This afternoon, the mailman delivered the parcel containing my Maerklin 39337 SBB Cargo Vectron 193 061-9. The locomotive joins the fleet, alongside the Roco 193 053-6 which arrived a few weeks ago.

First quick observations. The Märklin model is delivered with all handrails mounted. The Roco model requires these and other details to be added by the customer.
Both companies seem to have chosen red as the base color. This can be seen in the side windows. On the prototype, the base color for the body (side) is blue.
On my Roco model, a minuscule amount of red is visible at the top of the side panel where the roof is attached. The Märklin model is better in this regard, although the red shows through on the rearview camera and foothold below the door.
The Märklin has what appears to be a few elements missing from the roof garden. The roof wiring on the Märklin model does not correspond to that of the Roco one.

Both locomotives are supposed to be Siemens Type B48 (D/A/CH) (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). As far as I know, the two locomotives should have identical construction. Roco's 193 053 (Siemens 23563) and Märklin's 193 061 (Siemens 23783) were both made in 2024 and there should be no difference between them, other than 061 having the front handrails painted red (as reproduced by Märklin on their model).

This photo shows what appears to be similar to the Roco model: https://bahnbilder.ch/photos/original/60072.jpg
This photo looks like the Märklin version: https://www.railpictures.net/photo/879429/

Based on this, I cannot conclude that one is wrong and the other is correct. I would need photos of the roofs to be certain.
There are a few other differences in the roof details. Each model seems to have some elements that are better rendered than the other.

Both models have cab lighting. The High beams and taillight functions (Single white, single red, double red) are easily accessible on the Märklin model
On the Roco model, you have to select F15 to change from single white to single red. F16 and F17 seem to give you dual red taillights, but you have to select depending on direction and the dual red lights are only activated if F15 is also active.
The high beams on the Roco model are easily accessible.

Sounds are decent on both. The Märklin model still has a more generic electric locomotive sound, but each one offers some decent sounds.
In both cases, these are the first Vectrons in my collection with only two pantographs. All of my other (Märklin, Roco and LSM) models all have a Multisystem 4 Pantograph setup.

I will try to take some photos and add to this review, as well as perform some tests once I have some kind of track set up.

I noted that on the Märklin model (39337), there is a plaque labelled Re 4/4 to the left of the UIC Table. I did not know that these new locomotives had in any way been designated as Re 4/4. I did some searching online and found that this marking does exist in the photo linked above (railpictures.net).

I could not find this marking on any other photos of this series, nor does it appear on the Roco model. Perhaps one of our Swiss experts knows something about the meaning of this.

Regards

Mike C

Edited by user 06 December 2025 04:55:11(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified