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Something better than MS2 but cheaper than CS3 - does this exist?
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Offline scraigen  
#1 Posted : 19 November 2025 16:40:40(UTC)
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scraigen


Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 307
Location: Sheffield,
Hi,

I've found myself dissappointed with MS1 and MS2's limited number of locos that can be stored, and am scared off by the cost of CS3.

Is there anything inbetween?

Cheers
Must build something
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Offline David Dewar  
#2 Posted : 19 November 2025 16:54:50(UTC)
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David Dewar

Scotland   
Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 7,521
Location: Scotland
Originally Posted by: scraigen Go to Quoted Post
Hi,

I've found myself dissappointed with MS1 and MS2's limited number of locos that can be stored, and am scared off by the cost of CS3.

Is there anything inbetween?

Cheers


CS3 is costly but will last for years and give you everything you need. Also it works well with Marklin items.
Better to spend on good control items which are essential. You could sell your MS to help with cost.
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer.
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Offline mvd71  
#3 Posted : 19 November 2025 18:31:28(UTC)
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mvd71

New Zealand   
Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,971
Location: Auckland,
Is you don’t want the expense of the CS3, an option could be a used CS2.

If you want new, alternates are the ESU controller, or Uhlenbrock’s intellibox, of which there are two versions to cater for varying needs.
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Offline osoraku  
#4 Posted : 19 November 2025 18:59:10(UTC)
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osoraku

Portugal   
Joined: 22/01/2025(UTC)
Posts: 81
Location: Setubal, Palmela
Dear Stuart -

Another possibility is to run your locos using a computer and a train control program (e.g. Rocrail, but there are others). You can operate them using the gleisbox that comes along with your MS2 and some extra DIY hardware. This is not exactly an out-of-the-box solution, but it is cheap and then you are only limited by your train control software.

Examples discussed in this forum that I know of are the solution by the locoduino group for those facile with electronics and my own efforts involving less electronics knowhow.

Apologies if you've already considered and discarded this route.

Osoraku
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Offline H0  
#5 Posted : 19 November 2025 21:27:28(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,530
Location: DE-NW
Originally Posted by: scraigen Go to Quoted Post
I've found myself dissappointed with MS1 and MS2's limited number of locos that can be stored, and am scared off by the cost of CS3.
The MS2 has a limit of 40 locos, but supports up to 10239 addresses. If you have more than 40 locos, you can work with loco cards, assuming that not more than 40 locos will ever be on the layout at the same time.

The old 6021 has a limit of 80 locos.

The Intellibox can handle 9999 addresses.

There are other options if you look beyond Märklin.

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
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Offline Goofy  
#6 Posted : 19 November 2025 21:55:32(UTC)
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Goofy


Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,338
MS2 are sucks sometimes because of the soft program which are dumb.
MS2 are depended of the CS3 to upgrade soft program.
MS2 don´t have program track output.
MS2 are bored to use but are friendly to use(sometimes).
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Offline Martti Mäntylä  
#7 Posted : 20 November 2025 03:02:27(UTC)
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Martti Mäntylä

Finland   
Joined: 15/11/2018(UTC)
Posts: 435
Location: Uusimaa, Helsinki
Originally Posted by: osoraku Go to Quoted Post
Another possibility is to run your locos using a computer and a train control program (e.g. Rocrail, but there are others). You can operate them using the gleisbox that comes along with your MS2 and some extra DIY hardware. This is not exactly an out-of-the-box solution, but it is cheap and then you are only limited by your train control software.

Examples discussed in this forum that I know of are the solution by the locoduino group for those facile with electronics and my own efforts involving less electronics knowhow.


I concur. In addition, there are commercially available alternatives for hooking the Gleisbox to computer, such as the CAN Digital Bahn product suite that I am using.

I would not be able to run my trains the way I like it with a CS3.
- Martti M.
Era III analog & digital (Rocrail, CAN Digital Bahn, Gleisbox/MS2, K83/K84), C & M tracks, some Spur 1
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Offline Goofy  
#8 Posted : 20 November 2025 05:38:35(UTC)
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Goofy


Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,338
Originally Posted by: scraigen Go to Quoted Post
Hi,

I've found myself dissappointed with MS1 and MS2's limited number of locos that can be stored, and am scared off by the cost of CS3.

Is there anything inbetween?

Cheers


Have you checked Pikos new start digital WLAN?
Anyway better than Märklins MS2.
You can download Pikos new WLAN to read and study before to buy it.

H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Offline H0  
#9 Posted : 20 November 2025 07:20:15(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,530
Location: DE-NW
Originally Posted by: Goofy Go to Quoted Post
MS2 are depended of the CS3 to upgrade soft program.
Bovine scatology.
So far, updates also come via CS2. Updates can be passed from MS2 to MS2. You can get updates from friends or from dealers.

If an MS2 is still limited to 11 locos, an update is long overdue.
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
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Offline scraigen  
#10 Posted : 20 November 2025 10:13:50(UTC)
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scraigen


Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 307
Location: Sheffield,
Originally Posted by: H0 Go to Quoted Post
The MS2 has a limit of 40 locos, but supports up to 10239 addresses.

I checked the Marklin website before posing the question and it states "11 locomotives can be controlled with direct access." I took that to mean it will remember 11 that I program into it.


Originally Posted by: osoraku Go to Quoted Post
Another possibility is to run your locos using a computer and a train control program (e.g. Rocrail, but there are others). You can operate them using the gleisbox that comes along with your MS2 and some extra DIY hardware.

It's an option I would certainly consider, I might need help narrowing down the DIY choices as there seem to be a lot out there.
Must build something
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Offline H0  
#11 Posted : 20 November 2025 11:25:47(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,530
Location: DE-NW
Originally Posted by: scraigen Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: H0 Go to Quoted Post
The MS2 has a limit of 40 locos, but supports up to 10239 addresses.

I checked the Marklin website before posing the question and it states "11 locomotives can be controlled with direct access." I took that to mean it will remember 11 that I program into it.
That's correct - but they show outdated information.
The German text reads: "40 Lokomotiven im Direktzugriff steuerbar*."
They forgot to update the English text in the product database. The actual limit is 40 locos as of version 3.55 and higher.

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
UserPostedImage
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Offline scraigen  
#12 Posted : 20 November 2025 14:30:46(UTC)
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scraigen


Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 307
Location: Sheffield,
Originally Posted by: H0 Go to Quoted Post
That's correct - but they show outdated information.
The German text reads: "40 Lokomotiven im Direktzugriff steuerbar*."
They forgot to update the English text in the product database. The actual limit is 40 locos as of version 3.55 and higher.



Thanks, 40 locos is probably enough to satisfy my needs: which are basic control only. I just get fed up deleting and re-entering locos on the MS1.

I'll keep an eye on eBay for a 60657.
Must build something
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Offline David Dewar  
#13 Posted : 20 November 2025 20:39:12(UTC)
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David Dewar

Scotland   
Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 7,521
Location: Scotland
MSL Will send a CS3 to the UK for about £460 and will add 3% bonus to your account. THis comes tax free so you take the chance of it coming through our customs free of VAT which although over the limit can happen and being busy near Christmas could help. Buying Marklin for Marklin items saves problems in the future amd mine is now about 10 years old and no problems.
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer.
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