November 1996 Modellbahn Ott Hobbies, Inc. Newsletter

The following is a copy of our November 1996 newsletter. We mail out newsletters in May and November each year. If you would like to receive a copy by snail-mail let us know. Our pricelists for Märklin, Fleischmann, Faller, Vollmer and Kibri are included in mailed copies.

Formatting conflicts on the WEB may cause some sections of this newsletter to appear poorly. (so that's where we place the blame!) - Bill Ott

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Index

(Go to Page 1)
MÄRKLIN YES, BUT WHY THE INTERNET?
MÄRKLIN, INC. POLICY REGARDING THE MHI/EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM
AUTOMATIC ORDERING OF NEW RELEASES - Revised to HELP everyone!
MÄRKLIN MUSEUM MODELS FOR 1996

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A HUGE Collection is on its way in for our Märklin HO and Z Collectable List
Prepare to Preorder the New Märklin Items for 1997 and SAVE up to an extra 10%
KAISER WILHELM RESERVATION SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE
MODELLBAHN OTT DIGITAL PRODUCTS DIVISION
OTHER PRODUCTS OF INTEREST

(Go to Page 3)
Itty-Bitty Lines (IBL) Z Scale Cork Roadbed
Seuthe Smoke Generators
Brawa Products
Busch Products
Herkat Products
Lux Modellbau Products
Micro-Trains (Formerly Kadee) Z Gauge
Peco Z Gauge Track



MÄRKLIN YES, BUT WHY THE INTERNET?

You know alot about Märklin already, so why go to the Internet? The reason is simple. To stay informed! We've been involved with the Internet/WorldWideWeb since mid 1995.
The first way we try to keep you informed is by broadcasting email messages to everyone on our electronic mailing list to let them know Märklin announced something, discontinued something or maybe we have added something to our web site that you might be interested in knowing about. Email is nearly instant and essentially FREE communication. If you want to know if something's been released, or when we shipped your order or ANYTHING, you can email us and get a quick answer! Our email is checked every 15 minutes.
Towards the end of Summer we finally put our own web page on the Web. On our web page we post photos from the latest brochures, price information, product information for other products we sell to complement your Märklin layout as well as Special Offers. In 1996 we placed over 65 photos on our site showing items announced AFTER the New Item Brochure came out in February.
So come visit us on the Internet! Our Web Site can be found at:

http://www.limousin1.com/modellbahnott
and our email address is mdlbahn@ptdprolog.net.

MÄRKLIN, INC. POLICY REGARDING THE MHI/EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM

Late in 1990, the Märklin factory started a new program termed the Märklin-Händler-Initiative (MHI) program. In the USA, it is referred to as the EXCLUSIVE Program. In Germany, ONLY subscribing dealers could obtain these items. Since 1995 Märklin, Inc. offered a similar subscription plan here in the USA. Dealers are able to subscribe to the EXCLUSIVE Program at the dealer level. We have guaranteed to Märklin, Inc. that we will buy (sight-unseen) fixed quantities of EXCLUSIVE items in each of the following categories: Conventional/Delta loco's & sets, Digital loco's & sets, HO Cars & sets, HAMO DC, Z (ANY), 1 Ga., Metall and diecast Vehicles. We made generous commitments to make sure you can get all of the EXCLUSIVE items you need from us. Smaller dealers who don't subscribe WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY EXCLUSIVE ITEMS until all subscriptions are filled. Every year, so far, a number of Exclusive Items had quantities "cut-back" by the factory to the point that even our subscription level isn't met. So, if an EXCLUSIVE item appears in insufficient numbers (i.e. "Scarce"), ONLY THE SUBSCRIBING DEALER WILL HAVE ANY! In addition, we are also given first priority in the allocation of special non-subscription EXCLUSIVE items. To avoid missing them, see "AUTOMATIC ORDERING OF NEW RELEASES" below.
The program offers special limited run sets, cars and locomotives. These items are generally shown in the Märklin Magazin, the Telex (Märklin USA Club magazine) and the regular full catalog. They are identified by the "m" logo in the catalogs. Quite often, they are nearly sold out by the time they appear in the annual catalog. We try to keep them in stock and on our own pricelist as long as possible.

AUTOMATIC ORDERING OF NEW RELEASES - Revised to HELP everyone!

