Hi all, total newbie to this forum!

My dad passed away last week and left me with his Marklin train set. He's had it since he was around 5/6/10 years old. My dad was born in 1950. On a booklet with the set it says HO bottom left, with the numbers 763 top right.

I hope the picture has attached!

I'm looking to find out what year this set was built mostly. There's a lot of pieces with this set, some carriages, engines and train wagons, along with lots of track and some junction pieces with wires attached.

Some of the boxes aren't in the greatest condition, with some doing ok for their age. I have instructions pages for some individual items as well. A lot of the pieces are still in good condition for their age, the odd part not quite so.

The only history I know of it is that my dad's dad played with this one day when my dad was young. He wasn't allowed to play with it himself, just to sit and watch his dad with the set.

Appreciate any feedback.

Hi Jean!

Thanks for your reply. And thanks regarding my dad, it's not been easy lately. I'm Stefan. I'm sure my dad found the name from his time in Germany - his dad was in the RAF.

I recognise some parts from the pictures you've posted, most notably the SK 846/4. I'm not sure exactly if that's the correct model I have but it looks very much like it. The Marklin train set my dad has left to me has many individual boxes which I am still cleaning. I need to find a way to clean them properly without harming parts - by that I mean I don't want to let any parts become rusty later.

I need to take pictures to see exactly what I have, but I know there's a Märklin Doppeltriebwagen DT 800 which is a beautiful piece! I will take some pictures when I have the chance and post them here.

Kind regards Stefan

Hi Stefan,

Welcome to the forum.

You’ve got an exciting Märklin journey ahead of you. The key publication you need is Koll’s Katalogue. It is a detailed catalogue of everything that Marklin has produced in the HO range. Try and get hold of an older one say pre 2015. It comes with pictures! Although in German it’s easy to use and you will be able to identify what you have.

You will need part 1 for the locos and part 2 for the rolling stock. Unfortunately I am cataloging and selling a large collection based in Healing, not too far from you, otherwise I would willing lend you mine. Perhaps another member of the forum could lend you the catalogue. Or if you send me photos I can look them up for you.

If you can make the meeting above, it would be great to meet you

All the best
Adrian

Hi Stef,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I was visiting my nieces over the weekend and have picked up one of those Nursery bugs from the toddlers.

Anyway on to matters in hand, a couple of pointers before cleaning

1) I expect you have one of the controllers in a blue metal case. Please do not use it. Overtime the insulation etc inside deteriorates and the thing becomes dangerous. If you are looking for a controller I recommend getting a new white one from Marklin.

2) on you tube look up “the 3rd rail” and “MarklinofSweden”. The 3rd rail has an exclusive analog system and some of his deal with maintenance of locos rolling stock and metal M track. Some of Marklinof Sweden’s” earlier videos also deal with the same topic.

Onto cleaning

If you are just looking to remove dust from locos etc I would start with a soft brush, either a paint brush or one of those ladies big make up brushes.
For something more stubborn, for bodywork etc, a very weak solution with fairy liquid and cotton buds should do the trick. After the soapy solution clean
water. If you can get a hair dryer to get rid of any residual water.

Mechanical
I use WD40 contact cleaner in a spray can. Gets rid of most gunk in the locos. You could also use brake fluid cleaner. After cleaning you’ll want to relubricate. A very light oil, like sewing machine oil or MARKLINS proprietary oil.


Track
Again soapy water, the track is quite robust so don’t be afraid. Wash of with clean water and then air dryer or in the oven! Just to get rid of residual moisture.

Hope this helps
Adrian

Hi Stefan,

When your models were produced, Marklin used to wrap the models in paper before putting them in the boxes. It sounds like the original wrapping.

The blue boxes probably have two rows or push buttons on them. These are for controlling accessories like points and signals. Over time the plastic warps and the things are useless. Just ditch them!

Adrian

Hi Stefan,

For locos I would use thin bubble wrap, for coaches and wagons tissue paper or thin kitchen paper.

Adrian

Hi Stefan,

When it comes to servicing and looking after Märklin trains, the YouTube channel “Märklin of Sweden” is worth looking at.

Cheers….

Mike

Given your items date from the 1950's, then most likely any transformers you have will also date from that period. Before attempting to use them we would suggest you have the transformers checked by an electrician as the mains cable insulation on them is rubber and over time that insulation perishes leaving bare exposed wires carrying mains voltage.

To see what we mean take a look at https://www.marklin-users.net/forum/posts/t32687-

You can perform a quick check for issues yourself. Unscrew the cover off the mains plug on the transformer and inspect the cable. If the rubber insulation shows any sign of deterioration then it is a fair bet the cable inside the transformer has also perished. In any case and regardless of that, best to have the mains cable replaced with a modern one.

Stefan,
Were you the person talking to a member of the Abingdon & District Model railway Club at Millets Farm over the weekend? If so I believe the member you were speaking to may be going to refer you to myself.

Some of those items do have some significant value, and I may be able to help you realise that value. The items look to be in much better condition than I was envisaging when another member of the club told me about the contact, if it was you they were talking with.


Alan

Hi Stefan,

Those are fantastic examples of classic Märklin models. Worth looking after and servicing before use.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Cheers…..

Mike

Can I ask are you just looking to sell or a you going to build at layout and run the trains yourself. If selling I would do very little to any of the items other tha maybe clean with a soft brush.
I would not consider using the transformer unless checked by an electrician for safety.
IF selling then you can advertise here and you can also get advice on a value.
IF you wish to use the items and build a layout then of course you will get help on this forum.

This one worth a pretty penny, be careful to not damage it.

Any modern white cased Marklin transformer such as 6647 or 66471 should be fine to run your items with.

You might want to take a look at this thread as there may be some links there to manuals / booklets, etc that may help you.

https://www.marklin-user...ns---requested-documents