CLUB NEWS 4 2012

A look behind the scenes : miracles of engineering Overview: the most popular Club loco models

Pure fascination: September 14 & 15 Open Days in Göppingen with layout fun and “get-together” TRIX Club-News 05/2010

12 Precision work: Trix designers developing a discuss tolerances of the order of hundredths of a millimeter – fitting in the drive and all the electronics is what design team leader Thomas Mann (right) calls “the daily battle for every tenth of a millimeter”.

Contents Issue 04 / 2012

Detail News: spring competition / Trix at the seventh N-scale Convention / model trends / Club Internet presence ...... 4 Date: what awaits Club members at the Open Days – a “get-together”, works tours and operating layouts ...... 6 Club models: favorite locomotives and their stories ...... 8

Scene Engineering report: miracles of technology – Trix locomotives can be compared with high-class watches ...... 12 Overview: addresses and contact data for the Trix round tables ...... 15 Portrait: N-gaugers in an exhibition fever – the long-standing Modelleisenbahn-Klub Berlin celebrates its anniversary ...... 16

Service Layout construction: expressive individuality – a brief lesson on construction styles, as exemplified on a mature modular layout ...... 19 Cooperation partners: the Deutsche Eisenbahn-Verein invites you to a chat over coffee in the narrow-gauge buffet car ...... 23 Editorial / masthead ...... 3

The Club mailing 04/2012 has the following enclosures: Trix News 04/2012, Märklin Magazin 04/2012, registration form Märklin Minis, painting poster Märklin Minis.

2 16 8 Module fans: the Berlin model railroaders’ club MEKB is Ideas for the Club model: Trix product manager Claus Ballsieper (center) keeps his eyes building with flair in parallel on two smart modular N-gauge and ears open at running days – the N-Club model railroaders are pleased to tell him what layouts. they would like to see modeled.

Your service numbers Dear Club members, Customer Service Hardly is the turmoil of the Märklin summer party at Adventure Club hotline: World over, the Märklin Open Days knock at the door: we look forward Telephone Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. to welcoming the whole railroad enthusiasts community to Göppingen Telephone: + 49 (0) 71 61 / 6 08 - 2 13 • Fax: - 3 08 to visit this great event on September 14 & 15. And naturally on these E-mail: [email protected] party days, the exclusive exchange of ideas between Märklin manage- Queries about technology, repairs ment and Trix Club members will be continued – the public discussion and spare parts / complaints: of model policies, technological trends and market development. Telephone Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Arrangements for participation are all explained in the current issue of Telephone inland: 0 90 01 / 6 08-2 22 (49 cents a Club News, which also has an article devoted to Club members and their minute from the German fixed phone network, favorite Club models. What a miracle of technology a model railroader mobile tariffs may differ) holds in his hands with one of these Trix locos is revealed by a look Telephone from abroad: behind the scenes: the designers tell of the breathtaking accuracy + 49 (0) 71 61 / 6 08 - 2 22 Fax: +49 (0) 71 61 / 6 08-2 25 miniaturization demands of them in developing a model. We congratu- E-mail: [email protected] late the Model Railroad Club of Berlin on their 80th anniversary – a portrait introduces the active N-gaugers of the federal capital city. Internet How completely different building styles in a layout are harmonized is www.trix.de illustrated in a walk along the modules belonging to the exhibition club.maerklin.de enthusiasts of the N-Club International. Our service section has some- thing to say as well: we inform you of the addresses and contact Moving? Please inform us in good time of your new details for Trix round tables and also of additional cooperation part- address so we will know where we can reach ners – more and more attractions are offering worthwhile special you. A forwarding address at the Post Office discounts to Club members. Enjoy your reading! unfortunately will not suffice.

Thank you for your cooperation! Your Trix Club team

Imprint Editorial No liability accepted for any dates given. 3G Media GmbH: Peter Waldleitner E 188196 – 04 2012 © by Gebr. Märklin (editor-in-chief), Lars Harnisch, Rochus Rademacher, Lorelei Wiegand Club News is an exclusive part of this publication for Trix Club Publisher members. Subject to changes and delivery options for all the Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH Layout products mentioned here. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or Stuttgarter Str. 55 – 57 Gerhard Baumann GmbH & Co. KG in part only with prior written permission. This also applies for 73033 Göppingen, Germany Photographs recording in electronic databases and duplication on CD-ROMs. The Märklin Customer Clubs Unless indicated otherwise: Trix Club editor is not liable for any unsolicited submission of manuscripts, Silvia Römpp (responsible) Title: LH, Kötzle, PW, RR, Trix photographs or illustrations. Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012

Trix is there in Leipzig at “Modell-Hobby-Spiel”

Models, modules and miniature attractions: From October 5 to 7, 2012 model railroaders will get full value for money at the “modell-hobby-spiel” exhibition in Leipzig. Trix will also be welcoming model railroaders at their stand, presenting a wide range of models, and information on the latest trends in N-gauge. Further information on the exhibition is to be found on the Internet un- der: www.modell-hobby-spiel.de.

Run, construct, admire: Trix presents current models from the N-gauge range at the Leipziger Messe.

The winners have been chosen

Several thousand Club members took part in the spring competition and gave the correct answer to the competition question. The right answer to the question asking where the musical Starlight Express is running was: Bochum. First prize of two tickets to the musical spectacular Starlight Express in Bochum goes to: Ralf Müller (96515 Sonneberg). Two entrance tickets for the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart go to: Reiner Holzwarth (74229 Oedheim), Ernst-Jürgen Volzer (70734 Fellbach), Christian Wettstein (8932 Mettmenstetten, Switzerland), Werner Stein (57078 Siegen) and Marc Krüger (72766 Reutlingen). Two entrance tickets for the Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg were won by: Michael Busemeier (49536 Lienen), Winfried Kell (52152 Simmerath), Matthias Pottkamp (33613 Bielefeld), Reiner Wegner (23556 Lübeck), Bernd Lösche (12439 Berlin), Helmut Basse (31319 Sehnde) and Henry Wunderlich (04155 Leipzig). We congratulate all winners and wish them lots of fun!

