Hi guys,
I know that Marklin is AC and not DC. But I was wondering what is the difference between Marklin DCC and the rest of the world?
Much appreciated,
George
The terms AC and DC refer to the analog differences between Marklin and the rest. An other difference often used is 2-rail=DC and 3-rail=AC. However, it’s no problem to control 3-rail equipment using DC and 2-rail equipment using AC
In digital age all systems use AC as the main power source. So the only physical difference that still exist is that Marklin uses a 3-rail design and the rest a 2-rail design. The other important difference is de control language used. Marklin uses a protocol called “Motorola” and DCC uses “DCC” [;)] as it’s control language.
It’s possible to have both languages running in parallel on the same track. As digital central I use an Intellibox from Uhlenbrock. This piece of hardware is able to simultaneous control equipment with Motorola, DCC and Selectrix (jet an other digital language). This enables my to have both my trains equipped with a DCC decoder and trains equipped with Motorola decoders running on the track (even in a mixed DCC/Motorola consist).
Gino
Thanx for the answer.
So what you are saying is that their HO tracks have three rails?
Anyhow, I was looking at their newest digital controls → the Mobile Station (Item 60652) and the Central Station (60212). See for instance http://www.marklin.com/tech/Mobile_Station_60652.pdf. They look way kewl!
However they say that these are suitable only for “Marklin sets”. I was just wondering whether I can use them with a “normal” HO layout.
Apparently they use a different protocol language (as you say: Motorola versus DCC).
Thanx,
George
Unless Marklin has changed their system recently, it does not comply with the NMRA DCC Standards and Recommended Practices that all the other systems sold in the U.S. do. The Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club recently inherited a Marklin DCC system that, according to the instruction manual, works only with Marklin decoders. We can’t even give this system away because no one wants a system that won’t work with Lenz, Digitrax, TCS, or other brands of decoders, and nothing is compatible with the club’s DCC system. All Marklin products are not AC, nor are they all 3-rail. When we were given the Marklin DCC system, one of our members also bought some Marklin engines from the estate. Digitrax decoders were installed in them, and they are operating on the club’s HO-scale layout. Before the decoders were installed, they ran on straight DC block control also.
Aha, simmilar to the MTH’s DCS …
Marklin has rolling stock designed for either two rail (DC) or three rail (AC). If you acquire a piece of Marklin rolling stock that was intended for 3-rail, it will short out your two-rail system, since the two rails of the track of a 3-rail system are the same, electrically speaking, and the third rail is actually a bunch of studs in the center of the ties (functionally, just like the center rail of Lionel). The wheels of a 3-rail car are not electrically isolated from each other, hence the short when on DC.
As far as their DCC, its another animal altogether! Marklin produces extremely fine quality products that are expensive and not compatible with much of anything else. If you collect Marklin, you may only (be able to afford to) collect Marklin and you’ll pay highly for the privilege.
Mark C.
George,
Yes, have a look at my website http://www.damen.cjb.net to see them.
There new controllers are designed for Motorola/MFX protocol. The can be used without problems on a 2-rail system as long as the decoders used understand Motorola.
As mentioned by Cacole almost 20 years ago Marklin also had a DCC system. This (as is the motorola system) was designed by Lenz. It evolved into Arnold Digital and isn’t produced any more. It should be basic DCC compatible, but that’s just theory.
Marklin also made DC-versions of there rollingstock, called HAMO. Since they tookover Trix the HAMO brand is discontinued in favor of Trix.
Gino