Märklin H0 - 37057.1 - Steam locomotive with tender - Series K, slightly soiled version - K.W.St.E.

Märklin H0 - 37057.1 (slightly weathered version) - Steam locomotive with tender - Serie 1800 - of the Königlich Württembergische Staats-Eisenbahnen (K.W.St.E)
With original packaging and booklet.
Running number K 1803

Het model 37057 is a steam locomotive of the Württembergische K of the Königlich Württembergische Staats-Eisenbahnen (K.W.Sts.E.), in grey-blue colour scheme from era I.

The model is identical to the Märklin 37059, but then ex-factory weathered.
There is a slightly weathered series (Märklin 37057.1) and a heavily weathered version (37057.2).

The model is digital and has a Märklin coreless motor and a Märklin FX decoder.
Model has 2-point front-signal lights.
The model is prepared for a smoke contact.
A Märklin 7226 smoke generator can be retro-fitted

The length of this model is 23.5 cm and it is fitted with close couplings

All functions have been tested.
Undamaged and no paintwork issues.

The locomotive is in mint condition.
Has hardly ever been used on the track layout, please see the pick-up shoe and (gear)wheels.
Please see photos for a proper impression of this lot

Steam locomotive Württemberg Series “K”.
The locomotives of the type Württemberg Series “K” (DR Series BR 59) are steam locomotives of the Königlich Württembergische Staats-Eisenbahnen (K.W.Sts.E.). 44 of these locomotives were built by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen, which with their axle configuration 1'F were intended for the Geislinger Steige and the Badische Schwarzwaldbahn.

Development and deployment.
The Württemberg K-class locomotives were built between 1917 and 1919 by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. A total of 44 units were built, the first 15 of which were delivered to the K.W.Sts.E in the period 1917-1919. In the period 1923-1924 a further 29 units were built and delivered. These locomotives were designed for the steep inclines in Württemberg for freight transport on the Geislinger Steige and Schwarzwaldbahn. These locomotives were found to have a successful design, and were very reliable and also powerful. They were able to haul a train with a weight of 1310 tons up an incline of 5% at 40 km/h. The Württemberg Series “K” proved to be very economical on mountainous routes, unlike the flat routes, where they were not.

After the Württemberg State Railways was merged with the Deutsche Reichsbahn, all locomotives were incorporated into the locomotive rolling stock of the Deutsche Reichsbahn. With the DR they were classified as the Series BR 59. Due to their disappointing performance, the Deutsche Reichsbahn decided not to place any additional orders. The locomotives had an unusual appearance for their time, earning them the nickname "die schöne Württembergerin".

After the outbreak of the Second World War, most of the locomotives were transferred to the then so-called Ostmark (Austria) and used on the Semmering railway. Some of them then went to Yugoslavia and Hungary during the war. With the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the locomotives remained in service until 1953, after which they were decommissioned.

Deployment with the ÖBB:-
After the end of the Second World War, 30 units of the Württemberg’ “K” remained in Austria. Most of these were returned to Germany. Two units went to Russia, 6 to the Hungarian MAV and 4 were left in Austria and were deployed by the ÖBB, where they were classified as the Series BR 659. These received the running numbers 659.06, 659.23, 659.29 and 659.41. At the ÖBB, the locomotives were decommissioned in 1957.