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Getting back into hobby - new controller or straight to computer
 Joined: 19/01/2005(UTC) Posts: 83 Location: United States
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Hello gang After several years, I'm ready to get back into the hobby. I have a mixture of digital (delta and original marklin) plus some other brands of decoders, an old Intellibox (IB) and a delta controller I could use as an extension I believe. Now for the question, should I buy a new Marklin digital controller? Or move to computer control, but I need a controller in between the computer and the rails, right? I don't have any MFX locs, but I have a bunch of analogs that I might want to upgrade to digital.  |
Steen Jorgensen
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 1 user liked this useful post by fynrfin
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,884 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Yes, and new decoders are MFX. You can also upgrade your collection to sound then. Thus a CS 3 or plus will be best. The Plus has the S-88 power receptor built in for feedback and events automation.
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1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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 Joined: 15/11/2018(UTC) Posts: 431 Location: Uusimaa, Helsinki
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- Martti M.
Era III analog & digital (Rocrail, CAN Digital Bahn, Gleisbox/MS2, K83/K84), C & M tracks, some Spur 1 |
2 users liked this useful post by Martti Mäntylä
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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There are a number of advantages of a CS3/+. Much of the features are intuitive so easy to master. But there are so many that some learning is necessary. It also allows investigation into a number of areas so your interest is only limited by your time. But it is not cheap. As it becomes more accepted there is assistance and tutorials available to help with any issues.
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3 users liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 19/01/2005(UTC) Posts: 83 Location: United States
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Thank you for your suggestions. One more question: Will the CS3+ also control uhlenbrock and dcc decoders? I remember the earlier Marklin controllers would not.
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Steen Jorgensen
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1 user liked this useful post by fynrfin
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Joined: 19/01/2005(UTC) Posts: 83 Location: United States
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Originally Posted by: Martti Mäntylä  Thank you, it looks like it is compatible. Sorry if this is a simple question, but could RocRail through the Intellibox run mfx locomotives? I scoured the internet, and seem to come up with different answers as to whether it is possible/desirable/worth trying. |
Steen Jorgensen
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1 user liked this useful post by fynrfin
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Joined: 15/11/2018(UTC) Posts: 431 Location: Uusimaa, Helsinki
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Originally Posted by: fynrfin Originally Posted by: Martti Mäntylä Thank you, it looks like it is compatible. Sorry if this is a simple question, but could RocRail through the Intellibox run mfx locomotives? I scoured the internet, and seem to come up with different answers as to whether it is possible/desirable/worth trying. Well, the Rocrail documentation says that "The Intellibox can be used with the original Märklin p50, the extended p50x or the LocoNet protocol via the RS232 connection or with the LocoNet protocol via the LocoNet connector by using a separate LocoNet adaptor." So I presume the answer is negative. You can try the software for free, as long as you have a proper RS cable to hook up the box with a serial port of a computer. |
- Martti M.
Era III analog & digital (Rocrail, CAN Digital Bahn, Gleisbox/MS2, K83/K84), C & M tracks, some Spur 1 |
2 users liked this useful post by Martti Mäntylä
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Joined: 22/08/2020(UTC) Posts: 39 Location: Maryland, Silver Spring
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Originally Posted by: fynrfin Hello gang After several years, I'm ready to get back into the hobby. I have a mixture of digital (delta and original marklin) plus some other brands of decoders, an old Intellibox (IB) and a delta controller I could use as an extension I believe. Now for the question, should I buy a new Marklin digital controller? Or move to computer control, but I need a controller in between the computer and the rails, right? I don't have any MFX locs, but I have a bunch of analogs that I might want to upgrade to digital. I’ve got the old IB, and it’s still going strong. It controls all Marklin digital locomotives, including MFX locomotives. The IB doesn’t support the MFX protocol, but the MFX decoders still understand the old Marklin Motorola (MM) protocol, which the early Marklin decoders used. The newest MFX decoders also understand DCC, which the IB knows. I usually use DCC if I can. For computer control, I use the free JMRI program connected to the IB via a USB loconet dongle. Loconet is a reliable and widely used networking protocol for model trains. The IB supports loconet. Gopal
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1 user liked this useful post by patnaik
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 480 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: fynrfin Originally Posted by: Martti Mäntylä Thank you, it looks like it is compatible. Sorry if this is a simple question, but could RocRail through the Intellibox run mfx locomotives? I scoured the internet, and seem to come up with different answers as to whether it is possible/desirable/worth trying. I have used IB with Rocrail on a laptop, using serial port to usb cable (inexpensive). All digital generations trains with marklin and lokpilot5 decoders worked, multiple k83s, as well as daisy chained, old style s88 feedback modules. Used generic 3A, 50VA power supply for IB. (returned to cs3 after its warranty repair) |
