Marklin 36659 Class 185.1 Electric Locomotive

Märklin 36659 Class 185.1 Electric Locomotive

Model: The model has an mfx digital decoder and extensive sound functions. Special motor, centrally mounted. All four axles are powered by cardan shafts. Traction tires are fitted. Triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel, work conventionally, and can be controlled digitally. The headlights at no. 1 and no. 2 ends can be turned off separately in digital operation. When the headlights are off at both ends, the double “A” light function is on at both ends. Maintenance-free warm-white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. Two pantographs can be raised and lowered mechanically but are not electrically wired. Length over the buffers 21.7 cm / 8-1/2".

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This item will be available in 2026 as a one-time series in H0-gauge exclusively from Märklin and Trix.

The circus is coming – tradition meets modernity The circus is coming! It heralds the arrival of all things extraordinary and magical. The circus allows people to experience a different, fairy-tale world that delights the young and old alike. Although the circus cars only present the outward appearance, their colorful, cheerful appearance still sparks a sense of joyful anticipation for a performance that has captivated people for hundreds of years. This is particularly true of the Cologne-based Circus Roncalli, which was founded 50 years ago and has since come to symbolize the rejuvenation of the art of circus entertainment in impressive style far beyond the borders of its homeland. When it’s time to travel, the circus packs everything that some one hundred artists and employees need in order to live and perform in the big tent into around 80 historic cars, lovingly restored in the Roncalli workshops, from Bernhard Paul’s collection. Roncalli is the world’s only circus troupe that still transports its vehicles, most of which have a wooden body, by rail from one event venue to the next – just as virtually every circus troupe used to do a hundred years ago. However, this practice has long since been consigned to history. This inspired the Viennese graphic designer and art director Bernhard Paul all the more to fulfil his childhood dream with Circus Roncalli. Although he wanted to make Roncalli look as if it had just emerged from a book of fairy tales, the resemblance to old illustrations is merely superficial. In reality, Roncalli is even more attractive! In May 1976, Circus Roncalli celebrated its world premiere at the Hofgarten park in Bonn. However, it not until the premiere of “The Journey to the Rainbow” in Cologne that the “Roncalli Magic” really took off and achieved major international success. Theater festivals, world fairs, gala performances, certainly by the time of the 750th anniversary celebrations in Berlin, Bernhard Paul’s evocative alternative to the traditional circus had become an essential part of every major event. Roncalli fever spread throughout the Federal Republic of Germany and across all media – books were written, and TV series created. In 1986, Roncalli became the first German circus to make a guest appearance in Moscow – naturally, by train. Bernhard Paul took advantage of the success to really build his dream circus: The cars increased in number and visual appeal while the tents were enhanced with all sorts of decorations. To this day, the combination of nostalgia, top-class contemporary artistry, and humorous staging is the trademark of the Roncalli world. In 2026, Roncalli is embarking on a major anniversary tour. As always, it will do so with its romantic and, in some cases, vintage circus cars that will be transported by rail on board a special train measuring 800 meters / 1/2 mile long. In this case, the electric locomotive, road number 185 537, named “Zippo” and decorated with artistic adhesive signs, will carry the spirit of Roncalli throughout the country, demonstrating that tradition and modernity can go hand in hand. This Roncalli workhorse will also perform on model railroads to the great delight of young and old in the equally fascinating world of Märklin trains, where fairy tales in miniature have been firmly established for more than a century.

Highlights:

• Attractive design to mark the 50th anniversary of Circus Roncalli.
• Loco body made of metal.
• An mfx decoder with extensive light and sound functions is fitted.

Prototype: RAIL BAVARIA GmbH (Rohrbach) class 185.1 electric locomotive. The loco looks as it did starting in July 2026 with a striking and attractive “Zippo” advertising design to mark the 50th anniversary of Circus Roncalli.

Digital Functions:

* New features of the Central Station 2 (Part No. 60213, 60214 or 60215) with the software update 4.2
** New features of the Mobile Station 2 (Part No. 60657/66955) with the Software Update 3.55

Specifications:

• Length over the buffers approximately 2.17 cm
• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Type: Electric Locomotives

Warning

ATTENTION: not suitable for children under 15 years. This product contains small parts that may be a choking hazard.