I am not sure that the locomotive in question is a 3054. In 1971, the model had the standard 7218 pantographs and looked like this:
https://www.maerklin-sam.../03054/03054_m_m_001.jpg

The model in your photo has single arm pantographs which have only been on Maerklin models since the 1980s.
It also appears to be a model of the longer version of the BR103

The shell seems to match Trix 22779 from 2013 except that the model had the old scissor pantographs and according to the manual had the lok number 103 109-5

The locomotive numbers are printed on the chassis and not on the shell, so swapping the shell would leave the original 103 117 as the lok number

From what I understand, the locomotive 103 109-5 was the only 103 to have the grey painted side with the arrows
Maerklin had a 103 109 but it had a red skirt and did not have the grey painted sides

Regards

Mike C

Hello,

first: the design is unique to 103 109, as seen on this photo: http://www.bahnbilder.de...stuttgart-hbf-572057.jpg
103 113 has never existed with silver paint around the ventilators.

second: Märklin produced a model of 103 109 on the old base (3054/3354...), the 3357 in early 90's, for one year it was sold as 3657, too - but it was without the silver paint.
Based on the new 103 model base, a Trix H0 model of 103 109 has been proposed some ten years ago but I did not find a corresponding Märklin model.

So, your loco has been repainted - but it's well done, so far as I can say from your photo. It's clearly on the ancient 103 base which was a little bit shorter than scale (you see the couplers), but if it's a 3054 or a 3354, I do not know, the difference is the electronic inverter in 3354.



Since you may not be sure that this is really the box the loco was sold in, and the manual given with the loco, who knows ?



That's right - but the single arm pantographs were available as spare parts, and many owners changed the pantographs when the DB changed them on it's locomotives in the mid 70's.
So in 1984 these three 103 all have single arm pantographs. https://commons.wikimedi...emelingen.jpg?uselang=en
And there is no problem to remount standard pantographs on the presented loco.

I have seen that arrow gray paint scheme in my catalogs. I'll look through them and tell you which year it is in. Maybe it was a dealer initiative item, or a toy fair model.

it's a plastic body.

It is the 3053 chassis, and 3053 hat the machine room light.

I have read that initially the DB asked to keep lightened the machine room light just for the beauty, but quickly they stopped.

It wasn't in my catalogues after all, but shown on a layout in a Marklin Magazin issue from 1994. No info. on it.

I agree with you, it has to be some special order from the factory, but even so the casing has been replaced with a higher version, the roof walkways are silver, in version 1 are beige, and different Pantograph.


The body is Marklin (not Roco, Trix or Lima) without a doubt.

Could be, like a 103-109.5

And that is correct.

But: the 103 109 did appear in a catalogue. The brilliant, but fake Märkronomicon.

https://www.stummiforum....-Buch-M-rkronomicon.html

And here's the picture.

https://www.dropbox.com/...yxrabqbao0nvyuagd16bvnch

The regular 3054 models that märklin made are in my collection.

First version, Delivered early1971
Painted red stripes and beige steps on the roof.


Version 2 with red stripes as decal and silver steps. 1971


1974 with red logo on the sides.


And then there are two versions that never appeared in the catalogues. These are version 1 and 2 with the 3053 frame that has been partially repainted and restamped with the new number 103 113-7 and a DB logo.
These still have machineroom lighting fitted, but no bulb or elecrics fittet to it.



Boxes:
First version:



Also first version:



Manuals:


Box from 1974



Latest box from the eighties.


Bart

FWIW: I forgot to mention - in case it's unknown -
Not all locs with pantographs can. operate on a catenary system.

IF they are, there is a swich at the bottom, allowing to be switched between catenary or peg operation.

You might have noticed, that I was referring to the older Märklin locs, let alone digital ones....

Just noticed there is an original 3054 boxed and unused in the Vickers Auction, interesting coincidence.