4 A worthwhile click Always up to date: let us know your e-mail address and you will receive even quicker Exclusive factory tour for Club members the hottest information and news about Trix and the Club by e-mail. It is simplest to do To experience model railroad produc- it on line under http://club.trix.de using “Ein- tion close to – for 60 Club members stellungen” (preferences). Just log in to the this wish was fulfilled at the end of Club page with your membership number July at the Märklin summer festival. and the password and enter your current In an exclusive tour of the main fac- e-mail address. This way, you’ll not suffer a tory in Göppingen they were reward- moment’s delay in the Trix world in future. ed with deep insights into the entire production process from die-casting and finishing through cleaning and coating in the electroplating depart- ment to pre-assembly, painting and During the Märklin summer festival final assembly. The guests were fasci- in July, 60 Club members were able nated by the high-tech equipment to take a guided tour of the Produc- and the craftsmanship skills tion department in Göppingen. displayed.

Railroad boss Dr. Grube meets model railroaders

Announced: the new comic figures of the “Railroad staff are all members Märklin Minis. of an enormous family”

“I have already built satellites, cars and airplanes – but the railroad is more complex than all of them”, announced Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Chairman of the Club for the youngest Board of Deutsche Bahn Inc. at Märklin now has a Club specially designed to suit the Märklin Mega Meeting the smallest railroad fans: the Märklin Minis. Four (MMM) as a mark of respect for times a year, a reading book will appear free of the performance of his work- charge with pages of painting and do-it-yourself force. “We are enthusiastic about items suitable for children between three and six the railroad and are all mem- years – a fantastic idea for the youngsters who can bers of one big family”, said the thus get involved with the model railroad in a self-confessed model railroader manner to suit their age. To start the Märklin Minis, (“I got my first model railroad there is an attractive painting poster, included with when I was five”). The DB AG the current mailing. The funny comic figures in the Model railroad fan since childhood: moves as many passengers ev- Märklin Minis are Marc, Lina and their smart dog Deutsche Bahn boss Dr. Rüdiger Grube ery day as Lufthansa does in a Benny. There are 16 pages of exciting stories to read, went in to bat for the railroad in all year, it has an annual freight pages to paint and super do-it-yourself ideas. The forms at the Märklin Mega Meeting traffic performance of 120 billion new Club is a marvelous complement for the prize- 2012 in Berlin. tonne-kilometers and maintains winning battery segment Märklin my world for the most extensive rail network children over three. Trix Club members can register in Europe. A large proportion of the infrastructure however their own or another child between three and six dates back to the 19th century, and this is why Dr. Grube has years old without difficulty: use the application form four prime targets: “To run with average speeds of 200 km/h included with this mailing and when completed, (124 mph) in long-distance traffic; to disentangle fast and slow send it to Märklin. The first book for the Märklin traffic types; to open out hubs like Hanover or Frankfurt; and Minis will appear in November 2012. to connect all modes of transport with one another”.

5 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012

Colorful party days: hear what the management plans, see in Highlight of the year: Open Days and the factory how “Get-together” at Märklin models are cre- ated and have a chat – a relaxed celebration for Exclusively for Club members the finest hobby in the world. A warm welcome: at Märklin’s Open Days, the Club team welcomes members in the inner courtyard of factory 1 in Stuttgarter Strasse 55–57 in Göppingen. And those on whom Lady Luck smiled in the competition draw will be taking part in one of the exclusive rounds of talks with Märklin’s top management.

Opens doors: For many Club members from all around the show your world, the atmospheric Open Days on Sep- Club card at tember 14 and 15, 2012 in Göppingen are a the Club stand crowning event: of the model railroader’s year, and you will be as a popular meeting place with other like- welcomed. minded people or perhaps a destination for a pleasurable family excursion. The first meet- ing point is one of the striking blown-up gültig bis Mitgliedsnummer

6 2012

23.11.2011 11:53:37 Uhr

NOVO-Karte_TrixClub_2012_RZ.indd 1 Trix-Clubnews 04/ 2012 Detail Open Days

Exclusive “Get-together”

The draw will be made for 45 lucky Club members to be invited to an ex- clusive meeting with Märklin management, one of whom will of course be Märklin Managing Director Stefan Löbich.

At the 2012 Open Days, Märklin’s management team door is open too. 45 Club members have the chance to take part in one of the three exclusive meetings with the management team. Dates for the Club meetings in fac- tory 1 are: - Friday, September 14, 13:00 –14:00 - Friday, September 14, 15:00 –16:00 - Saturday, September 15, 13:00 –14:00 The “Get-togethers” are being organized specially and exclusively for our Club members who let us know they would like to take part either on line or in writing. Simply log on to the Internet site http://club.trix.de under “Gewinnspiel” (Competition) – or send us a postcard with the codeword “Clubtreff” (address: Gebr. Märklin & freight elements of the Märklin Road show Cie. GmbH, Trix-Club, Postfach 960, 73009 Göppingen, train in the inner courtyard: here the Club Germany). Closing date for applications is August 31, 2012. team will offer Club members not only a wel- If applying in writing to take part, please give full contact come drink but a wait-and-see surprise too. details, and also state at which of the three sessions (see Factory tours, special exhibitions, play and above) you would like to meet the management team. fun – there is a huge range of entertain- Winners of the draw will be notified with a letter of confir- ments on offer. With the luck of the draw, Club mation either by post or e-mail. This should be brought members can also take part in one of the to the event without fail, as it is the “entrance ticket” to three exclusive meetings with the Märklin the “Get-together”. management team and Product manage- ment. The number of participants is restricted to 45 in total; how you can have a chance to take part is shown in the box alongside. The aim of the “Get-together” is to get the pre- mium customers of Märklin closely involved through an exchange of ideas.

Important tip: information on the 2012 Open Days is also available on the Internet under www.maerklin.de

Club members are in demand: an open exchange between Club members and Märklin management about model policies and trends. 7 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012

Whether the latest (class 120.1: “175 years of German Railroads”) or engineering legends (class 03.10, VT 08.5): Club models are absolute eye-catchers.

