Märklin and Märklin Train Information from Modellbahn Ott

Marklin Summer Items & Exclusiv 2/08 Items

2008-06-26T18:55:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Marklin announced New Summer Items & Exclusiv 2/08 Items but there were no good images for the products. Now that we have good images and information, we've updated our listings with all of the photos and technical information. We chose to not include the new M59xxx Gauge 1 track in this list due its limited interest. Two items are particulary interesting and have already begun to sell well. Marklin has introduced the Orient Express Locomotive and Car Sets in both HO (M39021, M42755 & M72760) and Z (M81080). These are certain to sell out with their never-ending popularity. Here is the new list:

M00780 2008 October 9-Piece Farm Equipment Display (3-pc Price) - Summer New Item 89.99
M39021 2008Q3 Digital Baden Express Locomotive w/Tender - Excl. 2/08 555.28
M42755 2008Q3 CIWL Express Train Passenger 5-Car Set - Excl. 2/08 456.72
M42760 2008Q3 CIWL Express Train Passenger 2-Car Set - Excl. 2/08 183.04
M42761 2008 October DSB Passenger Coach 2-Car Set - Summer New Item 105.60
M42814 2008 October DSB Passenger Coach 2-Car Set - Summer New Item 105.60
M46753 2008Q3 DB Storck Tank 2-Car Set with Truck & Trailer - Excl. 2/08 85.36
M48508 2008 September Annual Marklin HO Magazin Car - Summer New Item 45.76
M48947 2008Q3 DB Birkel Eier-Nudeln Container 2-Car Set with Truck - Excl. 2/08 85.36
M58118 2008 August DB Pwg Pr 14 Freight Train Baggage Car with Interior Lighting & Details - Summer Item 631.84
M58239 2008 May DB Stake Car with Truck Load - Summer Item 200.64
M58512 2008 October DB Dump Car - Summer Item 368.72
M58513 2008 October DB Dump Car - Summer Item 381.92
M58553 2008 October DB Flat Car with Containers - Summer Item 395.12
M58612 2008 October DB Silo Container Car - Summer Item 263.12
M72070 2008 June Bracket for Catenary Hanger Arm - Summer New Item 13.20
M74445 2008 October Digital Turnout Mechanism Set - Limited (Includes M74490 & M74460) - Summer Item 48.40
M76511 2008 June Cradle Bunkers for Coaling Station - Summer Item 131.12
M78103 2008 June Roller Test Stand with Speed Measurement Tool - Summer Item 263.12
M78109 2008 September Extension for M78103 Roller Test Stand - Summer Item 52.80
M80818 2008 August Annual Marklin Z Magazin Car - Summer New Item 39.60
M81080 2008 July International Long Distance Passenger Train - Summer New Item 574.64
M86619 2008Q3 KPEV Freight 3-Car Set - Excl. 2/08 117.04
M88941 2008Q4 KPEV Tank Locomotive - Excl. 2/08 278.08
M89022 2008 June PKW 10 Automobiles Set - Summer New Item 42.24

Your comments are welcome and solicited!

Marklin 2008 New Items Delivered

2008-06-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

We've now received deliveries of these Marklin and Trix items that are new for 2008:

