Hello everyone,

I couldn't find a list of manufacturers of Marklin compatible locomotives on the forum, so thought I would compile one. If there is one somewhere already, apologies in advance.
By compatibility, I mean that the locomotives come pre configured from the factory, so can run on Märklin layouts out of the box. Obviously, on most sites you will need to select the right configuration (i.e.: AC, Wechselstrom, Courant Alternatif etc...), and check the minimum radius to ensure compatibility with your setup.
I am not including defunct manufacturers.

This list makes me feel less lonely now

Happy to expand/correct the list on request.
Hope this is helpful to some

A.C.M.E. - Italian models
http://www.acmetreni.it/index.php/en/
Artitec - Dutch models
https://www.artitecshop.com/en/trains/
B-models - Benelux models (brand of Vanbiervielt - Belgian models)
http://www.b-models.be
BEMO - German and Swiss models
http://www.bemo-modellbahn.de/?no_cache=1
Brawa - predominantly German Models
https://www.brawa.de/pro...tiven/diesellokomotiven/
Brekina - mainly German rail busses
http://brekina.de/de/mod...zeuge/ne-81-h0-massstab/
Electrotren - Spanish models (Hornby is currently reorganising its brands under the Hornby.com site, not showing any AC models at the moment)
http://www.hornbyinternational.com/
ESU - Predominantly German models
http://www.esu.eu/produkte/engineering-edition/
Fleischmann - Predominantly German models
http://www.fleischmann.de/
Friho - Swiss models
http://www.friholenk.ch
Fulgurex - Limited series concentrating on France, Germany and Switzerland
http://www.fulgurex.ch
Guetzold - German models
http://www.guetzold.de
Hag - Swiss models
http://www.hag.ch/de/home/
Heljan - Scandinavian and German models
http://www.heljan.dk/shop/frontpage.html
Hobbytrade - Danish models
http://hobbytrade.dk/
Ibertren - Spanish models
http://www.ibertren.es/index.php
Jaegerdorfer - Austrian models
http://www.jaegerndorfer...index.php/news-eisenbahn
Jeco - Swedish models
http://www.jeco.se
Lemke/Mehano/Hobbytrains - Multiple countries covered through their brands (set filter on the page to Stromart -> AC)
http://www.lemkecollection.de/de/Spur-H0
LE Models - Italian models
http://www.lemodels.it/en/
Liliput - German models including tramways/
http://liliput.de/en/products/liliput/h0.html
Lima - covering multiple countries (Hornby is currently reorganising its brands under the Hornby.com site, not showing any AC models at the moment)
http://www.hornbyinternational.com/
Lsmodels - France, Benelux and more limited series
http://www.lsmodels.com/Pages/General_F/Home_F.htm
Mabartren - Spanish models
http://www.mabar.es/
McK - McK - Danish models
http://mck-h0.dk
Retiring in April 2019 - Morep - Swiss models limited editions
http://morep.ch/index.php
MTH - North American models
http://mthtrains.com/search/marklin
NMJ - Norwegian models
http://en.nmj.eu
NPE - German, French, Italian models
http://www.npe-modellbau.de
ÖBB Werbung - Austrian models
https://shop.oebb.at/modelle/zugmodelle.html
Olaerts - Benelux models
http://www.treinshopolae...og/index.php?language=fr
OS.KAR - Italian models (ask before buying)
http://www.oskartrains.i...ex.php/catalogo-on-line/
Piko - German and Benelux models
http://www.piko-shop.de/...id=24&vw_name=detail
RailAd - Austrian company producing advertisement Locomotives (currently German, Slovenian and Tchec models)
http://www.railad.at
REE - French models
https://www.ree-modeles.com
Rivarossi - Mainly Italian models (Hornby is currently reorganising its brands under the Hornby.com site)
http://www.hornbyinternational.com/
Rocky Rail - Dutch models
http://rocky-rail.com
Roco - German, Austrian, Benelux and more
http://www.roco.cc/en/home/index.html
Sudexpress - Portuguese prototypes, including CIWL, in cooperation with LS Models
https://www.sudexpressmodels.eu/
Tillig - Railbus models Germany
https://www.tillig.com/Triebfahrzeuge.html

Edited by user 12 January 2019 22:29:54(UTC)  | Reason: Added information about MOREP

In my native country (belgium) there is also Olaerts

http://www.treinshopolae...og/index.php?language=fr

Thewolf

Thank you, good point, have updated the post.

You forgot the following that may have AC models in their catalogues:
B Models (Belgium): G-2000 Diesels, etc
Hobbytrain (various models)
Hobbytrade (various models)
Mehano (various models)

There was also Railtop (2002-2010)

Lima made a number of AC models in the late 1980s and 1990s. Today, only a few models are made in 3 rail version. Most of those are under the Lima Expert label.
There are also Small producers who make AC models. Most of the ones that I know are Swiss, but there are also Austrian, German and other companies out there:
Companies, like Friho (Lenk), Hui Modellbau, Sigg Modell, Renfer (Morep.ch), etc

For some companies (e.g. Hornby Group), more info on European and AC models might be found on the German version of the site than on the Italian, French or English (International) versions.

There are also companies who make AC models of non-European models like MTH

Edited by moderator 08 October 2019 06:17:51(UTC)  | Reason: Removed quoting of entire first post

Made topic 'Sticky', so that it appears at or near the top of the H0 sub forum.

Interesting to note that the assorted websites for Hornby International Brands in Italy and Germany seem to be offline and linking to the Hornby UK site.
This includes Hornby-Arnold-Rivarossi in Germany, Hornby Italia (Rivarossi) and Lima Expert in Italy.

