Hi!
I’m used to regular HO. But I got some nice marklin engines and some new track. It is 3-rail. What wires go where? Can it be hooked up to a basic tyco powerpack, or do I need a special transformer? Thanks you for the help.
Motorpurrr
Motoerpurr,
Get a hold of a Marklin catalog. It has all the info that you need. You will need to get a Marklin transformer as the locos run on AC not DC.
Guy
Marklin is unique from reg’l HO track and needs to be run independently. From what I learned from a Marklin dealer - the rails are negative, and the centre line “spikes” are positive (maybe I reversed that, but you get the idea)- if you run Marklin Trains on reg’l HO track, it’ll short-out. The current contacts apparently run down the train through the wheels, so my plans to put a Marlkin coupler on a reg’l engine and then pull the rolling stock have changed (won’t work) I’m understanding that the transformers are also unique.
I’m new to Marklin also, but I’ve purchased a few items - planning to buy a Marklin starter set.
I hope this helps a bit. Do try and track down a Marklin brochure though, as Guy suggested…[:)]
Marklin track does not have a negative or positive wiring, marklin loco’s run on AC that is the biggest difference with “normal” HO equipment that runs on DC.
Most Märklin equipment have non-insulated wheelsets, so if you put them on you 2 rail DC it whil shortcircuit you DC transformer. replacement wheelsets seems to be available
Marklin DC stuff is available under the TRIX brand.
lupo
While Maerklin normally operates on AC, I believe that at least some may work on DC as well. However, (in the older models I have seen) because the motor has an electromagnet rather a permanent magnet, it will not reverse with a reversal of polarity, and uses a pulse to throw a reversing solenoid.
They do need to run on three rail or stud contact track, however.
The principle is the same as the O gauge tinplate models like Lionel. I don’t know if the voltage or current ratings for Lionel are even similar to Maerklin. More recent Maerklin models use electronics and can motors, and may not also work on DC.
Peter
Hi!
Thank you for your help. I will try to get a marklin transformer.
Motorpurrr
I’ll agree with Lupo (he had a better answer anyways)
Hi!
Yes. I don’t want to take any chances.
I’m not sure why the older Markins are 2 rail and the newer one are three rail. It seems a little reverse. There must be some advantage.
Though, I just got in some new marklin track for the engines. It’s really great looking. It’s up on detailed, plastic road bed and the center rail is small pegs painted black. It should look nice on part of the layout. I just want to make sure I have the wireing correct when I get a proper transformer.
I have a Marklin semaphore, that has 3 wires going to it. That really threw me. So I’m wondering how the track needs to be hooked too.
Thank you, Ro
Motorpurr,
Marklin has a two rail DC powered line called HAMO that doesn’t have a slider on the bottom and operates on US DC systems. The majority of their offerings are 3 rail AC locomotives that need track with center studs. These locomotives have skis underneath them in between the drivers. The rails are ground/neutral (both same polarity) and the center studs are hot. The transformer hook ups would be brown for the ground and red for the hot. The basic wiring scheme for all Marklin 3 rail is red to the studs and brown to the rails.
The track you are describing is Marklin’s newest track for 3 rail called “C” track. I have no suggestions here on how to hook it up as my experience is with the older “M” and “K” track lines. I have lots of ways to hook up these types but I don’t think they work with the new stuff.
Semaphore signals for Marklin typically have five wires coming from them: Two blue wires for throwing the signal solenoid (with a momentary contact to ground), a yellow wire to provide power, and two red wires to send track power to the block you are controlling with the signal. There are a lot more variables than these, although the Marklin wiring system is fairly simple and clearly laid out. I would suggest a dealer or friend who knows the system in addition to picking up the catalog. You might also try Marklin’s web site and the MEA (Marklin Enthusiasts of Amreica). Have fun,
Guy
Hi!
Thank you very much, Guy.
Ro
Motorpurr,
Marklin is AC and not DC!
you can’t mix them unless you convert the trains.
Marklin is also Motorola and not DCC, although with Digital and the proper ajustments you can run them together with an “multi-procol” digital system as the Intellibox of Uhlenbrock .
Major problem is DC useses the two tracks while Marklin both tracks are (as a matter of speaking) both - negative, while the center contact is + positive.
so you can use both systems together!!
In Europe we all have to choose, DC (2-rail) or AC (3-rail)
but it are two differend systems tho.
it not posible to mix them.
found this links for you,
and
http://www.scintilla.utwente.nl/marklin/archive/December96/
Hope they help you futher.
Kind regards
Cor
P.S. Hamo does not exsist anymore thats now Trix, since marklin toke over that factory, like Lupo tolld you .
Wow. Thanks Cor
I am trying to build me a layout but have no idea were to start I am new too Model Trains, I have got books but its in German.And I can not understand anything they want me to do