A few years back, Maerklin introduced the Hobby models of the Bombardier Traxx and Siemens Eurorunner locomotive types. This year they have added the Siemens Vectron to the selection of basic models. They have also now released some new Traxx models, which are still the same basic model, but with added sound and improved decoder.
Modelers who would like to see full featured models of these locomotive types have to buy them from other manufacturers. I was pleased when Maerklin announced an AC model of the Trix 22631 Re 482 with a plastic shell. My excitement was abated when it turned out that the paint work on the new model (37446) was below par, with red showing underneath the blue painted sections at several places. I found a solution when I located a few Trix models at a very good price and swapped shells with a 22631 (SBBC Re 482) and a 22636 (Crossrail 185). The total cost for the swap came up to around 300 EUR each, which I was willing to pay for a model with sound and other features.
Maerklin also released a model of the DB Regio 146 and this year a 185 in Lokomotion colours.
Back to the new offerings, would you prefer to see Maerklin offer quality models of these new lok types or are you happy with the Hobby (aka My World) models?
Do you think that the current offerings are an afterthought and that Maerklin sees the older models as more important than new lok types?

I would prefer to see models of these lok types that have the same level of quality and detail as other Maerklin models instead of these basic versions.
This means optional power supply by catenary, proper circuit board and decoders and better level of detail.
This includes the Traxx models including the new 187 class, the Siemens Eurorunner and Vectron.
Where do you stand on this?

Regards

Mike C

Hi Mike,

I rather have 1 great running loco on my layout (silent motor, slow running characteristics, power bank and powerful sound), than 10 similar type looking average loco.

Unless you are a collector I don't think many of us actually need the huge selection the manufactures offers of locomotives to have a fun and satisfying operation on the layout.

I rather have Marklin producing cheap main stream hobby loco (so the business can survive) and then a handful every year of high quality engineered locos for the serious hobbyist

As with many aspects in life - less is sometimes more

Brgds Lasse

I am sure there is a market for the Hobby models, and Märklin should keep those prices low.
However, as a collector, I would definitely want to see non-Hobby versions that have the same level of quality and detail as other Märklin models.
This should include a proper 21p circuit board, warm white leds, switchable white/red tail lights for Swiss locos, as well as light functions for consists and push-pull trains.

In the past, models have been offered side-by-side as analog, delta and digital (e.g., 3460/3760).
I would now like to see 36xxx Hobby and 37xxx full quality models offered simultaneously,
and also sound/non-sound 37xxx versions, which would be a matter of simply plugging in either an mLD or mSD decoder during assembly.

The product code (36/37/39) should remain a reliable indicator of the quality class; therefore I found it very disappointing that the 37446 did not deliver the quality as suggested.
I now have the 36624 Re486 on order, which has red/warm white leds and mfx sound, despite its 36xxx code. We will see whether that correctly indicates a low shell quality.

Exactly, that's what I'd expect.
As Mike stated, one would have hoped they would improve those issues and release a 37xxx top-level version - in addition to the Hobby range.
Admittedly, there sure will be a market for a €100-150 mfx/sound Hobby loco - just not for me.

Hi Tom,
How long ago was this? I haven't bought much new lately but I would have hope the yellow LEDs were a thing of the past even for the cheaper models. It's old now but I am still disappointed at the BR24 which wasn't released with a good quality casting. Cheap models are fine as long as they are truly cheap but I do like having good quality options available too.
Alex

It's a shame they do that as there is no practical reason other than to make something artificially inferior. Warm leds won't blow up cost compared to yellow.
I must say since they started using them in wagons in the 80's they never went well with me but now they are just ugly and unreal. I don't think too many toys that are meant to be just cheap toys wouldeven use yellow leds for headlights. Thank you for the info.

But BOTH types should have the same level of quality, if not (obviously) sophistication in the reproduction of the prototype.

The reality is that Marklin's quality has deteriorated and it has reached the point where Marklin is NO LONGER the leader in quality; Roco is just as good and does have quality issues, just like Marklin does.

For me the best value are the Roco DC locos.

My 2 cents' worth.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

The controllers at Märklin should be able to answer that - but they won’t give us details.

Why did it take them so long to offer the detailed plastic TRAXX loco in a three-rail version? The Trix TRAXX was always prepared for a centre-rail slider and in the early years even the hole for the cable was drilled ex works.
They have a Trix RAm in 1:87 that never came from Märklin, the E 19.0, and several others.


