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Train train		#1 Posted : 02 September 2025 14:41:22(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 14/10/2020(UTC) Posts: 12		While doing my Research on the Marklin system I see alot of people using Marklin M track, even with a Marklin digital setup, I'm curious to know if there is a reason for this?
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marklinist5999		#2 Posted : 02 September 2025 15:18:23(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 4,020 Location: Michigan, Troy		Because it's classic vintage Marklin. Also robust.
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ccranium		#3 Posted : 02 September 2025 17:55:43(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 30/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 133 Location: Seattle area		...and I began collecting analog components, including M-track turnouts, signals and control boxes in the 1980's before (finally) starting on my layout in 2020. I didn't want to start over, and I love the challenge of creating an extensive analog layout!
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hennabm		#4 Posted : 02 September 2025 20:37:13(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 22/09/2009(UTC) Posts: 2,075 Location: Edinburgh,		I started with my collecting in the 70s and finally built my layout in 2010. As it is an exhibition layout it needs to be robust and M track is the best. Mike
		1957 - 1985 era What's digital?
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xxup		#5 Posted : 02 September 2025 22:15:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,632 Location: Australia		Much cheaper than C-track or K-track. I won't have room on my new layout for any radius greater than R2 anyway.
		Adrian Australia flag by abFlags.com
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Michael4		#6 Posted : 02 September 2025 23:17:22(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 697 Location: England, South Coast		Very robust (you can tread on it), very cheap (often free) and, of course, the sound.
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BenP		#7 Posted : 03 September 2025 00:55:24(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 514 Location: USA		The M sound of yesteryear and fully compatible with digital operation. C track looks cheap (but isn't). K track is best looking and most flexible, imho, but needs track bed (I have used Merkur). Just my opinion. Ben [
		Digital M track layout with vintage rolling stock and accessories controlled by CS3+Rocrail; small Z scale layout. https://youtube.com/play...0kgVYbh0CeDTF-bYXoD_2-V9
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Willem99		#8 Posted : 03 September 2025 02:00:40(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 18/11/2020(UTC) Posts: 99 Location: Georgia, Ball Ground		M track lasts forever. There are no brittle tabs that will break off. If it is out of shape you can use a 5 lbs hammer if needed :) It is cheap on Ebay, sometimes almost free. I have lots of it, probably too much to ever use. The list can go on and on. Tim
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hermanvk		#9 Posted : 03 September 2025 07:51:05(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Alberta, Calgary		I have lot's of M-rail and apart from nostalgia: it's currently too expensive to replace, plus there is no need to, because I still run old style analog...
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Michael4		#10 Posted : 03 September 2025 11:53:41(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 697 Location: England, South Coast		and the M track catenary system must be one of the easiest to assemble and strong enough to withstand "mistakes".
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hermanvk		#11 Posted : 03 September 2025 12:32:56(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Alberta, Calgary		Originally Posted by: Michael4 and the M track catenary system must be one of the easiest to assemble and strong enough to withstand "mistakes". I wouldn't call it easy, but yes: it's strong enough to deal with "mistakes" as I experienced lot's of them! And also: M-rail is pretty tolerant when there are no exact fits. Just my $0.02...
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David Dewar		#12 Posted : 03 September 2025 13:02:03(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,492 Location: Scotland		I think people use it because they already have it. The amount of M track in the world will not increase and will disappear. But there is probably enough for the next 2O years. I like C track for good running and decoders etc under the ballast. K track looks the best for those wanting something realistic. Just a matter of choice and evrybody will like what they have which is the main thing.
		Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer.
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JohnjeanB		#13 Posted : 03 September 2025 14:28:40(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,627 Location: Paris, France		Hi Yall Why use M track? - because many have old Märklin trains from decades ago - because it bring sweet memories from the childhood past - because it is almost indestructible and very cheap - because it works very well with digital trains Only restriction is long occupation straches are not avaible but rather easy to make - because very small radius curves make possible to have an impressive layout - because nothing beats the aspect of a train in the 50s with old Faller buildings Temporary layout with my old M Track and old 6021 Central Unit Yes I admit I use now C Track, works better but more fragile et more expensive Cheers Jean
		My layout videos latest vid marshalling yard My Layout
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hermanvk		#14 Posted : 03 September 2025 14:58:36(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Alberta, Calgary		Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB - because fragile et more expensive Cheers Jean Hi Jean, It seems your French sneaked in... No big deal. I just thought it was funny... Happens to me too, though not French...
