Be sure to read the manual that can be downloaded from maerklin.de. Just search the model number (you probably already have).
I think it would run fine and it is servicable. But it is a beast of a machine.
I'm sure other people will enter with some advice.

During my last holiday this summer I too stumbled upon a 2nd hand 37993 at a dealer in Koblenz Germany. I really wanted this model with the single digit roadnumber 4006, as I already had the double digit 4019 (37994), and the lighting color is warmwhite opposed to the earlier bigboy models which I think have yellow leds. After some price negotiation I decided to buy it, partially because I could take it immediately with me from the shop without having to ship it. With these expensive locos and big wooden boxes I am more worried about shipping damage than with regular locos.

Coming to your question, I had the same concerns. My loco was also advertised as being like-new, displaycase model only. In my case the loco did NOT run out of the box, but was just dead on the track! It turned out to be oil that was present between the slider and the slider contact. After removing the slider and cleaning the contacts in question my loco now performs flawless. There was no need for any other maintenance. So make sure you check at least the slider contacts when your loco would seem dead too. I guess it was overoiled from factory and the oil just found its way down over the contacts over time standing in the display case.

Curious what price you intend to pay? I ended up paying 600 euro for my 37993 bigboy model. And 2 weeks ago I paid also 600 euro for a 39911 Challenger at a swap meet. Not sure they are the best bargains but I really wanted both models.

Bert

Lots of useful information here, thank you Bert! I do not hope to get a "best" bargain and like you I'd like both the 37993 and the 39911. Do you know what was the price of both locos when they were directly available from Marklin?

There is a 37993 topic that says the loco was ~640 euros at lokshop, but the recommended price from marklin was 800 euros!

I would be really hesitant. If it hasn't been opened yet, then all the delicate plastic details on the body should all be present. I know of friends who have run this big lok on a club layout, and with much hand handling (very heavy lok and very long, need 2 hands), lose a lot of plastic detail parts that drop on the layout, never to be found. So if it has not been taken out of the box, then you are fine.

Second, during the last 2-3 years, Marklin has added a lot more sound functions to these locomotives and this lok from 2009 may be missing a lot of these new sound functions which are nice to have (especially for some people).

I am sharing my input. You may not agree, but remember you are spending a lot of money here and you do not want to regret it.

A reputable seller should be cordial, and be willing to post a video of the item in operation demonstrating each function. Just because it's not been run, or even removed from the box, it is no longer new. It's not under warranty.

With regard to the pricing I would note that a Marklin 37994 (second hand) sold on Friday at a German Auktionhaus for Euros 600 plus auction fee of 21%

No one is going to take a mint condition Lok out of the box to show you. While some small parts may come loose during rough handling of the box, I would buy this without hesitation if I wanted it and the price was right.

Can you give me the name of the German Auktionhaus - may be useful in the future!

In the age of internet scams, it is too easy to post photos of the packaging and then when it is delivered, the contents are missing. Some of us remember the iPhone, PlayStation and other scams where they would offer a sealed box but it contained a brick or other object inside the box when opened...

Regards

Mike C

Scam could be a problem. In the Lionel world, unopened models are typically sold with X-Ray confirmation. These are very rare models.

Hi, this LOKO comes in a box, in a box, in a box and in foam.................... a real hasel to eventually get it on tracks. So extreme care is always required. Also look at the documentation that comes with the loko.!!!!!! Just as important.!!! Lastly what clear photos are available.????
You have to get prior assurances for a E 600 purchase that must not go wrong. You may well have to divulge the name of the seller, so that this group may be in a position to give you more info regarding the seller. Good luck.

I already have the 37993 in prefect as new in my collection, It came with factory brown box to protection the Big Boy.

I also have three other Big Boy. Very happy with it. All Marklin Big Boy was a highly collector item.

Marklin 37993 delivery record - First delivery 13th March 2009 - Sold out at factory 25th August 2009.

I hope you like the 37993 Big Boy.