Random Sunday thoughts:

Like most folks in this hobby, I grew up with trains, grew out of them, and one day returned. After a short period in N scale, I jumped in full speed ahead when I discovered the joy of Maerklin HO, especially what Delta/Digital operation promised – namely the ability to power a layout with only two wires! Gone were the confusing and often frustrating moments spent on complicated block wiring: each locomotive had its own unique address and – joy of joys – some even had a whistle!

In the years since I re-entered this rewarding and fascinating hobby, digital technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Locomotives with up to 20 light and sound functions (or more) are becoming more common. Gone are the Delta or Digital controllers. Now you can choose between the Mobile Station or, if you’re really dedicated, a Central Station to operate your miniature world. Of course, this new technology comes with a commensurate price tag which, I hear more often than not, keeps a new generation from entering (or re-entering) the hobby. And for collectors and operators of vintage models, the prospect of converting their cherished analog locomotives isn’t worth the time, effort, or price. Of course, they can retire their well-loved and still operational locomotives in exchange for newer ones with all the associated bells and whistles – but, again, is it worth it?

I haven’t purchased a new locomotive in some time, opting instead for those locomotives popular in my youth. With apologies to Florian Sieber, choosing between a new Crocodile for close to $500 – one which, like the last one, had to be repaired less than six months after purchase – or a vintage, near-new condition analog version picked up at a train show two years ago for $125 is easy. Don’t misunderstand: while I still like the newer offerings, the older items are becoming more important to me. As a fellow collector and operator once said, “You don’t need to program them… just play with them.”

So, as I get ready to build that vintage, M-track layout for all my loks and rolling stock (old and new), I fully expect to run into a few struggles. But I also know I won’t be searching for software updates, figuring out how to re-set values, etc. (And just like those vintage Lionel trains I've picked up over the years, so long as there’s a compatible transformer around, they’ll continue to perform just as well as they did for their initial owners so many years ago.)

Comments?

Hi Steve, (from one to another), random Monday response

In a large way I agree with you. I was a relatively 'early-adopter' of Digital, the first generation specifically, got myself a starter-set with a somewhat limiting Central Control (4 preset loco & 4 k83 addresses for 4 accessories). At the time it was not an issue because I only had one Digital Loco, in fact back then I only had 4 or 5 loco's in total, but I did get a Decoder also to convert one.

Next up was the PC Interface and I spent quite some time playing around with programming some very basic layout automation (using a small club layout given over for the role) along with various PC systems and software but it was far from an exact science, especially when it came to reading s88 encoders for track feedback.

It was not long before the Intellibox was announced and I thought that has got to be a better investment than upgrading to a Control-800 because it offered heaps more control options.

But it was several more years before I actually got the Intellibox and although it was relatively easy to use, it did not quite have the direct push-button simplicity of the Märklin system (now had to work through Menu's), however this also points to the limitations of the Märklin system.

Then the upgrades seem to come quicker, first the 6021 which I never got because it offered little I did not already have in the IB, followed by the first Central and Mobile Stations, and I did end up with an MS1 by default of buying the Harry Potter set which included it, but to be honest I rarely used it and perhaps I should have but the relative convenience (or familiarity) of the three throttles provided by my IB connected to my original Central Control just made quick and easy playing so simple.

I also had some time away from the hobby while dealing with other issues and was finding it harder and harder to keep up with the jargon and lingo around the new systems. Some enthusiasts in our club took to Digital in a big way and we had a very diverse range of control options being used. Even our Club's large flagship exhibition layout was gradually assimilated and although I could be taken through the operation of the CS and it all made sense it would only take a few weeks of not using it and I felt I was starting from scratch again.

But quite aside from the control aspect, several models were released with features that really appealed to me. Obviously Sound was a big thing, and we now had a range of Light options for Loco's and Coaches.

Then Remote-control Pantographs, the Catenary Maintenance Railcar with the moveable platform, the Breakdown Crane with all it's movement (and in a reasonably priced package). But of course all these required Digital Controllers and were starting to get beyond what was once easy with my IB.

Last year my lovely wife treated me to a pre-loved CS2 and as much as I am fascinated with it, I am also daunted. It just has such a huge range of features and options, and sadly, a parallel commentary here and elsewhere of problem after problem - updates that don't work, compatibility with other items (ie no realistic way for me to integrate the CS2 with my earlier-generation setup, even just for the additional throttles), then add into that the range of manufacturers producing Decoders with such a range of functions and 'supposed' compatibility (but not quite), and don't get me started on CV changes!

