Minitrix and mfx?

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Kriegslok		#1 Posted : 06 June 2025 09:07:36(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 03/06/2025(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: California, Irvine		While waiting for my Minitrix starter set, eager to try the Mobile Station 2 and the Märklin/Minitrix take on model railroad digital, I've been doing a lot of research. Some findings left me a bit confused... I looked at available starter sets and chose the 11147 (MRCE BR 185.1 freight train). I realized that it doesn't have the latest mfx decoder, it's the older (2019) set with DCC/SX. It comes with a loco card so some of the auto-registration comfort will still be there. My digging through old catalogs revealed that all Minitrix was DCC/SX until 2020, and mfx (plus DCC) since 2021, when 66855/66856 decoders were introduced. There wasn't much information/publicity about this, I was wondering whether someone had more details/insights? Although it looks like Märklin is streamlining the protocols etc., one thing seems strange: current search for a Minitrix decoder yields the 66857, which is DCC/SX! 66856 with mfx shows as "not produced anymore" . The German page says "werksseitig ausverkauft" though, which may mean it's just sold out temporarily? Are we not supposed to upgrade older mtc14-equipped locos (especially DC) with 66856 and ride into bright mfx future? All current (digital) Minitrix locos seem to be mfx only.


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marklinist5999		#2 Posted : 06 June 2025 11:38:33(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,939 Location: Michigan, Troy		I'm not an N scaler, but the MS 2 is dcc and mfx, or Motorola mm. You can toggle the protocol you want. You can manually enter the loco. and address for dip switch decoders. I don't think MTC is compatible with mfx. The latest decoders are both dcc and mfx. Zimo for example utilize railcom. Mfx doesn't. I use a CS 3, and a MS 2. The MS 2 is very capable but takes more keying to setup and operate.


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H0		#3 Posted : 06 June 2025 12:09:53(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,451 Location: DE-NW		Hi! Originally Posted by: Kriegslok My digging through old catalogs revealed that all Minitrix was DCC/SX until 2020, and mfx (plus DCC) since 2021, when 66855/66856 decoders were introduced. AFAIK Märklin's homebrew decoders never supported SX and all the decoders with SX were OEM decoders from D&H. So, going for mfx/DCC is probably more profitable for Märklin. Maybe the retrofit decoders with mfx did not sell well. Originally Posted by: marklinist5999 I don't think MTC is compatible with mfx. MTC is compatible with mfx. 99+% of Märklin mfx locos have MTC (most likely for Märklin/Trix connector).
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS

1 user liked this useful post by H0		marklinist5999
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Kriegslok		#4 Posted : 06 June 2025 18:52:44(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 03/06/2025(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: California, Irvine		Originally Posted by: H0 Maybe the retrofit decoders with mfx did not sell well. I'd understand that many Trix/Minitrix customers were invested in Selectrix and wanted to keep that option. But removing the new/preferred option seems strange, especially since that is likely the part used in current mfx locos? I'll likely get an mfx Minitrix too, and will check what's inside. Originally Posted by: marklinist5999 I don't think MTC is compatible with mfx. 66856 is/was an mtc14 mfx decoder. And as I wrote above, I'd be surprised if it wasn't in current Minitrix mfx locos. If anybody here has a recent Minitrix mfx loco, please report, I'm really curious. BTW - I'm unable to find an online manual for the 66856. Strangely, the identical (apart from the 6-pin interface) 66855 seems to have been removed from the Trix site. Edit: added a screenshot from Minitrix Fall New Items 2020 catalog, page 4.

1 user liked this useful post by Kriegslok		marklinist5999
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