Hello all.

A quick question. A few days ago i was looking over my Class 23 models, 3005, and suddenly noticed that one of them has a plastic boiler. I started doing some maintenance, and while removing the bodies, I found this one being very light, and discovered it was made of plastic.

So, my question is, when did Marklin switch from metal to plastic boiler on the 3005.

Thank you
Leo P

Thank you Jean.

So, a few days ago i received another 3005 (I actually bought about 5, from ebay), and this one also has a plastic body. This one actually looks brand new, with hardly any running. It was dry, but it did run from the get go.

I removed the motor brushes (looked new), and the commutator inside was reflecting the light back at me. The light blue box does not have the white Styrofoam, but it has the cardboard holders. The smoke deflectors do not have screws, unlike the metal body ones.

On top of that, i just checked ebay, and there are two for sale, one with the plastic body. But both have the wrong tender, a 3003 and a 3047/3048 types.

Anyway. I was wondering how "rare" it is, if it can be found so easily and relatively cheap (I got the second one for $50; it was a Make an Offer, from $99, and it was accepted ....)


Cheers
Leo P


PS. I have a feeling many sellers mix and match the boxes, engines and tenders, without really knowing the story behind the engines.