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reverendpen		#1 Posted : 05 January 2013 07:16:52(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/01/2013(UTC) Posts: 27		Sometimes when I disconnect C-track some of the plastic on the underside that is used to hold the track together cracks off. What am I doing wrong? thanks for your help
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Goofy		#2 Posted : 05 January 2013 08:09:27(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,375		Too many times disconnect so yours C tracks become weaker that results cracks off.
		H0 DCC = Digital Command Control
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Ian555		#3 Posted : 05 January 2013 08:34:03(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/06/2009(UTC) Posts: 19,968 Location: Scotland		Hi reverendpen, Welcome to the forum. Ian.
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steventrain		#4 Posted : 05 January 2013 08:42:07(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,768 Location: United Kingdom		The problem is the C-track date between 1996 and 2002 have crack and some broken off. C-tracks date from 2002 to today have no sign of crack. See topic https://www.marklin-user...C-tracks.aspx#post237605 Edited by user 30 November 2014 19:50:52(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
		Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy.
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steventrain		#5 Posted : 05 January 2013 08:43:41(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,768 Location: United Kingdom		Also Welcome to the forum reverendpen!
		Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy.
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H0		#6 Posted : 05 January 2013 10:43:01(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,564 Location: DE-NW		Hi, Welcome to the forum. Originally Posted by: reverendpen What am I doing wrong? Well, what are you doing? As Stephen wrote: old C track will be brittle by now and will break even if you don't do anything wrong. Newer tracks don't have this problem (new formula). There are two documented ways of separating C track. This won't prevent old tracks from breaking. Move them to the side or lift them to look like a V (never lift the middle to look like a ^).
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS
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Webmaster		#7 Posted : 05 January 2013 13:08:16(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC) Posts: 11,166		I have C-track that is newer than 2002, but they still break...
		Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service... He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb]
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Western Pacific		#8 Posted : 05 January 2013 13:17:02(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 19/09/2009(UTC) Posts: 841 Location: Lidingö, Sweden		Originally Posted by: Webmaster I have C-track that is newer than 2002, but they still break... So do I and even when separating them according to the instructions. However, for me only less essential guiding pins on the hidden bottom side of the track have broken away. So my conclusion is to "live with it" and use unbroken track pieces on temporary layouts and would there be problems with those with broken parts, then I'll solve them when doing my "permanent" layout, where I probably will use screws to attach the track pieces to the board (or possibly some glue), thus making guiding pins less important.
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jeehring		#9 Posted : 05 January 2013 17:21:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 25/09/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,786 Location: ,		Originally Posted by: Webmaster I have C-track that is newer than 2002, but they still break... Are they from after 2005/2006 ? There were a communication published around 2005 (could be 2006, I don't remember exactly...) from a famous German plasturgist who is the designer of the machine tools about the process....They said that the process has been modified . It was after the second Marklin factory in Sonneberg was closed... BTW : what is the name this well know German (worldwide) manufacturer of plastic ?.....presently I have a memory gap...(they have been acting as a subcontractor ...)...anyone to remember ?
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steventrain		#10 Posted : 05 January 2013 18:24:21(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,768 Location: United Kingdom		I have photos of C-tracks have bit broken. From left to right. 3/99, 4/99 (Bit brown) both broken and 4/02 no sign of broken. See in red circle.
		Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy.
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RayF		#11 Posted : 05 January 2013 19:22:56(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 15,878 Location: Gibraltar, Europe		Originally Posted by: jeehring Originally Posted by: Webmaster I have C-track that is newer than 2002, but they still break... Are they from after 2005/2006 ? There were a communication published around 2005 (could be 2006, I don't remember exactly...) from a famous German plasturgist who is the designer of the machine tools about the process....They said that the process has been modified . It was after the second Marklin factory in Sonneberg was closed... BTW : what is the name this well know German (worldwide) manufacturer of plastic ?.....presently I have a memory gap...(they have been acting as a subcontractor ...)...anyone to remember ? BASF?
