CLUB NEWS 4 2010

TGV POS: high performance with two motors Double power for the superstar

Great Service: Märklin TV New Participating Partners 16 Power pack - not just in the original: The high-speed train TGV POS – Märklin has now put a motor in each of the two driving cars.

Contents Issue 04 / 2010

Detail News: A look behind the scenes – Open Day at Märklin ...... 4 Exclusive: A noble locomotive as homage to the great anniversary of "175 Years of Railroads in Germany" ...... 6 Märklin TV: Enjoy Trix models and Märklin live on the Internet ...... 8 Special Exhibition: 75 Years of Trix Express – The Toy Museum in Trier celebrates by showing some rare items ...... 11

Scene Finishing: How Märklin / Trix renders esthetics and hardness to surfaces – an interview with the head of the electroplating shop ..... 12 Production: Tricks to ensure the surfaces are clean ...... 14 Model update: Now there is a motor in each driving car of the monumental TGV POS - as the standard for this world-record train .... 16

Service Bridge Construction: The final touches for the Untere Meienreuss Bridge – Painting and frame construction (part 3) ...... 18 Cooperation partners: Discounts for Trix Club members – Fun for the whole family at Tripsdrill theme park ...... 23 Editorial/Imprint ...... 3

The following enclosures are in the Club publication 04/2010: Club News 04/2010 Märklin Magazin 04/2010

2 8 18 Take part online and win: Märklin TV Finesse: Our model of the Untere Meienreuss Bridge is now being decorated.

Your service numbers Dear Club members,

Customer Service The very first excursion by rail in Germany took place 175 years ago and by doing so started off Club Hotline: this success story. An exclusive design of class Telephone Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 120.1 is now available to remind us of this his Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 213 • Fax: - 308 toric event: The anniversary locomotive weigh- E-mail: [email protected] ing 84 tonnes (92.6 US tons) is running for a whole year pulling passenger cars between Wester- Questions about technology, repairs land and Freilassing – and of course there will be and spare parts / complaints: Telephone Monday – Friday an elegante MHI product available exclusively for from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Trix model railroaders. This year's model new Telephone: + 49 (0) 7161 / 608 - 222 • Fax: - 225 releases will certainly be playing a major role Dietmar Kötzle, E-mail: [email protected] at our Open Day being held the middle of Sep- Head of Customer Clubs tember: Following the overwhelming success of last year's event and in response to the many requests, we will again be Internet www.trix.de providing the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes. The first fore- taste of the event this year is given in your Trix Club News: In an interview with the head of the electroplating shop, we learn how the surfaces of Moving? the parts are given their shine and protective coating. Also, we will show Please inform us in good time of your new you how you can use Märklin TV on the Internet to stay up-to-date on the address so we will know where we can reach latest developments at Trix. And by answering just one question correctly, you. A forwarding address at the Post Office unfortunately will not suffice. you can win a Club loco too. We hope you enjoy reading your Club News.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Dietmar Kötzle

Imprint Editorial Club News is an exclusive part of this publication 3G Media GmbH: Peter Waldleitner (editor-in-chief), for Trix Club members. Lars Harnisch, Tobias Bumm, Rochus Rademacher Subject to changes and delivery options for all Publisher Layout the products mentioned here. All rights reserved. Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH Gerhard Baumann GmbH & Co. KG Reprinting in whole or in part only with prior written Stuttgarter Str. 55 – 57 permission. This also applies for recording in elec- Photographs 73033 Göppingen, Germany tronic databases and duplication on CD-ROMs. The Unless indicated otherwise: Märklin Insider Märklin Customer Clubs editor is not liable for any unsolicited submission of No liability accepted for any dates given. Dietmar Kötzle (responsible) manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. E 158369 – 04 2010 © by Gebr. Märklin Silvia Römpp 3 Detail Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 News & Facts

Open Day 17. / 18. September 2010

Highlights of 2010: Open Day in Märklin factory 1

Once again, on September 17 and 18, 2010, the guests: in addition to the insights into the staff at Märklin will let you look over their manufacturing, Märklin is also preparing shoulders: The model railroad market leader an entertaining fringe program with model is again holding an Open Day. Last year there railroad layouts, a play corner, a kiddies’ were some 10,000 visitors to Göppingen to railroad, and in locomotive and rolling stock tour the plant - from the foundry and the elec- fitting, even the visitors themselves can have troplating shop and everything in between a go. Sports car manufacturer Porsche will Märklin Plant 1: Meeting right through to the final assembly line. But also be appearing at the event. point for model railroad it’s not just guided factory tours waiting for enthusiasts

Entertainment program: The tour of the plant is accompanied Openness Not just looking around, discussions as well - by seminars - and for kids this means: Hands On. Märklin staff will welcome all the shoptalk.

4 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Detail News & Facts

Golden Rail for the class 74

The model winning the competition "The Golden Rail" Sales and from the Bahn publishing group comes from Trix. The Marketing sovereign first place went to the steam locomotive class Director Lars 74 - in the category I for beginners' models. The recognition Schilling pronounced in June for the high standard of quality of accepted the this Trix model is not just the opinion of a small jury: That award on the award "The Golden Rail" should go to the Trix class behalf of 74 is also the general opinion of the very many readers of Märklin. four learned journals from the model railroading scene: Eisenbahn-Journal, Miba, Modelleisenbahner and Züge. This class 74 tank locomotive from the German Federal Railroad first went into service in 1905 as a class T 12

for the Royal State Railroads of Prussia: The main area Photo: Olaf Haensch of service was for traffic on the municipal, local and regional lines of Berlin. The showstopper of this steam loco: The performance was the same regardless of the direction of travel. The German Reichsbahn Co. then renamed the T 12 the class 74.4-13. It was only in 1968 that it was taken out of service - three original locos have been kept to this day.

