Hi all:

Yesterday I was almost ready to place an order to the local Marklin dealer for the Insider model 37991, the largest steam locomotive of the world. The UP class 4000 "Big Boy". The price is very high compared to even a 39xxx and it is around €800. That is why I am still thinking about it! A big boy indeed...[:p]
However I recorded the digital functions to list them in this forum. I list the function and then the control unit that you can use to call that function:
<ul>
<li>Headlight (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Number Boards (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Steam Locomotive Running Sounds (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Locomotive Whistle (Long) (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Direct Control (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Cab Light (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Bell (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Whistle (Short) (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Squealing Brakes (6021, 60652, 60212).</li>
<li>Air Pump (60212 only).</li>
<li>Valves/Injector (60212 only).</li>
<li>Auxiliary Blower (60212 only).</li>
<li>Coupler Sound Effect (60212 only).</li>
<li>Rail Joint Clickety Clack (60212 only).</li>
<li>Blow Down/Compressed Air (60212 only).</li>
<li>Cab Radio (60212 only).</li>
</ul>
If you also add that the model has a powerful speaker with adjustable volume in the tender and that the detail is astonishing (metal handrails, figures of engineer and fireman included) I think that this is the best model (by far) that Marklin ever produced!
In addition to the 60212 (because if you buy this beauty you will be missing a lot of functions without it) you will also need two Seuthe N.11 smoke generators. The price keeps raising...
Juhan I have found a nice picture of the locomotive and the functions explained at Insider 5/2004 can I scan it and post it here?(I am talking about copyright issues).

Well just a final comment for the 37991, from me... WOW!!!

I know Manfred... I know... They have the way to lead us into temptation, don't they?

Hi all,

Judging by the enthusiastic postings here, the real marketing of Märklin's products is done by their (potential) customers.
To be honest the M37991 Big Boy gives that same "must have it" feelings the old crocodile and V200 gave me when I was a kid.

Thank you Thanos.

Best Regards
Guus

Sorry guys, but I'm going to have to be contrary here.

For me, this all tastes too much of "technology overkill". Not everything is good or useful simply because "it can be done". This loco may be the ultimate thing in terms of technology and detailing and hence realism, but the thought of the thing going around the R1s on a 6 x 4 layout is not one I relish.

I also doubt that the €800 price tag is a true reflection of the development and production costs. More likely that some of that will be "absorbed" by the pricing on other products, and everyone ends up paying for these pointless nick-nacks.

Hi Richard,hi Adrian,

I've been chewing on your comments for a while.The "Big Boy [:o)]" in me says you're right and I think your observations are also applicable to all other kinds of modelling.Where real trains have 12 to 18 cars at least,you can only put 6 or so behind a loco on an average layout.To me that doesn't affect the feeling I get from owning a beautiful scale example of the real thing.
IMHO:Modern electronics give us as many possible features (or more) as we want anyway and I don't think the electronics will affect the price very much.

Best Regards
Guus

Thanos, no need to post the picture...

Let our members test the functions themselves instead at:
http://www.maerklin.de/produkte/flash7.php

Luckily, my focus on German era 1-2 prohibited me from ordering this one... Maybe I can now afford a better digital camera instead...

Sounds are awesome! I am gradually falling for this beast... [:X]
But still the €800 price tag + €500 for the 60212... I don't know... it's a lot of money for a locomotive and a switching panel![:(] But then I have spend a lot more as a model railroader.
I don't know if I am "technology" victim and I always want to purchase the newest gadget. It took me 6 years to get into digital 'cause I was thinking it too much.
Then the argument was between analog and digital, now between digital and mfx/system.
I think the bottomline is rather simple. If you like it and you can afford it, go for it! After all Guus and Fredrik have a big smile on their faces and I surely want to join them...

Hello Gents:

I just received many of these Ma37991 Big Boys for sale. I am glad I sold my Ma37990 when I heard of the Ma37991 early this Summer. I had to keep one for myself and will post a review on this model. Unfortunately I cannot figure out how to insert photos onto this posting, but here is the link for where you can see photos of the Ma37991: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/e...;ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT or on US site: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/e...;ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Summary of the Ma37991, it is basically like the Ma37990 with all it's detailing, construction (maybe why Marklin didn't take much time in releasing this model), the big difference is the mfx decoder. The sounds are much better and more refined, however with only the Mobile Station, you can only get about half the sounds as it can produce. Overall, a nice big locomotive, but fragile like it's predecessor (I wish Marklin would have made a more sturdy connector for the loko body to tender as it is a very weak point on this model). This model is quite pricy, but I couldn't resist but to keep one for myself!

Yeah - she's just lecherous ...

Beware of fraud, my friend ... [xx(][xx(][xx(]

John

May be. But - the seller posts in Dutch, the item is located in Czech Republic ... now what ??????????? [xx(]