M36825 2008Q2 Digital British Army on the Rhine Royal Corps of Trans (RCT) Diesel Loco (L) - 4MFOR 255.20
M37636 2008Q1 Dgtl CFL type MaK 1206 Diesel Loco (L) 378.40
M37848 2008Q1 Dgtl DB cl 50 Steam Loco w/Tender 536.80
M37887 2008Q2 Dgtl SNCF cl 150X Loco w/Tender & Crew Car 563.20
M37966 2008Q1 Dgtl DRG cl 96 Tank Loco 563.20
M39421 2008Q1 Dgtl SBB/CFF/FFS cl Re 4/4 Electric Loco 404.80
M43361 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type A 1st class Lightweight Steel Passenger Car 57.20
M43371 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type B 2nd class Lightweight Steel Passenger Car 57.20
M43381 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type B 2nd class Lightweight Steel Passenger Car 57.20
M43401 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type D Lightweight Steel Baggage Car 57.20
M44196 2008Q1 Alfred Ritter Refrigerator Car 17.60
M44197 2008Q1 Klosterbrauerei Andechs Beer Car 17.60
M44533 2008Q2 HO Doornkaat Glass Tank Car - Exclusive 01/08 64.24
M46460 2008Q2 DB AG Sulfuric Acid Tank 3-Car Set 114.40
M47010 2008Q2 CFL Sliding Tarp 2-Car Set (L) 88.00
M47950 2008Q2 British Army on the Rhine: Set with Loaded Supply Vehicles and Crew Car (L) - 4MFOR 130.24
M48008 2008Q2 2008 H0 Museum Car (L) 70.40
M55803 2008Q2 Dgtl DB cl 220 Diesel Loco (L) 2376.00
M55901 2008Q1 Dgtl DB cl 01 Steam Loco w/Tender (L) 3696.00
M56160 2008Q1 Gantry Signal Tower Building Kit 132.00
M56180 2008Q1 Coaling Station Building Kit 154.00
M58542 2008Q2 2008 1 Gauge Museum Car (L) 316.80
M72896 2008Q1 28 Foot Loco Shed for Small Locos Building Kit 19.36
M72897 2008Q2 40 Foot Loco Shed Building Kit 32.56
M72900 2008Q2 Transformer Station Building Kit 19.36
M80019 2008Q2 2008 Z Gauge Museum Car (L) 52.80
M82623 2008Q2 SNCF High Capacity Covered Hopper 2-Car Set (L) 92.40
M89702 2008Q2 Neuwintersdorf Station w/Freight Shed Building Kit 45.76
M89704 2008Q2 Apartment House w/Multiple Use Structure Building Kit 52.80
T15269 2008Q2 Sudzucker Silo Car 26.40
T15851 2008Q1 DB Pop Colors Express Train Passenger 5-Car Set 167.20

Märklin 2008 New item deliveries

2008-05-20T18:12:00.000-04:00

In the past 2 days we've received 2 shipments of Märklin New items for 2008 directly from Walther's. All shipments will now come from Walther's. These items arrived:

M36825 2008Q2 Digital British Army on the Rhine Royal Corps of Trans (RCT) Diesel Loco (L) - 4MFOR 255.20
M37636 2008Q1 Dgtl CFL type MaK 1206 Diesel Loco (L) 378.40
M37848 2008Q1 Dgtl DB cl 50 Steam Loco w/Tender 536.80
M39421 2008Q1 Dgtl SBB/CFF/FFS cl Re 4/4 Electric Loco 404.80
M43381 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type B 2nd class Lightweight Steel Passenger Car 57.20
M43401 2008Q1 SBB/CFF/FFS type D Lightweight Steel Baggage Car 57.20
M44196 2008Q1 Alfred Ritter Refrigerator Car 17.60
M44197 2008Q1 Klosterbrauerei Andechs Beer Car 17.60
M46460 2008Q2 DB AG Sulfuric Acid Tank 3-Car Set 114.40
M47950 2008Q2 British Army on the Rhine: Set with Loaded Supply Vehicles and Crew Car (L) - 4MFOR 130.24
M48008 2008Q2 2008 H0 Museum Car (L) 70.40
M56160 2008Q1 Gantry Signal Tower Building Kit 132.00
M56180 2008Q1 Coaling Station Building Kit 154.00
M72896 2008Q1 28 Foot Loco Shed for Small Locos Building Kit 19.36
M89702 2008Q2 Neuwintersdorf Station w/Freight Shed Building Kit 45.76

