Marklin 36659 − Cl.185.1 E-Loco, Roncalli, VI

Prototype information

The circus is coming – tradition meets modernity The circus is coming! It heralds the arrival of all things extraordinary and magical. The circus allows people to experience a different, fairy-tale world that delights the young and old alike. Although the circus cars only present the outward appearance, their colorful, cheerful appearance still sparks a sense of joyful anticipation for a performance that has captivated people for hundreds of years. This is particularly true of the Cologne-based Circus Roncalli, which was founded 50 years ago and has since come to symbolize the rejuvenation of the art of circus entertainment in impressive style far beyond the borders of its homeland. When it’s time to travel, the circus packs everything that some one hundred artists and employees need in order to live and perform in the big tent into around 80 historic cars, lovingly restored in the Roncalli workshops, from Bernhard Paul’s collection. Roncalli is the world’s only circus troupe that still transports its vehicles, most of which have a wooden body, by rail from one event venue to the next – just as virtually every circus troupe used to do a hundred years ago. However, this practice has long since been consigned to history. This inspired the Viennese graphic designer and art director Bernhard Paul all the more to fulfil his childhood dream with Circus Roncalli. Although he wanted to make Roncalli look as if it had just emerged from a book of fairy tales, the resemblance to old illustrations is merely superficial. In reality, Roncalli is even more attractive! In May 1976, Circus Roncalli celebrated its world premiere at the Hofgarten park in Bonn. However, it not until the premiere of “The Journey to the Rainbow” in Cologne that the “Roncalli Magic” really took off and achieved major international success. Theater festivals, world fairs, gala performances, certainly by the time of the 750th anniversary celebrations in Berlin, Bernhard Paul’s evocative alternative to the traditional circus had become an essential part of every major event. Roncalli fever spread throughout the Federal Republic of Germany and across all media – books were written, and TV series created. In 1986, Roncalli became the first German circus to make a guest appearance in Moscow – naturally, by train. Bernhard Paul took advantage of the success to really build his dream circus: The cars increased in number and visual appeal while the tents were enhanced with all sorts of decorations. To this day, the combination of nostalgia, top-class contemporary artistry, and humorous staging is the trademark of the Roncalli world. In 2026, Roncalli is embarking on a major anniversary tour. As always, it will do so with its romantic and, in some cases, vintage circus cars that will be transported by rail on board a special train measuring 800 meters / 1/2 mile long. In this case, the electric locomotive, road number 185 537, named “Zippo” and decorated with artistic adhesive signs, will carry the spirit of Roncalli throughout the country, demonstrating that tradition and modernity can go hand in hand. This Roncalli workhorse will also perform on model railroads to the great delight of young and old in the equally fascinating world of Märklin trains, where fairy tales in miniature have been firmly established for more than a century.