I am in the process of planning a new layout and I have a question concerning the above subject. Forgive me if this question is a bit Luddite but I am more akin to the old analogue systems.

I understand that these new digital locos cannot run off of the new catenary produced my Marklin and that digital control is designed to be passed through the track. So lets assume I have a digital system set up through an M track layout, and that all electrical locos are set to put up power from the track.

Question 1: Can I then run old traditional style catenary above the digital M track?

Question 2: Can I continue to power analogue electric locos with pantograph pick up from this catenary independent of the digital layout?

Question 3: Do I need to undertake any earthing to prevent cross electrification between the overhead and digital?

Question 4: Can I run digital locos with their pantographs up, but with the locos switched from track pick up, or is their a risk of shorting between the systems?

Finally, it was my understanding that digital locos will run on an analogue system at a set speed, but that analogue locos will not run on digital?

I will not get started here on boosters and transformers and the like for digital as that needs another post on another day.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, advice, tips and the like.

Best Regards

Glenn

I'm using the old style catenary with my M track layout, but I don't power locos from the catenary. Marklin do not recommend this due to the small contact patch between the wire and the pantograph not being large enough to guarantee reliable digital operations. However, there are plenty of members on this forum who do run digital locos from their catenary with no issues.

Kevin (DrDirt) has given you some sound advice.

Regarding running digital locos on analog track, the digital loco will realise it is being powered from an analog transformer, and it will therefore internally switch to run in 'analog' mode. It will behave just like any other analog loco. Just be careful that you do not use any of the old blue transformers with mfx locos, as the reversing pulse voltage from those transformers can destroy a decoder.

If you put an analog loco on digital track, the loco will take off at maximum speed. This is because the digital system puts a constant 18 volts on the track, which an analog loco will interpret as a command to proceed at full speed.

Hi,
There is no more risk of shorting between analog and digital feeding with a digital loco fed by the track than with an analog loco fed by the panto.
But be carefull: the lever of the switch must not be left in the middle position, but in abutment in the one or the other position.
Fred