 Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Talking to a person I met on holidays about HO modelling they said, “Why would anyone in Australia buy Marklin? I’ll bet they’ve never made a model of anything in the Southern Hemisphere, and you just can’t relate it to anything you see here”. Do any of the forum gurus know of a Marklin model of an Australian prototype – or even one from the Southern Hemisphere? As for relatability, here’s what does go past my place – I think the numbers below are correct but wouldn’t guarantee them. Pictures courtesy of Bruce Gehrig. The main traffic by far is coal trains taking 200 million tonnes of coal a year to Newcastle, the World’s largest coal port. The port and rail infrastructure limits trains to around 1500 metres. That means a rough average of one 8500 net tonne train every 22 minutes, every day of the year. Local passenger services are provided by 2 car diesel railcar sets. There’s a pretty good service from Maitland to Newcastle – about 25 km away. There are also a few longer runs a couple of times a day out to small towns about 80-100 km away but they aren’t an effective service. The few longer intercity services that still exist in NSW are provided by a fleet of totally clapped out XPTs (Express Passenger Trains). These are significantly modified versions of the British Rail HST design with de-rated engines, lower gearing for a top speed of 160 kph, suspension modified to operate on Australia’s inferior track as well as some changes to cater for Australia’s hotter, dustier conditions. If an XPT service doesn’t actually get delayed, cancelled or break down then an average speed of around 90 kph is about all you can expect. There are also a few container and general freight trains a day going through – but the percentage of this kind of freight is small. For example, just 2% of freight goes by train over the 880km between Melbourne and Sydney, Australia’s two largest cities.      
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 8 users liked this useful post by revmox
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Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 6,764 Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Hi Mark,
Thanks for the great photos of Australian trains.
Those giant coal trains (whether Queensland or NSW) are just fascianting to watch.
As for why anybody would buy Märklin, model trains are model trains of whatever brand. That is what we like.
We like running them, or tinkering with them or just collecting them.
It is also like religion, it is an accident of birth.
My model train habits are an accident of birth - my great-grandfather, grandfather and my father were fascinated by trains and railways, although could not afford to make or buy models (time or money).
Kimball |
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge. |
7 users liked this useful post by kimballthurlow
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Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,594 Location: Australia
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The only Marklin model of a prototype that has ever run in Australia is the Flying Scotsman. Even then, it does not have the same livery as it had while it was in Australia. As Kimball says, it's a religion. The two rail nutters have no idea.  |
Adrian Australia flag by abFlags.com |
7 users liked this useful post by xxup
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 Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,845 Location: Hybrid Home
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Frateschi of Brazil made Australian H0 scale "two-rail" models. While Frateschi cars run on Maerklin C track "out of the box", their "two-rail" locomotives won´t... |
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7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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Joined: 31/10/2023(UTC) Posts: 27 Location: Victoria, Melbourne
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Not quite what is being asked for but a search for HO scale 3D models of Melbourne trains does bring up a number of links - some free and others paid; also some N scale that can be scaled up - including: - https://www.reddit.com/r...ind_somepreferably_free/- https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5274441There are also a number of other Australian train, tram and building models. Of course they may or may not be useful with Marklin motors etc, but I guess if you can handle 3D printing (and slicing etc) then you can also handle tools such as FreeCAD to modify the STL files to suit. (I've done similar things for other models (e.g. dragons for my grandsons!!!) but it does take a bit of practice and learning.)
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3 users liked this useful post by Aussie Susan
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Just to clarify - I'm not complaining about the lack of Australian items or expecting Marklin to ever consider producing them. I was just curious about such a broad statement and whether it had ever happened.
I'm quite happy with my Marklin "train set" and the available product range - but maybe just not so happy about the number of brand-new loco faults I've encountered ...
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2 users liked this useful post by revmox
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 Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,232 Location: Montreal, QC
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I don't think that Maerklin has ever made an Australian inspired model.
They certainly could do "Ghan" coaches based on the US Budd prototype that they have used for years. They would have to make a new mold for the locomotive, either by modifying an ALCO model (Commonwealth RR) or a whole new more recent design.
Regards
Mike C
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3 users liked this useful post by mike c
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Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,261 Location: Hobart, Australia
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Originally Posted by: mike c  I don't think that Maerklin has ever made an Australian inspired model….
