Marklin Virtual Catalogs
Marklin catalogs showing some of the models of production in 1937 and 1953.
Regards,
William
Author Archives: Paul
Marklin TW 800, 1939 – 1949, Fully Explained
Marklin’s TW 800 was met with worldwide reception from the years 1939 – 1949. The TW 800 is commonly seen with warped sub frames and crackling paint. In all of its 5 different versions produced from 1939 -1949 in purple, blue, green, and red, the TW 800 is known for being a collector favorite. However, TW 800s are commonly seen with restorations: glue repair; rewired; sub frame repainted; and most commonly, retouching. Marklin began producing the TW 800 in 1939, following their phasing out of the production of the TWE 700 in 1939 (first produced in 1936). Both of these models have resemblance to an even earlier O Gauge example, the TW 66/12940.
Marklin TW 800 Versions
| Version | Description | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Violette/Cream | 1939 |
| 2 | Violette/Cream Pantographs (2.2) | 1940-1942, 1945-1946 |
| 3N | Red; 2 Motors Pantographs (4.1) | 1949 |
| 4N | Blue/Cream | 1949 |
| 5N | Green/Cream | 1949 |
The TW800N.3 was originally sold with type 4.1 pantographs, but were often replaced with earlier type 2.1 or 2.2 pantographs (pictured below). Similar TW 800 versions often have the incorrect pantographs because of the previous owner’s changes.
TW800N.3 incorrect type 2.1 pantographs and Violette/Cream center piece from first version TW 800.
TW800.4 Blue/Cream produced 1949 with type 4.1 pantographs.
TW800.4 suffering zincpest in original box.
The boxes for the TW 800 were produced in two different types. During World War II, Marklin produced its boxes without the typical “Bicycle” logos in order to save on ink expenses and supplies. That is why we often see boxes (like the one pictured below) in a tan/gray color. Although, it is possible to have different varieties in boxes that do not correspond to a certain version. Marklin often used boxes from previous years when surpluses were made or dealers could have switched them out. Versions other than 1 and 2 are marked with the color, for example a “TW 800 B” for a version 4 Blue TW 800. Boxes also contained the typical corrugated rolls which were used to prevent damage during shipping/transport.
Original box for TW800.4 “Blue” for during wartime without “Bicycle” logos.
Among all versions of the TW800, zincpest is the most common problem for collectors. TW800s suffering from zincpest usually require that particular part to be replaced with an original or replica. Zincpest most commonly affects the gray sub frame of the locomotive, warping it and causing parts to chip off.
A warped subframe for a version 4 TW800.
Overall, the TW800 is an excellent locomotive for the Marklin collection. However, its high vulnerability to zincpest and related condition issues make it a very hard locomotive to collect. This also makes your changes of stumbling upon a TW 800 with replica parts very likely. Be sure to be aware of the possibility of a locomotive have some or all replica parts. If you do plan on purchasing a TW800, be sure to leave some extra money for possible restoration costs and ask the seller to package carefully!
Marklin Catalog Codes & Pricelists
Marklin Pricelists
Marklin pricelists were sent along with catalogs for consumers to purchase and browse the new and current Marklin train items offered. Pricelists can be found written in many languages including German, English, French, Spanish, and more. To give an idea of the Marklin prices in such pricelists, we can use the 1951 pricelist from F.A.O. Schwarz located at 745 5th Ave. COR. 58th Street, New York.
| No | USA $ | No | USA $ | No | USA $ |
| RM 800 | 23 | DT 800 | 43.50 | 311 | 2.95 |
| TM 800 | 17.50 | RE 848/4 | 88 | 311 H | 3.65 |
| HR 800 | 39 | ST 800 | 75 | 311 K | 3.65 |
| SK 800 | 39 | ST 800 MT | 9 | 311 S | 3.65 |
| TT 800 | 37 | 362 | 1.65 | 314 BP | 4.60 |
| G 800 | 47.50 | 366 | 2.70 | 314 E | 4.60 |
| RSM 800 | 19.50 | 367 | 2.95 | 314 G | 4.60 |
| SE 800 | 27 | 371 | 1.80 | 314 S | 4.60 |
| SEW 800 | 31 | 372 | 1.80 | 315 | 3.65 |
| RE 800 | 45 | 372 G | 2.15 | 316 N | 4.25 |
| MS 800 | 42 | 374 ESSO | 2.70 | 321 | 3.95 |
| CCS 800 | 60 | 374 SHELL | 2.70 | 321 G | 4.25 |
| DL 800 | 65 | 381 | 1.65 | 322 | 4.25 |
| RM 829/4 | 49.50 | 386 | 1.65 | 323 | 3.65 |
| TM 865/4 | 42 | 390 | 2.40 | 310 | 4.25 |
| 398 | .95 | 391 | 2.95 | 320 | 4.25 |
| HR 846/4 | 110 | 393 | 4.25 | 320 S | 6.65 |
| SK 846/4 | 110 | 305 | 1.50 | 324 | 4.60 |
| RSM 829/4 | 45 | 307 | 1.95 | 325 | 4.60 |
| SE 846/4 | 64.50 | 308 | 2.70 | 326 | 4.60 |
To give some perspective to these prices, we can look at the costs of household items in America during the year 1951.
