Aikakaudet

Whether you are nostalgic or an historian, whether you are homesick or have wanderlust, or whether you simply have an eye for the right time and the right place – the Märklin assortment varies by historical eras, countries, and nations. All characteristic features, paint schemes, details, and lettering of the models correspond to their prototypes.

In Era II a standardization office had to decrease the multiplicity of designs from numerous builders by implementing development guidelines; this problem has since been resolved by the concentration of the railroad industry.

More and more locomotives and cars are being built on the same development platforms, and they are being used in different European countries. examples of this are the electric locomotives in the Sprinter family (Taurus, Dispo (Lease) and multi-system locomotives), the class MaK G diesel locomotives, as well as different car designs. You will find many models for other European long-distance passenger trains and freight trains, just like the prototype.

The Export Program also offers additional models and one-time series that are produced for the respective countries, and which are also available from your authorized dealer.

The liberalization of the railroad all over Europe continues.

Era I

Era I - 1835–1925

Provincial and privately owned railroads, some with extensive route networks, came into being during the startup phase of railroading. Era I is characterized by variety of car and locomotive types, colors, and lettering.

Era II

Era II - 1925–1945

The large national state railroads were established in Europe. In Germany the provincial railroads were merged into German State Railroad Company (DRG). Standard designs reduced the multiplicity of car and locomotive types.

Era III

Era III - 1945–1970

The Fifties and Sixties were marked by reconstruction and economic growth. The new German Federal Railroad (DB) grew rapidly, and steam locomotives had to make way for more powerful and efficient diesel and electric locomotives. The German State Railroad (DR) in the GDR (East Germany) developed parallel to the DB.

Era III is one of the most interesting phases with steam, diesel, and electric motive power.

Era IV

Era IV - 1970–1990

The European wide standard computer-generated UIC lettering of all locomotives and cars marked the start of this era. This process extended over several years so that a mix of old and new lettering could be seen chiefly on the cars. New paint schemes made railroading more colorful.

Era V

Era V - 1990–2006

New paint schemes signaled the "New Era" in modern railroading. At the same time, thought began to be given in almost all European countries to fundamental restructuring that have been realized in a concrete fashion at present. After the unification of the two Germanys, the German State Railroad (DR) (East Germany) and the German Federal Railroad (DB) were merged in steps into the German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG). Since 1994, there has been the new logo of the DB AG. A mix of different color and logo variations could also be observed in this era.

Era VI

Era VI - 2006–

The liberalization of rail transport in Europe brings new challenges to the railroad's locomotives and cars that must adhere to European railroad standards for international use. In fact, there are no standard paint schemes or recognition lettering, but there is a new 12-digit UIC numbering scheme (even for motive power) that even in the model clearly defines the locomotives and cars as belonging to the present of railroad technology.