Hi Steven,

In the Marklin Magazine, (I guess it was the June issue) there is an article on the SK 800. Maybe someone can help you finding that article. It includes a lot of information on the different versions produced. I don't have the issue here to check, but as I recall there are more than 15 versions of this model with totally different values. Could you describe the model you saw in the auction precisely? (State, colour, numbers) There are currently a few SK 800 models in different auctions, mostly on ebay.de .

In case of a black SK 800, there are a lot of versions of this black SK 800, here is a short overview of the different black types:


Version no: year: length: details:
- SK 800.7 1941/42 28,5 cm not officially documented
- SK 800.8 1945 28,5 cm first black documented: 1945 coupler type 4.1
- SK 800.10 1946/47 28,5 cm handrails not separately attached
- SK 800.12 1947 29,0 cm SK 800 N
- SK 800.13 1948 29,0 cm no connection for trainlightning
- SK 800.14 1949 29,0 cm emblem "SK 800" (7 mm)
- SK 800.15 1950/51 29,0 cm coupler type 5
- SK 800.16 1951/53 28,6 cm some tenders with Märklin logo, some without, figures included
- SK 800.17 1954/58 28,6 cm first SK with rubber wheels, from 1957: # 3007
- SK 800.20 1959 28,6 cm MÄRKLIN on front in Antiqua font
- SK 800.21 1972 28,6 cm kit, # 3907, as Sk 800.20
- SK 800.22 1973 28,6 cm as SK 800.21

This overview isn't complete, I couldn't find more information right now. One thing is for sure: take care, I have to warn you there are fake versions on the market. For more information you should definately try to find the Märklin Magazine Issue June/July 2005. The information above comes from an article in this issue. Prices ranging (according to Koll 2003) from 900 to 1600 Euros. (Note: the most expensive non-black version is the SK 800.4 is worth a massive 10000 Euros [8)] )

Hope this information will help you a little...