		Ray Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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mike c		#12 Posted : 05 January 2013 19:23:30(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,358 Location: Montreal, QC		I am not sure where the C Track was made. It might have been at Sonneberg but could also have been at the then new plant in Gyoer (HU). The production dates of the affected C Tracks were those dating from the introduction of the track as part of the Alpha line until 2002. If you bought track after 2002, you still have to check on the underside of the track to find the production code, because many dealers may still have had track from earlier productions in their inventory and continued to sell them. I have not experienced any breakage on tracks that I know are from the more recent production. I have also found no problems with using the damaged track as long as two damaged sections are not attached to each other. It remains possible that at some point, enough of the tabs on a particular track section may break requiring the replacement of that section. Since the bankruptcy of Maerklin, the replacement on these tracks is no longer accepted, so you will likely have to pay for the replacements. Regards Mike C
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H0		#13 Posted : 05 January 2013 19:43:58(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,564 Location: DE-NW		Tracks marked "Made in Germany" should not be from Raab (Győr). It seems they moved from Sonneberg to Raab in 2007. Initially tracks had five digit codes, but the 24 was later dropped when production of Trix C track started. Beside the month/year code, this can be used to estimate the age of a piece of C track.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS
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tulit		#14 Posted : 05 January 2013 19:46:18(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 20/05/2012(UTC) Posts: 400		I have quite a bit of defective C-Track as well that will snap off the alignment pieces whenever taking it apart. The worst piece Ive had was a curved turnout. When I went to try and put a motor into it, the backing plate snapped in half along with a crack 3/4 of the way across the roadbed! I'm not sure how old it is as I bought all this bad track at a estate auction. Luckily I paid next to nothing for it so can't complain! The track still seems fine once installed, just a bit trickier to click back together. Like others, I still intend to use it and once its glued/screwed down will probably be fine. I'm more worried about my son playing with it and getting some of the small pieces into his mouth so have started marking all the pieces I know that are brittle.
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obxbill		#15 Posted : 05 January 2013 19:50:29(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 20/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,300 Location: manteo, nc		wow. I was unaware of this problem with C-track. That would surely make you not want to buy used track without a close inspection! Glad I use M-track.
		Marklin HO and Z also Hornby 00 and US 2-rail
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mike c		#16 Posted : 05 January 2013 20:41:44(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,358 Location: Montreal, QC		Tom, I seem to remember reading that the C-Track was always made in Hungary. Regards Mike C
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H0		#17 Posted : 05 January 2013 22:41:47(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,564 Location: DE-NW		Originally Posted by: mike c I seem to remember reading that the C-Track was always made in Hungary. Where can we read that? In 2007 they closed in Sonneberg (they opened their factory in Raab earlier than that). I believe that the "Made in Germany" on early C track is no fake.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS
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jeehring		#18 Posted : 06 January 2013 12:04:10(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 25/09/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,786 Location: ,		Originally Posted by: mike c Tom, I seem to remember reading that the C-Track was always made in Hungary. Regards Mike C Not really, ,... First, the C-Track was produced at the factory in Sonneberg. This Marklin plant was almost entirely dedicated to the manufacture of plastic products .
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jeehring		#19 Posted : 06 January 2013 12:09:25(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 25/09/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,786 Location: ,		Originally Posted by: RayF Originally Posted by: jeehring Originally Posted by: Webmaster I have C-track that is newer than 2002, but they still break... Are they from after 2005/2006 ? BTW : what is the name this well know German (worldwide) manufacturer of plastic ?.....presently I have a memory gap...(they have been acting as a subcontractor ...)...anyone to remember ? BASF? Yes, that's the name ! Thank you Ray ! C-Track was the result of close collaboration between BASF and maerklin ...
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RayF		#20 Posted : 06 January 2013 12:27:50(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 15,878 Location: Gibraltar, Europe		Originally Posted by: obxbill wow. I was unaware of this problem with C-track. That would surely make you not want to buy used track without a close inspection! Glad I use M-track. M track is very durable, but it has its own problems. Tracks warp and twist very easily, they splay outwards when stepped on, and the ends of the rails tend to bend upwards causing uneven running. Also the centre conductor sometimes snaps off at the point where it connects with the next track. There is also the danger to young children due to sharp metal edges, and the propensity to rust in warm humid climates. I had M track for many years, and about six years ago I switched to C track which transformed the quality of running on the layout. So much smoother and quieter!