Regards
Mike C Hello Mike, Pretty scant indeed but Does this qualify?  This is the only Australian - related Märklin product I know of. Regards PJ 
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13 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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revmox, H0, dickinsonj, osoraku, marklinist5999, xxup, bph, kimballthurlow, ixldoc, Jimmy Thompson, Alsterstreek, hermanvk, ONR
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Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,594 Location: Australia
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Horrible stuff too. No real Australian drinks it.  |
AdrianAustralia flag by abFlags.com |
6 users liked this useful post by xxup
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Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,261 Location: Hobart, Australia
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It was also the avatar of our respected past member sjbartels who we sadly lost in Sept 2021. He was an expat Australian Scientist living in the USA, a moderator of this forum and a wise gentleman. He came from Victoria, home of Fosters Lager. 
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8 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,902 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Maybe he was living near Harvard in Boston. I think Foster's is popular there. I prefer a lighter ale, lager. I can enjoy a Guinness but it is not a regular go to choice. To each their own.
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1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Due to clever marketing the rest of the world might think of Fosters beer as typically Australian – but it is quite unpopular here – it’s considered more of a national embarrassment. None of my friends, family or acquaintances drink it – there are so many much better options. For a long time Fosters wasn't even made in Australia but it seems local production may have recently been restarted. Fosters didn’t get close to a mention in Australia’s Top 10 beers by volume for 2023. 1. Great Northern Brewing Co Super Crisp Lager (30 can pack) 2. XXXX Gold (375ml 30 can pack) 3. Carlton Dry (stubbie) 4. Great Northern Brewing Co Super Crisp Lager (stubbie) 5. Corona Extra (stubbie) 6. Great Northern Brewing Co Original Lager Can – full strength (30 can pack) 7. Great Northern Brewing Co Original Lager – full strength (stubbie carton) 8. Victoria Bitter (30 can pack) 9. Tooheys New (375ml 30 can pack) 10. Coopers Pale Ale (stubbie) 
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3 users liked this useful post by revmox
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Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,594 Location: Australia
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Originally Posted by: PJMärklin It was also the avatar of our respected past member sjbartels who we sadly lost in Sept 2021. He was an expat Australian Scientist living in the USA, a moderator of this forum and a wise gentleman. He came from Victoria, home of Fosters Lager. And I can tell you that he didn't drink the stuff either - He drank VB, when he was here.. |
AdrianAustralia flag by abFlags.com |
4 users liked this useful post by xxup
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Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,261 Location: Hobart, Australia
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I thought this thread was about Märklin HO and the Southern Hemisphere. What's all the rage about beer  Märklin made the freight car, not the beer ... and no Adrian, we don't want to progress to XXXX 
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5 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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Joined: 21/05/2004(UTC) Posts: 1,768 Location: Brisbane, Queensland
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Because German trains are far more interesting with a richer history |
modelling era IIIa (1951-1955) Germany |
2 users liked this useful post by applor
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Joined: 30/12/2023(UTC)
Posts: 80
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Originally Posted by: revmox Talking to a person I met on holidays about HO modelling they said, “Why would anyone in Australia buy Marklin? I’ll bet they’ve never made a model of anything in the Southern Hemisphere, and you just can’t relate it to anything you see here”.
That's just ignorance on the part of the person you were speaking to. Australia isn't the only country in the Southern Hemisphere. It's also a continuation of 'don't mention the war' by Marklin who steadfastly refuse to issue any Bayer-Peacock prototypes that were used by many Commonwealth countries that were part of the former British Empire. South Africa; India; Australia and New Zealand and many smaller countries, all just waiting for something 'local'... When I started buying Marklin, it was because they were regarded as the best and at the time, the offerings from Australian companies were 'immature' to be polite. That said, I've seen the '3801' model for sale in 'Menzel's Lokschuppen' - so another question would be "why would anyone in Germany be interested in Australian Models?". Apparently they are... Quote:
Do any of the forum gurus know of a Marklin model of an Australian prototype – or even one from the Southern Hemisphere?
No. But that doesn't mean that next year's 'surprise loco' won't be a Bayer Garrett.
Quote:
As for reliability, here’s what does go past my place:
The Griffith Explorer 2 car set rebounds from Junee and joins the Canberra Explorer at Goulburn to become a 5-car set to Sydney.
The XPT each direction, about 1:30. AM or PM.
