29469 Modern Starter set Review
with DHG 700 diesel shunter

Small things amuse small minds …

This 29469 starter set was offered to me by a German retailer some time last year. It came without the box, track and controller, and was priced accordingly.
My railway needed (another) a small modern shunter, and with the DB AG branding in traffic red, it suited my agenda for quick yard and main line transfers without fuss or grandstanding.
This little train set is an absolute delight.

Firstly the VTG branded tanker is brightly and multi-coloured in subdued tones with a business-like presence, in a shape I have not seen before.
Secondly a Kbs low side flat car comes with optional stakes. This car can do all sorts of things in a train, like carry a container, a vehicle or truck, or a load of gravel.
Thirdly the closed van too looks business-like, maybe as a tool van or less than carload delivery.

And lastly, the engine has realistic sounds, including a start-up procedure the time of which varies depending on the ambient temperature or something. At times it takes an inordinate amount of time to get the diesel engine ticking over. Once running, it responds with variable noise to the load and or throttle. The flashing light which is on/off, is way brighter than any of my other DHG KRVM locomotives and is frankly far superior.

The engine which is numbered 3367 004-9 has excellent slow speed running and managed 10 of my modern freight cars with ease on a level surface.
Frankly, the QUALITY of this set really shines, and I congratulate the Märklin team on putting it together.
I would recommend this set to any aspiring model railroader, young or old.


Here is how Märklin describe the set.
The Highest Quality for Your Model Railroad - I concur.
29469 –Starter Set with a Henschel DHG 700 C Diesel Locomotive
A sleek diesel switch engine with three different freight cars invites you to try it out, play, keep busy, and keep discovering new things.
The designation DHG 700 C symbolizes a diesel hydraulic locomotive with universal shaft drive, around 700 horsepower performance, and 3 sets of driving wheels. Henschel produced 55 units of this locomotive between 1973 and 1985, which were used mainly at mining operations, steel producers, chemical companies, and automobile companies.

This set was offered up till 2025, but may be sold out.
I am sure there are similar available. I counted 7 on the Märklin website including 29074 and 29065.
Go on, enjoy yourself.
Kimball

Edited by user 15 January 2026 10:49:17(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Interesting part. Is it NEM, but just the hook because it can't pivot? In which case a Kadee should be a perfectly functional drop-in. Or is it something NEM-ish that borrows the design but changes all the specifications; like the oversized NEM363-lookalike pockets that Hornby and Bachmann use?

Still for a train set like this, a NEM pocket very good, even if it's not quite at spec because it's fixed. As it stands, British trainsets still have giant D-shaped couplers that are welded on to everything in the set. Being able to attach a different coupler is still great,