Märklin: five deliveries

Märklin has released its ‘silverling models’ for the early Era V: a three-wagon set (item no. 87183) comprising Bn 719 (2nd class), ABn 703 (1st/2nd class) and the BDnrzf 740 control car (2nd class) of Deutsche Bahn AG, preserved at the DB Museum in Koblenz, is supplemented by a separately available Bn 720 (2nd class).

The carriages are fitted with close couplers; only the Bn 719 has a longer coupler at one end, which is intended to be connected to the locomotive. All carriages feature intricate printing and also have red tail lights. The Karlsruhe end of the control car features, for the first time, the chrome surround of the lower signal lights as on the prototype and has ‘Koblenz’ printed on the destination display.

As a matching locomotive, Märklin has released the Class 143 (88434) in the Oriental red livery, which is rare for this vehicle type, and has now also made it available in shops. The “Zurich S-Bahn SBB” train set (81195), comprising a Rh 420 locomotive and three double-decker cars, is now also available.

The “Touristik 2” double-decker carriage set (87307) now completes a local transport set from DB Gebrauchtzug (for Era VI). In addition to a DBpza 753.5 double-decker centre carriage, it includes the previously missing DBpbzfa 765.6 double-decker control carriage. It is pleasing to note that each carriage features an individual design with subtle variations, yet one that remains closely aligned with the earlier Touristik train colour scheme.

It is striking that, in this train set – as with the ‘Silverling’ models – the wheels and axles on the control car are polished rather than black nickel-plated, unlike in earlier editions. Incidentally, the ‘Silverling’ features LED-based front and rear lighting for the first time, which is calibrated so that the lights are not too bright.