Always something special: the favorite locos of the Club members The Club model icon Formative encounter: Ulrich Albers (right) meets the For over ten years now, exclusive models have been produced for Club members – high ET 403 in Munich Central quality locomotives and trains with prestige und scarcity value. Many Club members station: for him, the 2012 associate them with episodes in their own lives, and they all have their favorites. Club model is one of the champions. “The new production of the Franco Crosti class 50.40 is a marvelous model”, says Club member Ulrich Albers from Munich, selecting one of his favorite locos. “I particularly like all the separately-fitted parts, the delicate new and the tender hatches, and even then the model is robust”. A typical choice: its value, exclusivity and engineering fasci- nation which unite the Club members with Insider models – and above all episodes in their lives as well. With Ulrich Albers, that applies to the ET 403. “I have a special affinity with ’Donald Duck’, because I saw it in its original form when I was a kid”. Later he encountered the units in Cologne and Bonn as the Lufthansa- Airport-Express – and while they were out of service in Putlitz und Meyenburg the Münchener was always looking out for the express units. Club member Holger Schmidt too sees the

8 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012 Detail Models

ET 403 as solid gold: “In the holidays, I often used to go from Frankfurt to Bremen to visit my grandparents and that’s where I met ’Donald Duck’ – fascinating, elegant and sim- ply different from the usual TEE”. Those days have left their mark on him and his model layout. Trix Product Manager Claus Ballsieper knows all about the expectations connected with the prestigious Club models, both with Club mem- bers as well as in the model railroader scene and in the sector generally. “The decision- making process can easily take years”, says the man responsible for the finished product, who relies on his depth of knowledge of the market and model range, as well as surveys, A striking oddity: the elegant ET 403 has an unmistakable profile. customer and market analyses. His career has taken him through the retail trade, representa- tion and seminars into product management: Year Trix Club model H0 gauge Item No. “And there you develop an instinctive feeling 2000 Express class 10 001 22705 for that which will come over well in the Club”. 2001 Historical passenger train “Adler” 22700 Apart from that, Claus Ballsieper visits exhibi- tions (see page 19) and listens carefully to Club 2001 Class 151 electric freight train locomotives double-heading 32319 members at exhibition and trade fair stands. 2001 “Franco-Crosti” class 42.90 freight locomotive 22568 Naturally Trix also get lots of letters and e-mails 2002 Class 45 heavy freight loco (DB) 22102 with photos as suggestions”. The Product 2002 Express functioning railroad crane car set 33951 Manager remains pragmatic, whatever whis- 2003 Diesel small locomotive Köf II DB 22111 pers he hears: “Of course such suggestions are as- 2003 Express train set “sugar beet transport” 31347 class 221 (DB) sociated with personal in- terests; what I have to do is 2004 German State Railroad (DRG) class 05 22108 assess what will interest 2004 Express train with class E 03 31369 everyone and what can be 2004 TEE express train passenger car set 31370 harmonized with the pro- 2005 “Henschel-Wegmann” train set class 61 (DRG) 21245 duction processes”. The 2006 Diesel rail car train VT 08.5 (DB) 22608 process of weighing up all the factors is not easy, but 2007 Express steam loco 05 003 (DB) 22130 one of the factors making 2008 Daytime articulated train VT 10.5 (DB) 22797 the job so interesting. 2009 V 300 diesel locomotive (DB) 22900 Club member Stefan Often preferences are gov- 2010 Class 03.10 express tender locomotive (DB) 22179 Wirth is mad about the erned by regional factors. 2010 Class 120.1 “175 years of German railroads” 22199 locos which ran in the For Club member Stefan 2011 Freight train steam locomotive class 50.40 (DB) 22051 north of Germany, like Wirth what counts primar- the class 03.10. ily is play value and appear- 2011 Class E 17 electric locomotive (DB) 22172 ance on the layout, while a 2012 Electric high-speed multiple unit class 403 (DB) 22778 throwaway line reveals him to be a Hamburger: 2012 Class 56.2-8 freight train steam locomotive 22563 “The VT 08.5 is a beautiful model, has won- derful interior lighting, and it used to run in Soloist: in 2009, the German Federal Railroad’s singleton V 300 with six was the north of the country. It’s a feast for the a big hit as an exclusive model for Trix Club members. eyes on any layout and it has just the right length even for smaller layouts”. And which loco has a special place in the Wirth collection? “The class 03.10 is one of the locos once al- located to the former Hamburg depot, but she came in 2010 at a time when I was financially distressed, so I had to pass up the chance to

Table of the Club model cars / car sets in issue 05/2012 9 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012

Model railroaders talk: Trix product manager Claus Ballsieper (2nd from left) buy”. However, partner Antje made off with other and the dumper car sets and its train makes private visits to the order form, handed it over to Wirth’s deal- end car – a fine-looking 13-car freight train. N-gaugers’ exhibitions – and er, and thus presented him with a wonderful “It’s a fact that steam locos are the most pop- listens very carefully. That’s surprise. ular with Club members”, says Trix Product something which pleases In the H0 range, skilful limitation guarantees a Manager Claus Ballsieper. “Or it is an exotic N-Club International Presi- broad acceptance of the Club models: most – then the era makes no difference, everyone dent Peter Csavajda (left). Club members prefer era III and the transition knows it and everyone wants it”. That was one period to era IV, and this hey-day of class and reason for the production of the ET 403 – and traction variety is combed through for proto- because ’Donald Duck’ was one of the top items types suitable for a special production. One in Club surveys. Ulrich Albers cannot resist example is the class 03 10: On the German the charisma of this rarity either, though his Federal Railroad, there were only 26 non- absolute favorite is the VT 10.5: “As the sec- streamlined steam locomotives rebuilt with ond successor to the Kruckenberg rail Zeppelin the newly-constructed high-performance and forerunner of the VT 11.5, the ’Senator’ boiler, so she is technically and historically always fascinated me”. In this brilliant metal unusual, but on the other hand not too surpris- construction, the “Senator” was an exquisite ing a choice. So that the locomotive catches model; it was joy merely to hold it in your hand. the eye both in collections and on the layout Not an isolated opinion, as Trix product and provides running enjoyment with history management hears in Club circles: it’s true behind it, the product management team the VT 10.5 as a guinea-pig is an individual, thinks up a theme – like a set of express train but the quality of its rendering in model form, Club model plus subject: passenger cars to represent D 265, which its metal construction and sounds quickly the class 50.40 and an used to ply the line between Cologne and Hagen. gained the “Senator” acceptance in Trix Club authentic freight train catch The success of this combination is being fol- circles. the eye – both in collections lowed up by the Franco-Crosti class 50.40 loco Product Manager Claus Ballsieper has had and on layouts. with its boilers arranged one on top of the similar experience with N-gauge Club models