During recent years, a number of customers have elected to have us automatically order NEW releases for them. Again this year Märklin announced NEW ITEMS throughout the year at times when customers weren't expecting them. Many customers have asked us "How can I keep up with the NEW Items because it seems that by the time I hear about them, they're SOLD OUT?" If you want to be sure to get the NEW Items, we can automatically put you down for each one. You can even set restrictions on just what types are automatically ordered for you.
Here's where the change is! I finally woke up to the fact that many of the items our customers are missing out on fall into the product category of Exclusive ("EXCLUSIV") or MHI items. These Exclusive items fall into 8 distinct and separate categories. 1997 may bring a different expanded breakdown of categories but until then they are:

1. Conventional/Delta loco's & sets 5. Z gauge locomotives & cars
2. Digital loco's & sets 6. 1 Gauge locomotives & cars
3. HO Cars & sets 7. Metall building sets
4. HAMO DC locomotives 8. Diecast Vehicles

The 2 most popular categories are the HO Cars & sets and the Z gauge locomotives & cars. These 2 categories are where we would hope customers would first consider automatic ordering. Placing an automatic order with us in any of these categories would put you near the top of the list for getting the most desireable items! Rumor has told us that 1997 will bring some changes to the Exclusive program, but what we've seen already in 1996 was that only subscribing dealers were able to purchase 2 out of 5 items in the 4/96 Exclusiv catalog and 4 out of 4 of the 5/96 Exclusiv catalog! Additionallly, the 1996 Christmas Cars & Locomotives (HO & Z) will also only be sold to subscribing dealers. As customers sign on for "automatic" delivery of Exclusive items, we expand our subscription levels to meet your needs. We feel this really helps you to focus on what is important in your "automatic" ordering. Similar "focusing" can occur in the category of "Limited" items.

When you subscribe in the appropriate category, here's what we'll do for YOU:
1. You will get an Extra 5% OFF our regular price on Exclusive products in Categories 3 and/or 5!
2. You will get an Extra 10% OFF our regular price on Exclusive products in the remaining
Categories!

This isn't for everyone but the way we pay you back is that YOU GET THE BEST PRICE WE ARE OFFERING! Items offered at preorder pricing are sold to you at that price and deadlines are no longer a concern! Remember, automatic orders are at the TOP OF THE LIST when items are released which makes you doubly sure to get the "HARD-TO-FIND-ITEMS" at the BEST PRICE POSSIBLE! Think about it and you'll see that it DOES work for both of us. All it takes is a phone call.

MÄRKLIN MUSEUM MODELS FOR 1996

We will again be offering the Museum models in HO (M48096), Z (M80007), Gauge 1 (M58063) and the newest addition, a MAXI Premier Museum Car (M54704). These items should arrive in time for Christmas.

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page 2 follows

A HUGE Collection is on its way in for our Märklin HO and Z Collectable List -on our Web Site!

We would have liked to include the complete listing of items being offered by collectors, but a huge addition of items will arrive in December. This list will appear on our Web Site AND it can also be requested for mailing. The newest list will contain over 2100 pieces of over 1500 different items. The list includes Northlanders, DL800's, ST800's, F800's, G800's, Older F7 Diesels, 2857, 3300, Alaska Sets, King Ludwig Sets and the list goes on. If you desire this list and it wasn't sent to you already, please send a LARGE SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with 98¢ postage and we will forward a copy to you. All HAG items are 3-rail AC Märklin compatible. Unless noted otherwise, the items are new and have not been run other than to test the unit. When you decide you want a particular item, please Email us or call Toll-Free first to verify availability. This way, we will place a hold on the items while awaiting payment if a charge card is not supplied. Only one of most items is available and is being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Where a catalog number is repeated, it just indicates more than one source and possibly a price variation.
Now with extra DISCOUNTS! Note items with their price preceded by a "LETTER" DISCOUNT CODE. Deduct 10% (A), 15% (B) or 20% (C) from the price shown! (Prices shown on the Web have already been adjusted to reflect the discounts. - Bill) {Thanks to G.Marschalk}
Customers interested in selling items through us are encouraged to contact us.

PREPARE TO PREORDER THE NEW MARKLIN ITEMS FOR 1997 AND SAVE UP TO AN EXTRA 10%

We will again be offering preordering of the "New for 1997" items. As we did in 1994 , 1995 and 1996 our "Preorder" prices reflect up to an additional 10% savings. To pay these lower prices "PREORDERS" must be received by the June 30, 1997 deadline OR prior to release, whichever is EARLIER. So, order as early as possible to avoid being the victim of shortages or an early release. Who can afford to not save an extra 10%? Not all of the items will appear in our ads at preorder pricing. Preorder prices are guaranteed, regardless of Märklin, Inc. price increases.