Märklin now offer plastic TRAXX and metal TRAXX locos - and at least some customers are confused.
And seeing the plastic TRAXX besides the metal TRAXX reveals the shortcomings of the Hobby version to the observant eye.
The same would happen with detailed models of EuroRunner and Vectron.


They made many different liveries of Köf II and TRAXX, they made many different liveries of BR 101 and BR 120. Cheaper locos have better chances: starters can afford them, collectors can afford a few different liveries.

OTOH the current management announced to reduce competing liveries to achieve higher production runs. They have detailed sales figures so they should know what's good for the company. I naïvely expect that total sales will be lower with fewer variations.

With two versions of Vectron and EuroRunner, there would be more models competing for customer money reducing the sales figures of individual models.


Same goes for steamers: why no detailed version of BR 24, why no cheap version of BR 38.10-40?

Edited by user 26 March 2016 15:33:31(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hardly when the pipes running alongside the boiler are about three or four times the thickness of the ones on the 3003 series. They are also the wrong shape because they no longer look like pipes. It looks like a cheap chinese toy bought at a supermarket. that is just unforgivable

The problem is not that they did not include separate pipes, the problem is the new pipes are completely wrong shape and oversized which can be seen in your photos, the cross section is rectangular instead of a round tubular shape.
The general look of body and tender shows thicker plastic which is less proportional to the scale too. Look how those red steps stand out for being too thick and out of proportion. For me, that and the pipes were the deal breaker, better wheels and rods are not sufficient consolation to compensate for the thicker toy look which in person is much more noticeable.
I really wanted an upgrade to this model but the 1960's model will have to do for the moment.

My name proves the contrary.

PJ, I don't consider myself an idiot. I'm not blind to imperfections from Marklin or anyone else, but in this case we're comparing one Marklin product to another.

Are you seriously telling me that of the two locos in my photos above you prefer the older 3003 over the newer 36243?

Doesn't anyone else agree with me that the newer one is a great improvement? Yes, it has its faults, which I accept as it is marketed as a hobby loco, but I think there's no comparison against a design which dates from the 1950s. Are we blind to the hugely over-scale valve gear; the hideous extension around the front of the cab to accommodate the motor; the non-existent lamps which are moulded into the front of the boiler; the cab full of motor; the over-sized boiler; the crude bent-metal front steps, fake tender lights...

The new model has moulded handrails which stand a bit proud of the boiler. OK, this is not so attractive, but I can accept one fault when they have fixed so many failings in the old model.

We are aware that the boiler in the new model is metal and the old one is plastic, right?

I am no expert on steam engines, but the valve gear/pistons certainly look a lot finer in the newer model. When I was modelling "00" British trains, there used to be lots of companies producing etched parts which the serious modeller could use to upgrade the standard models coming out of Hornby, Lima, Airfix, etc. Surely there are companies that do this for the engines that Marklin makes? Or is it that "toy collectors" (I am being deliberately provocative ) can't be bothered to do any modelling?

Carim

To each his own, Ray. I read somewhere that "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder".

Happy Easter everyone!!

What we need are special track sections that stop one member while the other member is venting and vice versa: catalogue no 9999. That was easy

Hi,

Even some expensive modern electric locomotives made by Märklin nowaydays have drawbacks such as pantographs that are not prototypical. At the end of last year I ordered two BR 189 (ERS 'Linked by Rail' and 'Van Gogh') that look very nice, but most of the pantographs as well as one other detail on the roof are wrong. The official recommended price was 350 and I paid around 300, which is still a lot. Why can't customers get a prototypical locomotive for that kind of money? Other manufacturers can deliver that.

What I would like to know about new models like the Vectron before buying them is if they really have improved decoders like the ones announced in the autumn news 2015 brochure, and if they perform well with the so-called special DC motors in the Startup locomotives. A couple of years ago, Märklin started using mfx decoders in Hobby/Startup locomotives, but I remember reading somewhere back then that those locomotives run better with fx decoders. That's been said in this thread as well, so why pre-order now? I'll just wait and see.

I still like Märklin and buy some new products every year, but I wonder why so many models have issues nowadays. One steam locomotive I wanted to buy is the BR 01.5, but I read too many test reports about it. There's no perfect BR 01.5 on the market, but Märklin's would have been a super model if they had reproduced the steps on the boiler leading up to the sand boxes and got one or two other details right instead of wrong. At a recommended price of 500 euros, customers can expect a prototypical locomotive, can't they? Something's seriously wrong with Märklin's policy, and that's why I often go for option C now: wait until the new model is released and reviewed by magazines as well as customers!

Best regards,
Mark