Hi everyone,

I'm pleased to say we have a new Marklinist in the hobby. A 14 year old youngster bought a late friend of mine's HUGE Marklin layout at his estate auction, and got in touch with me for some advice in getting it going. (I built the layout some 10 years ago) Its an awesome layout, and needless to say he is excited.

The one potential problem he's got on his hands is the layout was powered by an ECOS with a massive transformer and a massive booster, both of which did not come with the layout. Fortunately the layout has a small analogue/vintage section, which is ready to go for him. While he has some fun with that, the question of what to do with the main layout comes into play as a CS2 or ECOS with boosters is definitely not in budget.

My digital question to you guys is: the layout's C track has digital switch decoders mounted under the switches. If he hooks up an analogue transformer to just run trains and have some fun, will that fry the decoders when he runs trains? (or more specifically- will the voltage spike when reversing an analogue locomotive fry the decoders?)

Let me know- any guidance is appreciated. If he can leave them mounted then he can run analogue and have fun until proper digital controls can be had, but if not I'm going to advise him to yank the decoders out and hand switch, or rewire for the old 7072 control boxes...

Thanks!

Hi Chris,

Yeah, they are the 74460 type, powered by the rail/track current. A 6021 is an idea I had as well, but the layout would need 2-3 boosters om top of the 6021 and its transformer in order to get fully up and running. I think his best bet is a few cheap analogue trafos along with a few cheap analogue locos to get moving, which can all change to digital with time and money. The only snap is these turnout decoders may need to be removed...

Good idea on the delta unit as a booster. The layout is 22x25 feet so one 6021/52va trafo won't cut it for more than a single main line anyways. I'll research that one a bit more. I remember it can be done, but forget how

Maybe an MS2 is within the budget? Loc + turnout control... Not much power, but maybe just to get started?

There are a few alternatives to the 6040s (which seem to go for insane money), I've just come across something called the "Tams mControl" which seems to allow the use of an Easynet keyboard with the 6021. There's also the 6051 interface if he has a computer old enough to run the software, the bonus is that it should be able to combine the functions of a 6040 and the memory units which allow preset routes to be selected.

He might also want to look for the ribbon extension cables 6038/9, they sometimes come up for very low prices if you keep your eyes open. Armed with those you can have Control 80/80f units spaced away from the 6021, which is handy if you want to have friends round to operate the layout. Someone can be in charge of the station pilot with a controller nearby, someone else operating the main lines, and so on.

Yes you can use the Delta 6604 controllers as boosters, but they only work in one direction (i.e. old MM protocol such as the 6021). You jumper two of the outputs (I will have to dig to see whcih ones) and put the knob on the 6604 all the way to the right (position 4). I believe I have a 6604 downstairs I will look at tomorrow and see if I can recall all the connections and settings.

Tell your young friend "welcome to the world of Marklin" I am sure he will have many years of enjoyment and the hobby really needs young blood. I have fostered an interest in my 11 year old Grandson. He enjoys running the trains but has lately discovered an artistic streak and has sort of taken over the scenery of my layout. (BTW he calls our house "the train house"). My 8 year old Granddaughter likes to run the trains but is not as interested as my Grandson.

Thanks Ron! I"ll google around a bit and see what I can scare up. Its hard to help him from afar (the layout is in WI), but he should be running in no time

Bit late but might be of some use, found them in a old bookmark folder;

https://www.marklin-user...er-booster.aspx#post1256

http://www.mec-brunsbuettel.de/Delta/Seite1.htm

http://bogobit.de/decoder/ Think its about half way down the page

I remember looking into this a few years back as I have 2 pair from old Delta starter sets and thought it would be a very cost effective way to go but I do recall determining that with AC power supplies at least it would be necessary to use the "rocker blocks" at the isolation points.

I agree. I have never used rockers. I originally used 6604's as boosters but have replaced them all with real ones. As to the feedback of mfx signal, it is just something I heard. The circuitry in the 6604 is so primitive that I would not be surprised to have signal leakage back to the input red wire. As to dependability of that, I cannot judge. I may look harder (I feel I still have one o the beasts) and set up a test layout with my MS2. My main layout precedes mfx ind is pure MM. Since I use computer control that is no matter.