Exclusive "RAK Set" of Porsche legends

"Cute is not adequate - great is not enough either!" The first RAK cars from Märklin on the market in the Sixty's immediately became the talk of the town, and quite rightly so: The bodies had been well engineered and the detail was very exact for those times. The doors could be opened – and: There are panes in the windows! The numbers of collectors soon grew. The outstanding quality of these RAK models is in no way inferior to the

railroad miniatures from Märklin. This means there are Photo: Porsche AG still very many RAK originals in good condition today. Available in the shop at the The Porsche Museum is now offering a limited edition of Porsche Museum: The RAK special the models. Märklin has been able to overhaul its spe- edition. On showing their Club card, Trix Club members pay just 6.00 euro cial tooling for these to revive the RAK cars in the look each instead of the regular entrance fee of 10 euro. This still includes the of the Sixty's. This has resulted in a set of four (item. audio guide. MAP.050.010.08) with a special matt-black painting made up of the models Porsche 911 Targa, Porsche 914 and the August 1, 2010 in the shop at the Porsche Museum. The two prototype sports cars Porsche 907 Long Hatchback and price is 120 euro. Entrance to the museum is not required Porsche 910. The color for the interior is a fine sand-beige. to visit the shop. For more information and all inquiries: This RAK Set, limited to just 999 sets, is available as of [email protected] and tel. +49 (0) 711/91 12 30 07.

5 Detail Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Model

A memorial full of life: The Märklin promotion loco of the class 120.1 is running throughout Germany for a whole year to remind us of the very first Märklin celebrates with an anniversary locomotive: journey by rail back in 1835. The black-red-gold color scheme has been modeled on an ICE train to 175 years of Railroads underline that the future lies in high-speed travel. Märklin is joining the celebrations marking 175 years of railroads in Germany with a promoti- on loco. The dynamic class 120.1 will be running between all major stations in Germany.

With a 7,500-HP class 120.1 locomotive weighing 84 That Märklin is dispatching an anniversary locomotive tonnes (92.6 US tons) from the German Federal Railroad bearing the lettering "Zukunft bewegen" (Moving the (DB AG), Märklin is re-living the maiden trip made by an Future) on a journey through the 16 states of Germany import from England that weighed just 6.1 tonnes (6.7 US makes sense for three reasons: tons) and managed a mere 41 HP. The "Eagle" puffed its • The journey between Nuremberg and Fürth denotes the way from Nuremberg to Fürth 175 years ago on Decem- beginning of a new era: There were already 500 kilometers ber 7, 1835. The passengers no longer had to spend an of track (310 miles) in Germany within five years of the hour being tossed around in a horse-drawn carriage for maiden trip – steam locomotives really put industrialization the 6-kilometer journey (3.7miles): They raced to their and trade into motion. Today there are 1.2 million kilome- destination in just a quarter of an hour. ters (approx. 745,000 miles) of track throughout the world.

Original condition: An area measuring 100 square meters (1076.4 sq. ft.) on the class 120. Cladding: The paintwork has been covered completely by the special film.

6 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Detail Produktinfos

• The future had already been moved in 1979 by the first class 120 on the rails: This was the first series-production electric-controlled alternating current locomotive to assert itself as a general purpose locomotive - at night it pulled freight trains and during the day, it brought the Intercity and the Eurocity trains up to speeds of as high as 200 km/h (124 mph). And it was energy-saving as well: ElectriCity was generated when braking. The propulsion was more Delicate work: A brush has to be used for places where the film will not adhere. lightweight, compact and low-maintenance than any single-phase series-characteristic motor. • The class 120 also showed the way for the future of the railroads: This allrounder set up a new world record for alternating-current cars by reaching 231 km/h (144 mph) on August 13, 1980 and the 120 001-3 even managed 265 km/h (164 mph) four years later. The same engineer- ing concept of this universal locomotive was used later for the ICE end cars - and this paved the way for high- speed travel. And routes are now being set up all over the world: With its virtues of speed, safety and environmental friendliness, the railroad company is optimizing the logis- tics combinations with road, sea and air. Märklin has had the 19.2 meters (63 feet) of class 120.1 deco- rated in Munich. Some 100 square meters (1,076.4 sq. ft.) have been covered over with PVC film, whereby the adhe- sive has to be both strongly adhering and removable as Exposed area: The loco's designation does of course have to remain visible. well. The film may not be cut on the paintwork and neither shall this cover the silicone edges of the bodywork. The area to be covered on the sides measures 18 meters by 2.5 meters (59 x 8 feet), one half of this in white and the other half in black-red-gold in accordance with the occa- sion. Taking a closer look is worthwhile: The dynamic color- ing scheme was chosen to resemble the shape of an ICE. It also bears the years of the anniversary: 1835 and 2010. On its journey throughout Germany that is soon to com- mence, the numbers of people attracted by this railroad anniversary locomotive from Märklin will easily exceed 2.3 million - this is the official average figure for promo- tion locos given by the German Railroad. It will in service for long-distance trains and hence will an eye-catcher over open stretches, at railroad crossings and at all the major stations between Westerland and Freislassing, and between Cologne and Frankfurt an der Oder. Bright spot: The front in gold of the class 120.1 can be seen glittering in the workshop. Text: Rochus Rademacher / Photographs: Kurt Bauer

Work on the top: The design has to match as well when viewed from above. Model on the horizon

Good news for all Trix enthusiasts: The elegant Märklin anniversary locomotive "175 Years of Railroads in Germany" will also be available as a model on the market in the gauges H0 and N as a special edition: It will be on offer in the fall as a product new item from MHI Märklin retailers. Also, we will be presenting this smartly designed anniversary locomotive in good time in more detail in a forthcoming issue of Club News.

