Tom-very nice...thanks for posting this!

The Euro is killing me. I'd buy this set in a heartbeat but for $700+ USD its WAY overpriced...

It is a sad fact that Maerklin prices in Switzerland are much higher than they are in Germany.
I picked up my 37356 for around 225 EUR (Actually 189.- No VAT). The same lok in Switzerland is listed for over 450 CHF (on special at Roundhouse for 399.) The price for this lok in America is CAD$ 425 or about US$ 375.
The German price translates to around CAD$ 300 or US$ 275. The Swiss price works out to around CAD$450 or US$400.
The Swiss price should be German Cost (No VAT) plus Swiss Duties and Taxes. I don't know if Model RR is still dutiable on import to Switzerland, but the tax is around 7%. Add a reasonable markup for Maerklin CH and the price should still come out far below it's current level. Maerklin inflates it's prices for the Swiss market and those of us who want these Swiss Exclusive models have to pay that price.

If the model has the correct details, then it may be worth considering. Others will buy it just because it is Maerklin. The decision is up to each potential buyer.

Regards

Mike C

Are you sure?

http://www.railpictures.net/vie...php?id=263849&nseq=0

Yup.. the pic is shows the larger headlights of the Re 436 - as explained by Mike.
What the Crossrail package had is just the bread-and-butter Re 4/4 II standard mould with the round headlights (unmodernized version of serries 2 to 4).

Not really saying that Marklin should develop a new mould to accomodate this specific model. Yes, I realize it's too expensive - but pretty sure some sort of cheap plastic clip-on part from China would do as compromise.

The lack of interest posted re this model in Stummi should not come as surprising. I don't think Marklin's Swiss enthusiasts around the world will be jumping up and down with joy with this model (or its price).

It's probably me as I brought it up
Though I never said anything about whether Marklin needs to develop entirely new mould for this model.

Mike, I think the crest at the front of the lok is still there - just painted over. I can only vaguely make it out in the picture.

Mike,
what I meant was on the Marklin model - not the prototype.
But the picture is really too small to see to really confirm properly.

I'm pretty sure Marklin didn't modify the toolings and took the shortest shortcut. Funnily I don't really have a problem with the crest; I just think that the headlights betray the lok's identity.

Looking at the photos of the demonstrator (Handmuster) of the Re 436 that was displayed at the SuisseToy Exhibit in Bern, the lok will have the following features:

- Round Headlights
- No Swiss Crest - The Lok number 113 and the Crossrail logo will appear on the lok front (right side under the window).
- Integrated Rear View Mirrors on cab (right side)
- UIC Steps, Platform and Railings

The Round Headlights look to be the standard SBB size and not the larger round headlights with built in red light as used by the Private Railways (SOB, MThB, RM (EBT, VHB, SMB))

The model must be a new mould, because:

- This is the first model with round headlights without the Swiss Cross on the front of the loks. Unlike Hag and Roco, Maerklin included the crest as part of the mould and not as an add-on part.
There has been no other model without the crest, other than the 34345 Re 4/4II 11276 Cargo I, which had no crest, but did have the rectangular halogen lights.

- This is also the first model with the round headlights and the UIC ladder, platform and railings. All previous models with round headlights (34/3734, 34/37341, 37343, 26534 and 83434) have not had this feature.

Thus, it appears likely that this is a new mould. This raises the question that, as there are currently only the 3 Crossrail (or their earlier RM livery) loks with this appearance, why Maerklin could not have designed the model with the correct larger headlights? The only reason here would be to be able to use a common part for the lighting channel. I would think that for a part that costs maybe a few Euros, that expense could have been justified as well.

It is possible that Maerklin CH instructed Maerklin to go the extra mile (new mould) in compensation for the shortcomings of last year's 37342 model, although at this point, this is pure speculation.

The other models from competitors:

Fleischmann's model is Crossrail Re 436 112 and comes with round lights (No UIC step/platform/railing). At the time the model was released, this locomotive had not yet received the Crossrail logos and appeared as shown in the Hag model* (below), so the Fleischmann model has the wrong livery, wrong headlights and missing details:
http://www.roundhouse.ch...O/Fleischmann_433901.jpg

Hag's models are Crossrail Re 436 113 and 114
The model of 436 113 has the halogen headlights (not per prototype) but does have the UIC Step, Platform and railing. The model of Re 436 114 has the same mistake.
http://www.roundhouse.ch...-crossrail-436-114-3.jpg

Hag also announced a model this year of Re 436 112 in it's complete red livery (no Crossrail logo).*
http://www.roundhouse.ch...-crossrail-436-112-7.jpg

I would recommend the Maerklin Re 436 113 and the Hag Re 436 112 as the two models that are closest to prototype. The others all have the wrong lights or other details that are blatantly wrong.

If you are willing to overlook the fact that the Maerklin model has the SBB regulations headlights instead of the Privatbahnen norms, I am sure that you will be pleased with this Set.

Now if only they would charge around 100 CHF less...

Regards

Mike C