Reproduction Marklin trains may seem innocuous at first glance, but how might they really be affecting the toy market. What is the potential for reproductions and even forgeries to affect the market values and rarity of original toys?

The Marklin SK 800 streamlined locomotive, from its release in 1939 to its gentle decline in the late 1950s, remains a classic favorite for its streamlined design and survivability in the ever-changing product lines of the 00/HO Gauge system. The many changes in its design, however, might explain why this model number SK 800 locomotive lasted for so long.

In this first episode of a series on Marklin boxes, we'll look at a general overview of Marklin boxes from the earliest wooden crates and cardboard boxed sets to the modern boxes for digital locomotives and current products.

A printing code stamped on many Marklin boxes helps reveal the production date of the box and thus allows for accurate dating of Marklin articles. Sometimes the prices marked on the boxes and referencing pricelists also approximately dates an item because prices often changed from year to year.

Innovation in 1938 and the introduction of the "Perfect Reverse" system brought many changes to the Marklin product line not to mention the 800-Series line which would last several decades. Unfortunately many of these innovations and even those that were planned but never came to light were halted due to the onset of WWII.

When O Gauge and 00/HO Gauge Marklin trains are combined together on the same layout in the same room, the result must be amazing. Here, with Italian collector Paolo Panciroli, he does just that and showcases two of Marklin's most loved gauges in an incredible display of locomotives, rolling stock, accessories, and many feet of track!

In this episode we'll go on a historical journey through the annals of Märklin from its very beginnings as a small production house for girls' accessories to the company today as one of the world's largest and oldest toy manufacturers producing model trains of several gauges and technological toys for the young and old.