7 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010

A magnified insight into the world of models: The camera from Märklin Märklin TV: Exclusive information for model railroading enthusiasts TV takes the Club members directly to the events – whether in exceptional dioramas, the intricate On the inside and live production at Märklin or the best events of the model The new Internet TV channel called Märklin TV transmits exclusive information in the railroading scene. form of moving images for Club members about Trix / Märklin and the models available – tips on running the models and feature events round off the scope of this infotainment.

The aerodynamic TGV POS elegantly enters the station 15 minutes of news – about e.g. Märklin corporate strategy, Paris East, the cameraman accentuates the majesty of this new model releases or the great care in designing such symbol of high-speed travel by shooting this at knee height. superb layouts like the LGB garden railroad at the Baden- Cut. The injection-molding machine in the production area Württemberg state garden show in Villingen-Schwenningen. at Märklin is charged with high-grade plastic granulate ma- Anyone who wasn't there can be brought up-to-date. terial, an operator concentrates on entering the control-sys- The viewers are not just sitting in the front row, they are tem data - and the end of it all is a housing for 1:87 scaled right at the center of things as they happen. The viewer TGV held in a gloved hand. Märklin TV couples original and soon learns of the latest trends in models from the Toy model skillfully in this way to combine fascination and spe- Fair in Nuremberg and can experience close-up, the pilot cialized knowledge – infotainment the professional way. series of the Club model of the class 03.10 at the dyna- "We take our Club members along with us wherever we go mometer test stand and the test bench with C, K and M where it's exciting", is the motto of this exclusive offer of tracks. The well-prepared reports about the originals for moving images for model railroad enthusiasts that every the models awake emotions, wet the appetite and give the two weeks, keeps its Club members up-to-date by ten to collector the fun of running the models and the treasures

8 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Detail Märklin TV

This is how you call up the films:

1 2

• SIt‘s this easy: • Select your Club enter the Märklin or your Club logo start page (center) or the link www.maerklin.de club.maerklin.de and click on the (below). field Märklin TV.

3 4

• Enter your • In the Club area membership select menu point number and "Märklin TV" or click password and directly on the picture click on the field "Märklin TV". And "einloggen". now you can call up the films.

• Club members can also select the short-cut and enter directly under club.maerklin.de into the start page of the Club (see step 3).

Competition for all paying attention

Märklin TV is not just worthwhile because of the nice video im- ages and expertise information. Those who have following the recent exciting installments on the TV channel from Märklin have the chance to win a class 03.10, this year's Club model – all you have to do is to correctly answer the following question in the Club area of the Märklin pages:

• The present Adler museum train is prototype for the anniversary model. In what year was this train put into service?

You can enter the answer in the Internet area for your Club (please go to the menu point Competition). From amongst those who have entered the correct answer, Märklin will then draw the winner‘s name for this year‘s Trix-Club model, the class 03.10, which is the main prize. Legal redress is excluded. Someone who has paid careful attention might win a class 03.10 with Märklin TV. Closing date for entries: September 19, 2010. Have fun!

9 Detail Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Märklin TV

in the showcase. Märklin TV also satisfies the desire to Märklin TV topics experience such paragon layouts like Wachau-Dürnstein – and gives tips for routes well worth traveling by train to Part 6 (06.05.2010) inspire a model railroader with ideas for a new layout. Film of the large layout Märklin sets the standard high for the film quality so ensure Wachau-Dürnstein; untroubled viewing pleasure. Production lies in the hands Albula line in Grisons; diesel powered rail car VT 08 of a professional team made up of editor, narrator, camera people and the cutting and graphics-animation experts. Part 7 (28.05.2010) Yet Märklin TV does not just give that live feeling and In the hand-painting shop; 20 fascination; it also provides visual support to supplement years of the Märklin-Händler- handbooks and manuals. E.g. a step-for-step explanation Initiative; Preserved loco 01.118; State Garden Show how the locomotive set SBB Re 10/10 is programmed for Villingen-Schwenningen double traction at the Central Station 2 or how the delay in departure by the electric loco Railion 189 shall be con- Part 8 (08.06.2010) figured at the Mobile Station. New from the "Dream factory" The camera does of course zoom in behind the scenes at the – Märklin TV shows the pro- duction of the model legend V 200; Documentation Department – a company as well. Transparency in investments for the future peep behind the scenes of the central information point at Märklin. - like in the CAD design software Catia or the control system for the electroplating operations - as well as a deep insight Part 9 (28.06.2010) in the production workflows at Märklin are given. High- Distinction for Märklin & Trix – report on the prize giving ceremony quality products can only be realized from development, on the Brocken; montage: "Adler" gets its wings – detailed report on stage-by-stage development of the special anniversary model. manufacturing and material expertise, as well as quality assurance and the passion for detail - and the aware for this Part 10 (mid-July) is given when a bar of zinc is turned into a class 03.10, the Super celebrations: Bernina Railway centenary; new combined diesel powered rail car VT 08.5 receives its fine sandy-col- heat and power station at Märklin in Göppingen ored lines or when locomotive-specific sounds are transmit-

