Author Archives: Paul

S 873/1 Set S870 Torpedo Locomotive

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The S873/1 set was produced for a very limited time in 1953. This set seen here has the production run on the box as follows: “YN 1253 j – S 873/1 – 100/5”. This number is seen on the inside cover of the lid of the box, printed on the instruction sheet. This set normally would include 327/2 ROT (red) cars (2 per set) along with several pieces of curved track specially designed for the clockwork locomotive. The S870 locomotive was the first and only HO scale clockwork locomotive that Marklin produced. The original key is not often seen in sets available today, but was used to wind up the locomotive springs for running. These keys are hard to find in today’s market.  This set is also missing the original cardboard insert that would keep the trains from moving around in the box.

S873/1 Set and 327/2 Cars:

Marklin RS 800: Complete Review

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Hello everyone,

Another feature of this blog is being able to maintain and repair Marklin trains, and sometimes that includes taking them apart for service or just to see how everything functions under the body.

This review is of an RS 800.  This gallery will show how to almost completely dissassemble an RS 800 locomotive. I do not take apart the motor mount/housing or the reversing switch as sometimes these sections are hard to put back together and could cause harm to the locomotive.

Tools:

(1) Flathead screwdriver

(2) Small pin / paperclip (optional)

Gallery:

 

The French Métro and Marklin 3190

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The metro system in Paris, France is one of the busiest in Europe today, coming just after Moscow which currently holds first place.  This metro system was first adopted on April 20, 1896 when the Fulgence Bienvenüe project began.  Just four years later, the first line was unveiled during the Paris World’s Fair on July 19, 1900.  The first line was Maillot-Vincennes and was the first line of an ongoing metro system that continues to develop and advance to this day.

There are many entrances to these metro stations that exist today, they are scattered around Paris with almost 100 still existing, dating back to the early 1900s.  View the picture of one on a Paris streetcorner below.

Because of this extremely important and historic event, Märklin modeled a famous French Métro set that was produced from 1908 to 1909.  The set usually consisted of two to three metro cars that had two sets of double sliding doors on each side.  The cars were powered electrically and some carried small lamps on the ends of the cars.  Being that this métro set was only produced for two years, the cars are very scarce and information on them is extremely limited.  Although a few of my referance materials point to pictures of this model, it seems there were possibly different versions produced.  For example, in a Christie’s auction catalog, the window arrangement is 4 window – 1 Door – 3 window – 1 Door – 1 window.  However, in an auction from 2008, we can clearly see a similar model with the arrangement 3 windows –  1 door – 2 windows – 1 door – 1 window.  Perhaps cars of different lengths and colors were available.

See the gallery at the bottom to view some pictures of this rare example.

From the early 1900s on, Marklin produced several different types of trollies, trams, and rail cars.  The largest, a Spur I Third Avenue street car that cannot be found in any catalogs, but was produced in 1914.  Some District Line London Underground cars have also been found powered by clockwork motors in 1910.  Ultimately, these types of cars were only produced up until the time before the 1920s where Marklin shifted production and began making steam locomotives in Spur I and O.

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Marklin TW 800, 1939 – 1949, Fully Explained

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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.

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 Blue/Cream produced 1949 with type 4.1 pantographs.

 

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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.

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!

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