Class: SNCB Series 28
Manufacturer: Märklin
Ref. No.: 36608
Year of Production: 2012
AC or DC: AC
Era: VI
Length: 21.7 cm
Decoder: fx decoder (MM protocol only, 14 speed steps)
Motor: "Special can motor", maintenance free (you need a new motor when the brushes are worn)
Powered axles: 4
Traction Tyres: 2
Whisper Pickup: no
Digital Address: default address 24, address range 1 through 255

Digital functions:
F0: Headlights ("maintenance-free LEDs" (i.e. yellow LEDs))
F4: De-activates acceleration/braking delay

The decoder has a single CV that sets acceleration and braking delay at the same time.

The loco as it came out of the box:


This loco is a form variation. The catalogue announces "Tooling change to the body form, with different roof equipment", but I don't notice differences in the body form. The roof equipment is different:

Please note that I already replaced the wiper of the outward pantograph above cab 1. Pre-installed was a narrow wiper, I installed a wide wiper (from an Re 460 which in turn received the narrow wiper).

Here's a prototype picture:

The loco uses the outward pantograph above cab 1 as this is the only pantograph suitable for Germany.
The inward pantographs have four wipers each for DC operation (not represented on the model).

Another prototype picture. The side walls of the loco have bevels and edges which did not exist with earlier TRAXX locos and which are not represented on the model (despite the announcement "change to the body form").

You can see that the prototype loco still uses light bulbs.

Three models of the TRAXX family side by side:

On the left: an old Roco model (Re 484) with cold-white LEDs
On the right: an not so old Trix model (BR 185.2) with warm-white LEDs
In the middle: the brand-new 2012 Märklin model with not-so-white LEDs.

The three TRAXX models again:

Roco and Trix have warning signs beside the lower headlights and above the front windows.

A close-up of the Märklin model (front):


A close-up of the Trix model (front):


A close-up of the Roco model (front):


A close-up of the Märklin model (centre):


A close-up of the Trix model (centre):


A close-up of the Roco model (centre):

Also look at the roof equipment.

The roof equipments of the three locos side by side (Trix, Märklin, Roco (top to bottom)):

Three different configurations of the TRAXX family with different equipment.
Märklin and Trix use pantographs bought from the same company, while Roco make their own pantographs.

A closer look at Märklin (top) and Roco (bottom):

I like the chrome look of Roco's roof wires (does not show very good on the picture) and how they represent the screws that connect sections of the roof wires.
Märklin uses grey plastic that shall look like metal.

A comparison of red rear lights:

Roco: yes (cannot be switched off independently)
Trix: yes (can be switched off independently)
Märklin: no read rear lights

The Märklin model has a metal body (die cast). The Trix model has a plastic body, but it is slightly heavier than the Märklin model. The Roco model also has a plastic body - and is the heaviest of the three.

The Märklin model without coupler pocket at the front:

I prefer to have it that way.

Märklin loco coupled with freight car:

The Märklin model comes with close coupler, but without guiding mechanism. Roco and Trix have guiding mechanisms.
Note that I replaced the coupler pocket. With the original coupler pocket, the gap between the buffers is larger by two or three millimetres.

Here's a picture I took at an MRR exhibition at Cologne last weekend:

This could be a loco from L.S.Models. Three different types of pantographs, all mounted at the correct positions (the Märklin model has three pantographs out of four wrong (I replaced one wiper to get two out of four correct)).

Personal reflection
I ordered this model in February 2011.
I got this model in April 2012.
I am not disappointed, but I am not impressed either.
With an RRP of Euro 129.95 (2012, incl. VAT) it's one of the cheaper Märklin models. Today I think it's too expensive for a loco with yellow LEDs, only 14 speed steps (no decoder socket, so there is no easy way to replace the decoder) - this loco does not belong to the My World range, neither was it marked as a Hobby locomotive.
I will not pre-order any more locos with yellow LEDs and simple soldered-in decoders with only 14 speed steps. Warm-white LEDs and decoder sockets should be used for all models IMHO.

I like the shiny brake disks of the Trix and Roco models (Märklin's BR 152 and 189 also have them). I don't expect this from Hobby locos with an RRP below Euro 100 - but the RRP is Euro 130 now and I expect more value for my money.

Edited by user 11 June 2012 20:59:43(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified