Well John, Roco has followed the others with aesthetic only panto's. Marklin's reasoning was better digital MFX conductivity with rails, but I'm sure it was also a cost saving mneasure.

Since the introduction of the ESU type decoder, there has been concern expressed that intermittent contact which is more likely with catenary operation can result in a few negative outcomes.
Firstly, due to the constant voltage of digital operations, it can result in the following:
1) On AC layouts, it can prompt a sudden reversal of direction
2) On AC and DC digital layouts, it can push the locomotive into programming mode, leading to an unexpected and sudden stop
3) On some models, the digital voltage has led to overheating and fire on the cable/lead between the pantographs and circuit board

Secondly, a number of models have appeared with digital functions (operating pantograph, etc) and this would not be possible if the catenary was functional.
For example, if you had the loco powered from the catenary and you commanded the pantograph to drop, how would you get it to rise again?

That said, have a good weekend

Never mind the fact that the sparks from the catenary was one of the coolest things I ever saw on model trains

Regards

Mike C

When I used to run digital all my electric locos picked up from the catenary. Most had ESU decoders as I had converted them from analogue. There were no problems at all and it seemed just as reliable as the steam/diesel locos that picked up from the track. Those decoders were all Lokpilot 4. Maybe the more modern decoders are more fussy. Obviously there was no real reason with digital to have a live catenary but, to my mind, it just seemed wrong not to use it.

Now that I have converted completely back to analogue a working catenary makes things much more flexible as electric locos can be controlled separately.

I must add that I never used any locos with the modern delicate "break just by looking at them" pantographs.

Paul

I would agree with you Michael regarding the conductivity of catenary circuits being very good and possibly better than the track.
A few sparks from the pantographs look great too!

Paul

Yes and this are also worse for two rail when you have reverse loop. In fact you destroy decoder. To use power feed via pantograph works better with analog power. Even Märklin recommended analog power feed and decoder stand in ac analog protocol.

I would like to know who instigated this myth, in my time over 40 years whereas I have used the pantograph as a power supply I never experienced this, the only thing I remember that the loco reversed itself (6021) was a software problem, the only other thing I've experienced is the loss of a digital signal when the pantograph lost its contact with the overhead wire (rarely)

John

John

Never had any sparks on my overhead system unless you're voltage is so high or there is a major short somewhere without you noticing it

John