Can someone please explain the difference between the various motors offered by M. I'm only interested in the latest models, i.e the 5-pole, high efficiency propulsion or the C-sine.
Also, while on the subject, which is the better decoder in a loco - fx or mfx?

Generally MFX IMO had the advantage in smoother speed changes and more flexible operation - courtesy of 128 speed steps as opposed to FX. I could never get my FX models to match the MFX models in terms of smoothness of acceleration or deceleration. It also allows more functions - up to 16 (useful on sound loks).

By Marklin model numbers for current generation of models;

36xxx - Most will generally use cheaper can motor (cost about 10 Euros as I recall) and universally equipped with FX decoder.

37xxx - Most comes with MFX - although occassionally some odd models comes with FX. Two types of motors are used across this range;
90% models in this range uses the 5-pole DCM. eg; BR 50, 44, BR 103, BR 78, etc.
Generally they are very robust, but also the noisiest and prone to "jerkiness" if dirty. Little oiling on armature bearing is required from time-to-time to keep them running smoothly.

The other 10% loks in the 37xxx range use can motors ranging from the really cheap ones (rare) to maxxon/faulhaber. eg; Seetal Croc, ICE-3, Big Boy, BR 45, Mak Diesels. Generally they are quieter and smoother, competitive to Sinus models.

39xxx - C-Sine motor locomotive - considered to be flagship motor for Marklin line-ups.
Anything produced before 2006 are universally equipped with the first gen "Large" Sinus motor and custom FX decoders. This motor is actually developed to fit into existing DCM tooling with little modifications. The biggest disadvantage of the old Sinus is that the motor is that they are incompatible with other decoders other than the factory-fitted ones - which also house a special driver for the motor.

Starting from 2006 onwards - excepting a few models in 2006 - all new 39xxx locos came with MFX and a second generation Compact Sinus motor (after 2007 is called SDS) - quieter, smoother, smaller, and cheaper than the first gen motor. Marklin now use a seperate driver board for the motor, decoders are ordinary MFX with 21-pin plug.

So, 36xx series do not have accelerate/braking delay, Am I coorect?

Equally important to note also is that other than the old 6080 and Delta decoders, ALL FX and MFX Marklin digital decoders have load compensation feature - ability to maintain consistent speed under varying load conditions (climbing an incline, etc.)

CN, the best place to find out that information is Helmut Kern's site at http://www.bahn.hfkern.de/Maerklin/Menue.html

There, he lists most models, when they were produced, what motor/decoder/reversing unit they have, the loco's running numbers, and what colour scheme the model was in.

So, for your example of the 3638, we see that it was produced in 1991, and has a DCM motor with a 6080 decoder.

He also has information for Trix, Roco, Fleischmann and others.

For that, go to http://www.hfkern.gmxhome.de/

Well I must admit that I don't think I have any locos with 6080 decoders in them. But all the cheaper decoders I have (60760, LP 2.x/3.x, 36xxx series locos) all have acceleration/braking delay.

Delta decoders do not have any acceleration/braking delay or load compensation.

No, 6090 only has 14 speed steps. Load regulation is not as good as with 6090x decoder.
Even some 37xxx models have a 6090 decoder.


You say it: there are various motors!

Even the 36xxx locos show some variations.
The hobby models BR 185 / ER 20 have cheap 3-pole motors. "Maintenance free" means you need a new motor when the brushes are worn.
Some have normal 5-pole high-efficiency propulsion (e. g. BR 89.0 #30000).
Some like Glaskasten BR 98.3 #36862 are no hobby models and have special motors and mfx.

37xxx locos also have motors with bell-shaped armatures, some even have Compact C-Sine or SDS (but in general 39xxx is reserved for C-Sine, Compact C-Sine, and SDS).

5-pole high-efficiency propulsion (HEP) is good, but many are noisy. The hobby 3-pole motor is about as noisy as the HEP. Other types are normally quieter and (at least) as good as HEP.

If you'd check the M* product database you'd see that it has an fx decoder now.
Believe me, the one I bought a few years ago has an fx decoder and a 5-pole DC motor (a.k.a. HEP).

https://www.marklin-user...ws/showreview.asp?ID=333
https://www.marklin-user...88&SearchTerms=30000

Hi, Tim,

don't forget:

ESU OEM LokPilot (MM only): around 2004, 14 or 28 speed steps

Delta decoders: 6603 with solder pads, 6603 with DIP switch, 66031, 66032 (80 addresses, 27 speed steps (probably better than the old 6080))


Re 6090x: new controllers will show 27 speed steps (e. g. CS1)

being a 36xx series it has a 6080 decoder. This means it has a standard AC motor - 3 pole.
These 6080 decoders are pretty basic, they do not have acceleration/braking delay or anything.

I have to admit that it is impossible for Marklin to add all of information about motor/decoder type to CS, bec. there are too many variation. I have 3 different versions of 3xxx.x, e.g. an early version of Delta decoder (may be 89') with speed dependant headlight, later (94') with constant headlight and current model fx decoder with on/off light function.

Applor, Thanks for info.

Yes - if you select the MM27 protocol.
There also is a MM28 protocol for current non-mfx ESU decoders (e. g. in BR 120 #37537, #37538).