 Joined: 14/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 7 Location: Florida, Miami
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Hello, Last year, in a garage sale, I bought several Ho locomotives and cars because it reminded me of my youth, in 1952 my father gave me a Marklin train set. I was planning to put them on static display. Nevertheless, watching You Tube videos I became an enthusiast. I paid little for the lot, some pieces were in the box and have never been used but some locomotives have a center stud, other not. I also have around fifty pieces of M track. I tried to find some info about compatibility between Marklin models but to no avail, all I found out is compatibility between Marklin and other brands. Please see photos. Cheers,  
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Hi! Originally Posted by: F456GT  I tried to find some info about compatibility between Marklin models but to no avail, all I found out is compatibility between Marklin and other brands. Do you have any questions? Originally Posted by: F456GT I paid little for the lot, some pieces were in the box and have never been used but some locomotives have a center stud, other not. Maybe these are locos where the centre-rail pickup is missing, maybe these are Hamo locomotives for two-rail operation. You can tell this when looking at the bottom of the locos. Maybe share some pictures. |
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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Joined: 14/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 7 Location: Florida, Miami
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  Only the green one, top left does not have center stud [contact]
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 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,475 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: F456GT
Only the green one, top left does not have center stud [contact]
But it has the contact plate there for the pickup show. All it will need is a new pickup shoe and a screw to hold it on.
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: F456GT Only the green one, top left does not have center stud [contact] That looks like a Hamo loco for two-rail operation. Conversion for three-rail operation is rather simple, but conversion to AC operation is more difficult. If you want to use it with AC it is probably the best option to add a cheap decoder. Hamo locos usually have a wheel slider where Märklin locos have a centre-rail slider. Or maybe sell the Hamo loco and buy a three-rail loco instead. |
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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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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top left green loco without the slider may be for designed for 2 rail instead of 3 rail. Märklin had a brand named HAMO which used two rail instead of three (for the tracks with center studs).
If these were all bought together it is most likely that that loco is simply missing its slider.
If you have, or get, a Märklin transformer, you could unscrew a slider from one of the others and simply test it. It it runs, it is analog 3 rail.
The drive mechanisms may all be gummed up with dried oil, so only power them up if their wheels turn easily, don't force the wheels, especially on the steam locos.
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 1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz top left green loco without the slider may be for designed for 2 rail instead of 3 rail. Yep. One can see the Hamo wheel slider on the pic. |
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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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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so, all are compatible except the top left green one. |
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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You can often find ho train information by searching online or in the lokmueum with the engine or car number.
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Joined: 14/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 7 Location: Florida, Miami
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Then, the 5106 tracks are for the Hamo only, I am afraid that I'll have to purchase three rail tracks, am I correct? Too bad, mostly are brand new and came in the box. Please see photo.  
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: F456GT Then, the 5106 tracks are for the Hamo only, I am afraid that I'll have to purchase three rail tracks, am I correct? Your picture shows three-rail tracks. |
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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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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the center studs = the center 'rail'
originally there was a continuous rail in the middle but they later became a row of studs, but we still refer to the track as '3 rail'
The pickup sliders under the '3-rail' locos run along the studs and pick up the current. The current is returned to the track on both side via the wheels. |
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Joined: 14/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 7 Location: Florida, Miami
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