Not every Märklin train is meant for the same hands. Today there are battery-powered trains for kindergarten children, robust starter sets for schoolchildren and (returning) beginners, and the main range with finely detailed models for experienced model railroaders. This page shows today’s levels and the earlier entry-level lines from Primex to Start up. The information comes from the Märklin catalogs and new items brochures in our archive.
The three levels at a glance
Since 2014 Märklin has divided its H0 range clearly into three levels. Each level has its own age recommendation, and each one leads on to the next.
| Level | Age | Gauge | Power and track | Control | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Märklin my world | from age 3 | H0 size (1:87), plastic track | battery or rechargeable battery in the locomotive, plastic track without power | cordless Power Control Stick | children of kindergarten age |
| Märklin Start up | from age 6 | H0 (16.5 mm, 1:87) | AC via C Track | Power Control Stick (infrared), locomotives with digital decoder | schoolchildren and (returning) beginners of any age |
| Märklin H0 | from age 15 | H0 (16.5 mm, 1:87); also separate ranges in Z gauge (6.5 mm) and 1 gauge (45 mm) | H0: AC via C Track | Mobile Station or Central Station, mfx and mfx+ | model railroaders, experts and collectors |
From Primex to Start up
Märklin has had entry-level lines for more than 50 years. They had different names, were sold differently and used different technology, but the goal was always the same: an affordable, robust start from which you can move up to the full range.
- 1969Primex
Primex: Märklin from the department store
In 1969 Märklin founded the Primex brand to reach new customers in department stores and supermarkets, in other words where there were no model railroad shops. The boxes had a striking orange and red design, and the models were mostly older Märklin designs with simpler printing and features. Technically, everything stayed within the Märklin system: center rail, AC and a gray-painted metal track that matched the Märklin track. Märklin discontinued Primex in 1992; some proven models lived on in the HOBBY range. For the anniversaries in 1984 (15 years) and 1989 (20 years) Primex released limited-edition anniversary trains.
Primex starter set 2711 (H0 gauge): diesel locomotive, two low-side cars, gray metal track and transformer with rotary knob, everything for an immediate start 
The Märklin metal track (M Track), here the straight track 5106 (180 mm): Primex used a gray-painted version of it 
Anniversary train 2760 “15 years of Primex” (1969–1984, limited): three-axle tank locomotive with six freight cars, H0 gauge 
Anniversary train 2702 for 20 years of Primex (1969–1989, limited): electric locomotive class 144 (E 44) with five tank cars, H0 gauge H0 gauge (16.5 mm)department store salesACmetal track - 1988ALPHA
ALPHA: the adventure railway for children
In the 1988/89 catalog Märklin presented ALPHA, a play train for children of kindergarten and elementary school age that had been developed together with children. Even the packaging was part of the game: the starter sets came in sturdy adventure cases that served as tunnels during play. The four-axle multi-function cars could be taken apart and put together again in different ways, for example with a crane or radar. ALPHA ran on the new 2000 track, a plug-in system that simply clicked together. If desired, a transition track connected it to a Märklin H0 layout. With the battery controller of case 2510 the train ran for about an hour without a wall outlet. ALPHA disappeared from the range again in the mid-1990s.
Adventure case 2505: box and tunnel in one, with a transformer for the wall outlet 
Case 2510 with battery controller: about one hour of running without a wall outlet 
“Crane” add-on (2512): multi-function car with a working crane, plus 2000 track that clicks together 
“Radar” add-on (2511): car with an extendable amphibious vehicle 
2000 track: straight track 2001, 180 mm, clicks together (1990 catalog) 
Curved track 2031, radius 456.4 mm (1990 catalog) 
Turnout 2062 for manual operation, radius 360 mm (1990 catalog) H0 gauge (16.5 mm)2000 trackbattery controller2505, 2508, 2510 - 1990HOBBY
The HOBBY range
In 1990 Märklin introduced the HOBBY range in H0. Proven, especially robust models were selected for it and marked in the catalog with their own HOBBY symbol, and some new items were added. There were starter sets and extension sets with the sturdy metal track. Märklin stressed that from here you could move up to the entire H0 range seamlessly, all the way to Märklin Digital. In 1993, for example, the ICE train was available as HOBBY starter set 2976 with metal track and as Delta starter set 2986 with plastic track.
Class 141 (3034) with the HOBBY symbol: body and chassis made of metal, 2 axles powered (1991 new items) 
Class 110 (3340): metal model with electronic reversing (1991 new items) 
Class 151 (3343): 3 axles powered, also with an electronic reverser (1991 new items) 
The metal track of the HOBBY sets (M Track): curved track 5200, 30° 
Feeder track 5111 with two wires: this is where the running current from the transformer enters the track H0 gauge (16.5 mm)metal trackHOBBY symbolAC - 1992Delta
Delta: multi-train operation at a low price
With Delta, Märklin offered a low-cost way into multi-train operation in 1992. Up to four locomotives with a Delta module could be run independently of each other without rewiring the layout. More about this can be found on our page Gauges, transformers and controllers.
Delta Control 6604: sits in the cable between transformer and feeder track; a button selects which of the four locomotives responds to the transformer, while the others keep running 
Delta Pilot 6605 hand controller: controls one more locomotive independently of the others (1992 new items) 
Delta module 6603: electronic module for converting older locomotives with a disc or drum commutator motor 
Delta Station 6607 and Delta Mobil 6608, the second Delta generation (1994 new items) H0 gauge, later also maxi and 1 gaugeup to 4 locomotivesDelta module - 1994maxi
maxi: the robust tinplate railway in 1 gauge
In 1994 maxi was added, a play train in 1:32 scale that runs on the normal Märklin 1 gauge track with a 45 mm track width, i.e. on standard gauge and not narrow gauge. It was meant for the floor – carpet, parquet or patio – and needed no layout board. Locomotives and cars were made of tinplate and die-cast metal, and the track could be stepped on. The starter set was intended as an affordable way into the large 1 gauge. The first models were the Swabian tank locomotive “Rössle” (5450), the Bavarian tender locomotive “Aloisius” (5452) and an American Western locomotive (5454). The built-in electronics allowed AC operation, Delta and Digital. For maxi there was 1 gauge track with a small radius: the straight track 5903 (300 mm), the curve 5922 (radius 600 mm) and the turnouts 5965 (left) and 5966 (right); the starter set contained 12 curves 5922. Track, couplers, transformers, Delta and Digital are the same as for Märklin 1 gauge. Conversely, not all 1 gauge models run on the tight 600 mm curves; some need a radius of at least 1020 mm. The maxi starter set was listed in the price lists until 2003; after that the line was phased out.
Starter set 5440: tank locomotive, a passenger car and a freight car, track oval and transformer (1999/2000 catalog) 
“Rössle” (5450): three-axle tank locomotive, all axles driven via side rods (1994 new items) 
“Aloisius” (5452): three-axle Bavarian steam locomotive with tender (1994 new items) 
Western locomotive of the Central Pacific (5454) with four-axle tender (1995 new items) 
Two-axle passenger car of the K.W.St.E. (5470): tinplate body, die-cast metal wheelsets 
1 gauge track 5903 from the maxi range: straight, 300 mm, 45 mm track width (1994 new items) 
Turnout 5965 with hand lever, radius 600 mm; the lever can be replaced with an electric mechanism (1999/2000 catalog) 1 gauge (45 mm, 1:32)Märklin 1 track, R 600 mmtinplateAC, Delta and Digital - 2008Hobby digital
Hobby with digital decoder and infrared
Until 2011 the new items brochures had their own Hobby range; in 2008 these pages were marked with a blue bar. The locomotives were sold as “affordable entry-level models” and most already had a digital decoder installed. The starter sets ran on C Track. In 2011, for example, the starter set “Construction Site” (29182) included a base station, a switched-mode power supply and a cordless infrared controller. So the concept of the later Start up sets was already in place.
