 Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,226 Location: Montreal, QC
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My first foray into C Track was the 29859 Start Set (Re 460/Re 4/4II). Shortly thereafter, the initial reports of problems with the track were made public. According to what I was told at the time, the 29859 was not part of the problematic batch. By 2004, that had proven to be untrue, as I had started experiencing the little clips between track sections breaking plus one or two cracks in track pieces. Around that time, I ordered some additional track, including R4 and R5 curves and additional straight sections.
This morning, while shifting a section on my Teppichbahn, I had one of my R4 curves explode. A piece of about 3" long shattered on one side of the track.
I am not happy at all, as I had inquired about the provenance and tried to ensure that the track was the "good" one when I ordered it.
I have M Track with solid rail (50s), studs (60s) and K-Track 80s that are still in perfect running order.
You can step on M Track and bend it back in shape and it still works.
I am deeply disappointed with C-Track. Maerklin needs to convince me that the track is safe before I consider replacing any more track.
I will report back on what response I receive from service @ Goeppingen
Regards
Mike C
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 3 users liked this useful post by mike c
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 Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 431 Location: Stockton, CA
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I've experienced some breakage involving both newer and first generation C track as well. Fortunately, I never amassed too much and eventually decided to build my layout with the somewhat huge amount of M track I latched onto over the years. I've always been curious as to the longevity/life expectancy/durability of the C track on a permanent layout, though, especially if you have to remove or modify a section or two for any reason.
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3 users liked this useful post by Eurobahnfan
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: mike c  According to what I was told at the time, the 29859 was not part of the problematic batch. That set was in the catalogue from (at least) 2000/2001 until 2003/2004. So maybe some are from a problematic batch. Originally Posted by: mike c This morning, while shifting a section on my Teppichbahn, I had one of my R4 curves explode. A piece of about 3" long shattered on one side of the track. Does that piece of track have the ASA symbol? ASA indicates the latest formula was used. ASA Symbol:  ASA Symbol:  Month of production:  |
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  |
9 users liked this useful post by H0
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 Joined: 27/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 324
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H Mike,
I think you should have known about the cracking C track. Everything before 2004 without ASA and 24xxx might crack, sooner or later. Make sure you only buy track produced after 2004. |
Best regards
Martin |
2 users liked this useful post by 60904
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,889 Location: Michigan, Troy
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"Should have known"??????? Perhaps, yet it ws Marklin whom slipped on a banana peel in producing sub quality C track early on. I got stung as well. It was in storage from 2005 through to last year. It wasan't cracked when I packed it up. People here get sued for less serious issues often.
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Joined: 04/04/2013(UTC) Posts: 1,291 Location: Port Moody, BC
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Originally Posted by: marklinist5999 "Should have known"??????? Perhaps, I agree with 60904. This is not a newly discovered issue as the title of this thread implies. There have been so many reports on the forum regarding the brittle C-track over many years, it is hard to believe that this is an unknown issue to anyone who has been on this forum or using Maerklin for years. I for one ended up finding this forum in 2013 for exactly that reason. I had bought a large batch of C-track which all started breaking when I tried to click it together. I learned a hard lesson and still have about $2000 of this junk sitting in a box. After reading reports in 2013 I soon discovered that this was a well known issue and I already missed out on the trade in option. So to identify this issue in 2021 as newly discovered by a longtime member of this forum, seems a bit odd. Maybe newly discovered by the OP, but certainly not in the community.
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,889 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Yes, but maybe my dismay deserves warrant when I inventoried my tracks from their respective original boxes and then ordered only the aditional tracks I needed to expand my layout after over a decade. Not to mention added exspense of replacing cracked tracks which broke beyond use when the roadbed crumbled.
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1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,226 Location: Montreal, QC
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To clarify, I said "newly discovered issue" because I had experienced issues with the track from my 29859 after having been told by dealer/company that the set was not affected by the initially reported problems. Once they announced that the issue had been resolved, I expanded my track inventory by adding the large radiii curves and was surprised to recently find that these tracks were also affected. The only track that I have which seems to be safe is the oval from the 29486 BLS Set plus a pair of boxes full of straight tracks purchased shortly thereafter to replace sections that had broken.
Regards
Mike C
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2 users liked this useful post by mike c
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: mike c To clarify, I said "newly discovered issue" because I had experienced issues with the track from my 29859 after having been told by dealer/company that the set was not affected by the initially reported problems. The community wants to know if there is an issue with tracks marked "ASA". That would be a really new issue. As already said, the set was in the catalogue for a long time. Tracks in starter sets are often months old when they get packed. Starter sets may lie on the shelf for a long time. Even pre-ASA tracks can last a long time. I have some old tracks that don't give me trouble, but I also have some that are very brittle and break even when used carefully. As of now, I assume this is "an old well-known issue newly re-discovered". A lot we hear from dealer/company is just nonsense. |
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 |
2 users liked this useful post by H0
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 Joined: 20/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 809 Location: Leopold, Victoria
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Maybe we might need a flagged title, “New to Märklin, must knows”.
This way everyone new to our great Forum, can be aware of this, and other thing’s straight away.
Plus other points can be added.
Only a suggestion.
Mike |
Legless
Era's 1 to 111,C track,k track |
4 users liked this useful post by Legless
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