Märklin Special Imprint Models (Some appear in Märklin Insider Magazine)
We have decided to resume importing some of the Märklin Special Imprint Models (MSI's) as we had done before. Through special trade agreements, we were able to arrange a TRADE Program to help control the prices of these already expensive Limited-Run items. The last 4 digits in the catalog number indicate which car the MSI is based upon. Following is a list of items we have in limited quantities:

HO Scale:
M844822 Miele Container Car - MSI $54.95 - Appears on our Web Site!
PEP4735 Pepsi-Cola HO Roll-Top Car - MSI $48.95
REC4680 750 Yrs. Rechberghausen Theater im Bahnhof Brakecab car - MSI $59.95
REB4680 750 Yrs. Rechberghausen Bierglas Brakecab car - MSI $69.95
Z Scale:
M886573 Märklin Swiss Alpaufzug Freight Car $48.95 - Appears on our Web Site!
CHE8656 Swiss Cheese Z Roll-Top Car - MSI $52.95
SCH8656 Schweppes Z Roll-Top Car - MSI $49.95

KAISER WILHELM RESERVATION SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE

The Kaiser Wilhelm sets in Delta (2881) and Digital (2681) are still available to reserve at $2174.95 and $2249.95 respectively. Delivery of the 1st of 4 parts began at the end of 1995, with the remaining portions to be delivered in 1996. Billing will be at the rate of 20%, 20%, 40%(loco) and 20% of the selling price as it is delivered. A $100.00 deposit is required to guarantee your reservation which is deducted from the last payment. As of the November Newsletter, only 1 Digital and 1 Delta set remain available.

MODELLBAHN OTT DIGITAL PRODUCTS DIVISION - Appears on our Web Site!

We are proud to offer our own Digital products to enhance the Märklin Digital system. The first item, the MO-689 Decoder for solenoid articles, has been has been received quite well by our customers. It sells for $49.95 compared to a list price of $75.00 for the M6083. Our second product is the MO-625 100va Digital Booster. The MO-625 Digital Booster has a nominal output capacity of 100va. This unit requires a 100va power supply and the new Titan 218 fits the bill exactly and offers both 14 and 16 volt outputs. With over 200% of the capacity, it results in fewer power "blocks" on your layouts and also provides sufficient power for double-heading locomotives with up to 7 or more locomotives running at the same time. The MO-625 sells for $299.95 plus $100.00 for the Titan 218 when purchased at the same time. (reg.$149.95)
Our Infra-red MO-690 Digital Master Control wireless unit performs the functions of the Märklin 6036 Control 80f and all 16 Märklin 6040 Keyboards. The hand-held control sends commands to the Receiver Base Unit which processes and displays the commands. The processed commands enter your Digital system through the Computer Interface. You have the ability to command locomotives, "4-function" items (ie. 4999, 4998, 7651 crane) and solenoid operated accessories (turnouts, uncouplers, signals, etc.). Once you set a locomotive's speed, direction and function status, the unit remembers these when the locomotive is re-selected. Increase/decrease buttons allow you to "bump" up or down a locomotive's speed. The Receiver Base Unit displays the locomotive, solenoid item or "4-function" item selected along with their current operational status. We included a "panic button" so that you can turn the whole system off fast when needed. The unit has been available since October 1990 and sells for $599.95. Märklin's answer to infra-red control, the 6070/6071 Infra Control 80f units were taken off of the market in the Spring of 1994 with no replacement expected.

OTHER PRODUCTS OF INTEREST

Customers are sometimes unaware of many of the items we sell. We want to briefly highlight brands that you may or may not be aware of. Full catalog prices are as follows: Herkat $4.50, Busch $4.50, Brawa (Now with English translation available) $6.50, Faller $10.99, Vollmer $7.49, Kibri $7.49, Titan (sent free w/order), Noch $6.50, Fleischmann HO $9.00 & N $7.00, 1997 Walther's HO $19.98 & 1997 Walther's N/Z $17.98.

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Itty-Bitty Lines (IBL) Z Scale Cork Roadbed

Due to an increasing number of orders for the IBL Z Cork Roadbed and Radius Ruler, we have begun stocking this product line.
IBL M100-5 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - SINGLE TRACK (5 PCS.) $2.43
IBL M200-2 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - DOUBLE TRACK $1.96
IBL M300-1 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - STRAIGHT TURNOUT PAIR $2.47
IBL M400-1 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - CURVED TURNOUT PAIR $2.47
IBL M500-1 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - DOUBLE SLIP TURNOUT $1.79
IBL M600-2 IBL Z CORK ROADBED - CORK BASE $1.83
IBL R180 IBL Z RADIUS RULER $6.76

