There are actually three different types of propulsion used in 37xxx models.

The most common one is the one that corresponds to the 60901 conversion kit. This is a five pole DC motor which is in many ways similar to the standard Märklin 3 pole AC motor. There is no separate flywheel in these motors, but the rotor works more or less as a flywheel. The smooth driving characteristics of these models are acheived by electronic regulation in the decoder. This works very well as long as you have power to the lok, but the lok can come to a rather abrupt stop if the power is lost.

The two other types are based on the motor concept which is in German called "Glockenancker". These models typically have separate flywheels. The two types differ in that some models (e.g. 37645 which I have myself) lack the electronic speed regulation and only rely on the flywheel, whereas some other models (e.g. some but far from all Wurth. C models) also have electronic regulation.

I don't have any C-sine models myself, but everyone says they are superior to the 37xxx models. But is you go for C-sine models only, you will have a rather limited set of models to choose from...

Hi all,

>>The two other types are based on the motor concept which is in German called "Glockenancker". These models typically have separate flywheels. The two types differ in that some models (e.g. 37645 which I have myself) lack the electronic speed regulation and only rely on the flywheel, whereas some other models (e.g. some but far from all Wurth. C models) also have electronic regulation.<<

I have found that the 37550 does not have electronic regulation,the 'new' decoder in the 37554 does.

>>I don't have any C-sine models myself, but everyone says they are superior to the 37xxx models. But is you go for C-sine models only, you will have a rather limited set of models to choose from...<<

I would say that depends.I have some 37XXX loks that perform and are as quiet as the C-sine loks I have,...
I do think that we'll see more C-sine loks in the future as they fit into the same space as a 60901,the only problem is finding the space for the electronics.


Kevin!

Hi Bill,all,

>Are C-sines total electronic speed control or do they operate in conjunction with a flywheel? <<

They are controled thru the electronics,they do not have a flywheel per say,...

>>Are they very expensive compared to the other loks because of the electronics or the mechanism alone? <<

Not really,...my BR01.10 (37102) was actually more expensive than my 'new' BR01.10 (39103),which came with more functions and a sound module.

Kevin!

Hi Bill,all,

>>I do think Marklin has led the way with sound in HO scale...I think most HO scalers in the US would be suprised if they knew how much sound was available<<

Well Märklin was the first to sell mass produced HO loks with sound.But IMHO ESU is the real leader in model railroad sound.
here's a posting from the DCC site:

>>Loksound is still on the web. Their address is:
http://www.loksound.de/index.php
Unfortunately almost everything on their site is in German, except
for
a few downloads:
Go to this page http://www.loksound.de/index.php?par=d0301 and click
on "ESU Produktübersicht 2002". This will give You a product
description in German and English.
On this page http://www.loksound.de/index.php?par=d0300 You can
download English user manuals for the lokPilot decoder (w/o sound)
and
the LokSound2 decoder (with sound).
On this page http://www.loksound.de/index.php?par=d0303 You can
listen
to sound samples. Some key words: "Dampflock" means steam engine and
"Elok" is an electric engine. The rest should be self explanatory.
Click on the symbol in the column "DEMO". In the "LS" columns are
ready made sound files that can only be used with ESU's own
LokProgrammer, to download them onto a ESU decoder. In the column
"Archiv" You can download the individual sound files that make up the
complete sound as used on a decoder. So You can pick and choose
single
files, e.g. horn, brake squeal etc.
Please keep in mind that most of the sounds are from German engines!
There are some US sound files but not that many. But what sets this
decoder apart from others is the fact that any part, or the complete
sound can be overwritten with Your own sound! That also means that
when You get tired of that steamer sound (or maybe sell the steam
engine) You can install the same decoder into a diesel or electric
loco and record a sound according to the new engine.
You can also find some information in English on my site:
http://www.mrsonline.net/
and follow the ESU logo.

Kevin!