Hi all,

So I know this has probably been discussed before, I’ve seen some pages from a few years ago and seen various bits of information covering this subject online. It might be due information overload but, it’s confused me a little about what is and is not possible.

Another reason for my question here is because of where I live, Marklin is not too popular here and I haven’t seen any places selling Roco either. So, being able to physically look at product isn’t something I can do (if anyone knows of shops selling Marklin / Roco in Perth WA - hit me up!).

I’d like to get my hands on some of the new (or newish) Roco passenger coaches & restaurant, especially for the SNCF to go with my layout.

Few things I already know:
- wheels can be replaced on Roco to suit Marklin system;
- Roco sells sliders and universal LED lights, however the slider is attached with a screw and is not able to be fitted directly to the coach. Roco used to supply an adapter piece or spacer but doesn’t anymore, it’s not available for purchase either (I believe discontinued); and
- couplers are all interchangeable, I believe Roco sells current conducting couplers.

I’m just wondering if the above is correct, I would be grateful for any advice.

Does anyone have any experience with adding sliders to new Roco coaches? Any info would be awesome.

Regards

Eddie

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for sharing, that provides some confidence to leap ahead with purchasing a Roco coach online and parts needed for the lighting.

I might be looking at the wrong area but, just wish these manufacturers would make this information a bit more easier to access this information.

Do you want to run Roco coaches on Märklin M rails or K or C rails ? This makes a difference.
Most Roco (and nearly all other brands) coaches run on C rails without wheel change.

Hey,
That’s interesting to know, I am aware of someone selling Marklin from their home so you can only buy online. Whenever I put an order in, I usually go to his workplace and ask for him - it’s a bit awkward.

Funnily enough though, the Marklin community is small yet people still tend to know each other. There is a guy in Bowral that does a great job servicing and repairs to anything Marklin and I been buying stuff from a retailer in Brisbane - these 2 know each other well. They also have knowledge of other vendors as well.

Apparently you need to buy about 11,000€ worth of stock per year to maintain a Marklin account so, I guess that could be hard when it’s not a popular brand.

Edited by user 05 October 2022 01:58:32(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

On the current conducting coupler note, avoid the Märklin couplers as they can cause issues in the curves because on some models the coupler can hit the buffers. Using Roco or esu will work, and for non conducting the Fleischmann units are good.

In terms of screwing on the pick up shoe, my coaches had no thread formed in the hole that is used, but the plastic is soft enough that the machine screw will go in and cut its own thread. However as you said, you need to be careful and don’t overtighten it.

Most Roco lighting kits include a metal part which is to be inserted on the bogie underside which provides an axle contact. For DC models, one such part is used for each bogie. On AC models, one bogie is equipped with the slider and the other with the axle contacts. I have seen some AC models with the axle contacts on both bogies, with the slider mounted in a manner that is isolated from the ground contact (plastic part between the two).

http://www.ralf-bueker.de/weisse_LED_4yg_01.jpg
http://www.ralf-bueker.d...isse_LED_Verdrahtung.htm

Regards

Mike C

Thank you so much to everyone contributing information and sharing their experiences, not to mention the photos as well that are extremely helpful.

This has opened up new options for me to consider.

I will be looking at getting my hands on the Roco NMBS / SNCB coach set and the SNCF coaches that will be released soon. I’m on the lookout for buffet car as well, so I might have even check out LS Models.

The plan is to get a Roco set with the lighting kit / slider and ESU current conducting couplers fitted, then include a buffet car that has compatible fittings.

I’ve noted the advice around wheel flanges and R1 curve issues, I’ll be doing some testing in areas. My layout is in its infancy so I can try work around problems through my design.

If you invert one wheelset per bogie while using the standard Roco axle contact, it will yield proper return to each rail.
Once this is done, you will not be able to use the coach on DC tracks without undoing the change.

Regards

Mike C