Today I recieved a rather large box. Inside was the 37629. This is quite an impressive model and I had to order it when I saw my dealer had in in store.

This model has been released earlier by Märklin several years ago as A-units and later they released B-units. It´s hard to find them in good condition and have been pretty expensive when you´ve found one.

The 37629 is a replica of the old 3061 and 40631 but made in the new moulds (the same as 37624). Included is also the tinplate caboose and snow plows. There is NO NEM couplers so if you want short couplers, either use them from the 37624 or buy as a spare part. As I don´t have the original I can´t compare but tthe detailing is very nice, but it´s a shame there is no interiors at all. There is only one light function which controls headlights and the number signs.

The settings on the loud speaker is pretty high and you´ll propably want to turn it down. But on the other hand you can hear the "clicketi-clack" sound much better than on the 26490. The horn sound is also quite loud. You can listen to the sound on the linked video on Youtube further down.

As the motors are of the older type they are reliable but noisy and just as other F7-units, they can pull almost everything you put behind. It pulls the heavy 48295 without any effort at all. Something that is odd is that Märklin has changed their configuration. The A-unit is motorised, but not the 1st B-unit. The 2nd motor is in the 2nd and last B-unit. The loudspeaker is in the middle car. It´s the other way around on the 26600 California Zephyr. It makes more sense, though.

The caboose has the same amount of detailing as the older cabooses, like the 4777 with some painted handrails.

37629 F7 Union Pacific

Length - 520 (F7)+ 125 mm (Caboose).

Locomotive:
Sounds - Diesel operating sounds, horn, bell, sounds of couplers engaging, rail joints, cab radio, squealing brakes off.
Decoder + Motor = MFX with high-efficiency propulsion.
Detailment - No Issue on C-tracks.
Childen? - Age 14 and over.
Couplings – Relex couplers
Headlight? - 2 in front with lighted numbersigns.
Loco body - Metal.
6021 address coding - 7.
60212/3/4/5 Name at factory - F7 #1466 UP
Traction Tyres? - 8.

Functions
F0 Headlight and signboards front.
F2 Sound effect: Operating sounds.
F3 Sound effect: Horn.
F4 ABV.
F5 Sound effect: Squealing brakes off
F6 Sound effect: Short Horn.
F7 Sound effect: Bell
F8 Sound effect: Letting off air.
F9 Sound effect: Sounds of couplers
F10 Sound effect: Rail joints
F11 Sound effect: Cab radio


The functions.


The box with the plastic sleeve.


The lid is removed.




Note: The grey tabs haven´t been painted yellow on the A-unit. It´s the same on both sides. Should it be like this??


The A-unit.


The B-unit with speaker.


The motorised B-unit.


The Caboose.


The train (A-B-B).

My video on Youtube


Do I recommend this model? Yes!!! It´s a very fine replica of the old F7 and as I don´t have the original I feel that this is a very good replacement. It will be very expensive buying older units and the cost on an A-B-B or A-B-A consist + caboose could cost more than this train alone. And add some more money to buy decoders and a speaker.

WOW!!
Very nice model!! Congratulations! And thanks for the review and the video David!

Cheers,
Ricky

Hi David,

Thank you for your test. I was a little bit disappointed about the 37629 box. A retouched photo on a blue background does not make a classic box. There's some spirit missing.

So I took an old SANTA FE box and some photoshop, unfortunatly Marklin never made a box for 3061 in the 1960s:


Regards

Markus

Edited by user 16 July 2011 13:28:10(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Great review and video David, when ever I see these big North American loco consist, I always get the urge to have a US style layout, they really have charm of their own.

Markus! You´re pretty skilled with Photoshop! It looks as it should. Propably it´s just something Märklin choose to do so that youknow it´s a replica which is a little strange considering they don´t have any box for the original. It´s the same type of picture of the Blue Bird. But I agree with you. Some of the spirit is gone. But I didn´t buy it because of the box.

Very nice, is that you on your avatar?

Well done Markus ! Your box is well over the Marklin one ! You have kept the original spirit of the model.

How does the motor noise on this one compare to the 37624 F7 A-B-A Pennsylvania? I do consider buying one. But if it's as noisy as the 37624, I might reconsider.

I'd expect that this will vary from loco to loco. I presume there are rather quiet and rather loud engines from both models.

Edited by user 06 September 2011 09:50:02(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Charles,

Sorry to hear of your problem, but don't be too worried this item is on Yellow Traffic Light at Marklin.
This usually means that there has been the release of a small initial batch and then another batch will follow in a month or two.

It could also be that the dealer simply forgot to pack the caboose perhaps from a display cabinet.

In either case, I hope it is resolved soon for you.

Best Regards
Ashley

hi David,

Thanks for taking the time to post photos and review this model, great review.

Thanks,

Jeremy.