MARKLIN 31859

Prototype: 3 different class Ce 6/8 III Swiss "Crocodile" freight locomotives. Design with Winterthur diagonal drive rod propulsion. 1 white version lettered for the New York Central Lines, based on a hand sample produced by M�rklin as a unique item in the Thirties for the USA, 1 brown version lettered for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) as it originally looked around 1930, and 1 pine green version lettered for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) as it looked in early Era III before 1956.

Model: White Crocodile: The locomotive has an mfx digital decoder. It has controlled propulsion. The locomotive also has a large, centrally mounted motor. 6 axles and 2 jackshafts powered. Traction tires. The locomotive has articulated running gear for better negotiation of curves. It has a 3-part metal body with hoods that can swing out. The triple headlights will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The locomotive has the Swiss headlight / marker light changeover. This locomotive is a heavy metal version based on the legendary M�rklin model 3015. Length over the buffers 26.6 cm / 10-1/2".

Green Crocodile: The locomotive has an mfx digital decoder. It has controlled propulsion. The locomotive also has a large, centrally mounted motor. 6 axles and 2 jackshafts powered. Traction tires. The locomotive has articulated running gear for better negotiation of curves. It has a 3-part metal body with hoods that can swing out. The triple headlights will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The locomotive has the Swiss headlight / marker light changeover. This locomotive is a heavy metal version based on the legendary M�rklin model 3015. Length over the buffers 26.6 cm / 10-1/2".

Brown Crocodile: The locomotive has an mfx digital decoder and a sound generator. It has controlled Softdrive Sine propulsion and , a maintenance-free compact design motor. 3 axles and a jackshaft powered. Traction tires. The locomotive has articulated running gear for better negotiation of curves. It has a 3-part metal body with hoods that can swing out. The locomotive has detailed roof equipment. The headlights / marker light are maintenance-free, warm white LEDs. The triple headlights will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The locomotive has the Swiss headlight / marker light changeover.

Dimensions:�Length over the buffers 23.0 cm / 9-1/16 inches.

�-�Reproduction of a M�rklin classic for the 150th anniversary of M�rklin.

�-�Metal construction.

�-�mfx decoder.

�-�Prestigious collector case.

�-�Certificate of authenticity included.

"Crocodiles". The Swiss mountain locomotives that pulled heavy freight trains over the Gotthard grades were known as "Crocodiles". The design (articulated hoods, extended shape) and the color green was the source of the name. When traversing combinations of turnouts and "S" curves, these locomotives "snaked" through the curves like a reptile. "Six-axle full gauge locomotive, only for large curves, true reproduction of the ''''Crocodile locomotive'''' �", this was the way the reproduction of the latest Swiss locomotive was presented in the 1933/34 M�rklin catalog. The design and the 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 henceforth lingered on in the history of M�rklin. This legendary piece of motive power was in all of the scales offered by M�rklin. First in 1 Gauge and 0 Gauge, then H0 and even in Z Gauge Mini Club. It was the top product offered everywhere in the assortment and thus became the unofficial "heraldic animal" of M�rklin. The color green dominated over the longest period of its service life on the Gotthard grades and left the original color brown almost forgotten. M�rklin did not bring out a "Crocodile" in brown on the market until 1984 in a limited quantity in 1 Gauge as an offering for the 125 anniversary of the company. There never was a white "Crocodile" in reality. Despite that, a large M�rklin dealer in New York ordered single samples of large 0 Gauge locomotives in special paint schemes. He chose the color white, which is totally atypical in the prototype. It can''''t be denied that the locomotives in this fantasy paint scheme had a special effect on observers. Despite this, there was only the one order for some unknown reason. These locomotives were thereby one-off pieces seen by only a few people. Amazingly, they became very well known in collector circles. Perhaps, because who could imagine a "Crocodile", the Swiss mountain locomotive, which was typically green, in a white paint scheme?

Charlie''''s Tip:�All of the Crocodile sets are consecutively numbered for a worldwide edition of 1859 units. A certificate that is also consecutively numbered is proof of the authenticity of this exclusive set for the 150th anniversary of the firm M�rklin. The locomotives come in a prestigious collector case.