You can use digital control with M track as long as the track is clean with good rail joins between track pieces. You should also make sure all noise suppression capacitors are removed from track feeder pieces because the capacitors interfere with the digital signal.

I see you have cross posted your question in another thread. Cross posting in internet etiquette is normally frowned upon unless there is a good reason for doing so. At the very least you will get answers to your question in two different threads which will make things confusing for anyone coming back to review your topic in the future.

Edited by user 11 January 2020 21:22:56(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Thank you.
Looks like a complex layout. Maybe one day. Your tips seem to concur with my long-ago experience.
But where to start?
Track? controllers? transformers? simple tank locomotive? digital conversions?
I literally have no Marklin pieces. (I do have several pliers).

Should I buy a new simple small Mega Digital C-track starter set and then add used M-track and . . . . ?
jp

Generally the mega starter sets are better value than buying all the pieces separately. You could use the trains and controller with your M track and store the C track, or you could get some C to M track adapter tracks (24951) so that you can join them both together.

You probably will need a setup that works with 120 volts? Unfortunately, this limits the choice of potential starter sets to just one, the set 29322. That unfortunately comes with the handheld infrared controller, instead of the Mobile Station 2 and Trackbox which would have worked equally well with M tracks. You will probably be better served by picking some other starter set of your liking that includes a MS 2, and buying separately the 66367 power pack for 120 volts.

The choice of the set depends on your preferences. In your position I picked the set 29013, as it fitted by preference of Era III, included a MS 2 with the Trackbox, and was otherwise minimalistic. That set is no longer available from Märklin, although some dealers probably still have it.

Hi JP. I also started in 1960 at age 8 with M track and analogue control. When I dragged it out again in about 2000 with my son who was then 28 we tried the M track and analogue engines. But just as it was back in the 60's it is very frustrating with the track connections and corrosion and we retired the lot. We bought a Mega Starter set (the best we could get with a digital steam loco and diesel loco), rolling stock, C track, controllers and all the necessary bits for a small layout.

My advice would be to get the best you can at the time with smoke, sound and all the bells and whistles. It's 1000% more fun than old analogue and you will be hooked. We have added more starter sets as they are usually good value, and you get engines and rolling stock, track, turnouts etc (even though you don't need the extra transformers. We have plenty). We just kept on adding stuff.

Then we purchased a large set second hand from someone in need of the cash, and have now added the CS3 controller (not needed for beginners) and lots of electric turnouts and track.

Try this website
https://ajckids.com/coll...-scale-sets-starter-sets

You will also find other dealers in the US and just keep on going and keep learning.

Have fun, especially if you can get the grand kids involved.

CS3+ is the latest and strongest Central Station for total control that Märklin has.
I would totally AVOID the older MS1.
MS2 is indeed the perfect "serious" start, and where you should strive to be.
Starting with a CS3+ is a lot of money to throw after the hobby right from the start. Especially if you dont really know what you are getting in to.

Wether a set includes an MS1 or 2 is hard to say. The MS1 disappeared years ago. SO if the set you are looking at is old, it might well be with the older controller. AVOID!
They dont look alike, so you can know what it contains, just from the picture on the box.

Whatever you choose, be prepared to have to UPDATE the firmware in the controllers once in a while...

Hello JP, why tinker alone? We have a busy ETE chapter in San Diego area, come and join one of our meetings.
More info at www.etesocal.org