Website Updated With Thumbnail Images

2008-05-15T17:37:00.001-04:00

Over the past few days we've been working on adding thumbnail images to various pages on our web site. Of particular interest are the Märklin ordering pages which now have these miniature photos in the tables that load for ordering (reached via http://www.modellbahnott.com/marklinhomepage/ourprices ). The images will cause the pages to load a bit slower but in these days of widespread broadband usage, the delay should be minimal. This change also highlights those items where photos are not available. The "broken link" symbol indicates that neither size image is available. In many cases, items such as books, old catalogs and the like hardly justify preparation of an image. In other cases, such as products we've had prior to the "internet era", we can focus on adding images for those items.

We also expect to expand this change to other sections of our site if customer reception is positive!

We ENCOURAGE (even solicit) your comments about these changes. If customers find that page loading is too slow we may prepare two sets of ordering pages, one with thumbnail images and the other without. That adds considerable complications though.

Märklin Digital Boosters Update

2008-05-09T13:09:00.000-04:00

Märklin has indicated that the M60172 Digital Booster announced in 2005 (yes, 2005) is still not listed in the production schedule for 2008. It has never been released. We decided to make another production run of our own MO625 100va Digital Booster and it's companion MO630 130va Power Supply Transformer and these are now in stock. We are also trying to obtain the discontinued M6017 Digital Boosters which may become available around mid-Summer.

Märklin & Trix Early Bird Preorder Deadline April 15th

2008-04-14T19:35:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, April 15th, is the deadline for placing Märklin & Trix Early Bird Preorders and getting the BEST PRICES all year for 2008 items. Mail-in orders postmarked no later than April 15, 2008 will be accepted as well as on-line orders.

Our "Regular" Preorder Program will continue until the end of April. As of May 1st our prices will reflect our normally discounted prices.

Märklin 60172/6017 Digital Boosters

2008-04-14T19:22:00.000-04:00

The 60172 Digital Booster was introduced in 2005 to replace the 6017 Digital Booster. Märklin promised us in early 2007 that the 60172 "would finally be delivered during in 2007". It never appeared. We have been told that the Märklin factory production schedule doesn't include the 60172 during 2008! They will, however, produce some 6017's this Summer. We have ordered some for stock and have also begun another production run of our own MO-625 100va Digital Boosters and our matching MO-630 130va Transformers to help fill in while we wait another year.

For those customers waiting for their Preordered/backordered M60172's, we can offer a $25.00 credit towards either the M6017 Digital Booster or $50.00 credit towards our own MO-625 Booster/MO-630 Transformer Combo when they cancel their order for the M60172 until June 1st, 2008. We just don't know how much longer we'll be waiting for the elusive M60172's.

Extra MO-625's and MO-630's will then be sold to any other customers.

Used C Track, Digital Components and Rolling Stock Coming!

2008-04-08T11:37:00.000-04:00

We have negotiated with a seller and he is shipping his collection to us as we speak. Included in the shipments will be over 425 pieces of C Track, C turnouts (many fully digitalized), a M29845 Mega Starter Set, three 6040 Keyboards, some cars & car sets and several locos plus over 200 pieces of M Track and signals. There also appears to be an older metal Marklin Roundhouse and some miscellaneous freight cars thrown in for good measure.

REMEMBER: 7 Days left for placing Early Bird Preorders and getting our BEST prices of the year! April 15th deadline.

Märklin Prices => Lowered For You!

2008-04-02T13:39:00.000-04:00

We finalized pricing last week and just wanted to let you know the GOOD NEWS! While our average cost increased about 10.5% on average, we managed to tighten our belts and actually DECREASED PRICES an average of about 1.4% for a difference of almost 12%! Our prices are now even more competitive and YOU are the winners. We've made adjustments in our operation here in order to pass along these savings. Our service level will remain the best in the industry. Thanks for your support. Bill Ott

P.S. - Our Early Bird Preorder deadline is approaching fast on April 15th.

