Good morning to all

Last night i enjoyed the classic movie "derailed" on TV about a runaway freight train and i must say those diesels would look pretty good on my tracks!

I could not find any evidence that M* ever brought out modern US lok (GP 38???) in HO-scale.
Anyone knows if there is such a diesel on the market for 3-rail?
Alternatively, anyone ever put a slider (for 3-rail operation) under such a lok from another manufacturer?

Happy Holidays

Jean-Pierre

Mine is a PRR green Kato DC analog. Nice runner for not having tracion tires.

Makers of US H0 sc ale diesel locos for Märklin "3-rail"?

Currently: Mehano (analogue)

In the past: ESU (digital), MTH & Brawa/Proto2000 (analogue), sometimes still offered on online market places.

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Mehano of Slovenia is just selling several analogue US six-axle diesel locomotives for Märklin AC on their website:

Algoma Central EMD SD40
http://www.mehano.si/izd...l-sd-40-eu-algom-ac-m368

SP Alco 628 AC
http://www.mehano.si/izd...sel-c628-southern-p-euac

B&O EMD FP45
http://www.mehano.si/izd.../loko-diesel-fp-45-bo-ac

Hi Jean-Pierre,

Now I am confused: Is is his about a loco „born“ for running on Märklin „3-rail“ or a „2-rail“ loco to be converted for running on Märklin „3-rail“? In the latter case there is unfortunately no easy „one size fits all“ solution.

Except for the Santa Fe warbonnets (both EMD F7 and Alco PA) all locomotives have been subject to various degrees of customisation. Some Märklin diesels received different paint schemes. The only fully converted loco is a KATO Alco RS3 (assisted by another esteemed forum member).

Other “hybrid” solutions: Proto 2000 EMD E8 powered by pick-up shoe under “permanently” coupled Märklin baggage car and KATO EMD GP 35 lash-up with one dummy-fied unit carrying a pick-up shoe to power “shoeless” motorised units. I once motorised a “stand-alone” Märklin F7B unit to “empower” various EMD GP dummies, the latter being stripped “2-rail” locos. Two EMD GP7 dummies are Athearn shells placed on modified Märklin EMD F7 dummy undercarriages equipped with a pick-up shoe, respectively; the latter serve to power Proto 2000 EMD GP 30 locos.

However, it should be noted that a conversion is cumbersome (the reasons have been elaborated in other posts) and results are mixed.

Another solution would be to have a layout with separate circuits for Märklin and DC operations, like on this double-track Sherman Hill layout, where one track is “3-rail” and the other “2-rail”:

Edited by user 18 December 2022 19:37:56(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Thank you!

Below thread wraps up my conversion and kit bashing adventures:

https://www.marklin-user...-and-Conversion-projects

My mantra:

“2-rail” to “3-rail” locomotive conversion = a lot of pain -> abstain!

In the future, I’ll limit myself to shell swapping and painting exercises.