Seuthe Smoke Generators (all 16vac)

#10 - same as Märklin 7226. Fits most Märklin locomotives. $20.95 (#11 for Digital use)
#20 - smoke unit for locomotives with narrow smokestacks. $20.95 (#24 for Digital use)
#117 - House smoke generator. Replaces false chimney on models with an actual smoking chimney. A real attention grabber! $9.50

Brawa Products

Brawa makes many model railroad accessories. Here are a few of the more popular items we stock.
Z Street Lights - We stock some of the Z Scale street lights, clocks and signals that Brawa offers. The lights are made with brass posts and are quite detailed.
HO Street Lights - Due to the number of different street lights available, we stock a variety including about 20 different styles.
3400 - House lights with screw-in bulbs mounted in plastic bases. $1.50 ea. SPECIAL->15 for $20.00
3173 - 3 lead (blue/yellow/blue) wire for wiring turnouts or signals in a 50 meter roll. $19.95
3071 - 30 piece plug/socket assortment (15 males/15 females in 5 colors). $5.49
3530 - Reed Switches - 0.50 amp, 19x2.6mm $4.29

Busch Products

Busch makes some excellant trees in Z through HO scales. They can be purchased in packaged quantities of up to 100 trees at very reasonable prices. The tree assortments we stock are:
6411 10 Serbian Spruces 80-140mm $19.95 6485 15 Asst. Deciduous 90-140mm 23.50
6487 25 Asst. Deciduous 70-125mm 24.95 6592 35 Pine w/Feet Z 30-50mm 17.75
6492 35 Fir HO w/Feet 50-110mm 22.75 6497 50 HO Fir Trees 60-110mm 23.95
6597 50 Z Fir Trees 30-50mm 22.00 6585 15 Z Deciduous Trees 40-60mm 23.95
6499 100 Fir HO Trees 60-110mm 36.25 6599 100 Fir Z Trees 30-50mm 24.50
1995 BUSCH Catalog 4.50

Herkat Products - (stocked mainly during the model season,Sept.-May) - This appears on our Web Site!

1351 - Jägermeißter Beer Reefer track cleaning car for 3-rail studded track. Designed to be filled with SR 24 (cat.#2726) track cleaning fluid. A needle valve on the roof adjusts the flow of cleaning fluid to the 2713 rotating pad on the bottom of the car. A slider keeps the rotating disc from snagging on the track studs. $44.95
2726 - Track cleaning fluid. This versatile fluid is also sold for cleaning locomotives and for use in smoke generators. It is an excellant smoke fluid! Large 250ml container. $10.95
1353 - Chiquita Reefer with a 2718 dry abrasive rotating disc for tougher cleaning jobs. There is no fluid dispensed during cleaning. $34.95 (Note: We no longer intend to stock the 1353 since the abrasive disc can go on the 1351 also)
2713 - track cleaning pad for 1351/1353. $3.49
2718 - abrasive disc for 1351/1353. $3.49
2704 - Universal uncoupler for Märklin M,C or K track. The activating solenoid is mounted below the layout (or trackbed on ramps) and can be used on almost any section of straight or curved track. It can be installed in completed layouts without removing any track! $17.95
2659 - Electronic Reversing Unit for using DC-motored locomotives on an AC powered layout. $54.95

Lux Modellbau Products - This appears on our Web Site!

Lux Modellbau is a small manufacturer of helpful model railroad accessories. One item currently available from Lux are track vacuum-cleaning cars which collect the loose dirt as they travel around you layout. The 8810 is available for conventionally powered layouts and we can digitalize them for digital layouts. Prices are $139.95 for 8810 plus an extra $95.00 for a digitalized version. It uses a motor driven cleaning wheel and includes a battery system so that it continues to operate even in the dirtiest/poor pickup areas. The second item, 9010, is a cleaning car for removing oil, dirt and oxidation from both your rails and your catenary system. The 9010 sells for $154.95 and the digital 9020 costs of $249.00. Spare cleaning wheels 9045 (coarse) and 9046 (fine) are available for$6.95. (9010 is supplied with 9046 wheels) All of these items are back in stock. A seperate brochure covering each item is available free with any shipment just for the asking.

Micro-Trains (Formerly Kadee) Z Gauge:

We stock Micro-Train Z Gauge items and discount them 15%. Micro-Train's complete catalog costs $5.00 and shows all the Z rolling stock they offer.

Peco Z Gauge Track

Peco makes a 24" Z gauge flextrack that actually flexes! If you're looking for a long jointless straight section, use the Märklin 8594. But if you're lookin