		Ray Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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BrandonVA		#21 Posted : 07 January 2013 15:30:05(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 Location: VA		Originally Posted by: RayF I had M track for many years, and about six years ago I switched to C track which transformed the quality of running on the layout. So much smoother and quieter! I have mostly only used K track in my Marklin career, but about a year ago I bought a used starter set with some C (loop with passing siding). I think I have the defective stuff, sometimes bits breaks off the bottom (I have not checked the date code, but starter set was something like 99-00 so it probably is). It doesn't really seem to impact it's ability to stay together that much in my case, but I'm sure experiences will vary. I am really impressed with the stuff. The electrical connectivity between the pieces is great, you get very even running across it, even with minimal power feeds. In run it in analog, and it lets me get the locos crawling very slowly thanks to the power being so even. As Ray said, it's smooth! -Brandon
		My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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mattj70		#22 Posted : 08 January 2013 04:17:10(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 19/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 482 Location: Hudson FL		I have played carpetbahn, built up some displays, rebuilt etc. I find the plastic is brittle when cold. When the house is hot or outside in Florida they don't break, during the winter here they do crack or pieces pop apart? I have a box of C-tracks that are only used to back trains up on? storage yard or display track Matt
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reverendpen		#23 Posted : 11 January 2013 03:04:11(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/01/2013(UTC) Posts: 27		Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am relieved that it is not just me. I know my track is older (age is relative right?).
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NZMarklinist		#24 Posted : 11 January 2013 07:07:46(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,757 Location: Auckland NZ		Originally Posted by: H0 Hi, Welcome to the forum. Originally Posted by: reverendpen What am I doing wrong? Well, what are you doing? As Stephen wrote: old C track will be brittle by now and will break even if you don't do anything wrong. Newer tracks don't have this problem (new formula). There are two documented ways of separating C track. This won't prevent old tracks from breaking. Move them to the side or lift them to look like a V (never lift the middle to look like a ^). The best answer
		Glen Auckland NZ " Every Marklin layout needs a V200, a Railbus and a Banana car", not to mention a few Black and red Steamers, oh and the odd Elok ! CS1 Reloaded, Touch Cab, C Track Modules, K track layout all under construction. Currently Insider
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Spokanesteve		#25 Posted : 27 April 2019 16:24:20(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 25/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 14 Location: Washington, Spokane		Hello all: I recently started getting interested in model trains and remembered that I had an older Delta Marklin set. I got it out and started running it and had a bunch of broken bits of plastic from the C track. At least I know it's not necessarily my fault even though I am still very sad. Can I buy new C track and hopefully it will be OK now? Sorry to revive an old discussion but this is very useful to me! Cheers, Steve.
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mike c		#26 Posted : 27 April 2019 18:13:59(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,358 Location: Montreal, QC		Why did they call it C Track? Because you will be able to C little pieces of track all over your layout or floor. Newer productions (post 2005) are supposed to be trouble free... I would buy from a dealer to be sure. Regards MC
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sjbartels		#27 Posted : 28 April 2019 00:59:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 11/08/2015(UTC) Posts: 1,091		Look for C track with the >ASA< stamp. The formulation of plastic produced prior to that was brittle and had a tendency to break after simply looking at it too hard Formulation after that, it CAN still break, just not nearly as readily. Date stamps are harder to judge by because less common pieces stayed around in the old formulation a bit longer, but the >ASA< stamp on the underside (typically opposite the track number) is the best thing you can use to judge the track and formulation
		American by Geography, Australian by Birth. I am an original Ameristraylian
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dickinsonj		#28 Posted : 28 April 2019 01:03:50(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,882 Location: Crozet, Virginia		Originally Posted by: Spokanesteve Can I buy new C track and hopefully it will be OK now? Hey Steve, I think that you definitely can Any C track from a dealer should have been the new formulation now for years. I tossed a lot of that first brittle stuff because it fell apart exactly like yours did. So I have been adding more and more newer C track until that is all I run in mainlines and now mostly in my yards. I figure that I either had to give up on all of my beautiful trains or bite the bullet and replace it all, which is what I did. So far I have used it alot and in temporary layouts with a lot of connecting/disconnecting of track pieces and without any issues at all. People on this forum told me that there were no problems with the new stuff and they are right - not a single broken anything for me in four years of heavy use.
