Hi guys,
I cannot hold the desire at the gates any longer. Its charming looks have worked their magic spell on my weak mind. I am looking to add a Swiss crocodile in Era III to my collection. And so the quest begins.
I have been looking at one with mfx and full sound options. The only two that have both, mfx and full sound, are 39562 (brown) and 39563 (green). Personally, I would go for 39563 but this is just what I can tell from the pictures seen on the Internet. I haven’t actually seen a crocodile in real life. I am sure they are imposing on the layout.
Now, from your experience are these ones worth it? Are there issues with them? They seem to be pretty big locomotives, heavy.
Another thing is, I have tried to find Swiss freight cars in Era III from M, but nothing is available. Would Brawa or Roco be OK to use with a Marklin Loco? I’m sure the couplers need to be changed and if Roco or Brawa are using NEM pockets, than this is solved. How about wheels? Do I need to change the wheels as well – they are just freight cars with no electrical function. Which of the two is better, Brawa or Roco?
Thank you for your support and help.

Sebastian:
You can use both Brawa and Roco wagons on your layout. But, you might have to change the wheels. Both Brawa and Roco have suitable wheels to go with Märklin. And, as you said, you probably have to change the couplers. Make sure you buy newer wagons with NEM 362-pocket, and you can use Märklins coulplers 7203.

rgards
Björn H

Sebastian:

I have the 26730 Digital Set with the Crocodile. As the Kroks were used until the late 1960s, you can use any freight car from that period. One of the trains that I remember seeing photos of was the Crocodile pulling hopper cars of the Weiacher company between Eglisau and Zuerich. Coincidentally, those cars were released in a 3-car Set this year (46331). Even though the cars are in their most recent livery and have UIC numbers, they still look pretty much the same as during the 1960s.
Most of the photos that I have of Crocodiles have the lok pulling mixed freight trains. Around that time, containers were just starting to be used and pretty much the only other unit trains would have been car carriers carrying German cars to Italy or Italian cars north to Germany and maybe the Benelux countries. Roco has a model of Swiss car carrier that you could use. Many of the trains hauled by the Crocodile were German or Italian trains running across the Gotthard, so don't limit yourself to only Swiss cars.
You could also look for the following models:

Maerklin
48807 SBB Set 1970s
46132/46134 car carriers
47878 FS Cars

Roco
44119
45942
46832
46842
46899
47500
47501

and so on...

Well inro the 1970s, a few Crocs were used for shunting at the Muttenz marshalling yard. Although the model of this version was only made by Roco, you could use the Maerklin model with a little imagination. This would open up more possibilities for use. You could also recreate one of the trains pulled by the Crocs during the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Gotthard in 1982.

Happy Consist building!

Mike C

As ray mentioned, the crocs you mantioned has only a whistle. I was in the process fo converting mine to full sound with a Loksound MFX decoder but found a short in one of the circuit boards. Poor loco has been sitting dismantled for many months now. I know where the short is but don't know how to fix it

I presume it's just a typo.

The Ce 6/8 III later became Be 6/8 III when the permitted maximum speed was increased (Märklin H0 model available).
The Ce 6/8 II later became Be 6/8 II for the same reason (Roco H0 and Märklin I models available).

De 6/6 is the Seetal crocodile.

Thanks so much guys. A lot of information. I asked my dealer about the 39563 and he said the loco in question has been on backorder with Marklin for months.
I will check eurorailhobbies to see what kind of freight cars do they have from the ones mentioned in your replies.
Certainly, this loco will make a nice addition.
Again, thank you so much for all your help.

It doesn't seem to be sold out in Switzerland, see for instance here:

http://www.suter-meggen....klin/sortiment/39563.htm

Hello Sebastian,

Be warned that when these Krocs get a hold of you they do not let go.

Will at Modellbahn has a few on his site. It is well documented in the forum that he is a quality gent to deal with.
He also has some wagons that may be suitable. He also may be able to find you a set (26730) like Mike's, add the wagons
it comes with, well it is a very decent value. I found the Delta 28730 and had it converted to digital.

Alternatively you might not want to visit his site, it can be quite expensive .

Stefan thanks for the note ref the wagons, that was very interesting.

Jeremy.

Nice, Eduardo.