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Martin T		#15 Posted : 04 September 2025 21:42:27(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/01/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Stockholm, Sweden		Who needs anything else than M-tracks?
		Regards / Martin T Click your way over to me in Marbrodal in Sweden: http://www.xn--mrklintg-0zaq.se/index_e.html
		WWW
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Aussie Susan		#16 Posted : 05 September 2025 00:01:12(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 31/10/2023(UTC) Posts: 35 Location: Victoria, Melbourne		I think other have already covered much of this but my m-track comes from the 50's to the 70's when it was packed up and only brought out recently so I can get it working again for my grandchildren. I have bought a 'starter kit' that is digital with a small amount of c-track plus m- to c-track converters so I can use all of the rails I have (once they have been cleaned up). I've also bought digital converter kits for the 2 engines I have (the 3rd was 'retired' as the new digital version was cheaper than the conversion kit!!!). I have some bridge supports that I know can be used on m-track - not sure about c-track - but I also have a 3D printer to make more if I need them. I guess it all depends where you are starting from... Susan
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DB Fan		#17 Posted : 05 September 2025 03:29:46(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 01/03/2016(UTC) Posts: 283 Location: Colorado		I’m in the corner of not using M track anymore. I started a new layout and used M track and found it to be unreliable as in not aligning correctly (side to side or up and down) and had to constantly work on it. Also some engines derailed on the double slip turnouts and so on. I have now mostly c track and traded my m track for K track. Much happier with it on the layout I’m building at the moment. This is just my personal experience and opinion. Just don’t like spending a lot of time fiddling with the track to make it work so my engines don’t derail. Robert
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Martin T		#18 Posted : 05 September 2025 07:36:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/01/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Stockholm, Sweden		Originally Posted by: DB Fan I’m in the corner of not using M track anymore. I started a new layout and used M track and found it to be unreliable as in not aligning correctly (side to side or up and down) and had to constantly work on it. Also some engines derailed on the double slip turnouts and so on. I have now mostly c track and traded my m track for K track. Much happier with it on the layout I’m building at the moment. This is just my personal experience and opinion. Just don’t like spending a lot of time fiddling with the track to make it work so my engines don’t derail. Robert I agree fully with you. My previous M-track layout was built only using one type of turnout; 5202. No crossings, no curved turnout. Then it worked quite well. All the visible lines were K-track flex (2205) though. My new layout is built exclusivly using K-tracks. I’m not super-happy about the K-track either, since geometry and precision is somewhat 80s still, compared to the 2-rail systems in the market.
		Regards / Martin T Click your way over to me in Marbrodal in Sweden: http://www.xn--mrklintg-0zaq.se/index_e.html
		WWW
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analogmike		#19 Posted : 05 September 2025 12:49:45(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/08/2014(UTC) Posts: 797 Location: NEW JERSEY, USA		If I had to explain,You wouldn't understand.
		I love the smell of smoke fluid in the morning .
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marklinist5999		#20 Posted : 05 September 2025 13:49:01(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 4,020 Location: Michigan, Troy		I began with the 1926 start set in 1993, then added the 5191 and 5192 extension sets with curved turnouts. and a 7039 home signal. In '98 I got a 6021 control with the transformer. I still have it all but changed to C track and a CS 3 plus for my new layout. The 6021 stays on my workbench. The big blue trafo. from the 2916 set is currently used for some lighting, a crane magnet, and the speed control for a wind turbine generator motor.
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Goofy		#21 Posted : 05 September 2025 18:59:12(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,320		Originally Posted by: Train train While doing my Research on the Marklin system I see alot of people using Marklin M track, even with a Marklin digital setup, I'm curious to know if there is a reason for this? So long there is still to get metal tracks in the second hand they use it. Be attention about M-tracks...newer digital locomotive are more advanced but also more comfort to drive with modern tracks like C and K-tracks, not with the metal tracks.
		H0 DCC = Digital Command Control
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steventrain		#22 Posted : 06 September 2025 15:38:11(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,723 Location: United Kingdom		I use the straight lenghts and oval of M tracks for testing after repair Marklin old analog trains. If you build M tracks layout, I recommend cork sheet or sundeala board for M tracks to keep quite running. Edited by user 06 September 2025 19:36:33(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
		Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy.
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