Further themes planned for 2010 ted from the computer to the decoder. The comments come • Illustrating the functionalities of the Märklin decoder from the product managers, department leaders and the • How the Märklin Magazin is produced specialists – those members of the staff responsible for the • Production of Märklin's TGV quality of the Märklin product portfolio, are encouraged to • The Göppingen location as seen by a long-serving Märklinist express their views. Text: Rochus Rademacher

A simple Internet connection is enough

Märklin's TV channel is transmitting on the Internet: with PC or Notebook in the Club area of homepage www.maerklin.de every 14 days a new transmission can be called up – together with the four previous ones. Most suitable for the Internet access is a digital DSL connection, which simply shares the cable belonging to the classic landline connection: you can surf and make calls with this for as little as 20 euro per month. The respective service provider supplies for a small charge – or even free – a DSL-router, which may be installed if required. Apart from Telekom, others well represented in the marketplace are Vodafone, 1&1 and Alice. The bandwidths on offer range from 768 Kb to 16,000 Kb per second, in many cities even up to 50,000 Kb (VDSL). For Märklin TV, however, 768 Kb are perfectly adequate. A flat rate without time or volume limitations is the best value for money. To play the films, download the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player and enable the menu point "Active scripting" in your Internet browser. With its new TV channel, Märklin is right up-to-date: Editorial team of Märklin TV on the spot: cameraman Mark Miller and according to a recent study by the consultancy company Klaus Eckert (center). Goetzpartners, there are already over 15 million German citizens10 enjoying their TV via the Internet. And the trend is upwards: in three years the figure is expected to reach 27 million. Text: Frank Erdle TRIX Club-News 02/2010 Detail Porträt

Bustling with activity at the Shell gas station in the model from Trix (left) as well There Special exhibition at the Toy Museum Trier is also a lot gping on from the numerous electric locos (right) in one section of the Festival of rarities Trix exhibition at the toy museum in Trier. The Trix company presented its new development of a table-size H0 gauge model railroad called "Trix Express" for the first time on March 3, 1935 at the Spring Fair in Leipzig. With time, this developed into a whole system with accessories to match. Soon their were Trix enthusiasts who began acquiring this system as collectors.

One of these collectors is Robert Schroeder who was complete with bell in an original Trix wooden box, given his first model railroad as a present in the Fifty's. and a Trix "Eagle" train in its original carton. There is also This was then always added to. School and career a single-axle camel train to be seen. Also to be mentioned then forced him to take a longer time-out. Then in the is a rare steam locomotive with the wheel arrangement Seventy's, Schroeder started to buy new parts and he 2‘C1‘, a hand-painted special production run for the USA soon developed a passion for collecting. This included from 1939. On display as well: A series of steam locomo- Trix construction kits and this has lasted through to this tives of the type 01, diesel locomotives, rail car trains and day. Having already displayed part of his collection of Trix carriages from the Forty's, Fifty's and Sixty's, many made construction kits in 2008 at a special exhibition in the toy up to give complete trains. Amongst the accessories on museum in Trier, he is now putting a selection of the best show and worthy of special mention are the original items from Trix Express on show on the occasion of the Trix station "Einsiedel" (Diller-Trix model from 1952, 75th anniversary of the premier. There are not only loco- hand-painted), the "Shell" gas station (Diller-Trix model motives and cars to be seen here. The visitors will also from 1952) as well as the freight sheds "Trixhausen" find valued accessories from the largest privately-owned (Diller-Trix model from 1953), a locomotive shed, 3-part museum of its kind. Particular mention shall be made of (Diller-Trix model from 1953) and a Pfeifen signal tower the "King Ludwig Train", a model of the train belonging to (Trix item from 1953). the fairytale king of Bavaria, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Hofzug, Exhibition is open until October 31, 2010, in the Toy with steam locomotive 510 and six express train passen- Museum in Trier. The museum is open every day except ger cars. Also worth seeing are a Bavarian freight train Mondays, from 11 am until 6 pm, including Sundays and with steam engine and four cars, one of which is a bell car public holidays. Text: Hans Ginter Photographs: Toy Museum Trier

The single-axle camel train is one of the more special rarities to be looked at here.

A vehicle for a regent: Palace car of the King Ludwig Train

11 Detail TrixDetail Clubnews 04/2010 Produktinfos Porträt

From large locomotive bodies and finely-detailed valve gear to the tiniest rivets: electroplating at Märklin knows a finishing technique for every part, for every material.

Electroplating: how Märklin protects and enhances metal products Finished surfaces display toughness Esthetics, protection and value – these are the three qualities Märklin achieves with surface treatment of the metal components. As manager of the surfacing department, Michael Ludwig is in charge of electroplating and painting: the two processes are closely connected with each other.

Clubnews: Why does Märklin finish the surfaces of basic Clubnews: How is the surface finishing organized? materials? Ludwig: We operate two fully-automated lines, each with Ludwig: Black nickel-plated locomotive wheels are attrac- up to 24 cleaning, rinsing and process baths in a row for tive and prototypical – so electroplating first of all ensures nickel-plating and phosphating mass-produced items – the surfaces are decorative. The second reason is functional: large numbers of rivets, wheels and gearwheels are fed we alter the surface properties and take advantage of this into a drum, while larger parts such as locomotive technically. Thus a die-cast locomotive boiler has a protective bodies or car floors are fixed to frames, and other compo- anti-corrosion layer applied when we phosphate it, and at nents like smokebox doors are put into baskets. We feed the same time this guarantees optimum color bonding. the part numbers into our control system, and this then And thirdly we combine esthetics with protection: in classic carries out a predetermined program. nickel-plating, an attractive silvery covering layer is formed, which protects functionally against mechanical abrasion. Clubnews: And what do you with particularly fragile metal parts? Clubnews: How thick are the layers? Ludwig: For example, crosshead guides, handrails and Ludwig: Thick? Extremely thin. The layer thickness of piston rods are immersed in a third line in the baths by black nickel plating is between 12 and 16 micrometers – or hand – for the motion rivets, we have even borrowed thousandths of a millimeter. For comparison, a human parts from the watch making industry. hair has a diameter of about 70 micrometers. And the zinc phosphate layer on a locomotive only measures two mi- Clubnews: How do you prepare the metal parts for this crometers. Due to our well-thought-out process analysis, finishing? we are able to maintain the finest tolerances. Ludwig: Surfaces must always be scrupulously clean and

12 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Scene Interview

metallically pure. To start with, greasy marks such as fingerprints or lubricoolant, and oxide, dust and metal filings are removed in baths.

Clubnews: What exactly happens in nickel-plating? Ludwig: We apply a layer of copper as a bonding agent on the zinc casting by electrolysis. Passing an electric current through a special solution causes the copper ions to be deposited. Then – again in an electrolyte – the nickel-plat- ing is applied to toughen the surface and as an abrasion protection. Finally, there is one more special bath in which anthracite-colored nickel is deposited, so that a locomo- tive wheel looks roughly like the original molding.

Clubnews: Who determines the color? Ludwig:Product management. We reproduce it precisely through the length of the treatment. Layers of black enhance the quality in partly-concealed parts, such as the weight on the rotary crane. This is concealed by the opera- tor's cab, but if you look in it, or look at the underside, you Lord of the process baths and colors: Michael Ludwig is responsible at won't see any gleams of silver at all. Märklin for all surface finishing with electroplating and painting.

Clubnews: By contrast, when you phosphate, the surface is altered chemically. Why is that necessary? Ludwig: We have to maintain the quality standards which Ludwig:A white deposit of zinc oxide forms very quickly have been precisely determined for the whole company on zinc under the influence of moisture. To prevent that, and not only with a high proportion of new parts, but we treat the shiny, white zinc casting in the acidic phos- enormous numbers – there have already been weeks phate solution so that it reacts to produce a mousey-gray, where we have finished a million parts. Remember that silky zinc-phosphate layer. The point is that the crystals in the whole range also includes the replicas – think of the this layer lie haphazardly all over one another – and when metal building kits, the steam engine or the screw steam- in the next step of the process acrylic paint is applied, it boat Yolanda. runs into all the crevices in the surface and when it dries out it is optimally anchored. Here we have a process Clubnews: How do you actually guarantee the quality? cleanly coordinated with the paint system. Ludwig:Thanks to many years experience, we have achieved an excellent process standard – the pretreatment and Clubnews: What then is the actual challenge behind the finishing processes are reliable. On top of that, I always electroplating at Märklin? keep my ear to the ground in the market for new optimization

How a zinc die-casting gets its decorative nickel plating

Step 1: In the pre-treatment section, the Step 2: Using electrolysis, a copper layer Step 3: In a further process bath, nickel Step 4: Finally, black nickel is applied die-cast zinc component is cleaned. For is applied to act as a key for further is then applied to the component over the to the components as a decorative layer, this, an immersion process using ten- layers. Electric current takes care of the copper layer and this hardens the sur- and the depth of color can be precisely sides is used, or possibly also ultrasonic deposition of the copper ions. face and also protects it from abrasion. regulated. or electrolytic processes. 13 Scene Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Interview

Before phosphating, the material surface of the In the phosphoric acid bath a two-micrometer Acrylic paints get an optimum anchorage on the zinc die-casting is cleaned in baths. thick layer of zinc phosphate is formed. sponge-like zinc phosphate surface.

processes. And Märklin has just invested massively in mean that a layer is peeling off. That apart, we know completely new control technology for process manage- the weaknesses anyway: in loco wheels, the edges are ment and plant control: the predefined programs monitor sometimes a little critical. With our ultra-modern control what parts stay in which baths and for how long. Here technology, we can make elegant adjustments, because we keep parameters such as temperature and addition the treatment of each and every component in the various of solution ingredients under observation. There are also baths is carefully recorded. cleaning and maintenance intervals laid down for all solutions. Clubnews: Zinc, nickel, copper – as an electro-plating Clubnews: And if something does go wrong? technician and expert, don't you sometimes feel rather Ludwig:The surfacing is in the first place dependent on the understretched? quality of the input material – and Märklin's die-casting ex- Ludwig: The number of processes may be limited, but the pertise has just been awarded a prize by the Zinc Initiative enormous range of different parts makes the task very and described as "outstanding". We spot-check the layer interesting. In any case, we also treat other metals such thickness on a random basis with a test-probe: for ex- as brass, steel and nickel silver. And all the expertise pays ample on a wheel, it must fit exactly into the axle-drilling. off when it comes to special models: the Esslingen loco Apart from that, there are strict optical testing criteria. we gold-plated – the small components indeed by hand in a glass tumbler. And the Rentenanstalt loco – the SBB Clubnews: What does the expert look for then? 460 with the coats of arms of the Swiss cantons – was Ludwig: If there is something wrong with the phosphate chrome-plated. We also finished a gauge 1 loco bodyshell layer, you can tell from the color, which is too light; bright at the same time, to see how the surfaces turned out in spots give away inadequate covering, bubbles forming the larger scale. Text: Rochus Rademacher

Tricks for clean surfaces

First condition for finishing a surface is for it to be clean. "In the production process, the cleaning proce- dure is laid down for every part, according to its mate- rial and the surface finish intended for it", explains Filippo Cali, one of the electroplating shift leaders (pictured, right). For degreasing, the metal is treated with tensides in an alkaline bath at between 50 and 60 °C. "In a combined process, ultrasonics will be used to support the procedure by the sound-waves vibrat- ing residues from the surface." Cali says that Märklin Production is very careful with the resources. In wastewater treatment, pollutants are separated from the water and disposed of as hazard- ous waste, and rinsing water is cleaned and returned into circulation. And sludge containing nickel or zinc is resmelted. 14 Scene Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 TI EventsM SC M H A

MTIS T C S M H A

MTIS T C S M H A

Trix Round TablesT S

The community spirit stands foremost at the Trix round tables. A hobby is more fun when enjoyed in an active group. This is why we support round tables by publishing the contact information for these.

