Prototype: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) class Ce 6/8 II "Crocodile"
electric freight locomotive. Design from the first production
series. With older design buffers, crossover plates at the ends,
small switching steps and grab irons, with sanding equipment,
without an oncoming train light, and without an inductive magnet.
The locomotive looks as it did in the Twenties.
Highlights:
- Locomotive hoods, locomotive center part, wheels, side and drive
rods, and various other metal parts plated with 24 carat gold.
- Strictly limited worldwide to 3,500 locomotives.
- Each "Crocodile" is consecutively numbered.
- To go with it a consecutively numbered certificate of
authenticity.
- Exclusive packaging.
- Locomotive powered by two (2) controlled high-efficiency
propulsion systems with flywheels.
- "World of Operation" mfx+ digital decoder and extensive operating
and sound functions included.
Model: The locomotive hoods, locomotive center part, wheels, side
and drive rods as well as various separately applied metal parts
are plated with 24 carat gold. The locomotive has an mfx+ digital
decoder and extensive sound and light functions. It also has two
(2) controlled high-efficiency propulsion systems with flywheels,
one (1) motor in each group of driving wheels. 3 axles and
jackshaft powered in each truck. Traction tires. The locomotive
frame is articulated to enable the locomotive to negotiate sharp
curves. Triple headlights and 1 white marker light (Swiss headlight
/ marker light code) change over with the direction of travel, will
work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally.
When the locomotive is running "light" the lighting can be changed
to 1 red marker light. Maintenance-free warm white and red LEDs are
used for the lighting. This locomotive is highly detailed metal
construction with many separately applied parts. Sanding equipment
is included on the groups of driving wheels. The 3-part locomotive
body has hoods that swing out. The roof equipment is detailed with
safety grills under the pantographs. The "Crocodile" comes in
exclusive packaging with a certificate of authenticity. The
locomotive and certificate of authenticity are consecutively
numbered. A pair of white cotton gloves as well as a booklet about
the history of the "Crocodile" are included. There is also a 24
carat gold plated pickup shoe included to replace the
factory-mounted pickup shoe.
This model is being issued in 2019 in a one-time series for the
100th anniversary of the legendary class Ce 6/8 II "Crocodile"
electric locomotive and is strictly limited worldwide to 3,500
pieces.
Prototype information: 100 Years of the Crocodile – The Heraldic
Animal of Märklin A hundred years ago, the Swiss Federal Railways
(SBB) placed the first "Crocodile" into operation in November of
1919. These locomotives quickly advanced to the king of the steep
grades on the Gotthard. The design derived its name from its
articulated hoods, extended shape, and the green paint scheme. The
units "snaked" like a reptile through the curves on turnouts and
reverse curves. ”Standard gauge six-axle locomotive, only for large
curves, faithful reproduction of the 'Crocodile Locomotive' ..."
was the way the model of the latest Swiss locomotive was presented
in the Märklin catalog for 1933/34. The design and pulling power of
the original locomotive impressed people so much at that time that
it became a synonym for progress and power. A mystique that
continued through the history of Märklin. This unit was in all of
the scales offered by Märklin. At first in 1 and 0 Gauge, then in
H0 and even in Mini-Club Z Gauge. It formed the top item offered
everywhere in the assortment and thus became the unofficial
"heraldic animal" of Märklin. The color green dominated over the
longest period of its use on the Gotthard grades and people almost
forgot its original color of brown. Märklin did not bring it out in
brown on the market until 1984, as an offering for the 125th
company anniversary, a "Crocodile" in a limited quantity, in 1
Gauge. By contrast, there never was a "Crocodile" in white in real
life. Despite this a large dealer in New York ordered several units
of large 0 Gauge locomotives in special paint schemes. He chose the
color white that was completely untypical in the prototype. It
cannot be denied that locomotives in these imaginary paint schemes
have a special effect on observers. Despite this for unknown
reasons, there was only this single order. This made these
locomotives unique pieces seen by only a few people. Amazingly,
they became very well known in collector circles. The white
Crocodile thus became a part of the exclusive 31859 anniversary set
in 2009 for the 150th anniversary of Märklin. In this tradition, we
want to make 2019 unforgettable in which Märklin for its 160th
anniversary crowns this proud heraldic animal in the popular H0
Gauge with a unique gold edition.
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