Hello everyone!
I am currently going through my grandfather's collection and have come across this locomotive that I can't find much information about. I am trying to confirm the item number for this locomotive for my inventory list and for when it comes time to sell it. From the note he left, it seems like this locomotive came from a starter set # 5519. I can't find any info about set 5519 online. I can find some pictures of the locomotive # 5719, which appears to be almost identical, except this locomotive has Union Pacific badging. My grandfather did occasionally write down the incorrect model number so I thought I would double check with the experts here. I have added pictures of the locomotive and the note from when he purchased the engine.

I'm not an expert about trains, but I'm learning more and more about them while I go through my grandfathers collection. This locomotive appears to be a German diesel switcher, but has Union Pacific markings. From my googling, I couldn't find any information about Union Pacific using German engines. Is it common for Marklin to create these kind of fantasy trains?

Thanks Jimmy for the quick reply! I did just think of another question that you might know the answer to. While doing my research I see some (usually older) items labeled as Spur 1 and some (usually newer) items seem to be labeled as 1 gauge. Is there a difference? Was it just a Marklin marketing term change?

Except for the Union Pacific decals, the locomotive appears to be identical with the locomotive from the starter set 5521. The set was presented in the 1970 catalogue, although no picture of the loco was shown. Indeed it was a greatly simplified version of the 5719/5720 locomotive without lights, doors or railings.

Back then, the 5521 was the least expensive entry level set to the newly re-established Spur 1 product line, so the locomotive was built like this by Märklin: no lights, railings or doors. I own a copy of the set. Perhaps the dealer added the Union Pacific decals to make the bare bone locomotive more attractive.

Here's a picture of my 5521 set and the locomotive.

Hi Jimmy, the picture you posted shows the 5520 set. The illustration in the 1970 catalog shows a picture of this set. The catalog text for 5520 states that the set includes a 5720 locomotive.

The 1970 catalog text for the 5521 set states that it includes a "diesel locomotive" without giving a model number, and indeed it had a simplified version of the 5720 locomotive. The catalog does not include pictures of this set.

The 5521 set is not that easy to find, surely it is rarer than the 5520 set.

*EDIT* Sorry folks, I am editing my first post; I found my answer in the link to the Marklin catalog listed in one of the earlier replies. The catalog states that the locomotive should work with the AC transformer. I'm going to try a little lite cleaning and lubrication on the moving gears of the locomotive, see if that helps.

Hi folks,

I'm new here and my Google search on this same locomotive has brought me here. Being completely new to model railroading and Marklin Spur 1, I recently acquired the virtually identical locomotive. Is there a way to determine if it is DC electric? I tried running it on my Marklin AC track but it struggles to move. I didn't extend my efforts because I don't want to damage the locomotive.
Apologies for hijacking this thread with my questions.

Thanks,

Scott

Scott,

The smaller HO models of a similar age suffer from seizing caused by the older oils that were used combined with long periods of storage and not being run. The effect of this is that the lights come on and the locos look like they are trying to move but often cannot or only very painfully.

I am not sure if Gauge 1 models are susceptible to the same issues, but if they are this can be resolved with careful cleaning (there are several articles on the Forum that will help you) especially around the gears, and reoiling with modern approved oil.

Good luck