Marklin New Items 2019 - Z-scale starts at page 149 https://www.trainsdepot.org/_custom..._2019_ho__1:87__en_2019_01_20190115214117.pdf Interesting new technological development: "plastic filled with metal" for locomotive bodyshells to make them heavier and provide more pulling power. These results in interesting VW on the rails (page 158).
Thanks, Pawel. Alas. No USA prototypes issued in any scale. I did like the z scale VW track inspection van. That little motor could be useful for a future project. Jim
Shapeways did have a Metallic plastic at one time but took it off the list. don't know why and I haven't seen any other material with a plastic and metal combination! I was designing some mounts with it then it was gone taken off about the same time as FUD was changed! I just looked thru there material an no metal plastic listed! I guess this is being used by marklin for there model shells