(I have searched the Forum to find the answer to this question but did not see it. Sorry if I missed it.)

After moving and a few years delay, I have finally set up the first level of my Marklin layout.

I want to use my new Central Station 60214 which has not ever been used. In looking at the manual and the two plugs that came with the Central Station, it appears that the wires into the 2 plugs need to be reversed. Of course, I do not want to proceed with this if doing that will cause problems with Central Station or any locomotives.

SPECIFICALLY:

The diagrams in the 60214 instruction manual (and a small insert that was in the box) are the opposite of the 2 plugs provided to make the connections between the layout track and the programming track.

In the "Connections to the Layout" directions in the manual, it shows that the plug into Central Station (bird's eye view of plugs with 2 screw heads facing me) has the BROWN ON THE LEFT and the RED ON THE RIGHT.

When I hold the 2 wires with the plugs that came with the Central Station up the same way with the screws facing me the BROWN IS ON THE RIGHT AND THE RED IS ON THE LEFT.

IS IT CORRECT THAT WHEN HOLDING THE PLUGS UP THAT I NEED TO REVERSE THE WIRES INTO EACH SO THAT THE BROWN WIRE IS ON THE LEFT AND THE RED ON RIGHT??? This would then make the wire colors correct as stated in the instructions and comply with the special insert with the "!" exclamation point showing brown on the left and red on the right.

I am asking this question because this is such a fundamental first step to setup and I am surprised plugs would be supplied that are the opposite of what they should be.

THANKS MUCH!

Larry

Thank you, Harald.

So, my assumption is that when looking at the screws underneath the plug, the brown (null) should be on the left and red (Bahnstrom) on the right?

With my Marklin 6021 tranformer it was clear with separate wires which was the ground/brown and the power/red and where they connected separately into the transformer.

ON ALBERTA AND CANADIAN RAILROADING:

What a beautiful province you live in. I am not sure what eras are covered in Canadian railroading 3-6, but last year I ordered and acquired the Lionel O gauge Canadian Pacific F-3 with the cars. What a beautiful train that was. I am also looking forward to running a new Rapido VIA Rail Turbotrain on my newly assembled DC HO track.

I was glad to see this month's TRAINS magazine has 10 pages on VIA Rail, which I understand passes right in nearby Edmonton.

Thanks again,

Larry

Not entirely correct, yes the diagram does show the proper orientation of the wires on plug and since the plug can only be fitted one way, this should be the end of the discussion... But no, when one looks closer at the the illustration, it becomes apparent that something is amiss. All the pictures in the manuals illustrating the rear ports have the B and 0 labeled incorrectly (reversed). Fortunately this is not the case on the actual CS2 but it can be cause for some confusion if one takes the illustrated labels on the sockets from the manual literally, knowing that red goes to B and Brown to 0.

Hopefully someday they will fix these illustrations to end the confusion once for all.

Cheers,

Gordon

I think that point is important: do not blindly trust the manual, check first you have a current manual.

Yes Bigdaddynz, you are right about the later English version, the illustrations in question have been corrected. I am happy to see that.

My research was tainted by using the 60215, D GB, dated 0211, version for my example in which the illustrations in the German language section are shown incorrectly. As are the German versions currently found online at Märklin.de as can be seen from this example: Anleitung_CS

So there is still work to be done with the manual...

Cheers,

Gordon

Edited by user 04 December 2013 02:08:08(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Just for the record: should you mismatch the 2 wires, nothing dangerous happens.
Locos will run, but magnetic switches won't operate.