Märklin Price Change

2008-03-18T14:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we received updated pricing for Märklin products. Our own prices are being calculated based on a discount off of the new Retail Prices and will appear on our web site very soon. Orders placed prior to our price change will be shipped at the older price. Just a heads up! Thanks, Bill

Märklin 2008 4MFOR Military items (link)

2008-03-11T17:40:00.001-04:00

Märklin announced 40 new 4MFOR Military items to compliment the 22 items produced for 2007. We were very excited to see these new offerings although no photos were made available to us at the time of announcement. Today we received new 2008 4MFOR catalogs showing all of the items and the photos should be uploaded later today. The new items include some impressive armor, freight cars and a couple of helicopters. An excellent addition!

Purchasing 1/2 of Märklin Displays Offered

2008-03-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

We have decided to offer our customers the ability to order 1/2 (50%) of the contents of various "displays" that Märklin is offering in their 2008 New Items. We have added On-Line ordering for the Z scale M86306 Long Henry 20 Car Display as "M86306HALF" if you'd like to order half of the display (10 cars) rather than the whole display. Upon request we will add similar listings if requested, such as the M0770 2008Q1 DB Rebuild Cars Display w/12 Pairs of Cars. All pricing is halved!

Märklin M37187 Double Steam Loco Set (photo link)

2008-03-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

Märklin made an error in the new item brochure and accidently left out the M37187 Double Steam Loco Set which includes TWO 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locos, one in green (Bavarian colors) and the later black DB version. Early Bird Preorder pricing for this set is quite reasonable at less than $225 per loco.

Today we finished mailing out over 400 Preorder Packages including both Märklin & Trix items for 2008. If you are expecting one and don't see it within about 10 days, just let us know.

Märklin & Trix Preorder Programs Now Ready!

2008-02-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

Today we uploaded the complete Märklin & Trix Preorder Programs. We offer an EXTRA 5-10% Discount for placing Preorders (thru 4/30/08) PLUS an ADDITIONAL 3% Discount on Early Bird Preorders placed between now and April 15th.

Our own initial orders must be placed by Friday February 29th to get our best prices.

We received the new item brochures in bulk and will be mailing out Preorder Programs ASAP.

Märklin & Trix 2008 Preorder Program

2008-02-14T19:06:00.000-05:00

We are busy preparing our Märklin & Trix 2008 Preorder Program and all USA Dealers received Retail Prices for the new items during the first week of February. We are waiting for New Item Brochures so that we can prepare our own informative pages. What I have noticed though is that many dealers have their web sites prepared for the new item ordering, yet so far, I have not found any of the major dealers committing to prices! They all use "TBD" and somehow expect the customers to order without knowing the prices. Several even claim to have a "lowest price guaranteed". It is not our intention to EVER expect a customer to order blindly. IMHO, no one wants to be the first dealer to set a "benchmark" for pricing so they're taking a "wait and see" attitude. You can be sure that we'll present our competitive prices in due time. Remember, our prices remain fixed regardless of the Euro/Dollar exchange rate and you'll pay the price in effect at the time of ordering, not a "floating" price.

Press Release of Walther's Märklin Distribution Change (FYI)

2008-02-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

We received this today from Walther's. This is a direct quote of the Walther's side of the Märklin distribution change to take place:

Walthers Named Exclusive North American Distributor For Marklin

Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. has been appointed the exclusive North American distributor for Marklin Inc. A formal announcement will be made during the Nuremberg Toy Fair, where staff from both companies will be on hand to answer questions and review the new Marklin and Trix product assortments.

Dealers will notice some changes in the near future. Current inventory and warranty work will be transferred to Walthers; Marklin Inc. will continue to process orders for standard line items until the transition is complete. Marklin staff will continue providing sales and marketing support to authorized North American Marklin and Trix dealers.