10 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012 Detail Models

Personal top model choice in N

With a judgment worthy of Solomon, Hans Zschaler answers the question on his own favorite models in the Trix N-gauge Club models: “The 2’C1’ class 03.10 streamlined express loco and the class 218”. So the first of them all, and the Club model 2012. This pairing is no great surprise for the renowned model railroad expert: the author of the informative and well- and profusely illustrated book “Minitrix – Faszination Spur N” (Heel Verlag, Königswinter) knows them all. And that’s not all: “I put the recommendation forward to the powers that be at Minitrix for the class 03.10 with the red lining as a Club model. And the class 218 in its TEE colors simply looks good”. For Hans Zschaler, third place then goes to the ML 2200. And the best thing is, Club model class 218 with experimental color scheme and sound generator – that makes it a firm favorite with N-gauge enthusiasts.

such as the diesel-hydraulic ML2200 C’C’ ex- Year Trix Club model N gauge Item No. perimental locomotive by Krauss-Maffei in its works color scheme of 1957, which was en- 2000 Class 03.10 express loco (streamlined) 12715 thusiastically taken up. “The same applies to 2001 Class 01 express loco with newly-designed boiler (DB) 12400 the current Club model of the class 218, a 2002 Class 42.90 “Franco-Crosti” freight loco (DB) 12406 new tooling which has special equipment with sound functions in single traction and which 2003 Class 01.5 express train tender locomotive (DRG) 12421 will not be reappearing in the 1974 experimental 2004 Class 52.80 freight train tender locomotive 12418 color scheme of ivory and purple-red”. For 2005 Class E 03 electric locomotive (DB) 12434 the Product Manager, that is exactly the pattern 2006 Diesel express multiple unit class VT 04.5 (DB) 12442 he intends to pursue: the Minitrix Club model 2007 Class 18.5 express train tender locomotive (DRG) 12314 doesn’t appear in the regular range and if it is 2008 Krauss-Maffei ML 2200 C’C’ diesel loco 12424 a variation, it will be the technical equipment which sets it apart. “In the Club model 2013 2009 Class 701 catenary maintenance car (DB) 12560 in N gauge, we’ll be serving up some techni- 2010 Class 03.10 express train tender locomotive (DRG) 12333 cal delicacies which aren’t even in Trix H0 yet”, 2010 Express train passenger car set D265 (DB) 15444 Claus Ballsieper tells us. He has selected a 2012 Class 120.1 “175 years of German railroads” 12345 model which has never before been in the 2011 Class 50 freight train tender locomotive with Giesl ejector (DB) 12350 range, and aims in this way to make it always 2012 Class 218 diesel loco (DB) 12391 worth while to be in the Club: “What we aim to do as far as possible is to offer the mem- bers a little bit more than just a special loco in an unusual color scheme”.

Text: Rochus Rademacher Photographs: Albers, Bauer, N-Club International, Trix, Wirth The unusual: whether the experimen- tal loco ML 2200 (left) or catenary maintenance car – a feature of all Club models is their character.

11 Surface: the protective zinc phosphate coating measures two micrometers, Trix-Clubnews 04/2012 Rivets: with the Catia design software, on a flat the coating on black nickel-plated parts surface we only need to select the size of a model is 12 to 16 micrometers in thickness. of a rivet made just once. On rounded surfaces like 2 the roof, boiler or door, each rivet has to be designed individually. 1 Painting: according to prototype with bonding primer coat, top coat and varnish. On complicated promotional locomotives, 60 to 90 processes are not uncommon. In exceptional cases, the number of printing steps is far higher still. Engineer’s cab: fittings and 3 levers are represented as on the prototype. 14

Interior: millime- Lettering and sizes oriented tric accuracy is toward the original, with a capital required for letter height of over 0.25 mm. The positioning the minimum is 0.15 mm. decoder, motor 11 (behind the water tanks) and loud- Casting record: for the motors Rods: the speaker (under the to fit, casting tolerances are driving and deck). The engi- measured in micrometers. valve rods on a neer’s cab is not 13 steam locomoti- available for install- ve comprise up ing these items. 12 to 40 individual Negotiating curves: two of the five axles pieces. 8 are fixed to guide the loco, three have plenty of side-play for the negotiation of curves. For manufacturing valve gear Interference checks guarantee that , rivets, machinery from the valve-gear and brake block play cause no clock-making industry is used. 9 obstructions. 10

Locomotive design: precision to match that of a watch Miracles of engineering Prototype accuracy, running characteristics and qual- ity of the material decide the worth of a model. Sel- dom is any thought given to the fact that the design Insight: fittings and levers in the engineer’s cab are also painstak- of a loco is measured in hundredths of a millimeter ingly executed. And the decoder is placed under the cab floor. – the engineers work with the utmost precision.

