Is the difference between Trix and Märklin cars only the couplers and the wheels? Or do they have different trucks as well?

(That is, can one use Märklin cars on 2R with minor changes and little cost?)

Tell us John.

Yep. Actually, most of (if not all) new M/T U.S. rolling stock is designed by T ...
BTW, no need for investing into Kadees for U.S. cars from T's line of cars - they have them, already.
Also, most M/T dealers change axles for free

DC territory ...

Simply go to the TRIX homepage product database and enter "RP 25"; you'll find plenty.

They are the same except for the wheels and couplers. Trix cars are about 10-20% cheaper.

Troy

Some information on my website.

Pierre.

Hi Hans Martin,

I do not know about road numbers. If there is a Trix:Marklin pair you are interested in perhaps you could ask a dealer what the road numbers are.

John

Sometimes they are - sometimes they aren't... Most recent US freight car sets (like 45680 and 45690) have the same road numbers [V]

RP-25 wheels have a problem when used in a M layout that has M locos?
Is it easy to change the couplers?
Is it expensive?

Question: "Do Trix and Marklin wagons differ only in wheels and couplers?"

Well, now that Marklin owns Trix the only differences for actual operation are the wheel sets. There are other differences such as running numbers and model types. You will the DC wheels sets to run Marklin wagons on two rail DC track and the AC wheel sets to run Trix on Marklin M,K or C track. If you use the new close-couplers they are identical for both brands. Some Trix wagons can still be converted easily to Trix Express(TE)if the trucks are sized appropriately to handle the larger Express wheel sets. There are TE couplings availabe for use with NEM pockets so that one can use new rolling stock and wagons with the good old stuff. Easy to exchange a close-coupler with a TE NEM or older style Marklin NEM coupler.

There are some problems if you are still using Trix Express (TE) or Trix International (TI) track since the track profile height is much higher, 3.3 mm TE and 2.7 mm TI, compared to 2.1 mm for both the new Trix and Marklin C-tracks. The nice thing about Trix Express track is that you can run any manufacturers wheel sets on it. However, if you have Trix Express wagons and want to operate them on new Trix or Marklin track you will need to change wheel sets to a shorter flange size.

Hi all,

As Hans Martin wrote, the road numbers for M and T version are (often) the same or (sometimes) different. I think the logic is this: same set: same road numbers (goes for both the reefer and stock car sets); different sets: different road numbers with some duplications.

Some numbers from the Figomima tracks (only for multiple versions of same car type + road):

Stock cars (3 from 45690, same numbers in 24905 and in Magnum set): 46860D, 47428D, 47523D.

Reefers

PFE (3 from 45680, same numbers in 24906 and in Magnum set; 1 from 24902): 44954, 45298, 45677, 44702.

M.D.T. Reefers (1 from 29570, 1 from 24902): 2332, 2335

Boxcars:

ATSF [SF all the way] (3 from 45650, 1 from 29848, 1 from 24902): 148773, 6522, 272176, 148540, 149140

B&O (29848, 24902): 467109 [even the Bachmann version has this roadnumber?!]

D&RGW (29848, 24902): 69630, 69501

NYC (3 from 45648, 1 from 29848, 29570 and 24902 each): 174076, 17411, 174959, 174198, 174079, 174020

Rutland (29848, 24902): 245, 265

UP (10 from 45646, 3 from 45647, 1 from 24902): 187085, 187500, 187911, 188001, 188300, 189168, 189777, 190033, 190232, 190699, 475088, 475349, 475394, 475530**
[N.B.: do not know about road numbers of the Trix 20-boxcar set]

Hoppers:

NYC (2 from 45801, 1 from 29570):
904405, 904428, 904498

UP (4 from 45800, 2 from 24902): 6180, 6530, 7205, 7518, 6714, 7945.

UP Cabeese (1 single, 1 from 29848, 1 in Magnum set): 3771, 3854, 3721

Jeroen

Hi Ulf,

Must keep the BB's busy, so ....

Jeroen

Hi,

Considering long trains: there is one question I couldn't resolve yet: does the coupler pocket of Trix cars sweep out in curves, or is it fixed to the car frame ? The coupler pocket on M* cars sweeps to the sides. That's a useful feature for M* short couplers as these are rigid. Quite differently Kadee couplers are flexible, so I would guess Trix cars don't need the complicated NEM pocket mechanics of M* cars.

As I have been advised by a 2R-MRR friend the coupler pocket mechanics of M* cars should better be stalled when using Kadee couplers, as the couplers are pulled to the side when there is tension on the couplers. Occasionally I can see this effect on my cars, too. Any experience with that ?

Hans Martin

Hi Jeroen,

The KK mechanism of the respectice US freight cars equipped with Kadee couplers can easily be blocked by a small piece toothpick clamped under the frame.

Unfortunately I have one nasty exception: when the car (with Kadee coupler and blocked KK mechanism) is coupled to the front side of the PA-1 I have frequent derailments in R1 and S-shaped R2 curves, as the long nose of the PA has a large hangover which neither the KK mechanism of the PA-1, nor the Kadee coupler can deal with. I wonder how they solved the problem for the Trix PA-1.

Regards

Hans Martin

Many thanks for your congratulations, Lutz!
I hope it's not too late to send my congratulation back to you for the same reason, as your post #1000 obviously has not been written so much time ago.

It is a nice club here indeed, quite independent of the number of posts a member has.

Writing 1000 posts is one thing, but I wonder how many posts from the other members I have red (and taken advantage from) in that time. I have no idea about that number, certainly a huge multiple of 1000.

Hans Martin