Märklin provides the opportunity for all Trix railroad enthusiasts to meet up at the Round Tables. It is for this reason that we publish the addresses of those Trix Club round tables already in existence as well as the addresses of members wanting to set up a round table in their region. We do however only consider addresses given for those Trix Club members who are meeting on a non-commercial basis. Not con- sidered here are commercial offers and model railroad associations. Neither do we assume any liability for the correctness of the infor- mation provided, the composition of the round tables, the contents or the continued existence of these. Each round table is completely uninhibited in the way it is organized and run. The layout construction is a welcome activity at round tables where model railroaders can exchange ideas, their experience and views on new items in the Trix world, and can also try out the latest products on the market. The community is the key: It's much nicer to enjoy a hobby with like-minded. The addresses published here are of round tables already in exis- tence or of persons interested in setting up such a round table. We do not differentiate and thereby request that all further information be obtained from the contacts provided here. Please understand that no address can be given by phone, fax or e-mail.

The following Trix round tables exist already:

48076 Münster, Germany, Postfach 470243, Christian Schmidt [email protected]

55129 Mainz, Germany, Ringstraße 11, Stefan Reh Tel.: 0 61 31/6 17 65 90, [email protected] and Stephan Türk, [email protected] Internet: www.mist55.de Initiative is called for when it comes to constructing new Trix layouts. The results speak for themselves.

How we support the round tables:

1) Write to usper e-mail ([email protected]) or by mail if you have already set up such a round table, or plan to do so in the near future. Please send us your contact information, including postal address.

2) We will publish your contact information in the next issues of Trix Club News so that all those interested and wanting to participate in your round table, can contact you. Märklin is only acting here as a mediator and merely provides the platform for this.

15 Szene Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Modell

More power: the French showpiece train TGV accelerates more flexibly with twice the motor power.

TGV POS with two motors Double power for the superstar Märklin makes no compromises in the streamlined TGV: there is now a motor in each driving end of the high-speed train. "With the upgrading, we have achieved the silky smooth acceleration typical for the TGV", explains the designer of the model, Andreas Schumann.

Clubnews: Originally it was planned to release the TGV set the highest speed up to that time for conventional rail POS with a motor in only one of the two driving ends. vehicles of 574 km/h (357 mph) – the TGV is surrounded by Why then was the plan modified? the aura of speed like scarcely any other train. Even in regu- Schumann: Fundamentally, one single-engined driving lar traffic on the Paris-Eastern France-Southern Germany end would have been perfectly adequate for running line it reaches speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph). Märklin operations with the TGV PO, so Märklin's development aims to transfer the prestige of the TGV as a world record has done a very good job. The fact that we have after all train to the model layout. Due to being fitted with a motor decided to use a second motor in each basic unit has only in each of the driving ends, the TGV POS primarily has a one reason: we want to improve the quality. better performance and thus paints a more dynamic picture.

Clubnews: So to what extent does the upgrade represent Clubnews: So it's more lively? an improvement in quality? Schumann:Due to its streamlined shape, the TGV already Schumann: In April 2007 the modified TGV-POS unit 4402 radiates a stylish vigor and now the model brings this

16 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Scene Model

onto the tracks – just like the prototype. The second mo- tor gives it the added advantage when running that the model can still accelerate even at high speeds and thus provides a picture of supple elegance and agility.

Clubnews: Does it also have a higher hauling power? Andreas Schumann, re- Schumann: The hauling power is designed to handle a sponsible for the design specific number of intermediate cars and it thus doesn't of the showcase train: need to have a better hauling power. The effect of having "The twin motor of the two motors is similar to that experienced if you change TGV has the advantage from a car with a four-cylinder engine to one with an eight- that even when running cylinder engine – there is no situation in which such an at high model speeds, arrangement would not make for elasticity in acceleration. the model is still ca- pable of accelerating." Clubnews: What is the maximum length of the TGV POS? Schumann:The original consists of two driving ends plus a maximum of eight intermediate cars and it is then 200 meters long. The model can be strengthened to pro- totype length with the basic train set and the three add-on car sets into a ten-vehicle consist. In this way, the TGV POS in H0 reaches a total length of 230 centimeters (7' 6-1/2") on the layout.

Clubnews: For reasons of weight, the bodyshell of the TGV POS is made of high-quality plastic. How can you be sure the model will run smoothly? Schumann: The model has a very low center of gravity. The design is basically similar to that of the ICE 3, which also has weights in the floor of the cars.

Text: Rochus Rademacher / Photos: Hartmut Seehofer

Inner life: the high-efficiency propulsion is located centrally in the power car. Reaches a length of 230 centimeters (7' 6-1/2") in H0 gauge: the TGV POS.

SNCF and TGV are registered trade marks of the SNCF. TGV® is property of the SNCF. All rights are reserved. Granting of license reserved.