		Regards, Jim I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains! So many trains and so little time.
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xxup		#29 Posted : 28 April 2019 02:48:08(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,785 Location: Australia		Originally Posted by: obxbill wow. ... Glad I use M-track. Me too!
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PMPeter		#30 Posted : 28 April 2019 17:32:47(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/04/2013(UTC) Posts: 1,297 Location: Port Moody, BC		Glad I have switched out most of my C track with K track.
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RayF		#31 Posted : 28 April 2019 20:09:54(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 15,878 Location: Gibraltar, Europe		I'm still very pleased with my C-track and I have had no problems with brittle tracks apart from one turnout I bought on ebay which I have since replaced. I would certainly not change back to M-track, as the running on C-track is far superior, and M-track has it's own problems. I have no experience of K-track. To someone starting out today I would very much recommend C-track. Make sure you buy new or if second hand try to ensure it comes from a recent batch.
		Ray Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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LongHairedDavid		#32 Posted : 28 April 2019 21:00:25(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/01/2019(UTC) Posts: 344 Location: England, Ipswich		Originally Posted by: RayF I'm still very pleased with my C-track and I have had no problems with brittle tracks apart from one turnout I bought on ebay which I have since replaced. I would certainly not change back to M-track, as the running on C-track is far superior, and M-track has it's own problems. I have no experience of K-track. To someone starting out today I would very much recommend C-track. Make sure you buy new or if second hand try to ensure it comes from a recent batch. I bought a starter digital set in January this year and have had about 5 pieces break. I am screwing my track down so it isn’t fatal!
		Long Haired David AKA David Pennington A mystified Maerklin Newbie
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kiwiAlan		#33 Posted : 28 April 2019 23:16:54(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,688 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot		Originally Posted by: LongHairedDavid Originally Posted by: RayF I'm still very pleased with my C-track and I have had no problems with brittle tracks apart from one turnout I bought on ebay which I have since replaced. I would certainly not change back to M-track, as the running on C-track is far superior, and M-track has it's own problems. I have no experience of K-track. To someone starting out today I would very much recommend C-track. Make sure you buy new or if second hand try to ensure it comes from a recent batch. I bought a starter digital set in January this year and have had about 5 pieces break. I am screwing my track down so it isn’t fatal! It WILL break if you try and separate the parts incorrectly. The best way i have found is to bend the track upwards at the join so the two pieces that clip into the adjacent piece of track are being moved into free air instead of trying to push the plastic track bed up which is what happens when bent the other way, which then strains those pieces and breaks them off. So fold the tops of the track bed towards each other and the clip bits then move to free air and don't break off.
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river6109		#34 Posted : 29 April 2019 04:08:36(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,914 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square		I have a minimum of crumbling C-track and I just super glued the pieces together every time they broke apart, so I didn't have any problems with my C-track., except one of the lugs broke off from the rail itself and therefore there was no power getting to the track but this wasn't a problem either I just threw the track in the bin., so ll in all I'm quite happy with C-track, its an excellent product, I just don't use it and the noise level from the slider is noticeable but I just put ear muffs on and I can't hear a thing than and this keeps me warm through the winter months. Is anybody waiting for the electrical double switches ? I've been waiting for them for ages, its like having a lottery win, which never happens or will it ever happen, wait and see, I fully agree with the Märklin innovators, we need a golden Crocodile before we need an electrically operated C-track double switch, which of these items bring in the money and satisfies the collector ? but very little is done for the modeller. another example why we're left behind., to be honest I've given up on a C-track electrical double switch and it doesn't bother me anymore. John
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