And believe me, I'm no luddite! - I'm a many-years hardware technician by profession, can find my way around most software with reasonable success and generally like technology, but when I get back to the real basics of Analogue operation, and even some of the complexities of signal wiring etc, I just feel a lot more 'at home' with it.

But when the grandkids come around, I know it's the CS2 they are going to want to play with so I need to get myself up to speed if not just for their sake.

And something else, I now have these early systems virtually redundant - the Central Control, the Interface, the Intellibox, several Loco's with early generation Decoders (those I can probably live with to some degree because I can still run them under Analogue) but will this 'old' technology have any appeal to collectors or enthusiasts in years to come?, and should they need repair, could parts even be sourced let along someone with the skills to diagnose and repair. Crikey it's hard enough getting some mechanical parts for older items now let alone some IC that's been long-superceded.

Groan.

Good topic

Cheers

Steve
NZ

Well, I of course agree with the OP.
Although I find it interessting and impressive how the electronic controls work, I kind of knew quite early on, that it wouldnt really be worth the effort for me to go digital.
Neither economically nor practically. As I already knew how I would like my layout to function, individual control was pretty much ruled out anyway.

-And I want to add, that I am also a computer programmer, and also dabble a bit with electronic hardware. So no stranger to modern information tecnology.
Actually, part of my desire to stay analogue, was to NOT have "that stuff" in my train-room. I _KNOW_ that my way of operating the layout can be done perfectly with digfital locos and PC-software, but I dont really want to code or program even more in my spare time.

I think my biggest concern from NOT buying new digital equipment, is that Märklin "suffers" from missing sales. Well, at least I buy my tracks from them... (K-track is better bought new, as it breaks so easily from wrong handling)

I hope that in the future the digital control can be "free" of its hardware platform. Much better to have a general APP for mobiles, tablets and PC-style computers. A method where the stuff you buy expensively doesnt get obsolete, and can get back to be an "investment for life".

I understand the reasons for the posts but with 20 locomotives and a fairly large layout I would not consider analogue . On the other hand I want to control the speed, deceleration and acceleration of each train . I also want to use ESU as well as Marklin decoders and to give the engines any code I wish. For these reasons I am staying with the basic 6021 digital control .

Tex

Hi,

Yes, they'll continue to perform just as well as they used to, but only if disassembled and cleaned on a regular basis. I must have bought about a hundred vintage locos on Ebay.de since 2009, but only a handful of them were relatively clean inside. It's often said that old locos can't run at very low speeds, but those with a large flat collector motor (LFCM) can if you get all the grime out. I've just finished cleaning a 3096 from 1971 that must have been cleaned just before I bought it, but even that one still had the old, disintegrated sponges above the motor axles. The dirt as well as the old oil in there gets into the motor soon after it's been cleaned, so they should be replaced as well. Up to now I haven't seen a single vintage locos with new sponges, although they can be ordered cheaply from Märklin.

Most vintage models on the market haven't been looked after for many years, many have had touch-ups, and the more sought after collector's models have often been faked in one way or another. Check your old locos with a UV lamp, and you'll see what I mean. Often the chassis and the house do not match, or key parts have been replaced. It's very hard to find truly original vintage models, and even if I find one that seems to be authentic, I can only tell for sure after having disassembled and cleaned it.

I think that analogue trains are actually hard work. Cleaning an old loco carefully takes at least two hours, and on top of that, there's the risk of causing some damage in the process as well the trouble often caused by reversing units.

One big advantage of digital locos is the wide variety of models and versions you can choose from, and another is the fact that little servicing is required with DC motors, which can be replaced cheaply. I love vintage and analogue, but I won't give up on digital models because I want some variety. Another point that plays a role for me is my two-year-old son. Even if I manage to get him interested in Märklin trains, he'll probably prefer digital sooner or later because of the whistles and bells ...

Best regards,

Mark

I can run both on my layout. 3 separate sections isolated from each other. I have 6-7 blue trannies and 2 MS2's.
On my centre section I have 8 parking lines and can park full trains or even more locos on them,. They are all isolated and some of them have 2-3 different isolated sections on each line. Lots of wiring. When running on digital, all the switches are on and I have fun. When running analogue, most of the switches are off and I have even more fun.
I like the b est of both worlds. The precise running of digital and the ruggedness of the old stuff from the 50's.

Dereck