Hi,

New member, first time poster. Hope everyone is well!

I have some Märklin steam locomotives that I'd like to upgrade to a digital mSD3 SoundDecoder, however I'm not sure which one to purchase, if I can upgrade them myself (I'm pretty good with a soldering iron), or if they can even be upgraded. I've also read that the motor might need to be upgraded to a high-efficiency motor as well.

The locomotives I'd like to upgrade were included in the following Start sets...

Purchased in 1999
https://www.maerklin.de/...ts/details/article/29625
https://www.maerklin.de/...ts/details/article/29526

Purchased in 2018
https://www.maerklin.de/...ts/details/article/29245
https://www.maerklin.de/...ts/details/article/29322

I've had a very hard time trying to determine the item number for these locomotives from the starter sets. See pictures included below.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Jim Jankowski

Hi Jim - welcome aboard!

The mSD/3 decoder which is preloaded with sounds for a steamer is item #60975. Other than the preloaded sounds they are all the same, but if you get the one for a steamer you will have appropriate sounds even if you don't update anything on the decoder. The motor upgrade kits are inexpensive and will result in much better running. They include a permanent magnet, a new brush plate and a 5 pole armature among other bits and pieces.

I am not familiar with your locos but I'm sure that there are people here who are. At the very least they must have DC motors to work with that decoder, which basically just means changing to a permanent magnet, if they still have coils. My only other concern is that there be enough room in the tender to fit an mSD/3 but there usually is and people who know these models will help you with this too. A tank loco is a bit more space constrained but there might be room in that as well. ESU has a line of tiny decoders that you can fit into almost any model if a Märklin decoder won't fit. This forum is a great resource and the knowledge base here is amazing.

You are near Ormandys, which is one of the best NA dealers around from what I have heard. I would think that a visit there would help you to answer your questions and maybe tempt you to buy a few more things.

The upgrades are not difficult and you should at least try doing one yourself, especially if your soldering skills are good.

I agree - the upgrades produce excellent results.

I guess costs may vary depending on the source and motor type but to buy the decoder and the 60941 motor kit for a DCM at AJCKids cost me $122.56 plus shipping. For two small items like that the shipping would only be about $10 from AJCKids who ship for very reasonable prices.

Thank you all for your feedback, its really helpful. I thought 60975 might be the right one, but I wasn't sure about having to upgrade the motors or not.

I'm fortunate to live very close to Ormandy's in Medina, OH and that is where I've bought all my starter sets. John Ormandy recommended I just purchase new locomotives instead of adding sound which I am still considering. I've also already ordered goodies from AJCKids and Micro Macro Mundo and have had good luck so far with both.

I did purchase the following set this year which got me all jazzed up for sound...

https://www.marklin.com/...ts/details/article/26928

...so maybe one is enough. Fuel for thought.

As for my layout, attached are a few pics of the layout I've been working on using SCARM. It's influenced by the Tyco H0 layout my father and I setup over 40 years ago, my love of the outdoors, and the public square here in Medina, Ohio. I also work with computers for a living so the CS3+ is something I'm really looking forward to using and integrating into my home network.

In the 2D picture below, phase 1 is to the left. I'll be adding the new C Track Turntable and Roundhouse when they are available later this year to finish off Phase 1. Phase 3 will be sometime later next year. Taking it slow so I can learn as much as I can before diving in.

Thanks again everyone!

Thanks Mike!!!

Hi

Agree with Bigdaddynz.
I do all the programming of the mLD3/mSd3 using the 60970 decoder tester, the 60971 Decoder programmer, and mDT3 software.

With this combination you can do anything that you like, test the results with the decoder out of the loco.

I do first the decoder programming and then I do the installation in the loco

Regards

Costas

Thanks you!!

Thank you!!!

Dear JJ

You can convert the BR 81 with smoke and mSD3 decoder

There is how I converted mine, but with mLD3 (60972) decoder without sound

https://www.marklin-user...BR-81-Digital-Conversion

The conversion with sound is exactly the same and there is possible to put a small speaker into the loco

This loco as digital and TELEX is an excellent switcher

Regards

Costas

Hi

This loco is the last version of BR 81, which is quite different from the older ones.

Has a DC motor and a basic decoder.

The frame is different.

I haven't any experience with those. I have never touch one of those.

Looks from the plans that for the installation of a smoke unit many alterations are needed.

So is better to live as it is.....

Sometimes the effort and the cost are not justified.

Costas

Thank you Costas!!