I have a few of the "Kombi Verkehr" trailer sets (#48045, etc..)
Did these type of "rail cars" ever exist in real life?
Can't seem to find nothing about it on the web.
Kombi Verkehr is a big deal in the industry, but it seems these sets are just experimental??

Regards
Jean-Pierre

No issues on R1 radius with any of them on my layout, but found that they can't handle "S" curves however...
I have the 48040 (x2), 48042 & 48045 to make a nice long train....
Would like to find some pic's of the real thing in action!

Regards

Jean-Pierre

My understanding is the system was abandoned because the road trailers have to be made so heavy as the trailer body has to be able to pull the whole train. They also have to have all the required hydralics and wiring needed for any braking and electrical requirements along the length of the train. This means they are a very heavy vehicle on the road, which increases road usage charges for no increase in revenue, as well as higher fuel costs to haul the heavier trailers around, again for no increase in revenue.

The ROLA system works out much better as there is no need to have a crane to load the trailers on the train, they just drive straight on, and if the wagons are needed elsewhere they can travel as empty wagons, where with the Kombirail system specialised bogies have to be transported somehow.

There is also a Trix set like the 48045 with 5 different truck bodies to the Marklin sets. Can't remember the catalogue number off hand, will try and remember to dig out my set and photograph it.