12 Pipes: standard diameter is 0.5 millimeters.Trix-Clubnews curves 04/2012 are positioned in the Scene mold. If a pipe runs from one side of Internal the boiler to the other, it is bent while being fitted. 4

Precision work on the running gear Contours: the diamond checker-plate of the deck can have contours of two-tenths of a millimeter. 5

Precision: the drill-hole for the buffer has a tolerance of a hundredth of a millime- ter. Buffer head with warning coloring. 6

“Our flange standard is a depth of 1.35 mm”, explains Thomas Mann, Engineering Design Manager. The flange of the Trix loco class 94.5 however is shallower, at 1.2 millimeters. One reason for this is the delicate balance in the run- ning gear design: and flange depth are minutely smaller to avoid the axle-spacing be- ing too wide. Naturally development can master the design of even smaller flanges, but the stan- dard serves primarily to ensure running reliability. : for modeling the wheels of a steam loco, over 20 parameters are needed. 7

“A Trix loco in H0 gauge is made up of up to 300 parts – “The degree of miniaturization at Trix corresponds to that of it is an extremely complex piece of kit made up of many a watch manufacturer”. Indeed, in the manufacture of valve- components”, says Thomas Mann, Design team leader at gear rivets for example, watch-making machinery is used. Märklin. For comparison, a power drill is made of about For all that, locos are not constructed quite as precisely 200 individual pieces, a car engine of about 3,000. The fig- as a watch: the second hurdle is the internal workings – all ures come from the CAD software manufacturer Dassault the electronic pieces have to be fitted in the locos. Thom- Systèmes, whose Catia software is now the industry stan- as Mann has never yet tracked a loco development with ran dard in the field of transport, which includes car and truck, to plan A throughout: “After all, we do aim to produce lo- railroad and airplane manufacturers. And Trix locos are de- comotives with the best possible prototype characteristics. signed with it too. “It’s not at all the number of parts which But that’s what is so appealing about it”. The external ge- is decisive; the extraordinary challenge at Trix is to work ometry is determined by the prototype; the room inside is to measures of hundredths of a millimeter”, asserts Dr. where the daily battle for every tenth of a millimeter starts. Ralf Seidler. The Managing Director of Schwindt CAD/ On the class 94.5 for example, designer Jochen Hoffmann CAM-Technologie GmbH, which supported Märklin when selected a flat and very powerful motor from the standard Catia was first introduced, draws a customer comparison: types – the side tanks offered the space needed. He now

13 Trix-Clubnews 04/2012

Council of experts: Thomas Mann (right), team leader Design, discusses implementation detail questions with class 94.5 designer Jochen Hoffmann. The team also harmonizes on a daily basis with the experts in mold and tool manufacturing.

has to use all his experience to fit in the gears, gear-wheels, the original mold material – and how it is removed from electronics, decoder and loudspeaker. the mold. These are some of the details discussed every The trickiest parts you can’t even see. Tolerances in the day with the tool design department. They also micrometer range are cast in the motors; holes drilled for include the basic design of a mold. In simple cases, it is the buffer shanks maintain tolerances of a hundredth of opened on a single level and the workpiece shows a part- a millimeter. The axle-spacings in the running gear also ing line. In more complicated parts, pistons are used and demand high-precision work. “In fitting the gear wheels, there are more separations tending to cause casting flash we work to ISO fitting standards”, Thomas Mann contin- and thus they need to be finished. ues. “That means our 1.5 mm drilled hole for a gear-wheel “In development, we have five factors in mind: prototype must be accurate to within a hundredth of a millimeter” accuracy, running reliability, functionality, manufactur- These are not an engineer’s flight of fancy; the figures ability and costs”, explains team leader Thomas Mann. mean functionality, a long service life and prototype realism The design data created are used in production through- – any inaccuracies very soon manifest themselves in irri- out, right to the CNC machines – any mistakes would just tating noises. be passed on. That’s why there are three defining mo- Negotiation of curves requires an engineering masterpiece. ments for Design department: “When the product approval On the model, curve radii are much sharper than in real prototype first runs in the development workshop, when life. “On the five-axle class 94.5, I kept two of the axles for Quality Assurance approves the product – and when the guiding the loco, so that it stands well on the track and first loco from series production is put on the rails”. runs in a straight line”, says Hoffmann, its designer. The other three axles he has designed with the most delicate Text: Rochus Rademacher / Illustrations: Kötzle, Trix touch with side play. There must be no interference or col- lisions between the 40 pieces of the valve gear, nor must the brake-shoes project unrealistically beyond the wheel. Class 94.5 tank loco: the design Helpful here is their own home-developed software tool software identifies the variety of with which the design engineers can push the loco along parts and assemblies which fit the virtual track. together perfectly. To approach the prototype, the design department is al- ways pushing out the boundaries. “Theoretically, you can design anything, but you must be able to make a part too”, says Design team leader Mann. It’s easy to make a lubrication pipe on the boiler thicker, but to make it thinner, the mold has to be closed up by weld- ing, which is very difficult to do. How delicate a part can be designed and how smooth its sur- face will be depends on the flow channels in

14 Trix-Clubnews 04/2012

Photo: Kötzle Trix Round Tables The following Trix round tables exist already:

Trix modelers devote their leisure time to the best hobby: the 44388 Dortmund, Germany, Bövinghauser Str. 23, Markus Dyba, [email protected] model railroad. Especially in association with others, it is great NEW fun to talk about railroads, model railroad layouts and models. 48076 Münster, Germany, Postfach 470243, Christian Schmidt, [email protected] Hobby railroaders enjoy getting together to build layouts, to talk about 55129 Mainz, Germany, Ringstr. 11, Stefan Claus, the latest news from Trix, or to run the rule over the latest products. Tel.: +49 (0) 61 31/6 17 65 90, [email protected] On this page, we offer a platform for all those who would like to meet und Stephan Türk, [email protected], others of a like mind and to experience the depth of the Trix railroad Internet: www.mist55.de world. We publish here addresses of “Trix Club round tables”, but we 78647 Trossingen, Germany, Schulstr. 24, can only publish details for private meetings of members of the Trix Gerhard Kresser, Tel.: +49 (0) 74 25/32 66 66 und Club. We do not publish commercial announcements or those emanat- + 49 (0)175/1 61 52 93, [email protected] ing from model railroad associations. We cannot accept any liability E-29640 Fuengirola/Malaga, Spain, Postfach 370, for the accuracy of detail nor for the content or the regularity of meet- Bjørn Beining, Tel: +34 (0) 661 093 972, ings or the continued existence of the round tables listed. The round [email protected] tables are of an informal nature. The addresses published here are of Austria/Vienna, Michael Mrazek, round tables already in existence or of persons interested in setting up Tel.: +43 (0) 676/3 60 23 37, [email protected] such a round table. We do not differentiate and request that all further Internet: www.n-spur.at NEW information be obtained from the contacts given. Please understand that no address can be given by phone, fax or e-mail. Märklin assistance in the beginning:

1) Write an e-mail or drop a letter to Trix if you have formed a round table or are thinking of doing so and are looking for potential members. Please send us your full contact details and don’t forget your postal address.