Dr. Tom Catherall will continue to provide technical support for the Marklin and Trix Systems products and write the bi-monthly Digital Club newsletter. Customer service for the various Club programs will be handled by the Marklin Inc. staff.

"This is an exciting opportunity for both companies and we are delighted to be working with Marklin." said Phil Walthers. "Walthers expertise as the leading distributor of model railroad products coupled with Marklin's support staff will provide a high level of customer service, and a foundation to expand sales and market awareness for these very special products."

Märklin Catalog Additional Delivery

2008-02-08T14:39:00.000-05:00

Märklin informed us today that they've received a large shipment of the new 2008 catalogs so we should have all backorders filled by the end of next week. They arrived too late to add to a large shipment headed our way today including the following "New for 2007" items: (most of these items will include extra stock beyond that needed to fill Preorders)

M18510 2007 (August) H0 German Federal Army Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicle
M18515 2007 (September) H0 German Federal Army Leopard 2 A6 Tank
M18520 2007 (July) H0 German Federal Army Gepard Tank
M18525 2007 (September) H0 German Federal Army Fuchs Armored Transport Vehicle
M18535 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army 7TGL Mil Truck
M18540 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army 10T GL Mil Truck
M39540 2007 (October) Digital SBB TEE RAe Gottardo Rail Car Train (L)
M43850 2007 (August) DB type Av4üm-62 Express Train Rheingold Passenger Car
M43855 2007 (October) DB type Avümh-111 TEE Passenger Car w/marker lights (L)
M43860 2007 (August) DB type Ap4üm-62 Express Train Rheingold Passenger Car
M43865 2007 (October) DB type Apümh 121 TEE Passenger Car (L)
M46953 2007 (August) H0 German Federal Army Kbs 443 Stake Car & 2 Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicles
M48710 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army Rimmps 651Heavy Duty Flat Car & Fuchs Armored Vehicle
M48711 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army type Rimmps Heavy Duty Flat Car & Leopard 2 A6 Tank
M48712 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army Rimmps 650 Heavy Duty Flat Car & Gepard Tank
M48713 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army Rimmps 650 Heavy Duty Flat Car & 10T GL Mil Truck
M80317 2007 Insider Z Car

Märklin Price Update + 2008 Märklin & Trix Preorder Program

2008-02-07T12:05:00.000-05:00

Märklin has informed us that when Walther's takes over the distribution of Märklin items on or about March 1st, there will be a general price increase on the order of 5-7%. We've been told by Märklin, Inc. that the price increase would have been larger if Märklin, Inc. continued to be the distributor. Needless to say, we will be adjusting our prices at that point. They will now be based on a discount off of the new retail pricing. We believe this will work out much better for our customers.

Our 2008 Märklin & Trix Preorder Program is beginning to come together and we expect to have our usual "Early Bird Discount" for a limited time along with our "Preorder Discount" program lasting for a longer time. While the program will change, the SAVINGS will remain!

Märklin Distribution Change & Our Discount

2008-02-05T11:58:00.000-05:00

Märklin has announced that USA Distribution of the Märklin product line will now be handled through Walther's. This will change how Märklin is sold in this country. In 1998 Märklin discontinued retail pricing (ie. MSRP/Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) and instead sold to Märklin dealers under a Dealer Net Pricing program. Dealers then determined their own pricing and since there was no MSRP, it became difficult for customers to determine where the prices "should be". I personally thought this was a bad idea from the start and even within the past few months had customers try to tell me that "X dealer discounts Y percent", to which I would reply "there's no price to discount FROM..." which is hard for consumers to understand in our USA market. While we're pleased to see a return to a retail price structure, the dealer discount through Walther's is set at a minimal value for the hobby industry. By limiting the discount they will hold MSRP's to a more realistic value in the eyes of the customers. Hopefully this will work to help promote the sales of Märklin model railroad items.

We will be establishing our own discount program in the next weeks once the complete program from Walther's becomes available.

Our 2008 Preorder Program will be established for the preordering of Märklin and Trix items as soon as we have more complete information.

It's an exciting time for Märklin and we think 2008 changes will please all of our customers.

Your comments are encouraged.

- Thanks, Bill Ott

60212 Central Station Updates Temporarily On Hold

2008-01-30T14:40:00.000-05:00

In early 2007 Märklin GmbH announced a new software and hardware update for the 60212 Märklin Central Station. Last fall Marklin, Inc. received an initial shipment of the hardware components, which they felt would cover the majority of units to be updated.

Marklin, Inc. is currently out of the hardware needed to complete the update and expect to get their next shipment in May or June. They have suspended the update program until the hardware is available.

Please do not send any 60212 Central Stations to us until we receive notice they have received the hardware and are ready to resume the program.

Marklin Catalog Delivery - Finally!

2008-01-22T17:24:00.000-05:00

On Friday we'll receive initial and additional deliveries of the following Marklin 2007 items. The catalogs are only a partial delivery at this time.

M07421 2007Q4 Electrical Manual - Controlling Locomotives, Trains & Accessories - ENGLISH TEXT - Fall New Item - Over 100 pages.
M17162 2007/08 Marklin Complete Catalog
M17172 2007/08 Insider Presentation Book (Annual Catalog)
M17190 2007/08 Marklin Complete Catalog on CD Rom
M39970 2007 (October) Digital DB cl 701 Powered Catenary Maintenance Rail Car
M41871 2007 (October) SNCF TEE Express Train INOX Passenger 3-Car Set (L)
M43850 2007 (August) DB type Av4üm-62 Express Train Rheingold Passenger Car
M46953 2007 (August) H0 German Federal Army Kbs 443 Stake Car & 2 Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicles
M48713 2007 (October) H0 German Federal Army Rimmps 650 Heavy Duty Flat Car & 10T GL Mil Truck
M58402 2007 (July) SBB/CFF/FFS type K3 Swiss Freight 3-Car Set (L)
M80617 2007Q4 Z Christmas Car (Car in Ornament) - Fall New Item

Marklin Price Increase Expected

2008-01-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

We have been informed that Marklin will be increasing prices in February. We weren't told the exact date (Feb. 1st expected) or the amount of the increase. Marklin prices in 2007 were locked to an exchange rate of $1.25 per Euro and the dollar was trading above $1.45 during 2007. Our educated estimate of the price increase is 8-12% on average. It would be in your best interest to place orders prior to the price increase. We deliver backordered items at the price in effect AT THE TIME THE ORDER IS PLACED. - Bill Ott

Marklin Insider Club Deadline

2008-01-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

On the recent mailing from Marklin, the deadline is shown as January 15th, 2008. As is typical of these "factory" deadlines, the forms will be honored after that date. The sooner you send the forms to us the better it is but you can effectively ignore that deadline. - Bill

Marklin, Inc. has resumed shipping.

2008-01-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

Marklin, Inc. suspends shipping while doing the end-of-year inventory. We were told today that they have resumed shipping. The factory ships little during January but we're hoping for catalogs SOON! - Bill

Marklin Insider Club Mailing

2008-01-07T19:33:00.000-05:00

Marklin Insider Club Members are in the process of receiving the first mailing for 2008. A form with the mailing offers the choice of a M46453 HO Tank Car, M82073 Z Tank Car, an M120795 2008 Wall Calendar OR an M120796 Glacier Express DVD. Missing from this form is the fact that each member can opt for only ONE of the 4 items listed. This is explained in the text of the magazine to the best of my knowledge. I spoke with Marklin today and expressed our customers' opinions that they are generally disappointed with how the Insider Club has been managed since the factory took it over about 3 years ago. Club Members can email or write to Marklin to make their comments known as these do get passed on to the factory. I was told the factory is trying to correct the Insider Club shortcomings. Their action is overdue! BTW, no news of catalog shipment to date. - Bill