I received my 39199 SBBCI 193 524 yesterday. I had a chance to test the functions today and to do a quick comparison with the Roco 79917 193 521.
Both models are well done. The new Maerklin body is much better than the earlier Hobby versions (Thank you Maerklin).

Right away, I noted that the Roco model has a lighter shade of pale blue for the sky part of the side panel. The Maerklin one has a slightly darker tone to it.
Roco

Maerklin


These photos seems to suggest that the Roco model is more accurate:
https://railcolornews.co...amNeckar20200424dfph.jpg
https://assets.new.sieme...abe-sbb-cargo-int-04.jpg

In any case, the new arrival will allow me to shift the Roco model to multiple unit operation with either one of the red (LokRoll) Vectrons or with the expected ELL machine. I will have to do some testing with the ELL unit as that will be AFAIK my first Roco Vectron with the new motor.

The Maerklin Vectron will be normally hauling a short container train on it's own or could be used in combination with either my SBB Cargo Re 474 or MRCE/SBB ES64F4.

Regards

Mike C

Vectrons are the latest trend, and I have two. The MRCE "Lea" and the DB Gruen, so I think that is enough, although most of them have very attractive colors and motif's.

I didn't know the Taurus had ended production, and it seems Siemens wants to make anything Adtranz related obsolete, and the 101 is gone as well.

How are the Marklin sounds compared to Roco?
Sometimes the Marklin horn sounds are truly embarrasing because they sound like a cheap toy hoot.

I have a Roco DB Vectron and the Danish DSB Vectron from Piko. I think the DSB Vectron has a beautiful color, a deeper red than DB red and with som grey on top. It's a beautiful sight to see in real life and a true power house. We are getting 40 plus engines for regional traffic.

I have Vectrons by Roco, Maerklin and LS Models. The LSM one is going back to the dealer due to a problem with the LEDs. Once I get it back, I will update this thread with a comparison of the three models.
Compared to the Roco and LSM models, the Maerklin sounds leave a lot to be desired. Still, the newer Maerklin (non-hobby) ones (DB and SBB) from 2021/22 have some nice features.

Regards

Mike C

I've also read that, in my 2020 catalogue for every Roco Vectron. Their A/C versions usually have one less geared axle than the D.C. because of the slider. My 78749 A/C br 218 diesel has 2 tires. The D.C. veriosn lists 1.

As I stated to Mark, my ELL SBB (AC) [Vietnam] has 4 traction tires, 2 axles with tires on each bogie and all four axles powered.
I have to check my Südleasing (Blue), Hupac (Blue) and LokRoll (Red) SBB machines to see if the earlier models were the same.

The Roco catalog usually mentions how many axles powered and how many traction tires for AC and DC versions.
The 2022 New Items states 3 axles powered and 1 axle with traction tires for most of the Vectrons.
I will have to look into this. The photo of my new ELL one shows 2 axles with traction tires and I could not manually rotate any of the axles, suggesting that all four are powered.

Regards

Mike C

From a thread in a Danish forum it seems that there is sound related problem with Maerklin Vectrons in the 39xxx series.
The way to see the problem is to have it placed on the track at stand still then follow these steps:

Activate motorsound
Drive a bit back and forth
Come to a halt
Deactivate motorsound after a few seconds
Wait about 30 seconds (20 to 40 seconds)
Activate motorsound
Try and drive forward or backwards - the train doesn't move, but sound works.

To get the train to work normally again either turn power off and back on (the STOP button) or wait a full 60 seconds.

The person reporting the issue is a experienced Maerklin user. He has downloaded the Vectron sound project into an older locomotive and it's getting the same, faulty behavior. He found the problem in the Danish DSB Vectron item 39331 and has later tested the sound projects from a German and an Austrian Vectron where he gets the same fault. There is a Danish Maerklin representative in the thread who is informed about the problem, and he will look into it.
......
There was just an update in the forum. The user has done some more testing and found that if the waiting time is between 0 and 22 seconds everything is fine. From 23 to 45 seconds there is a problem. No problem above 45 seconds.
The reason he found it is because he uses Windigipet and has a special routine for trains stopping and departing from platforms.

Without sound on there shouldn't be any problem, based on his description.

He has a youtube channel, some of the videos have English subtitles. The video showing the problem can be seen with German subtitles over the Danish text.
https://m.youtube.com/wa...?v=NqgTxXdsA-8&t=60s

The name of his layout is "Kælderkøbing" which translates to something like: Cellartown because it's located in his cellar.

No he found out about the problem because he has a special Windigipet routine for running in new locomotives. When he saw that the two new engines of the same type didn't run as expected he then performed manual tests on both a CS2 and an Ecos station.
It's a bug that most users probably won't see - but a bug anyway. The Danish Maerklin guy has already informed the German team about it and we'll see what happens.

How odd of the Romania/Vietnam co production of Roco Vectrons. Unless your box was mislabeled upon recipet in Austria? Is it possible? However, Roco does have Locos assembled in Vietnam, like my 78749 br 218 citybahn. This model by the way is heavier than my new Marklin 39187 218, and has no problem pushing a 4 car passenger train up a 4% grade. The Marklin hesitates just a bit up the curve. I think the Zimo motor controlds are better. The turbo sound of the Roco is quieter.

Do they?
Roco usually indicate the number of axles with traction tyres, but do not indicate if there are one or two tyres.
Often the number applies to the two-rail version only, while the three-rail version has more tyres.