17 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010

The appearance of rust due to weathering can be added using the AHO powder-coating colors "Dark Soil" and "Auburn".

Bridge Construction in H0 / Part 3 Powder and landing platform

In Part 2 we showed how the wooden skeleton of the Untere Meienreuss Bridge is covered using board and Styrodur to give the look of a masonry structure. This impressive H0 model is now decorated and integrated in the layout frame.

The now-clad bridge construction is well on the way to 1 completion. How will it look as part of the layout? The A thin-bodied glaze can be made up using the Aqua-Color paints Black and anticipation is growing. Yet before the work to assembly Brown Leather together with a Minitec wetting agent. the frames needed for the layout can start, there are still some painting jobs to be done on our model of the Untere Meienreuss Bridge. First of all the entire construction is given an undercoat of light gray. Commercially available paints are then used for the tinting here: White, anthracite and oxide-brown. The shades of lighter gray are given by mixing anthracite and oxide-brown into the white paint. The oxide-brown is used to suppress any blue shimmer- ing from the gray. Water is added to adjust the consistency of the mixture, ideally to that of cream.

Glaze, lighter patches and traces of rust A thin-bodied glaze for coloring the bridge can be made up from the Aqua-Color paints Black and some Leather Brown (from Revell) and then adding a wetting agent 2 (here from Minitec). The properties of this mixture of The glaze is applied from a brush and dabbed on in places as well. Most of paint should be such when applied to newspaper that the the surface is then wiped down with a damp cloth. lettering is still legible despite the intensity of the color.

18 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010

The bridge can then be coated accordingly. The paint that has been applied is then wiped off again immediately using a damp cloth. This gives the contrasts desired in the appearance because as a rule, the paint will remain in the joints whereas the masonry will be lighter in color. And so that nothing looks the same, the brush dipped in the glaze mixture is dabbed here and there, whereby the paint does not have to run in all the joints. Also, different pressures applied over the structure when wiping away will cause shadowing to give a very plastic look to the masonry. This 3 effect can be enhanced by including areas that are lighter A light-beige Aqua-Color paint is applied using a brush with stiff bristles to in color. This is done by "brushing out" some of the light- give a more plastic look to the masonry. beige Aqua-Color paint from the masonry using a flat brush with stiff bristles. The procedure is as follows: Add some white and some beige to a board, take up some of this and add to the other shade. Apply over the surface until the brush is almost dry again. This is the so-called dry-brush method. The rust from the weathered iron fastening elements to be seen in the masonry of the original can be imitated as well. This is done by rubbing minute quantities of the pigments "Dark Soil" and "Auburn" from AHO into areas of the con- struction with a stiff brush. Any excess can to a large ex- tent, be taken off again using a dry cloth. Not too much rust should be applied so as to keep the overall look realistic.

What kind of frame is needed? 4 Powder and landing platform The considerable weight and dimensions of our Untere Brushing on the light-beige color will give the masonry the lighter and Meienreuss Bridge call for secure fastening in a robust shaded areas as desired. layout frame. What is the best way to construct this frame? Simply putting the bridge down on a board or a box-type frame as the base will not give the look of a gorge that we are wanting. It's a gorge we are wanting for the layout because this is typical for the landscape and surroundings where the original bridge has been built. The following therefore applies: Ensure there is enough space underneath for the landscape This is easily done by turning a conventional box-type frame "upside down". The fundamental steps in constructing the frame for the bridge are thus more for a box-type frame with struts fitted across. An additional board for strengthening is fitted to the rear wall as well. Principally, plywood board (spruce) 18 millimeters (0.7") in thickness available from the hardware store can be 5 used for constructing the frame. Such board material This is how the bridge looks when it's finished. It is now fitted into a robust is available is different lengths and widths. The holes frame for the layout. needed for bolting the structure together are drilled beforehand. These are then countersunk so that the bolts will later be flush. through the cables and plugs. Round openings can be made Ensure perpendicularity in the construction is the secret for these with a buzz saw. Important however are the struts. to success here. This is why a spirit level should be used These should be included at right angles about every 30 for just about every step. The ultimate stability is then to 40 centimeters (11.8" and 15.7") over the whole length. given by using casein glue when the frame is bolted The landscape and the boards for the tracks will be resting together. It is recommended that all corners and edges on these struts. Additional reinforcement like brackets are smoothed down to preclude any injuries. Also, a in the corners of the frame can be added to ensure the number of openings will prove very helpful for feeding construction will easily withstand even greater loads.

19 Service Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Self-made Step by Step: Making the frame

1 2 The frames are realized as an open box-type construction. Accuracy in mark- Working with plywood board from spruce wood is straightforward. ing out the points for the connections will mean fewer problems in setting up. The holes for bolting together are drilled beforehand.

3 4 Additional stability is given from using casein glue as well. The joint is The openings for the cables and plugs are best made using a buzz saw for already resilient after about 20 minutes. the holes.

5 6 The stability is enhanced by additional pieces of wood and brackets in the Struts are fitted across the frame about every 30 to 40 centimeters (11.8" and corners of the structure (with recesses for the base). 15.7" respectively). These are needed to support the track and the landscape.

20 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Service Self-made

Also, the use of adjustable screw feet has been found to be very appropriate here. This makes it possible to set up and align the frame exactly.

