The manufacturer Marklin would have one belive that their AC systems are superior to all other DC / DCC systems.
Is anyone able to comment on the technical merits of the two approaches?
Thanks,
Peter M.
Marklin AC models are actually three rail - that little line of studs down the centerline of the track is one leg of the circuit to the locomotive, while the two running rails are the other. With DC and DCC locos, the two running rails are the two legs of the loco power circuit, and wheels on one side of the model have to be insulated from those on the other side. Therefore, Marklin AC locos are totally incompatable with other HO locos.
Non-powered rolling stock (other than cars with working lights - passenger cars or brake vans) should roll on Marklin’s 3-rail track. The insulated wheels needed for 2 - rail (DC or DCC) have no effect on AC other than to isolate one running rail from the other. Cars with working lights will need either third rail sliders or on-board batteries.
I dont know what AC would have over DC.
What I do know, is that Marklin’s AC comes with 3-rail, DC with 2-rail (except for the old 3-rail Trix).
The advantages of 3 rail:
-dependable power supply to locomotive, e.g. never stops on turnouts
-hassle-free loops and wyes
so, yes, the system could be called technically ‘superior’.
disadvantages:
-UGLY contact points between rails
-choice of models is a tiny fraction of what is available in DC/DCC
-expensive, whether you buy “OEM” Marklin or locos of other manufatures rebuilt to fit marklin system
so most modellers choose DC/DCC.
I did had an Marklin railway and must saying,its ugly by using 3-rails and its to noising by driving Marklin locomotiv with studs!
I welcome instead DCC by driving DCC locomotiv!
Its more fun to driving DCC.Its my wishing.
agge [^]
Peter;
It is interesting that Marklin uses AC for thier HO line, but thier Z scale and No1 guage lines are DC…
Peter, I got a blank message in my e-mail from you (courtesy hotmails spam-blockers, LoL!) pleease try again, directly to: dothinker at hotmail (dot com)
cheers, Rik
Nigel are you sure? I seem to remember (from the days when I browsed the Marklin catalog, ages ago!) that there wasnt any different power pack for the different scales. Only difference as far as I remember, was the 2-rail system of Z and I-scales vs 3 for the HO?
From: http://www.ztrains.com/pages/beginning/questions/questions.html
"What kind of power pack can I use with Z scale trains?
A. A power pack with a maximum output of 10 Volts DC is recommended by Marklin. Marklin makes a power pack designed specifically for Z scale use, this is included with their starter sets. Many in the Z scale community have also used the MRC 1300 power pack, slightly modified, with great success. This MRC modification is simply a physical stop attached to the front of the power pack preventing the speed control knob from going beyond the 2:00 position."
awwwwright, I stand corrected 
(ah why should i talk about what i dont know diddly flip about?)
Marklin locos run quite well on DC actualy. They won’t reverse though unless they have the manual reverser on the loco itself. They need that power surge of higher volage to reverse wich I would call a disadvantage as some locos race ahead before reversing.
In addition to non prototypical track, I wonder why nobody mentioned the visual aspect of Marklin’s awfull wheels as wide as Formula I race cars and flanges as high as truck tires!? We’re far away here from NMRA norms, the more from Fine Scale. And I don’t speak about the couplers that are [tdn].
Fortunately they own Trix with RP25 on American models, but these run on DC.
Andre
Brussels, Belgium (The beer country[:I])
Marklin is the Lionel of HO. Three rails for easier wiring, deeper flanges, etc. They also tend to be more expensive. On the other hand I have always heard good things about their quality.
Enjoy
Paul
You’re right Paul; it’s a bullet-proof toy. It can be handled very roughly by a child without giving any sign of weakness. Seen from that point of view it’s a truly quality product. And for this use alone it could be worth the price.
This being said, model railroaders have generally other quality standards where Scale has a place too.
It depends on the application. (As a remark: Trix-Marklin has both).
Kind regards,
Andre.