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1 user liked this useful post by BenP
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Joined: 19/01/2005(UTC) Posts: 83 Location: United States
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Originally Posted by: patnaik Originally Posted by: fynrfin Hello gang After several years, I’m ready to get back into the hobby. I have a mixture of digital (delta and original Marklin) plus some other brands of decoders, an old Intellibox (IB), and a Delta controller I could use as an extension, I believe. Now for the question, should I buy a new Marklin digital controller? Or move to computer control, but I need a controller in between the computer and the rails, right? I don’t have any MFX locs, but I have a bunch of analogs that I might want to upgrade to digital. I’ve got the old IB, and it’s still going strong. It controls all Marklin digital locomotives, including MFX locomotives. The IB doesn’t support the MFX protocol, but the MFX decoders still understand the old Marklin Motorola (MM) protocol, which the early Marklin decoders used. The newest MFX decoders also understand DCC, which the IB knows. I usually use DCC if I can. For computer control, I use the free JMRI program connected to the IB via a USB loconet dongle. Loconet is a reliable and widely used networking protocol for model trains. The IB supports loconet. Gopal Thank you, Gopal. It seems that my IB's programming track function has stopped working. Would that mean that JMmI could not program and read the decoders through the IB? Thank you also for the link to the DC area group; I sent a request to join Steen |
Steen Jorgensen
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 Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,452 Location: Scotland
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Many are now more interested on computers and software than driving trains. For me a CS3 PLus and power pack is all I need which gives me no problems and with routes etc can do what I want regarding control by pressing a button or I can actually enjoy driving locos. The hobby is changing to standing and watching the layout with various types of software and it depends which way you want to go. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
2 users liked this useful post by David Dewar
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Joined: 19/01/2005(UTC) Posts: 83 Location: United States
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Originally Posted by: David Dewar Many are now more interested on computers and software than driving trains. For me a CS3 PLus and power pack is all I need which gives me no problems and with routes etc can do what I want regarding control by pressing a button or I can actually enjoy driving locos. The hobby is changing to standing and watching the layout with various types of software and it depends which way you want to go. I guess I want a little of both, some trains that run automatically and some I control. The automatic ones would create more movement and challenges for me as I run the manual ones. I had a non-digital relay system set up, but it got water-damaged, so I started digital - then life intervened, and now I would like to start again. How difficult is it to program routes in CS3? I watched some videos, and it didn't seem easy for an old novice like me. But maybe it would be challenging to use a computer program as well. Thank you, Steen |
Steen Jorgensen
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Joined: 29/12/2016(UTC) Posts: 498 Location: South Dakota
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Lots of great recommendations already, Have you considered ESU's ECoS Command station? ESU Command Station Link I've been using the command station for a 4 years and recently added ESU's Mobile controllers. I like the larger ESU screen but decided to add a touchscreen so my tired eyes can see the track plan and locomotive throttles/functions better. I am a new user of Rocrail, only a couple of weeks, but I am impressed with the system but there is a learning curve and I am just getting started. I am no computer expert, but the ECoS (sure the CS 3 is similiar) was a pretty easy setup and detects all the Loc's I have, Märklin decoders, ESU Decoders & a couple of unknown deoders from the early 2000's. Everything runs through a WiFi router - which I like so there isn't alot of cableing for me. There is enough of that with all the swtches & signals  I have an InteliBox from 2003 as well, plan to connect that to the Command station since that box has always had a place close to my heart - great device! Wish you the best in your decision....... Rich S.
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1 user liked this useful post by White Buffalo
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Joined: 29/12/2016(UTC) Posts: 498 Location: South Dakota
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Originally Posted by: fynrfin
I guess I want a little of both, some trains that run automatically and some I control. The automatic ones would create more movement and challenges for me as I run the manual ones. I had a non-digital relay system set up, but it got water-damaged, so I started digital - then life intervened, and now I would like to start again.
How difficult is it to program routes in CS3? I watched some videos, and it didn't seem easy for an old novice like me. But maybe it would be challenging to use a computer program as well.
Thank you,
Steen
I'm in the same boat, had to tear down the analog layout for the house remodeling then decided to build this layout digital. There is a lot to learn on any system, but there is a lot of help on this forum and Rocrail's forum if you decide to test that software system out (IMO Rocrail has a easy way to make a track plan, click & drag). Routes are easy after you learn to make your first one. Setting up the track plan, signals & switches took me more time, but once those were completed the Route was not difficult. Basically naming the route then adding the signals & switches........I can click the route (empy circles next to the 2 signals) then the command station (ECoS or Märklin) will set all the switches & signals to the desired setting. 
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1 user liked this useful post by White Buffalo
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