House: $16,000
Average income: $3,515
Ford car: $1424-$2253
8.3 cu. ft. General Electric refrigerator: $330
Milk: $.92
Gas: $.20
Bread $.16
Postage stamp: $.03
Average income: $3,515
Ford car: $1424-$2253
8.3 cu. ft. General Electric refrigerator: $330
Milk: $.92
Gas: $.20
Bread $.16
Postage stamp: $.03
Source: Fifties Web
Many Marklin catalog collectors today are constantly searching for pricelists to accompany their catalogs. The pricelist is almost like an original box to a locomotive to complete the entire “package.” Much like catalogs, we can obtain a great deal of information about a pricelist simply by looking at the small print code in the lower left hand corner. Read the article below to learn about how to find the print number, date of printing, and the printing house.
Printing Codes and Catalogs
Almost every year, Märklin produced printed catalogs that would often be included in starter sets or laid out in hobby stores. Catalogs showed off the new products that Märklin produced for that year. The earliest catalog known in existence today consists of hand drawn pictures of the Märklin production line from 1890. The first strictly HO/00 scale catalog was printed in 1935, following Märklin’s introduction of the new HO/00 scale. This catalog was printed in English, German, Dutch, French, and Spanish. From 1935 – 1939, catalogs were printed for Great Britain and included LMS and LNER variants. The famous E 800 locomotive is featured in this catalog and now has an auction estimate of over $35,000 if one becomes available.
Märklin used special printing codes for their catalogs which are commonly printed in the lower left-hand or right-hand corner of the catalog’s cover or on the inside of the cover page. These codes can be used to determine the number printed, month of printing, year of printing, and where the catalog was printed (Märklin used outsourced printers).
Codes – Number of Catalogs Printed:
T – 1
O – 2
Y – 3
M – 4
A – 5
R – 6
K – 7
L – 8
I – 9
N – 0
O – 2
Y – 3
M – 4
A – 5
R – 6
K – 7
L – 8
I – 9
N – 0
I
f using the “TOYMARKLIN” pattern, each letter represents a multiple of 1,000 editions, we can use this number as a base number for deciphering our codes. Thus, the print code “A 751” would give us the information: 5,000 printed (A=5 –> 5 (A)*1,000(base) = 5,000), printed in the month of July, and printed in the year 1951. However, the pattern “toymarklin” with lowercase letters can also be used, but this pattern represents multiples of 100 printed. A lowercase “t” would be 100 printed and a lowercase “m” would be 400 printed.
Comparison of Export Models for USA and Great Britain in the 1930s
| Great Britain | USA |
| R 700 LMS R 700 LNER R 700 S LMS R 700 S LNER SLR 700 LMS SLR 700 LNER HR 700 LMS HR 700 LNER R 800 LMS R 800 LNE SLR 800 LMS SLR 800 LNE HR 800 LMS HR 800 LNE E 800 LMS |
HR 700 A R 700 A |
As the table above shows, the market for Great Britain was given much more attention in terms of special variants produced. Considering the above table only shows locomotives and not the many starter sets and passenger cars also produced for Great Britain, the American market was much smaller. That is why few Märklin dealers existed in the 1930s. New York had Richard Maerklin Trains, and Illinois and Oklahoma had a few hobby shops offering Märklin in the 1930s.
Codes – Common Examples
ONN. 937. D. – 200,000 printed in September of 1937 (German language)
A 0845 r – 5,000 printed in August of 1945
A 0845 r – 5,000 printed in August of 1945
1953 Pricelist
1936 O Gauge Instructions
In addition to catalogs, the same printing codes can be applied to pricelists that were included with the catalogs. These pricelists are printed commonly on pink paper, but were also printed on white and blue paper as well. Similarly, Märklin printed New Item “Neuheiten” catalogs that would show new products throughout the year that were sent to dealers. Instruction sheets follow a similar pattern.
To gain even more information about catalogs, pricelists, and sometimes instruction sheets, one can look at dealers stamps. When Märklin sent printed materials to dealers, they would often stamp the paper with information containing the hobby shop name, location, and sometimes the owner of the store. In the USA during the 1930s and 1940s, Richard Märklin Trains was the main importer of Märklin for the United States, located in New York (Picture below).
Temporary Floor Layout
A small temporary layout with some models including the RS 800 and the R 700 A. [nggallery id=2]
Märklin Factory Letter – 1956
In 1956, Märklin was still feeling the effects of the Second World War as they had to adapt to the changing environment in Europe. The following letter below was sent from the Märklin factory to a collector in Illinois in the year 1956.
1956 Marklin letter
What brings particular interest to this letter and especially its historical resonance, is the following quotation:
“We only possess a very limited number of these old models, as our museum which contained a complete collection of all our manufacture since the beginning of model railroads, has been destroyed during the after-war time.”
Many other references and books specifically declare that Märklin facilities remained untouched during World War II and that Märklin continued producing trains and toys shortly after the war ended. Thus, Märklin had to maintain a friendly relationship with allied soldiers in order for them to remain production under the unstable German government and situation. Knowing that many American soldiers would possibly try to prevent this production and manufacture of Märklin’s toys, Märklin produced a special “starter set” for American soldiers during and after the war. This set was sold in a plain brown box (red ink was not used) and stamped on the outside with marking numbers. The sets included the correct voltage for US use and contained either an SK 800 or RS 800 locomotive with passenger cars, rolling stock, track, a transformer, and other accessories.
This letter, however, points to a different story that possibly included using Märklin museum models as a form of bribery for whomever attempted to halt Märklin toy and train production during the “after-war time.” One must wonder where these early museum examples ended up and how much of the museum was actually “sold off” or “destroyed.”
The only piece of information that we can know with absolute certainty is that the Märklin factory stood strong in 1956 as seen in this factory photo which accompanied the letter in a large brown envelope.
Marklin factory at Goppingen in 1956
