Märklin 26218 Regional trainset - a Review

I have been buying from a German dealer for around 10 years, mostly for second-hand or items no longer available to order from my local dealer.
When I purchased this 26218 set in 2021, he wrote to me and said “Congratulations on buying this gorgeous train set” which is not something he had said for previous purchases.
The set was produced by Märklin in 2008.




Lighting on the locomotive and on the driving trailer conform to the direction of travel, with red lights showing on the rear vehicle, either trailer or locomotive. The locomotive has extended exhaust stacks, and 4 axles are powered by a cardan shaft running from a centrally mounted motor, with wheels on 1 axle equipped with traction tyres.

When I unpacked the box to run it there were other things about the set that popped out at me. The current-conducting couplers are of a type (2 pin) which I have never seen before on a Märklin train set. Both the locomotive and the driving trailer have a pick-up slider apparently to assist the electronics for lights in the direction of travel. The paint work is very high class, certainly at a standard you can expect from Märklin.

The locomotive is set up at the factory to run alone without the car set, or with any other rolling stock. To operate the loco with the car set, you must first unscrew the loco body, and then remove an electric jumper on a circuit board. Replace the body and the train will now run as it is supposed to. I don’t have (enough or any) German blood in my veins to understand the reasoning behind why Märklin supply it this way. Was Märklin expecting most buyers to never run it as a set?? Maybe a German can explain.

After earning revenue on my layout now for a few weeks, I am impressed by the diesel and operating sounds, and the general controllability of the train. Smooth running through limiting trackwork such as R1 curves, cross overs, curved turnouts, and double slips is a bonus adding to operating satisfaction. Fitting seated passengers to the internal fit-out of the cars might improve its operating viability, something I will consider in a spare hour or two. If you are of a mind to enhance the train, interior car lighting can be achieved with the Märklin part number 73400, or LED self-made sets.

All in all, I like this set and would recommend it if you can get one second-hand to suit your budget.
https://youtu.be/7F2e1RUTlJ4 a rather poor video which I shot using a 3Mp camera purchased in 2003.
Kimball

Very nice set Kimball

Hello Ak
Great photo of the real train thanks.

You are probably correct in regard to the settings. I first ran the train about 6 months ago and now I can’t remember exactly how I became cognisant of the circuit jumper already installed.

Regards, Kimball