Marklin Steam Engines any good?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey Everyone

Does anyone know about Marklin steam engines?
The North American models.

Are they worth their price?

Thanks

2

Tricky question. Marklin locos only run on their 3-rail AC system by the way, if you want to mix them with other brands on plain 2-rail DC or DCC you want the Trix version. Build quality and running qualities are excellent and they have a good reputation, but the prices are still rather formidable. If you buy one you won’t be wasting your money, but you may feel the price is rather high for a HO scale loco.

3

Marklin makes very good equipment but the are 3 rail like Lionel and not compatible with our track and they are AC powered so the power packs are not compatible.

4

Marklin is like Mercedes-Benz. You get what you pay for. However, if you want the very same overall quality, in plastic or in metal as the model is presented, try BLI. Way cheaper, and sound to boot.

Would you tell us why you ask this question?

-Crandell

5

It took several months, but I finally got a Trix 4013 Big Boy off
EBay. It was the earlier version w/o DCC and sound, but new/never
out of the case. Reason: I had heard that the whistle length could
not be controlled on the later model, and wanted to put in a Tsunami
decoder instead.

I also own about a dozen different BLI steamers, two LL Heritage with
DCC/sound and a Lionel. Plus Bachmans and Athearns.

In the process of putting in the Tsunami, I got pretty familiar with
the 4013. IMHO it is the best made and smoothest running of any of
my locos. I wasn’t convinced it was worth the money beforehand, but
combining it with a Tsunami results in an engine which I bet most
people would choose over one of the others in a heartbeat.

I also am very happy with the combo of a Tsunami and a Rivarossi
Allegheny. But am disappointed in the Rivarossi FEF-3, which seems
derailment-prone and not on the quality level of the others.

Hal