I found a listing for the locomotive from the 29861 set on ricardo.ch for 269 CHF and decided to go for it. I had seen the complete start set for around 429 EUR, which is the equivalent of around 500 CHF and I decided that at 269, the lok alone was worth the price. I had been considered getting the complete set just to get an updated Mobile Station, as a lot of my newer models won't register with the older one from the 29486 set.

I will post a review once the locomotive arrives and meets it's SBB Cargo stablemates...

Regards

Mike C

Based on the images/photos from Nuremberg and other presentations, I assumed that the model was going to be identical to the 39863 (MRCE/SBB Cargo) in terms of design and features and was going to be improved compared to the original 39893, which had the windows from a BR 152. For that reason and because I already had the identically numbered 69666 from Roco (both E 474 014), I decided to pass on the original model, but the new one is more interesting.

I had considered getting the entire set, as the new MS was also of interest, but decided that if I could find a good price for the lok on it's own, I would take it.
Since I purchased the item on Ricardo, I have not yet received an invoice with shipping costs and he has re-listed the same item or another identical one.
I will give it a few more days to see if he contacts me before I contact him, which might be a good thing as the bill will then appear on my next month's statement, instead of the current one, which already has the Piko EWI coaches and the LSM/MW Nightjet Zurich-Vienna on it.

Regards

Mike C

I was interested in this new model as it seemed to have the same sound, same front windows and same lighting as the 39863 MRCE SBB Cargo International locomotive. This is a full function Maerkln locomotive, unlike the Vectron and Traxx models which are souped up hobby models. Once I confirmed that this was the case, I managed to locate a dealer who was advertising the locomotive as a solo model.

Regards

Mike C