2) We will be happy to publish you complete contact details in the next possible issue of the Trix Club News, so that others who would be interested in joining your round table can Scene at the airport or an alien invasion of the village idyll – there are endless ideas for get in touch with you. Trix unusual model scenes. acts here purely as an inter- mediary and offers a platform to round tables. 15 Long runs, fine accessories: the N-gauge specialists from Berlin are as enthusiastic in running as in providing authentic reconstructions of industry and nature.

Portrait: 80 years of the Model Railroad Club Berlin They’ve got something The Modell-Eisenbahn-Klub Berlin (MEKB) remains true to its long club history – the club with the powerful N-gauge element shows off its layouts and its running artistry in a provocative manner: 80 years of public running operations with flair.

“Poplar is most suitable for the module frames”, rediscovering knowledge that’s already known”, advises Wolfgang Spottka; “It doesn’t warp so comments MEKB chairman Peter Jung. “And readily”. The trained model engineer, who we want to be a haven for everyone interest- with some irony calls himself “woodworm”, is ed in model railroads”. These are not just one of over 40 specialists in the MEKB. Wheth- hackneyed words from a functionary, since at Long-lived association: er it’s digital technology, landscape building or the MEKB there are indeed four different gaug- German State or Federal track plans, the club always has someone es with their own existence: “The connecting Railroads – all the emblems who knows. “It is nothing but a waste of time, link is the exchange of technical information are hanging in the MEKB rooms.

16 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012 Scene Portrait

– it is a theme which applies across the board”. For digital technician Jörg Wreh “we follow the same objectives as we did 80 years ago – exhibiting with running operations and the presentation of landscape design and special- ist knowledge”. Today, exhibitions help to earn the club money which helps finance the creativity of the model railroaders. The MEKB resides pretty remotely in Schöneweide depot in a spacious club house; the two N-gauge modular layouts – as ex- tensive as they are worth seeing – occupy the complete second floor. In 2007, no less than 4,000 model railroad enthusiasts visited the MEKB exhibition in the steam loco depot. As a rule, invitations are extended to six public running days every year. “Especially to the spring and fall steam festivals run by the Damp- flokfreunde Berlin, people come from far and Party days with model railroad and prototype wide; one staircase from the rapid transit line (S-Bahn) leads to the main-line platforms, the On September 8 and 9, it will all be happening at the Berlin Model other leads to us”, says Wreh, who works in Railroad Club: at the same time as the 9th Berlin railroad festival in the the gigantic Miniaturanlage Berlin (LOXX). Schöneweide depot, the big running day to celebrate the 80th birthday Basic components of the N-layouts are the of the MEKB takes place alongside. The club layout will be there along modules built by model constructor Spottka. with several guest layouts to admire, seminars to offer tips and tricks The longer layout with double-track main line while there will also be opportunities for play and entertainment in the is digitalized for switching and calling and supervised children’s area. Naturally refreshments will also be available. has analog controls. From a mountain land- At the full-size railroad party, put on by the Steam Loco Enthusiasts scape with a village (which conceals the re- Berlin (http://dampflokfreunde-berlin.com) and the Tradition Train versing module) the train journey runs along- Berlin e. V., the locos 52 8177 and 03 1010 should be in steam. side rivers with boat moorings, over spectacular viaducts with water meadows, swamps,

Straining for effect (left): the road works advertise their presence with lighting effects – it’s worth looking carefully at how the whole scene is set up. Industrial complex (right): the foundry stands out due to the tall stacks – the layout constructor’s reward for his head for heights. Scene Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012 Portrait

