Sounds like a good approach.

Any starter-set with an MS2 controller would be fine.
2, maybe 4 M<>C adapter tracks should do the trick.

Complete kits for digitalizing engines already exist, but you will need to know the exact model number of the loco, in order to pick the right kit. Some electrical understanding and soldering skills are needed.

You say that this is for the children, so you COULD go for the cheaper starter-sets with the infrared controllers, but then you would have problems digitalizing you older engines, as you woulnd´t be able to read/write the configuration (CV) registers of the new decoders.

The MS2 will NOT be enough for computer-control. For that you would need the CS3.

Hi,

Sounds like a great project. I would recommend a starter set withe the Mobile Station also. The infrared really is for small children.

Contrary to what is thought, you can have computer control with Mobile Station 2. I have that setup. Ot will require very affordable non Märklin equipment, but can be done, is very easy and works great.

Also my experience is that one digi converted loco with sounds, lights and smoke require around 0,2 amps, so with MS2 you can have roughly six locos running at the same time.

-Eino

Hi Susan,

Yes, I'd go for a starter-set with the MS2 too. There are vouchers with money off three of the starter sets this side of Christmas.

IanC

Never to early to start them off.

I have 4 grandsons and they all got a starter set for Christmas when they turned 6.

Two are in Canberra and two here in Adelaide, so when we all get together for Christmas here in Adelaide, I take them down to our club and 'play' trains. They are now 16, 14, 13 and 12, and even at the older age are still interested in 'trains', and regularly ask me when am I going to help them to build their layouts, which I reply 'ask your parents'


Actually you could get your grandsons started on the Märklin 'My World', which is how I started my grandsons, and as they got older, they received a Märklin HO set.

Anyway, something to contemplate.

QSL VK3ANZ

Susan, the 3000 loco (small disk armature) uses a 60943 conversion set, so any loco with this motor will use the same conversion set, if you have a 3 pole drum collector, every loco with a drum collector will be using a 60941, any loco with a large disk armature it will be the conversion set 60944, this set has 2 options, a BR 01 can not be converted with this set and there is a special brush plate which you need a E188838 but don't pay a extortion rate.

there is a cheaper way out but my last experience has been when the loco is at low speed it can't handle it to run smoothly, by this I mean buying an ESU permanent magnet and leave all your existing components in the loco except the coil magnet.,

the moment you go digital the question arises which decoder will I be using, naturally sticking with Märklin you would prefer Märklin digital decoders but if you like to look outside the box another candidate could be an ESU decoder, these are compatible with Märklin (MFX) and with a lokprogrammer you can program the decoder with ease., of course there is also a Märklin decoder programmer available.,
seeing its eventually for your grand children may be stick with Märklin.

regards.,

John from the West Coast

Basically yes. The 3000 is one of the examples where the screws need some filing to fit.
Märklin provided cross-reference lists with notes in the days when the conversion sets were 60901, 60903, and 60904. Those lists contain notes where special work like filing is required.
Those lists were also included in the old catalogues from that time. Catalogues that can be found as PDFs on the Internet.

See also:
https://www.marklin-user...ted-documents#post636619

As always a lot of information to get my brain around.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond - it is much appreciated.
Susan (who will no doubt be back with more questions in time...)

Hi Susan
Note that the models with 5 digit catalogue numbers have been re-engineered to use more modern components, and won't (necessarily) have the same motor as the original. I know the 30000 has been through at least two phases, with early ones having a field coil like the 3000, but later ones have a permanent magnet and later model decoder.

In the case of the 30000 I think you will find it has a lot more detail than the 3000, a feature enabled by better plastic molding capabilities than in the 1950s when the 3000 was first issued.

I am not familiar with the exact motor kits required for the other items.

You are correct that the 39xx series kits build up into the corresponding 30xx model (with subtle internal differences). There were quite a number of these kits available at the time.

Hello,

Yes. Any turnout you wish to digitize you can use the Märklin M83 decoder. It suoports four switches per decoder. You connect the yellow and two blue wires to this M83 box and also the track power.

-Eino

No, it is one or the other is required. They both perform the same function.

However if using an ms1 controller, this will not control points and signals, but the ms2 can do so.

Hello Susan,

as said some others, do not transpose ancient numbers in new, it's not the same even if it's similar.
30210 is reengineered in the same body, and 37018 is just simply a new construction, not more similar to the ancient model than a VW New Beetle to a 1960 VW Beetle.

Yes, your 3021 needs a 60944 motor.
Your 3937, yes it's a kit of 3037, you have to look at the motor. Because, for number of these locos that were in production for a long time, the motor has changed. Internet listings often only show one version, generally the latest...

I have two E41, one in the first series (it's a 3034 but it differs from 3037 only by the painting), with a little lever for manual action on the reverse relais, and it has the SFCM (small flat collector motor), the same as in your 3000. So it will need a 60943 kit. But the other, from mid 70's, has a DCM (drum collector motor) and will need the 60941 kit.

The DCM motor seems similar to the kit motor which has a drum collector, too - but the DCM rotor has only three poles (kit: 5), and is tinier than the kit motor.

Both locos are quite simple to convert, the only thing to watch is to avoid all contact from electronic parts to the loco body or chassis, because these are under rail tension, and it's deadly dangerous for the decoder.

About the lights : you have several options.
The simple option : keep the bulb lights, connect only the "LV" and "LR" wires in place of the existing cable. The circuit is made by the chassis. Lights will be less bright (that's fine), but under some conditions they will twinkle a little bit. I am sensitive to this but I never found my loco lights twinkling...
More sophisticated: you may find some fittings for bulbs type Märklin E610080 - they are proposed by Märklin, as E604180. (With these numbers you may find them on the net.) The fittings stick in the old fittings for screwed bulbs, and you rely them to the decoder by orange wire and LV/LR (LV in front, LR in rear).
I do like the bulb light, which is warmer than LED light and more similar to the real loco light, with bulbs.
Even more sophisticated but not a problem for you : replace the light conductor by big LED bicolor. These give you the possibility to light the red train end lights, when the loco goes without train from one station to another, or when it pushes a reversible train. Both, E41 and V200, were fitted for reversible trains. I did not do this up tu now, I am very old school in these things.
I do not need to explain you that LED lightings need resistances...

Your choice, be glad with it.