge Model:


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).

UserPostedImage

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.

UserPostedImage

The Maerklin HO model:


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.
UserPostedImage


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.
UserPostedImage

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.

UserPostedImage

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.
UserPostedImage

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.

UserPostedImage

Kimball Thurlow 2018

Edited by user 22 March 2022 09:51:15(UTC)  | Reason: added information on later iterations after 46983

HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 22 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Offline GlennM  
#2 Posted : 12 June 2018 10:19:59(UTC)
GlennM

United Kingdom   
Joined: 09/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,877
Location: Somewhere, But Nowhere Near Manchester, England
I agree this is a great wagon to have on your layout, especially the ones that have the flashing red warning light fitted, such as the one included with the Mannesmann Pipe set.

Great review ThumpUp ThumpUp
Don't look back, your not heading that way.
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by GlennM
Offline kimballthurlow  
#3 Posted : 17 June 2018 01:37:23(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Information now contained in the main post.

Kimball

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

HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 5 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Offline kimballthurlow  
#4 Posted : 05 July 2018 05:51:16(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Information incorporated in the original post.

Kimball

Edited by user 25 December 2018 02:18:38(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 5 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Offline kimballthurlow  
#5 Posted : 25 December 2018 02:29:51(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
I updated the main post with all extra detail.

Kimball
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Offline kimballthurlow  
#6 Posted : 23 January 2020 09:05:40(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Added information for the 46985 announced for 2020.

Kimball

Edited by user 24 January 2020 10:56:45(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 6 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Offline river6109  
#7 Posted : 26 January 2020 02:43:23(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,636
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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
https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by river6109
Offline kimballthurlow  
#8 Posted : 04 June 2021 05:01:33(UTC)
kimballthurlow

Australia   
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 6,653
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Purchase of a new Pwg in set 48829 allows for an article update in 2021.

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.
The change in modelling the axleboxes is particularly significant.

The top model in the photo is the new plain oil axlebox, and the bottom photo is the roller bearing axlebox on the 46983.
For a complete review, see 48829 review

UserPostedImage

Kimball
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
Users browsing this topic
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

| Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.452 seconds.