Landscape and building artistry: the N-gaugers of the MEKB set great store meadows and extensive woodland areas, by The chain of modules works at night too: well- by scratch-building – this cliffs with intrepid climbers and past indus- balanced lighting effects in models, cars and applies to the moorings trial sites like a brewery, a scrapyard, a lumber scenery underline their authenticity. (left) just as much as to mill and a foundry. And scenes from life The second N-gauge layout is just being ren- the Lehrter station, which wherever you look – people relaxing in the ovated and rewired; analog controls are to be has currently reached the allotment garden, a site for the carpenter build- retained since, as MEKB spokesman Jung stage of a building shell. ing a half-timbered house, hungry children at stresses, no member of the club is to be exclud- the baker’s shop or the shepherd with his ed. For external exhibitions, the N-gaugers are sheep. The turning module for the return jour- currently working on further modules such as ney is hidden under a townscape. A freight the “Berliner Kreuz” – due to the risk of dam- depot with switching operations is also planned. age, the stationary demonstration layout is not to be touched. Then half-finished modules will be taken “on the road”. “That always makes a good impression”, as Ralf Schröder has ob- served. “Visitors like looking over our shoulders, and they ask how something is done. And they want to see the transition from the basic structure to a running module to a module complete with landscape”. Rolling stock from every era is put on the rails. “Whatever models we happen to like will be Description Active members of the MEKB (from the left): Ralf Schröder, Jörg Wreh, run”, is how Jörg Wreh quotes the simple rule. Peter Schirge, Peter Jung, Rene Schube and Wolfgang Spottka. “We don’t stick rigidly to eras when making up trains either”. The layout is built at a low level The Club so that children get a good view, as N task- “The members of the Modell-Eisenbahn-Klub Berlin come from Berlin and neighboring force boss Joachim Massow says, referring to Brandenburg”, club chairman Peter Jung tells us. Well over 40 model railroaders a particularly important target group. This meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week in the club rooms directly beside the suburban station “Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide”. Here there are building projects group is also addressed with models: “Of course, in progress on stationary and mobile layouts. Gauges represented are N, H0, TT and the young want to see their modern high- LGB. Peter Jung: “What unites us is the techniques in model railroad operation and speed trains, as well as classics like the Mini- layout construction and participation in exhibitions, and also our own public running trix locos ’Taurus’ or the ’Metronom’.” days”. Information can be obtained on the MEKB home page (www.mekb.de). Contact: The N-gaugers enthusiastically pursue their Peter Jung (e-mail: [email protected]), N-gauge group: Joachim Massow (massow@ mebk.de), tel.: +49 (0) 30/8 15 84 19, digital technology: Jörg Wreh ([email protected]). module projects on the two club days each week, but there’s relaxation there too. “In the History kitchen there’s always something tasty, and In 2012, the MEKB celebrates its 80th birthday. An impressive figure, as MEKB there is a seating corner for reading and com- digital specialist Jörg Wreh stresses: “Having been established on February 6, 1932 pany. We also have a regular internal running we are certainly one of the oldest model railroad clubs in Germany”. The very next day”, Rene Schube tells us. Fixed dates are the year, the exhibition lay on by the 150 railroad and model enthusiasts attracted over 11,000 visitors. This delight in putting on exhibitions has established itself as a grill evening and the Christmas party, while constant factor in the club – even if the turbulent history of Berlin has changed the small groups also travel to trade fairs, exhibi- club. As from 1951, the MEKB’s home was in a school cellar. “As the heating was tions and collectors’ fairs. Despite the colorful turned off after lessons finished, our layouts tended to suffer from the moisture”, variety of club life, the main interest of club as Wreh recalls. “We were soon nicknamed “mufflers” – though admittedly the members is firmly focused on their layouts, smell of the cellar was the best evidence that we hadn’t spent all evening in the pub!” In 2007, the N and H0 gaugers moved into the welcoming rooms of today’s as model constructor Spottka assures us: “We club premises. “We can now all build our layouts – our young members’ too. And simply enjoy public adulation”. we’ve gained new members and expanded the spectrum to include TT and LGB gauges; we are now extending our expertise in computer and lighting technology Text / photos: Rochus Rademacher and in tramways and running car systems”. At the same time, the club covers all categories18 of the model railroader’s hobby – there are collectors as well as layout constructors and those interested primarily in running operations. Service Layout portrait Breathtaking: transparent panels, delicate railings and fine illumination – Stefan Wörner Portrait: the modular layout achieves stunning of the N-Club International realism with his detailed work. The imagination is in charge On modular layouts we see the differences in style of landscape design. The N-Club In- ternational (NCI) permits a great deal of free- dom and the reward is a plethora of ideas. The modular chain works as a sequence of picture stories linked by the rails.

Model building full of tricks: the gigantic Stuttgart television tower in striking contrast with the tiny Soap Box Derby.

Accurate observation: at the start (top) of the Soap Box Derby vehicles, technicians and the public are crowding together, waiting at the finish are straw bales, po- lice and ambulances. 19 Overview: Klaus Ludwig is a master of the harmoniousTrix-Clubnews picture. 03 That / 2012 is true of the medieval German town (left) just as much...

... as to the castle park woods “All together for N-gauge” – the NCI motto and its strollers (right). sounds like unity. However, NCI member Stefan Wörner puts the picture straight: “Here, everyone builds what he likes – but the transi- tions must be right”. His spectacular Stuttgart television tower with its cute little Soap Box Derby was to be seen for the first time, at the NCI Module Meet. “The scene at the foot of the gigantic tower clearly shows up its dimen- Appearance: if you dig deep sions”. The Stuttgart symbol is made of a into the world of 1:160, you Schreiber 1:160 card kit, super-detailed with meet the king (left) personally railings, transparent panels and interior light- in the gentle light of the three- ing. A TEE draws the eye to the next module arm lamps. – a new housing estate, then the garden cen- ter and on to a rock concert. Breaks in style are nothing serious: the N-railroaders offer too many feasts for the eye. “On the running day, different building styles are easily recognized”, as Peter Csavajda, President of the NCI explains. It’s true that three typical forms of expression can be seen at once: Klaus Ludwig builds over an area – his town, land and riverscapes offer a positively captivating view. Bernd Bleibler’s specialty is brilliant town and industrial modules with sophisticated detailing – here even production workshops have interior fittings, a fox-tail dec- orates the Opel Manta and the Märklin Magazin is on display in the newspaper shop’s paper rack. A third esthetic example is offered by the modules by Michael Schwaninger: razor- sharp clarity directs the attention to his sub- jects – the dog training school, his home or the Circus Krone. In the last-named category, Stefan Wörner also puts up functional modules like the com- plicated roundabout with three exits, or a Running pleasure: NCI President Peter Csavajda (left) and model constructor Klaus Ludwig. 20 Trix-Clubnews 03 / 2012 Service Endearing eccentricity: Layout portrait to see tractors in action, a tree is felled ...

special training module: “This answers graphi- cally the three standard questions we get from interested visitors: ’How do I make a tree’, ’how do I build a turntable’ and ’how do you ballast track?’.” Something common to all NCI N-railroaders is aiming to tell a story. Over there, a ware- houseman gets a barrel jammed in the ramp while unloading a truck, there you see Lili Marlene standing under a lamppost in the red-light district, rails are being nicked and there is a sit-on lawn-mower doing the rounds on the lawn outside the weekend house. If you keep your eyes open, you recognize themes. “On my modules, you see how coal is trans- shipped from rail to truck at the freight station and carried to its destination by road – after all, the coalmen carry the sacks into the apart- ment blocks”, says Bernd Bleibler, giving an example. Apart from a gift for storytelling, running fun is what unites everyone. “As a charitable as- sociation, the town council puts a hall at our disposal once a year free of charge”, Peter ... or perhaps a whole tractor Csavajda tells us. “We do enjoy the relaxed parade set up for the agricul- atmosphere of the public running day; real tural show. And what happens? exhibitions by contrast are all stress”. They put The observer starts looking together an 87 m (285 ft.) long analog and a everywhere for tractors. 20 m (66 ft.) digital layout. There’s plenty of railroad activity on both of them, excitedly followed by model railroad enthusiasts and

Roll up your sleeves: Whether on the railroad or the new housing estate, everyone’s work- ing. The canyon with ballast quarry (above) is a reversing module. 21 Trix-Clubnews 03 / 2012

Specialty zoom: Bernd Bleibler hangs washing up Training: one module (above), puts bikes in the group portrays transpor- shop window (right) and tation of coal from rail- lays on a party (below) – head to apartment block. such details are gripping.