These are being refurbished yet another time, whilst we wait for 'something better'. From Spain, I think...
These are a potential Marklin candidate and would possibly sell to UK based Marklin collectors in the appropriate liveries.
3 NR120s in front of 100+ containers of 'Mearsk' 'China Shipping' and Hapag-Lloyd' all devoid of any nasty graffiti; proving that they are still ugly without it. These will disappear when the inland rail project send them by the back track to Wellcamp instead.
The 'Steel Coil' train taking coils of sheet steel 'somewhere'. The empty flatbeds coming back about 3 days later.
I have absolutely no connection with Germany. I have what I have because I like it and no other reason. I also collect models from other European countries and makers.
I will hopefully be going to the Kaleen show next week. I'll be greeted by 65% of the layouts being 'Aussie' where the highlight of the layout will be an EK ute or a HQ Monaro placed at a strategic location whilst a Victorian express train wanders past invoking absolutely no memories for me at all. Another 30% will have the UK based layouts with an unidentified loco pulling a dozen little open wagons branded with nostalgic British advertising. There might be a half-baked Marklin layout in the corner next to the Ye Olde Trix Express layout .
It's lonely at the top.
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Fine, young, Tweed salseman that y'are
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3 users liked this useful post by Vinedusk
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,771 Location: New Zealand
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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Frateschi of Brazil made Australian H0 scale "two-rail" models. Frateschi have also made models of NZ locomotives - DA / DC / DX's in original crimson and also in the NZR fruit salad livery. https://ironhorsehobbies...pma0BFqf18tlihlu5mlkjWibMarklin haven't made any southern hemisphere locos, but hey, they made a British Flying Scotsman after decades of not producing any British locos and Marklin have just announced production of a Shay loco. So we hope that one day a NZ Ka steam loco or a DA diesel (based on the GM EMD G12 which were also run in Australia) might end up being made...
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4 users liked this useful post by Bigdaddynz
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 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,480 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz
So we hope that one day a NZ Ka steam loco or a DA diesel (based on the GM EMD G12 which were also run in Australia) might end up being made...
But would they produce them in S scale, so they will run on H0 track?
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3 users liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
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Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,845 Location: Hybrid Home
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2 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,771 Location: New Zealand
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Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz
So we hope that one day a NZ Ka steam loco or a DA diesel (based on the GM EMD G12 which were also run in Australia) might end up being made...
But would they produce them in S scale, so they will run on H0 track? Given that the NZ track gauge is 3'6" (1067mm), so a 1:64 scale model running on H0 track might equate to a narrow gauge loco. 3'6" narrow gauge track is used in NZ, parts of Queensland in Oz and parts of South Africa and parts of Asia mainly due to the challenging terrain. But I guess Marklin would not make a one off or two off S scale loco to satisfy a small market. Edited by user 21 March 2025 20:36:02(UTC)
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1 user liked this useful post by Bigdaddynz
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 Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,158
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2 users liked this useful post by bph
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Originally Posted by: bph Sort of an Australian crocodile ... 
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5 users liked this useful post by revmox
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Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,261 Location: Hobart, Australia
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6 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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Joined: 30/12/2023(UTC)
Posts: 80
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It's an awesome loco up close. I saw it in Canberra before they finished restoring it. They were used in South Africa as well as Australia. |
Fine, young, Tweed salseman that y'are
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4 users liked this useful post by Vinedusk
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Unfortunately, I don't see 6029 listed in the trains for this year's Steamfest race. In the 1960's, if you waited on Cardiff station, you could sometimes get lucky and get a cab ride on a 60 class from a friendly driver up through tickhole tunnel to Broadmeadow. Terrifying in the tunnel. Long walk home. Video of 2023 race ... 
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9 users liked this useful post by revmox
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Joined: 09/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,971 Location: Somewhere, But Nowhere Near Manchester, England
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Made in Manchester |
Don't look back, your not heading that way. |
1 user liked this useful post by GlennM
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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Probably not much use in a tiny place like England - the front would be in the next town before the back had left the last.
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6 users liked this useful post by revmox
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Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,261 Location: Hobart, Australia
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3 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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Joined: 26/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 198 Location: Australia, East Maitland, NSW
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A little more video for those unfamiliar with the 60 class garratt. I wonder if there's a turn table left anywhere in NSW that can turn this beast.
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8 users liked this useful post by revmox
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