Last year I managed to buy on ebay the locomotive 36159 , the digital version of the 30159 which is the reproduction of the 3015 in brown color. I want the 36159 because my 3015 is analog and I have a digital layout. My big surprise was when I received the 30159, with a box and paperworks of a 36159 [:0]. Apparently it was a mistake of the seller he had the two versions and he confused the boxes and he was unable to solve this problem. For that reason I began my search for a decoder that can handle this modell as the locomotive engine is big and consumes more than 2Amps. The original Märklin decoder is discontinued and it had a price of 118 Euro and therefore I started to search a decoder that could fix the modell. Finally translating some webpages in German I found a person that had make the conversion with a Profilok brand decoder type PD303 which handles up 3Amps, handles Motorola and DCC format and has acceleration and breaking delay for an AC motor and with the same size of a decoder Märklin 6090 for about 42 euros. Thanks to this decoder and the web page of Bernd's model train site I have an improved 36159 it runs very well and the decoder drives the motor and all lights with no problem. Here you can see Bernd's upgrade of his two 30159 to digital with photos http://berndsmodellbahn.spaces.live.com
The Profilok decoders are available at http://www.hobby-eberhardt.de/

I have the 36159, and it is quite a monster for a HO Crocodile.

I can remember when electrical power tools were metal and had no sound absorbtion or spark prevention qualities. The tools were very noisy and short sparks out. The grinding of the gears was very exciting to me as a youngster.

My 36159 sounds almost exactly like this in my opinion.

It looks and feels like a solid block of lead rolling down the track.

Hi Eduardo,

I have converted my 3015 using a c80 decoder and it works well.

Ross