Regards

Mike C

Hi!

You can include Trix on the list. They didn't make many locos for Märklin three-rail under the Trix brand since Märklin bought the company, but there are some.
They also make locos for Trix three-rail.

The minimum radius for M track is 286 mm, the minimum radius for K track is 295.4 mm.
Some Märklin items have a documented minimum radius of 360 mm - those without specified minimum radius should also handle the smaller radii.
Some MäTrix items have a recommended radius of 400+ mm and some add-on parts may require even larger radii.

The smallest Piko radius is 358 mm, the smallest Roco radius is 358 mm.
But it's true that not all Roco items can handle these small radii and Märklin R2 might be required.
With other brands (MTH comes to mind) the minimum radii might be needed (Märklin R3 or even R4).

Do not trust the minimum radii given by the manufacturers - sometimes the items can take sharper curves than specified.

Yes, pay attention to the radii. Märklin R2 is the minimum radius I use.

I changed the entry for Sudexpress (new website and content). If any of you come across other makes, I'll gladly add it to the list.

It*s not only the radius that produces problems. The probleme using compatible items is well known also in other areas, such as computer area and so on. I do not recommend using compatible items on märklin layouts, the troubles are too numverous to list them all.

The most problems are wrong wheels on locomotives which is very hard to correct und cost expensive, others are incompatible decoders, lightweighted material can not pull any waggons, problems getting voltage into the model, coupling problems, and on and on and on. If you stick with märklin, use märklin to prevent any of these trouble makers. Do not complain on Märklin, if your compatibe items do not run perfectly on Märklin layouts.

Sorry, but I regard this comment as strongly exaggerated. I have hundreds of rolling stock units from dozens of manufacturers that run absolutely flawlessly on Marklin C-track. As RayF has already pointed out, wheelsets and couplers can easily be changed, if necessary.

And yes, I am perfectly aware that this is a Marklin users forum - but most of the members here are open-minded towards other interesting products from all over the world. A layout or a collection consisting only of Marklin items would be rather boring IMO - other mothers have cute-looking daughters too.

I have Roco and Fleischmann AC locos that run just fine on my C track system. My Fleischmann coaches run particularly sweetly, and that's without even wheelset changes. But in general I think wheelset changes for non Maerklin vehicles are probably wise. A good dealer like MSL will change wheelsets free on purchase.
Jabez

One thing to be careful of is different manufacturers interpretation of the R1 curve . Marklin is 360 mm I have a Liliput L131186 2-6-2 tank loco and the instructions say the R1 = 365 mm. As a result, it does go around 360 mm curves but would not negotiate 5117 points without severe modification . When tested on a 5202 point, it ran perfectly. With Marklin locos, when you set them on an R1 curve, you can twist the body on the curve and feel free play. With this Liliput, it is rigid, and the cause is the bogies. When I removed the front bogie, I could feel free play. Modification of the rear bogie fixed the running in reverse but with the front bogie, i have improved it so that it will run forwards at about 1/2 speed and run well but any faster and it flies off . The front of the chassis stops the outer wheel from moving inwards far enough . Its a great loco but I would advise anyone buying one to make sure the minimum radius curve point they run it on is R2. Its a bit tough though when you have built your layout using lots of R1 points including the 5140 on my main lines .

All the best

Dereck

I see that Jouef is releasing the Thalys in SAC ! :)

Micro-Metakit in Landshut, Bavaria?

I enjoy using controllers 6600 and 6699. I understand that these are incompatible with digital locos run in analogue mode, hence the question.

I try to stick with with Märklin when I can but sometimes you don't have much choice.

I have had my 241.A.65 for several years while waiting for them to make some coaches that would be appropriate for it, like perhaps the metal body Orient Express coaches from the 30's. But last year all they did was paint the old teak wood 1920's coaches in blue and pretend that they are the newer ones. How weak of an effort is that?

Märklin seems determined to introduce a whole stream of new locos, but seldom produce any really new coaches, so I am going to have to go somewhere else to have good options. It is either that or just let my 241 keep stealing coaches from other locos when they are not looking.

MTH is going out of business. July 2021 is their shutdown date. That being said when they got into HO they did make some 3 rail HO. But as time went on they offered fewer items. I’d say within 3 years of their first 3 rail offering they were no longer offering 3 rail. This is/was to bad as I had planned on buying 3 rail steam.
Items occasionally show up on eBay but MTH is no longer making 3 rail HO.
Steve

Good point John - I really need to be more patient.

But at the current rate of new passenger coach introductions I may not live long enough to get what I want.

Now with the virus of death, all bets are off, for who know how long.

Oh well, I guess it is the striving that ultimately is the fun part and it is good to have goals in tough times.

Hi, is there any other (not yet here mentioned) manufacturer which makes North American models? :)

I know that MTH and Roco offers some (Märklin compatible) US models but I would appreciate to know if there is another manufacturer.

I find that the speed the train is running at can be a factor as to whether a train derails or takes the turn easily, regardless of radius. Many times a train will derail due to a misaligned track joint or an improperly set up car or locomotive. I guess it comes down to proper maintenance of your rolling stock. A coupler or wheel with just the slightest amount of excessive friction can cause a derailment at speed. I see trains running full speed into a curve or through a turnout that would not be good practice on a real railroad. The geometry that governs how the protype operates holds true for the model version. I think modelers, especially the UK guys run their trains much too fast from the U tube videos I've watched, although they are using generous radii. As in real life, derailments are mainly the result of excessive speed.