Harmony in the overall look Conventional box-type frames are used for each end of the bridge. The construction is however turned over for our "showpiece" model. Large wooden arches (for stiffening the bridge), supports and landing platforms at the reinforced upper edges of the frame keep our Untere Meienreuss Bridge in place in the center. The boards for the track are fitted now that the bridge has been secured in its final position. The course for the track is first of all marked on the boards. These are then 7 removed and cut to size before mounting in place. Screw feet available from the hardware store make setting up and aligning In the interim yet another Gotthard Railroad bridge has the frame at the desired location easy and exact. been made: The Mittlere Meienreuss Bridge, the dimensions

8 9 This robust box-section frame can be used as the basis for a layout or for Size M6 (1/4") square-necked mushroom head bolts and butterfly nuts are part of a larger project. used for connecting the frame sections together.

10 11 The center frame has been set up the wrong way round so-to-speak. Two landing platforms made from wooden board are used for supporting This leaves enough room for adding the landscape later on. the bridge. These are fitted to the upper edge of the frame.

21 Service Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Self-made

12 13 A spirit level is used here to ensure the alignment is correct. A supporting strut The bridge heads are fitted with additional wooden boards to increase the underneath the landing platform provides relief for the fastening points in the frame. height. Greater stability is provided from an additional lower arch.

14 15 The model is raised by some 11 centimeters (4.3"). The boards mounted to The last opportunity to check and make any adjustments to the alignment in the landing platforms serve to hold the bridge heads down. the traverse axis is when the parts are being bolted together.

of which exceed even those of the model shown here. It therefore has to be carefully considered where to put which bridge. Positioning just like in the original is unfortunately not possible as this would distort the overall harmony. The smaller of the bridges now "looks down" over the large one. Building the Alpine landscape around these bridges can now commence. This landscaping work will be covered in a later issue.

Text and photographs: Elvis Müller and Michael Siemens

16 Provisionally mounted boards for the track Once the route for the tracks has been marked out, the boards are removed and cut to size.

22 Trix-Clubnews 04/2010 Service Club info

New cooperation partners As a Trix Club member, you are entitled to reductions from cooperation partners. On this page we introduce new partners to you.

Modellbahnland Erzgebirge Tripsdrill adventure park

Modellbahnland Erzgebirge – a world of experience for large and small Tripsdrill adventure park Mittelweg 4 (directly on the B95) 74389 Cleebronn, Germany 09488 OT Schönfeld, Germany, Thermalbad Wiesenbad Telephone: +49 (0) 71 35/99 99 Telephone: +49 (0) 37 33/59 63 57 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Homepage: www.tripsdrill.de Homepage: www.modellbahnland-erzgebirge.de

Days of opening: Times of opening: Open all year from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed only from March 27 to November 7, 2010, daily 9 am to 6 pm on Christmas Eve December 24, and New Year's Eve December 31st. Just outside Stuttgart's gates in the middle of blooming nature is the In 1:32 scale, the district around Annaberg-Buchholz is modeled in amusement park of Tripsdrill, Germany's first adventure park. 770 square meters in Modellbahnland Erzgebirge. Using digitalized The family concern started in 1929 with an old women's mill. Today, computer controls, over 30 trains and shunting portions can be run there are over 100 original attractions for the visitor to enjoy, and over 660 meters of track. The layout reflects the era around 1980, they guarantee fun for all generations. Awaiting the brave visitor is which can be seen from the landscape design, the locomotives the wooden roller-coaster "Mammut". The trains are designed as and cars, buildings, bridges, roads and the figures themselves. The saws and thunder through the enormous sawmill at 80 km/h / 50 mph. Pöhlberg, Bärenstein and Fichtelberg hills give the scenery its The bathtub ride and the washing barrel rafting will freshen you up! characteristic appearance along with the river valleys of the Sehma, Up into the sky with the free-fall tower "Double thunder beam" or Zschopau, Schwarzwasser and Pressnitz. Since the beginning of the maypole. Specially for the youngest visitors there is a soapbox December 2006, the Modellbahnland has been blacked out every Derby and the mill-stream ride, a flume ride from a height of three half hour for seven minutes, to become a night landscape. The meters. In the Tripsdrill Wildparadies, there are over 130 differ- lights then come on in 450 buildings, in the streets and the squares ent animals to observe, to feed and to touch. Learn things worth on the layout. The building façade is equally inviting: in summer knowing at feeding times for the wolf, the lynx, the vulture etc. 2007 a section of the model railroad layout was portrayed outside every day except Fridays at 2.30 pm or at the flying display of birds on an area of 480 square meters using 300 canisters of spray paint. of prey immediately afterwards from the new falconry stage. For a visit to Tripsdrill lasting more than one day, there are atmospheric shepherd's wagons available from summer 2010; later on there will be original tree-houses. 

The bonus for Märklin Club members

2.50 euro reduction

On presentation of this voucher at » Your Club benefit: On presentation of their Club card, the cashier's office in Tripsdrill, one Club members will receive a 10% discount on the price person will receive a discount of of an adult admission or on the family card. 2.50 euro on the price of a day pass. Valid for 1 person until November 7, 2010 (except in August). Cannot be combined with other reductions, group tickets or special prices. Märklin TV – live and online!

Exclusive knowledge - join in and win as well

Märklin TV provides exclusive knowledge in the form of moving production techniques as well as contemporary reports about originals, images: With the Internet TV channel Trix Club members can now layouts and events from the world of model railroading. A competition follow things as they happen – as is the case here with production is announced in the Internet Club area – anyone who has watched of the newly designed legendary observation railcar. A new episode the last installments of Märklin TV can win a class 03.10, the current will be waiting for you every 14 days in the Internet Club area – a Club model. More on the competition and on Märklin TV in the latest program always rounded off with model highlights, features from Club news from p. 8 or under club.maerklin.de.

E 158369