This really nice 3-rail AC HO gauge loco by Marklin is 3097 a DR BR 03.10 steam locomotive in blue livery. It has running number 03 1043. This is a very striking locomotive.  

The locomotives of the series 03.10 were standard express train locomotives of the Deutsche Reichsbahn , which were built from 1939 to 1941. The 03.10 series was a further development of the 03 series , comparable to the 01.10 series locomotives , which emerged from the 01 series . The production of 140 units was planned. However, only 60 locomotives were completed due to the start of World War II and the shift in production to "war essential" goods.

In the 1930s, the subject of speed played a major role due to the competition from cars and also from streamlined railcars. Tests in the wind tunnel showed that higher speeds could also be achieved for steam locomotives with a streamlined casing. Measurements showed that the fairing reduced drag by 50%. So in 1936 it was decided to build fully enclosed locomotives with triple engines as the 01.10 and 03.10 series.

After the war, 47 locomotives remained in Germany; 26 were taken over by the Deutsche Bundesbahn and 21 by the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany. Ten other locomotives ended up with the Polish State Railways (PKP) as the Pm3. Two engines (03 1091 and 1092) had to be retired as early as 1944 due to war damage. The fate of 03 1002 is unknown. Because the top speed on main lines had to be reduced due to route damage, the streamlined shells became uneconomical, not least because they made maintenance more difficult, and they were removed from all the engines except the DR's 03 1087. Almost all the DR and DB locomotives were rebuilt. 

The locomotive is tested and runs with working lights at the front of the loco. We have tested it on rollers both in the forwards and backwards directions. It may be fitted with a smoke generator but we have not tested this functionality. A complete external visual inspection has shown the overall condition is good, please see the pictures in the gallery for a good look a the loco. The box is in good if slightly shelf worn condition. 

Overall this is a really nice scale locomotive and would look fantastic on a layout.

Do please have a look at our other listings, we typically have various HO and OO locos on offer as well as an extensive range of imported N gauge locos and other items. 

Note: we recommend all locos are cleaned & serviced, as they have some age to them even if the quality looks at the highest level (fairly standard advice for all locos!).