Cameo stories: anyone taking in the large factory closely (right) will quickly spot the little misfortune while the truck was being unloaded; one of the workers dropped a cask between ramp and loading deck.

children – the fans also include Trix product manager Claus Ballsieper and his children. Club News presents effective Minitrix modules and layouts Just as the running day is finishing comes the highlight: two 110 class electric locos double- A chance for all those who want to present their miniature works of head a freight train of over 100 cars – that’s art to the greater model railroad community: Trix Club News is run- 11 meters, or 36 ft. long – and it really steals ning a series presenting unusual layouts, attractive modules and the show from the modules. impressive groups of modules in N-gauge. A harmonious overall NCI running operations can next be experienced picture, stylish track plans, realistic and lively town, country or riverside from November 22 to 25 at the seventh N-Scale scenes or well developed operating concepts – there are many crite- Convention in Stuttgart. According to President ria which contribute to an N-gauge world being considered “unique”. Csavajda, the NCI as organizer has already Rolling stock should naturally be by Trix. Send us a brief outline of received lots of acceptances from European your layout, and we’ll publish its details in the Trix Club News. clubs and accessories manufacturers – naturally including Trix – to attend the great N-scale event. E-mail: [email protected] Info is available under www.n-club-international.de Postal address: Trix Club News c/o 3G Media Gauge N Text and photographs: Rochus Rademacher Serie Spur N A portrait of your Löwenstr. 46a layout 70597 Stuttgart, Germany 22 Trix-Clubnews 04 / 2012 Service Club info

New cooperation partners Trix Club members receive very special concessions from our cooperation partner. Here we introduce to you our partners.

Porsche Museum Deutscher Eisenbahn-Verein e. V.

Porsche Museum Deutscher Eisenbahn-Verein e. V. (DEV) Bruchhausen-Vilsen Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany Bahnhof 1, 27305 Bruchhausen-Vilsen, Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 7 11/91 12 09 11 Tel.: +49 (0) 42 52/93 00 -0 E-mail: [email protected] Special exhibition E-mail: [email protected] Homepage: www.porsche.de/museum Homepage: www.museumseisenbahn.de

Times of opening: Times of opening: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays; special Running days are every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, opening days throughout the year, guided tours possible by prior from May to October arrangement Time hasn’t stood still in Bruchhausen-Vilsen; it is merely regularly Around 80 vehicles and numerous small exhibits are displayed to the turned back. Whether steam or diesel locomotives and rail cars as enquiring gaze in the Porsche Museum. Apart from famous and iconic well as passenger and freight cars, possibly the oldest open-air cars such as the 911 or 917, there are also exhibits displaying high- museum of them all has a unique collection of narrow-gauge ve- lights of early 20th century engineering. Several times a year there are hicles. The historic rail vehicles run on the meter-gauge (3’3-3/8") varied and interesting and special exhibitions enriching the halls of this line between Bruchhausen-Vilsen and Asendorf in Lower Saxony. futuristic building. From May 26 to August 26, 2012, exciting club activi- Its visitors experience the authentic operation of a narrow-gauge ties dating back almost six decades will be presented. In the special railway as running between the start of the 20th century until the exhibition “Much more than a mere car – 60 years of the Porsche Club” 1950s in many regions of Germany. Popular special events such special cars owned by club members will be on show and their specific as the historical weekend and the “Asparagus Express” or the histories told and illustrated by photographs, documents and small “Music Express” supplement the program. The DEV (Deutsche exhibits. Museum visitors can also help select the most attractive exhibit Eisenbahn-Verein) was founded in 1966. The health resort of in this special exhibition in a “Concours d’Elegance”, and there will be Bruchhausen-Vilsen lies 35 km (about 22 miles) south of Bremen some super prizes drawn amongst all participants. Then from Septem- surrounded by green hills, so is ideally sited for idyllic railroad ber 14 to October 28, 2012 an exhibition entitled “Art, graphics and trips. The museum shop in the station’s freight depot, with some design – Hanns Lohrer & Porsche” will show posters, brochures and other 200 books on railroads, postcards and souvenirs, can be seen advertising material created by the Stuttgart painter and graphic artist. apart from the old-timers of the rails. V.

» Club benefit: On presentation of their Club card and the out-and-back ticket on the trip from Bruchhausen-Vilsen to Asendorf and back in the buffet car, members will receive choice » Club benefit: Club members receive a 50 % discount on of a coffee or a cold drink and a cake (subject the regular museum price, paying only 4 instead of 8 euro to availability). Conversion into cash is not admission fee for a museum visit. possible.

Photos: Porsche Museum e. Photos: Deutscher Eisenbahn-Verein 23 In production: the class 56.2-8 as Club modelMärklin in Insider H0 Club-News 01/2010

Closing date for orders: July 31

Power-pack on five axles

The class 56.2-8 is traced back to an illustrious forebear: the Federal Railroad, now continues: production of the exclusive Prussian G 8.1. This powerful and reliable loco family was Club model in H0 with road number 56 362 is starting. Anyone the master of freight traffic. Following rebuilding and fitted wishing to call one of these legendary steam locos (item 22563) with an additional front pony-truck, 691 examples of the type, their own should act quickly. Club members who hand in their now designated class 56.2-8, were even able to operate on order to their retailers now will still be able to obtain a copy of branch lines and in passenger traffic. The success story of the rare model and enjoy it running on their own layouts in a 24 this universal locomotive, still indispensable to the German very short time.

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