It won't happen!

/Torbjörn

Well we can't be 100 % sure of anything, can we? [8)]
But I do believe that Märklin will continue in one way or the other.

/Torbjörn

(But I've bought a lot of C-track, just in case! )

I would drop my new layout project.

I gave a link in another thread to the "Handelsblatt", were they reported that the legal construction made by Kingsbridge around Märklin could hamper a possible sale.

But I would say, judging from the info available, that the chances that Märklin will continue to exist in one form or the other, are greater than the risk that it will vanish completely.

But of course, no one knows for sure what will happen. I doubt even the famous St Pluta knows for sure.

/Torbjörn

I will keep the Marklin system because I think it's the best. Will try to get as much C track as I can and build my lay-out anyway.

It is not difficult to convert DC locomotives to AC and I am sure still someone will pic-up the slack. The Marklin system will not go away, simple too large installed base to disappear.

Maerklin will continue in one form or another.
The major issues facing any relaunch of the brand would be:

1) Given that the operations in Gyoer (Hungary) are not affected by this insolvency, that operation might not be part of an eventual settlement. As Kingsbridge is still the owner of Maerklin Hungary, there may be a conflict over use of the name and the brand.

The Roco insolvency resulted in the new company adopting the name Modelleisenbahn GmBH. The name Roco for a Corporation may still be in the name of Mr. Magdefrau. If Maerklin (Hungary) continued to make products as well as the relaunched brand, there could be two competing Maerklin's. I presume that most likely KB is just holding on to the Hungarian Unit to sell it (and the name) to whoever takes over the main operation.

2) As in the case with Roco, there may be certain technologies that were licensed to Maerklin and that might not automatically apply to the relaunched company. For example, Modelleisenbahn GmBH had to secure the rights to the Flusterschleife and the Universal Close Coupler before they could be marketed again. The same may apply to Maerklin catenary (Viessmann), pantographs (Sommerfeldt), current conducting detachable couplers and the Motorola based digital system.

I am sure that Maerklin will continue, even if not exactly in the same manner as before. I am 100% sure that 3-Rail AC will continue to be a viable system for as long as there are model trains. If not by M, then somebody else will step in.

But, we will have to wait and see a few months to know exactly how the insolvency will be concluded.

Regards

Mike C

Hi Jeremy,

Never heard of Brimalm before this! Thank you for sharing this info. Btw, how long has Brimalm been in business, and are we comparing Brimalm with Marklin as an alternative?

Cheers,
Ranjit

For me it is not a big issue if M ceases to exist (as unlikley as that is), like Jeremy and many of you, I have heaps of locos, coaches track etc etc , even many spares - too much stuff everywhere..

I stayed away from the whole M Systems/Digital and am happy with the IB& switch etc. Have a number of new, spare old faithful 6021's. So no problems with proprietary repairs, etc

The world is a-flood with M stuff new and old, so we would always be able to get stuff if needed. Even the 1 gauge collection I have been building up over the past few years will not be a problem - there is also heaps of that stuff around - may have a probelm with 1 gauge spares though??

So no isses for me.

I heard about this legal construction , which is a financial construction too .
In his approach , Mr Pluta probably will separate this financial construction from the industrial concern ( Marklin business).
In fact this financial construction probably was taken too much cash , putting a strain on the results generated by industrial activity.
At the same time the attorney probably will press for the restructuring of this "legal construction" ( financial construction)with the help of banks, or proposing a new one and selling it to new investors , etc...etc... etc...( this new financial construction will last 2 or 3 , or more years : 1/ pay Kingsbridge and 2/ taking less cash than before from the industrial concern...)

It is a common business , someone has explained this to me . This is what they use to do when this financial construction swallows too much money too rapidly ( or when the industrial concern didn't generate enough cash [}:)] depending on which side you are [}:)] ) )

As it has been explained to me : negociation probably will be hard ( between Kingsbridge who wants his money back , and the new investors ). Don't forget Kingsbridge has bought Marklin for a certain amount . But they didn't make it "for nothing"

At the same time & from another side , they will do their best to make the industrial concern more profitable , which is another matter
So we understand the interest of separating the industrial concern from the financial construction made by kingsbridge to buy Marklin...

My Z-scale project may suffer if noone makes Z trains any more - but on the other hand I think I have enough model railroading stuff to build a layout and a second layout as well.

In the H0 world there are a lot of possible ways to go. I wouldn't invest heavily in Märklin Digital right now, but I'm not giving up the trains!

As I expressed on the thread about Marklin in bankruptcy, They have survived worse. Let's all hope for a worldwide economic miracle again!
Should Marklin close it's doors, maybe someone else will buy the tooling, etc. Does anyone think the value of our items will climb in that case?

As long as we can get track then we will be OK. If Marklin does disappear then the world will go on as usual and the other manufacturers will be delighted to pick up a new share of the market. I prefer Marklin would would be quite happy to buy other makes to keep the hobby going. Who would buy the firm and take on huge debts?
Maybe they can keep going in a smaller form.
Sad thing is apart from us enthusiasts I dont think anybody really cares when there are much more important firms in trouble like the car industry.

My Bank account might be better off if they go under.

As long as I can get service parts like traction tires I'll be ok. I'm sure someone will make them even if its a o-ring company making special production runs. marklin enthusiast are very clever and will come up with ways to keep on going.

I made a greater investment in C-track last month.

No doubt that M* (at least the name) will stay in market. But I hope the production will be continued in Germany.
Regards Stig