Maerklin new items 2009

Thanks for the link.

Agree with others that the Ludmilla looks nice but a bit too modern for me.
I think the V300 and the crane-wagon set will be on my shopping list.
Pleased to see the Austrian set even if it's just an E18/1018 paint job. How about some more Austrian E-loks like the 1110 or 1042? One day...

rgds

David
E Sussex, UK

Fantastic picture and story. So, here is what I wonder. I bought about a year ago a TT scale Ludmilla in dark red livery with markings of the CSD (with white star, Czechoslovak socialist-era state rail) that referred to Brno-Malomerice (a depot in Brno). I can't find any info on the net about the CD or CSD using this loco, and what might have happened to it, and is it in Czech Railways hands now, and if so, what color/where are the logos. Any ideas?

The Ludmilla was diesel-electric, wasn't it? And pardon my ignorance, but what is (or was) a Sergei?

Ludmilla was diesel-electric, indeed. So was the loco series T6799.* another sixties sowjet product. The former Czechoslovakia (CSSR) as a member of the Council for Mutual Economic Aid (RGW) also covered its need for large diesel locomotives by turning to the Soviet Union. The class 781 (originally T 6799.1) was placed into service here as a locomotive type parallel to the DR class 120 / V300. However, the locomotive was given a Russian male nickname: "Sergei". "He" often alternated in cross-border long distance service with "his" contemporary "Ludmilla" from East Germany. (with thanks to www.ben-model.cz). Take a look at www.philwieland.com/postcard/m/m7.html

Andy, I have no clue as to what happened to CSD Ludmilla .

Matt

Thaks for the info Matt. I'm not sure that Marklin has made any Czech models in the recent past, but we can always hope.

I think the question of Czech locos came up a couple of years ago. The answer was no if i recall. Cheers, Jim CCRR:(

Jim, since then I have undertaken building some Czech shells for Marklin chassis, however the Ludmilla would only have to be repainted, and I think the marklin 8869- series (class 212) and perhaps even the 8804 could be repainted as well. Of much interest for my yard.

I think there is (or was) another Czech Loco available from the german small series manufacturer Thonfeld, not sure if they still operate, HP last time updated in 2007. It's class 372 2-system electric engine.

On the "old" z central in the corresponding discussion, there was once a link to an eBay sale of this loco, apparently from Kruger. It went for big Euros. Would be nice to see another.

Gary, if you´re into austrian models, take a look at this site:
www.sondermodellez.at/content_e/artikel.asp?idkz=1&idgr=1
It´s a group of austrian hobbyists that does paintjobs on M* models, but recently developed their first own loco body (OeBB serie 1044). Looks quite nice.

They have models of some eastern european (Poland, Hungary) and scandinavian countries (Norway, Finnland) and even obscure countries like Belgium and Holland But not Tsjech Republic, I´m afraid...

Matt

Matt, it is pretty awesome that they made one with their own body design. Some of their repaints, in my opinion, do not use accurate base models. They are however willing to do custom work, so if one is not up for repainting, they will do it, Czech or whatever country.

Thanks again Matt. They've got a nice range and a few of their items are tempting. Do you know if they sell to the wider model railway world?

They do, it's just expensive on acct of the euro conversion.

Gary, earlier on I ordered three of their Dutch coaches - as Andy says, not cheap, but a good product and well taken care of. I am very satisfied.

I'd say send them an e-mail and inquire after possibilities. Although they're Austrian and speaking German, you' d probably get away with an e-mail in english anyways

Matt