Construction train from the starter set “Construction Site” (29182): locomotive with digital decoder and one powered axle, crane car and low-side car with a metal excavator (2011 new items) 
The technology: cordless infrared controller and switched-mode power supply 230 V/36 VA, plus a base station in the track 
The C Track of the set: straight tracks, the base station with connection box, R1 and R2 curves and two turnouts (2011 new items) H0 gauge (16.5 mm)C Trackdigital decoderinfrared - 2011my world
Märklin my world
In 2011 the new product line Märklin my world started, and in its very first year the ICE starter set won the German “Spielzeug des Jahres 2011” (Toy of the Year) award. For children aged three and up there were battery-powered trains with lights, sound and magnetic couplers, controlled with an infrared remote control. At first, however, the electric entry-level locomotives also continued under the my world name, for example a class 146.2 in a colorful my world design with a digital decoder (36614).
Battery-powered ICE from the my world starter set (29300): lights, sound and magnetic couplers 
Dump car for the battery-powered trains (44101, 2012 new items) 
Electric locomotive in my world design: class 146.2 (36614) with digital decoder for C Track (2012 new items) 
Still under the my world logo in 2013: electric starter set “Forestry” (29310) with fx decoder (2013 new items) H0 size (1:87)from age 3batteryinfrared - 2014Start up
A clear split: my world and Start up
In 2014 Märklin reorganized its entry-level range. my world became a pure toy for children up to about age six: battery-powered trains only, plus a sturdy plastic track that can be plugged onto C Track but carries no power. Since then all electric entry-level products have been called Märklin Start up. They are aimed at schoolchildren and at beginners or returning hobbyists of any age, run on C Track and are compatible with the vehicles of the main range. Today the Start up locomotives have an mfx decoder. The Power Control Stick can control up to four locomotives and five functions each.
my world: starter set “Port Logistics” (29342): battery-powered train, plastic track and hand controller in one box (2021 new items) 
The technology of my world: unpowered plastic track and turnouts, the battery-powered Power Control Stick and the USB charging cable for the locomotive’s rechargeable battery (29342) 
Start up: starter set “Farming” (29653) with diesel locomotive and a tractor to play with (2025 new items) 
Start up: construction train from the starter set “Construction Site” (29183), the Start up version of the Hobby set 29182 
my world: diesel locomotive class 212 with rechargeable battery (36101, 2016 new items) 
my world: tunnel as a play accessory (72202, 2015 new items) H0 gaugemy world from age 3Start up from age 6C Track
The expert level: Märklin H0
Above Start up is the actual Märklin H0 range. In its brochures Märklin itself speaks of “experts” and collectors and gives an age recommendation of 15 and up for these models. Typical features are metal bodies, many separately applied details, mfx or mfx+ decoders with sound and switchable light and smoke functions, and control with a Mobile Station or Central Station. In addition there are special series that are only available through certain channels: one-time series of the Märklin Dealer Initiative (MHI) in model railroad shops, and Insider models for members of the Märklin Insider Club.
What fits together?
| Line | Gauge and track | Compatible with Märklin H0? |
|---|---|---|
| Primex | H0 (16.5 mm), gray metal track | yes, vehicles and track fit the Märklin metal track |
| ALPHA | H0 (16.5 mm), 2000 track that clicks together | to the metal track via the transition track |
| HOBBY | H0 (16.5 mm), metal track, later C Track | yes, explicitly intended as the way into the H0 range |
| maxi | 1 gauge (45 mm), Märklin 1 track with R 600 mm curves | not with H0, but with Märklin 1 gauge: track, couplers, transformer, Delta and Digital fit |
| my world (from 2014) | H0 size, plastic track without power | the track can be plugged onto C Track; the battery-powered trains need no running current |
| Start up | H0 (16.5 mm), C Track | yes, track and vehicles fit the entire H0 range |
Start up locomotives are built more simply than the models of the main range; some, for example, have only one powered axle. In return they are robust and affordable. If you move up to the main range later, you can keep using the track and vehicles.
Information based on the Märklin catalogs 1988/89, 1989/90 and 1999/2000, the new items brochures 1991 to 1994 and 2008 to 2026, and the price lists in our archive. Our archive has no Märklin catalogs covering Primex; the Primex information is based on collectors’ sources.