Marklin Trains

Marklin starter sets are a good way to get started with Marklin trains. In fact, that's how I got started with Marklin. The great thing about starter sets is that they usually have all of the items needed to begin having fun with trains: an engine, passenger cars or freight cars, a circuit of track, a transformer and a controller. Starter sets are often a "loss leader" to get customers into the hobby, so they are often an exceptional value with a cost much less than the the cost would be to purchase the same items separately. Often times you can find exceptional deals on starter sets on eBay (just be careful of the shipping charges), so please be sure to browse the eBay selections listed below.

Some popular Marklin HO starter sets are: the 29165 "My Start with Marklin" set, the 29571 American (NY Central) Digital starter set (with train sounds and LCD display controller), and the 29680 Digital "Gotthard" Digital Mega Starter Set (with 2 trains and advanced "Central Station" multi-train controller).

Some starter sets also have companion "expansion sets" that can be purchased separately to add era-appropriate and location-appropriate train cars and accessories to your set -- such as the new Marklin Circus Mondolino set discussed more below.

Some of the most interesting Marklin items are in the HO scale. An HO scale model is 1/87 the size of the real-life prototype that it is modeled after, which is half the size of O-scale (HO stands for "Half O"). HO is the most popular scale for model trains. HO scale Marklin trains are large enough for lots of detail and sound-effects capability (on some models), yet small enough that you can set up a layout large enough to accomodate 2 trains right on your dining room table.

Please note that Marklin HO track is 3-rail alternating current (AC), not the 2-rail direct current (DC) used in most American HO train sets -- and AC locomotives do not work on DC tracks (and vice versa). AC is a good system, and is also utilized by Lionel trains for their O-scale models. Marklin actually does Lionel one better by using small studs as their third "rail", instead of a solid rail used by Lionel, making the third rail of the Marklin track less noticeable.

The new items for 2008 are out -- at least the catalog is out. Check out the new Marklin 2008 New Items here.

There are lots of nice looking items, including some modestly priced starter sets -- the "Circus Mondolino" train set (pictured above) looks like fun for the kids, and there are several circus themed extension sets that can be purchased separately -- including one with a circus tent.

For Pennsy fans there's also a great new starter set (item no. 29490) with the famous GG-1 electric locomotive, 8 freight cars, digital controler, and a lot of track (oval, plus passing track, plus a spur). The locomotive has many different sounds to enhance the experience.

Marklin Z scale trains are 1/220th the size of the prototype, and are the smallest commercially available electric trains. Since I discuss other aspects of z-scale in my my Z Scale Trains lens, here I will just mention some aspects unique to Marklin z scale trains.

One thing you can be sure with Marklin is that small size does not mean that you are giving up quality. Marklin originated z-scale electric trains, and their German (DB) BR89 0-6-0 model is the smallest electric locomotive that is commercially available -- it's also the loco that comes with most of the less expensive starter sets.

Those sets generally come with the loco, 1 freight car, a small oval of track, and a controller/power source that runs off of a 9 volt battery. While the battery operated sets are fun and can be set up anywhere (most come in a compact case), control is limited to going full speed in either direction. This, of course, makes coupling something best done by hand. Sets that come with a battery controler are completely compatable with the plug-in transformers for z-scale, so you can start with these and add transformers and more track later.

The next step up in Marklin Z starter sets, with sets such as item no. 81562) includes a bigger steam engine and more freight cars -- and, most importantly, a plug-in transformer. With the transformer, you can run the train at variable speeds and couple cars the "right" way. You can also appreciate the Marklin quality when you see how well the locos run at slower speeds. Going up in price, there are more options -- ranging from deluxe starter sets with electric turnouts to a set that is a ready-to-run layout in a briefcase.

For more information on z-scale, please visit my Z Scale Trains lens.

Marklin 1 is the name for Marklin's scale of trains designed to run on G-scale track. While many trains in this scale are more appropriately categorized as "toy trains" (without realistic detail, sometimes cheaply made), here again Marklin produces high quality, highly detailed trains that stay true to the prototype. The exception to this is the Christmas train, which is more of a toy train than other Marklin 1 models -- though still of very high quality.

While most Marklin 1 models are electric trains, Marklin does make some "Live Steam" locomotives that are very neat. Designed for outdoor operation also, these trains use gas as fuel and run up to 30 minutes on a boiler of water. Live Steam trains are generally radio-controlled. This is about as close as you can get to driving a steam train in your back yard!