I'm with Stefan- especially since I have almost all of these other models

However, a few requests:

B 3/4 Steamer:

Ae 4/4 just for the weird factor: http://www.eisenbahn-bil...8822bf735a313aeddfd6947e

I'd also like to see a BLS RE 420 in the NINA livery I has been done by others, but not an easy find these days in AC. (and would require little to no tooling on Marklin's part)

I'd be interested to hear other's thoughts. While I run swiss, I'm no expert on the prototype so there is probably some really cool stuff I haven't thought of.

Mario- I bought a Roco BE 4/6 in AC Digital last winter and it runs like a dream- what does your do wrong?

John, mine was an older e-bay find that I digitalized. On one diretion it has some "jerking" motions while on the other it drives quite nicely. Thus I said I need to "fine tune it". Maybe I will change the decoder or check the whole mechanics. Meanwhile, I have so much else to do, including converting some nice italian Rivarossis and as well as a couple of ae 4/4 by them with a nice metal body.

The SBB Be 4/6 would be nice!

The variety of Swiss models being made is limited as many of the popular models already exist from one or more manufacturers. Other models are so limited in production possibilities that it is unlikely that any of the major manufacturers would develop such a model.

LS Models has released a large number of Swiss models, going from 1 (RAe TEE Gottardo) in the 2008/2009 to the many models announced in the 2010 and 2011 announcements. This includes diesels like the Bm 6/6, Bm 4/4 as well as electrics like the RBe 4/4 (RBe 540) and RABDe 12/12 (RABDe 510) Mirage. As far as coaches are concerned, there was the whole RIC coach series and the more modern Bpm models. Other companies like Rivarossi have introduced some new and some rereleased (older Lima/Rivarossi) models as well. Add to that the increased attention from Piko, largely due to the efforts of the Swiss importer (Arwico), who has also been the driving force behind new Swiss models from Liliput (Bachmann).

There will always be those who will not consider certain models because the have a plastic shell. I have found plastic models to be as nice as the metal models, what they lack in weight is compensated by the added detail that can be had with plastic moulding. Yes, some models contain fragile parts, but a handrail on a Roco BLS plastic lok is no more fragile than the handrail on a Maerklin metal SBB Ae 8/14. How many times have we seen Swiss loks from Maerklin delivered with bent handrails? I have personally had to repair almost 40% of mine (minor straightening) and 10% had to be returned. Taking a lok out of the package, especially in case of a long lok like an Ae 8/8 or Ae 8/14 requires more care than a BoBo Re 4/4II.

Roco has a nice model of the BLS Re 420. The most recent model with single pantograph is still readily available at a lot of dealers. I am very pleased with the BLS Ae 4/4 that I recently got on special. I love the Roco ICN and IC 2000.

Here is what I would like to see from Maerklin:

1) Re 460 without 2000 markings on front with LED lights and sound (if we're lucky with milled lenses for the headlights so that the light is actually concentrated into a beam).

2) Ae 4/7 based on the Ae 8/14. I would welcome such a model

3) Re 4/4III (11351-11370) in red or green

4) Re 420 in Cargo colours (normal railings and pantographs)

5) Ae 6/6 Cantonlok with "Falschfahrlicht" (double upper light)

6) BLS Ae 4/4 or Re 4/4 (An additional BLS lok in the collection would be nice, especially as Trix used to have an Ae 4/4 in the classic Trix Express selection)

7) An AC version of the Trix Re 482 and maybe a model of a Railpool Re 186 in SBB Cargo colours (not the Hobby ones).

As far as coaches, they have introduced a model of the WRm in TEE colours. I would like to see a model of the dining coach in red as this was common in many international trains throughout Switzerland. It is also possible that such a coach in orange will come out in a set with one or two SBB Eurofima coaches as this also seems like a likely new model in 28cm.

As far as the lightsteel coaches are concerned, Maerklin could still release a model of the AB (1st and 2nd class coach) as well as a version of the 43410 pilot coach in the original SBB + CFF livery. Another possibility would be to bring out a series of EWI models, as there is currently no manufacturer making a model of these coaches.

I would love to see Maerklin correct the windows of the 28cm WRm and the doors and windows of the 43400/01 baggage car.

Other than that, I am excitedly awaiting the RAe Gottardo, RBe 4/4 (540) and the remaining coaches that I ordered from LS Models and my plastic models look just as nice as the metal models on the track next to them.
Check out the available selection. You will be happy with what you find.

Regards

Mike C

Good point about the motors John. I would like to see Marklin bring out more Swiss stuff which would be cheaper than HAG and easier to buy. Roco I like but prefer the metal body. More coaches by Marklin would also be good.

dave

I'd love a Be 4/7 aka "Grande Sécheron" which was build in the mid 20's for >Express passenger service on the Gotthard line with the same Westinghouse/BBC transmission as the German E17, E18 etc.
This loco was 10 years ahead of its time.
I have the Fulgurex version...quite expensive, very nice but poor running characteristics

Mario,

it looks nice. I would love to hear about it's pulling power and traction.

Jacques, if you want a better running model, the Metropolitan version may be a better choice.
http://www.messingers.ch..._4-7_12506_gr_SBB_01.JPG

While we are on the subject of those rare locomotives that I mentioned it would be unlikely for a major manufacturer to produce, here are a couple of long horses:

Type - photo link - Model made in brass (or other small production) by:
BT(SOB) BDe 12/12 http://www.messingers.ch...r_BDe_4-4_71_SF_BT_1.JPG (Ferro Suisse)

BLS ABDe 4/8 http://www.messingers.ch..._4-8_751_1970_BLS_02.JPG (Hrf)

SOB/BT/SBB De 4/4 http://www.siggmodell.ch...lder/SOB%20grün.jpg (Sigg Modell)

BLS/RM BDe 4/4 http://www.morep.ch/uart.../fahrzeuge/blsrbde44.htm (MTR aka Morep or Renfer)

and one last request for Rivarossi or Hag, please make a reasonably priced Pilot coach to complete your BLS Golden Pass coach series.

Check out the other models available from www.messingers.ch (click on Programm), www.siggmodell.ch, www.morep.ch (click on Unser Produktionen) and also http://www.rittech.ch/en/mod_H_en.htm

Regards,

Mike C

Thanks for the images Mario! like Mike I'd love to hear about the pulling power once you get them out