I want to start a new hobby. I do not have a local dealer, so I have no one to ask.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Marklin HO trains?
Thanks.

Well Mike,
Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum.
First, you might like to look through a few previous threads. There are lots of discussions,
even recent ones, that may help you. Also, everyone here is willing to help.
I see you are in AK, always wanted to go there, but I think not too
many model RR shops, and those are probably DC. A lot of people here
use online dealers (I live in New York City, but I still use an online retailer).
In spite of some gripes about specific items, I think the biggest advantage of Marklin is
the overall quality of the brand for the money you pay. I have Marklin locos
that are 50 years old and still run perfectly. The disadvantage (not for me, but for some)
is that most RR hobbyists in N America run DC systems, so it can be hard to
find shops, parts, clubs, etc. You are in the right place, though...
G

The decision to start in model trains can be a big one.
You first have to decide what you want to model. Do you want to model North American, European or other? What scale?
After you have decided on HO scale, you then have to decide on what system.
For European trains, there are two main systems, DC, which is the worldwide standard, and Maerklin's 3-rail AC system.
Maerklin's rail system has some advantages, as the third rail permits the use of reverse loops and other setups that would normally cause a short if done with 2-rail DC tracks.
I guess that one thing you would have to decide is how much space you are going to have available for your layout. Many European companies manufacture rolling stock in exact 1:87, which is about 30cm for a modern coach. These coaches require larger radii than the older versions and the so-called "Hobby" coaches. Maerklin's current selection includes 27cm and 28cm coaches (1:100-1:93)
If you have the space to run larger radii with longer coaches, you may wish to look at some of the other manufacturers, Roco, LS Models, ACME, Rivarossi, etc. A good selection of their products can be found at eurailhobbies, reynaulds or at tee-usa and other shops.
Companies like Roco, Hag* and others also make models for 3-rail AC. These models work as well as the average Maerklin lok or better*.

Your key question was what are the advantages of Maerklin?

Here's something to think about. I have Maerklin trains going back to the 1960s when I was a kid. Some of them may be a little bashed up but they still run perfectly. I honestly could not tell you where any of my Triang, Tyco or other trains have gone. I am pretty sure that they were all broken and thrown out years ago.
Maerklin trains are tougher than most other brands!

Right now is a good time to get into Maerklin because the US dollar is higher against the Euro than it has been in quite a while.

Here are a few Euro online shops to check out:

Modellbahn Kramm
Modelleisenbahn.com (Schweickhardt)
Lokshop
suter-meggen.ch (Swiss)

You can find a list of local dealers (if any) at Marklin.com using the search feature. Most big cities (NY, Miami, Chicago, etc) have dealers that carry a reasonable selection.

I do a lot of shopping overseas because limited edition items can be much harder to find in North America. I tend to buy Swiss stuff from Switzerland and German stuff from Germany or wherever Ican get the best price.

Regards

Mike C
Canada

Mike - I tried them all in HO before getting into Marklin HO. I tried the US manufacturers and found the Japanese KATO was pretty good but nothing held the tracks better than Marklin was trouble free had all kinds of track to make just about any crazy layout work with derailments. There is no better quality and a complete, reliable and very interesting railroad system for any age!

Welcome to the forum, Mike. Others have given you great advice, there's not much else I can add. The dealer mentioned at www.euromodeltrains.com is a member of this forum (plavnostruev), and he (also named Mike) will give you good advice and service.

Yes, the value of the USD v the euro is good right now (not so good here......our Marklin just got way more expensive [xx(]).

Cem: I play the violin, and have a 18th century French and an early 20th century Italian violin along with many bows. This is a "hobby" where good quality items retain their value, and can appreciate considerably. Thus, I am blessed with two hobbies that may not be monetary sink holes!!--MM

Hi and Welcome to the forum, Mike.

Mike start off with whatever you like, although I will say the steam locos seem to grab the imagination of most people more that the diesel locos. It comes down to your pocket and your personal tastes really.

The quality of the steam locos out of the starter sets is very good. I have one or two that came out of broken up starter sets and I have not regretted buying them.

Mike, if you want a high quality american style, go for the 29490 starter set. The loco in it (GG-1) is one of Märklin's best and pure american style hardware. It comes with an MS which is the basic digital controller. It controls up to 10 locos.

Welcome to the Forum Mike. Why Maerklin? Why not? Glad you have chosen a quality manufacturer that offers you a complete line of products. In the world of 3-rail AC you are making a good choice. Be prepared to spend lots of money!!

Mike,
Welcome to funsville mate.
The 29533 is a nice set.
The 29830 is not available in C Track, but there is the 29010 set available,
http://www.marklin.com/marklin_pdb.html
I still use this site as a reference.
Regards
Tony

Depends, apparently it has some issues pulling the whole train up steep grades, but apart from that its not bad.

John

(has Thomas Percy and pigs but no harry potter!)

gachar001,

Does this mean the "Hogwarts Express" does not have sound? You are right, I have to have sound!

Looks like the 29552 Hogwarts express has only the whistle sound and 29550 has no sound. Some Marklin locos come with whistle sound and some have the full sound.
I would recommend that you go to marklin.com and click on the Product Databank search. There you can search by model number or by keyword among other things. The description will specify if the loco has only a whistle sound or a sound effects generator. I think the database has all Marklin products produced since 2000 listed in it.

You may also want to look at eBay germany (ebay.de). There you will find 10 times more Marklin products as compared to the US site. Ofsourse shipping will cost more.
In ebay.de, under Categories, go to Modellbau. There you will be able to browse AC (Wechselstrom) and go from there.

Because you cant do a nice layout in 34in x 55in with any other brand of HO scale trains! Both N and Z are to small for me, I have tried both. O scale is great but even more expensive and takes lots of space. I do have my father's Lionel set from the late 1940's that goes under our Christmas tree, but the home layout is a small Marklin layout, with catenary. Its still got aways to go on the scenery, need roads really bad, the city folk getting tired of driving in the grass! I know of no other scales that a 2-10-0 decapod or br44 can go around 15' radius curves as smoothly as it goes around much wider ones. My layout is all M track, vintage locomotives and older buildings. I even converted a UK OO modeler friend of mine over to Marklin as he is always disgusted how poorly older UK make OO stuff runs. He despises the new Chinese stuff for OO, even though it runs much better. When he saw how smooth my old br81 and V200 and br44 ran around tight curves and were older than his UK stuff he was hooked. My biggest problem is affording what I want. With 2 other hobbies competing for funds, HO USA trains and antique garden tractors, the wallet tends to stay empty most of the time. I have owned trains that are high $$ such as brass in HO scale, top of the line Lionel ect, nothing runs as nice, holds its long term value as Marklin. They are the Mercedes Benz of model trains. Built tough, operate almost flawlessly with proper maintance and if the time comes for the collection to be sold when we go on to the next life, usualy are worth as much or more than we paid to help the family cope, or become treasured keepsakes. I hope to see Marklin stay going, get LGB back into the USA market and grow once we get the global economy back on its feet. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mike and Michele T