MTL vs Marsilius Passenger Cars

Jeff, Thanks for the comparison. I don't have the pair, not my modeling era, but some differences are obvious. This is my first look at what I assume is a new Z coupler. Just looking at the cars it seems the Marsilius version has a bit more detail. What I like the best between the two cars is the Marsilius seems a bit smaller than the MTL. So, I'm hoping that the MTL car is not more than 85 feet. When I comes to passenger cars I tend to think smaller is better. Both of these 85 footers will look great on modules, but I'm uncomfortable with their length on small layouts. Most of us don't have R490 13Degree curves at home so the overhang on sharper curves would bother me. Just some thoughts. Cheers, Jim CCRR:S

Socalz44 wrote:

Jeff, Thanks for the comparison. I don't have the pair, not my modeling era, but some differences are obvious. This is my first look at what I assume is a new Z coupler. Just looking at the cars it seems the Marsilius version has a bit more detail. What I like the best between the two cars is the Marsilius seems a bit smaller than the MTL. So, I'm hoping that the MTL car is not more than 85 feet. When I comes to passenger cars I tend to think smaller is better. Both of these 85 footers will look great on modules, but I'm uncomfortable with their length on small layouts. Most of us don't have R490 13Degree curves at home so the overhang on sharper curves would bother me. Just some thoughts. Cheers, Jim CCRR:S

Jim,
The differences are obvious on close inspection....I have both.
MTL is truly a smooth side and the trucks are more detailed than Marsilius.

They both use the MTL coupler, only the Marsilius coupler is body mounted while MTL uses truck mounted. The MTL car is 1/8" longer than Marsilius. MTL's under carriage is more detailed. End detail and roof detail on MTL is more defined.

MTL wins hands down for detail.......and price too.
Loren

Loren, Then which car is which in the photos? One has a grey coupler and one has traditional black. How did Marsilius get enough MTL couplers? See other posting. Inquiring minds. Cheers, Jim CCRR:unsure:

Jim,
MTL has the gray coupler.

The Marsilius cars sure appear to have MTL couplers........and if they are.....how did they get them? Anything is possible if you know the right people...

Loren

Which is the best car for converting to a Marklin coupler? I have the Marklin ABA set and would like to convert one end of the MT or Marsilius car to be pulled by Marklin engines. If the MT is truck mounted....is that easier? Also - how do I do it? Thanks for any help.

Hi
I have the same ABA unit, and I was going to order the couplers that are mounted on trucks from MTL to convert the ABA unit, and not the cars. Seems it would be a lot easier. I was going to dedicate the ABA unit for just pulling those cars, so I would put the pilot on the front. So instead of converting the cars, I would just convert the engine.

In changing the coupler on the Marklin ABA unit I used the 901 coupler(easy change just be carful of sliding the clip on the marklin side frame), do not use the coupler on the truck(004 02 51) that is for the MTL F-7 only(I did the same mistake). When you insert the coupler make sure you use the MTL spring not the Marklin spring, it makes a big difference.

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.

So the 004 02 051 is for the MTL F7 only?
Is it the same as the number 949?
I didn't see 949 listed on their websight.

Kelley wrote:

So the 004 02 051 is for the MTL F7 only?
Is it the same as the number 949?
I didn't see 949 listed on their websight.

That is correct Kelly, 949 is the old number for the 004 02 051.

What tools are needed for converting the Marklin F7 to MT couplers (941)?

A flat head screw driver, and maybe a tweezers(just for ease). What I do is remove body carefully by prying at the center of the sides with fingers, then push out pin holding truck mechanism(this where i use the tweezers). This allows you access to gently bend back theclip to slide off truckside frames. When removing side frame I have the truck up side down, so everything does not fall out. Replace coupler and spring and re-assemble. Remember to put coupler in correct way.

Just an observation. The MTL passenger cars have a different color yellow than the MTL F7 a&b's.

The MTL passenger cars have a different color yellow than the MTL F7 a&b's

It depends on the age of F7s. There are -beside minor differences- two very noticable shade of yellow appears on the MTL F7s. The later models were lighter and brighter yellow. But don't worry, UP had more shades than imaginable.

Lajos:)

One more note, I forgot to point out. The F7s were freight locomotives, UP didn't use them for passenger service. At this time the only available UP passenger locomotives are the AZL E7, E8 / E9 and PA-1. The MTL version of E8 / E9 will be the more affordable solution. Another way is, to modify the F7s to look like F3s. UP originally used F3 locomotives for passenger service before they changed the gear ratios for freight service.

Lajos:unsure: