Marklin Greece models

[JohnP]

I'm not sure if I am in the correct section of the forum for this question...

How closely do some of the new OSE freight offerings from Marklin Greece resemble anything actually seen on Greek rails? My knowledge of freight operations in Greece is very slim

1) Tank car:
http://www.marklin.gr/index.php?route=p ... ct_id=8522

2) Stake flat car with container:
http://www.marklin.gr/index.php?route=p ... ct_id=8508

3) Container transport car:
http://www.marklin.gr/index.php?route=p ... ct_id=8510

[BarbaPanagos]

I could say they all are 100% Inaccurate!!! A perfect match of their OSE Vectron!

...

[JohnP]

Thanks! I had my suspicions - it is good to have them confirmed by an expert.

[STEFANOS G]

Some guys consider their clients as idiots

[JohnP]

Well, everyone has different standards of accuracy that they aim for. I'm sure many of their customers are perfectly happy with their products.

I can accept some compromises, but perhaps not at those high prices! I think the positive here is that there still is a market out there for models painted in OSE colours. Maybe that will encourage other larger manufacturers to make more accurate OSE models.

15 years ago in Canada most 'Canadian' models from Athearn, Atlas, Kato, Bachmann etc were actually US models painted in Canadian National and Canadian Pacific colours. Eventually manufacturers realized that there is a real interest in Canadian trains and now most Canadian models are close to 100% accurate.

[STEFANOS G]

I wonder who paints these "fake" ose wagons? Is he member of this forum?

[christo]

STEFANE,

We are all different and accept different degrees of compromise. Without labouring the point and in fear of BarbaP's broom, I hate for instance rubber tyres on wheels while others don't mind so much.

However, we need clarification on one thing. I thought the Maerklin loco and wagons were decorated in their factory. Is that not so? Are you implying that they are re painted in Greece?

christo.

[STEFANOS G]

I haven't seen them alive, but the lettering is like a medium quality decal. For examble the tank wagon should have the barel all red, not partialy. The wagon is totally fake. For the other two wagons someone painted a conteiner orange, and he put a fish ose decal and that is. Then he can sell it three times the initial price. I remember ten years ago I gave for 30 euros each six three axle convert wagons painted in ose colours (with correct original lettering) in a model shop on Ippokratous street in Athens. After few hours these wagons were sold for 60 euros each to a "poor" ose fan. Is that good? Is that moral?
We have two problems here:
1. The offered model item is fake
2. The offering price is exaggerated.
This way is very dangerous for our hobby, and is being followed frequently here in our Greek railmodel matters.
Lima offered also V80 with ose lettering 25 years ago but in ordinary prices and that model trains were introductional to our hobby toys.
All the above is my personal opinion and represent my criteria in that hobby. Please forgive me for my long post.

[BarbaPanagos]

I had a look again at HMC site... I thought it was clearly stated that these models were just a "what if" modeling approach...
Unfortunately they are presented in a misleading way, giving the impression that are models of some real OSE rolling stock!
I have to agree with Stefanos, this is dangerous and even more, it's a FRAUD if even just one customer gets them believing that they are real...

[christo]

I am sorry but I still would like to know a definitive answer as to who decorates these models. Is it the Maerklin factory or some Athenian workshop?

Concerning the models and how authentic or fictitious their liveries may be, the fat controller's opinion is that they should not be regarded as frauds but models with 'poetic license', or 'collectors items'.

christo.