Hello all,
Besides the five pole motor and close coupler on the tender, what other cosmetic differences are there between the 3102 and 3502 steam locomotive? Are the curved headlight guards metal or plastic? Thank you.
Roman

The 3102 has spoked running wheels, the 3702 has disc wheels and I've seen pictures of the 3502 with disc wheels.
However it is possible that Märklin used different wheels over time for the same ref. number.

Hi Roman,

I checked the headlight guards of my 3102 (first edition) with a magnet => they are metal.

Best regards,
Gregor

you may find the driving characteristics mainly the adhesive traction, some of the models I had (3102) the driving bogy with its adhesive tyres on both outside axles doesn't sit properly flat on the track, the cause: the whole boiler assembly sits on it (screwed on) with the cabin being plastic and the main weight lies or is resting on the front bogy because of the heavier weight distribution on the front, the driving bogy is slightly raised on the back axle and therefore losing its traction force. it may had been rectified or it is a hit and miss purchase whereas you will not find the problem.

John