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Model Power Metaltrain On Märklin Tracks |
Many AC-model railroaders have Märklin US stuff in their collection. Over several decades, Märklin was offering a small product line consisting of several freight cars and F7 A-units. Later on, they brought an additional B-Unit and Streamliner coaches. The models of that "1st generation" remained in programe until the Big Boy, the Alco PA1 diesels and the Mikado steamers from Göppingen factory entered the model train stage. For these engines, Märklin presented a completely new construction of US freight cars. While the models of the 1st generation were a mix of sheet metal and plastic, the new 2nd generation models consisted completely of plastic. They had finder detailing an NEM coupler shafts, which is quite unusal for US models - especially if one regards the fact that Märklin was focusing the US market with this product line.
It has often been asked how to add to the Märklin consist, or what American brands would best harmonize with the Märklin stuff. Especially with Märklin 1st generation stuff, this can be a problem, because these cars have European loop-and-hook-couplers which are inseparably fixed on the bogies. So, these cars are not compatible with NMRA stuff.
So, are their really any US models which are comaptible with Märklin stuff?
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Model Power Metaltrain |
What ist Modelpower Metaltrain? Isn't this American firm a manufacturer a firm which is known for simplier toy trains?
However, Modelpower also offers a product line consisting of trains which are completely manufactured of die-cast. It consists of several F7 A-Units and various freight car versions. It is offered under the "Metaltrain" brand.
For EU model railraoders who don't want to import directly from the USA by themselves - there exist several dealers doing that for you. For example, the German dealers RD-Hobby and US-Trains.
It's really a good feeling to take such a car out of its box. They clearly differ from other rolling stock due to their high weight - they are even heavier than the 1st generation Märklin US stuff! The quality seems to be very good, detailing does fit the standarts of Märklin's "1st generation" US cars.
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Kupplungen |
The Model Power cars come with Kadee couplers. The older hornhook couplers are included in every box. However, to operate the car together with Märklin stuff, one needs European loop-and-hook couplers. One can take Mehano #12344 . This is the version with a "large" hole.
Unluckily, it doesn't fit before doing a few changes. The picture above shows a coupler in its original condition.
On the upper side of the coupler shaft, one has to file away some material. The hole has also to be enlarged. Work slowly and carefully, proceed in slow steps! Control, from time to time, if everything is fitting, by putting the coupler into the car's coupler pocket: does the coupler sit to straight on the centre pin, can it spring, if the coupler pocket's covering ist fixed?
When everything is fitting, one puts the coupler into the coupler pocket, puts on the covering an screws it.
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Wheelsets? |
US freight car models normally have wheelsets with a wheel diameter of 9,7 mm and a RP25 profile. The cars did some test runs on the layout. However, the hard rumbling on turnouts sounded quite unpleasent. With these heavy cars, there was clear danger of a quicker wearout of the turnouts, especially of the frogs.
So I decided to replace the RP25 wheelsets. However, some testing was necessary to find out what wheelsets were fitting best. Luck Feinmechanik offers AC wheelsets for US models, but because these Model Power cars have less free space below the car floor, there were problems with the higher Märklin flanges.
After all, I took Roco wheelsets with a 9 mm wheel diameter. But once again, the higher AC flanges were causing problems with certain car. So, I took the DC version of these wheelsets. To make the run on Märklin tracks without any problems, the distance between both wheels on a axle had to be reduced to Märklin standart, which is about 14 mm. So, finally, the cars ran excellently on Märklin tracks.
However, this solution certainly won't work with old M tracks very well.
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Result |
The Model Power Metaltrain cars are an ideal addition to Märklin's first generation US rolling stock.
In operation on the layout, the cars have prooved quite well. They run, in combination with original Märklin cars, without a single problem. However, due to their high weight, one shold regard certain rules: some of Märklin's 1st generation cars are manufactured of plastic - these cars shold be run behind the Model Power cars in a train.
A Union Pacific q uad hopper.
Burlingtion Rout "Way of the Zephyrs" r eefer, #2228. Such a model has never been offerd by Märklin.
This SOO Line box car also gives a good impression, operated with Märklin cars in the same train.
Here we see the some car, coupled with a Märklin box car..
Sure, Märklin offered a few tank cars, but this Model Power car is a nice addition to them!
Disclaimer. I can NOT be held responsible for any damage you cause by following my instructions, on modifying your model railway equipment. Everything you are doing, you are doing it at your own risk!