Welcome to the forum, Sachin.

Where in Sweden do you live? Just asking, in case you live close to me...

What you need is a "control unit", in your case a Märklin transformer for analog operation. I looked at Tradera, but only found older "blue" transformers which may or not be unsafe regarding electricity...

Among all the tracks you have bought, are there any tracks with red and brown cables attached to them? These are "feeder tracks" that are used to connect the track to the transformer.

The "exchange rails" are called either switches or turnouts in English railway lingo, depending upon which anglo-speaking country you are in....

Hi Sachin,

Welcome to the forum.

Hey Gautham, let's help Sachin to get his first evr train running before we introduce him to the vast possibilities of the Digital...

Or confuse/scare him from the hobby...


Sachin, this hobby has evolved a lot since the 50-70:s - including digital & computer controlled operations, sound functions and much more that is "the" standard on model railroads of today...

I think it is refreshing to see a newcomer into the hobby with the traditional basic setup you have acquired, and there are a lot possibilities to expand upon it as time goes by and you will learn a lot from this forum. Just don't be shy to ask.

Forget about "digital" and such right now - first we want to see that first train run, don't we?

BTW, I just love the 4040:s....

Thanks guys. If anyone want to confuse me, it need no hard work. I am already in heaven of confusion.

So far I am not throwing towel on this one. I am holding it well.

Does these feeder tracks seems to be allright??
http://www.tradera.com/a...mpage.aspx?aid=118715772

Searching for Input needs for Loco 3029 and what transformer will do the trick.

Yes, I will hold horses. No point in blowing hard earned money on stuff that is utter useless.

I do not have feeder tracks that you mentioned. Will wait and see when I get all the stuff I have bought so far.

In meantime if anyone got any clue about what kind of transformer I shall have, it would be great.

Thanks guys.

Ok.
Now Sachin, There is something called CS2 and there is also computer control. What you need to do is.........Just kidding

If we want to keep things simple and get a good start then I would say forget about what you have bought up to now (most can be used at a later date)
Buy a Marklin starter set with an MS2 controller. You will get everything you need to get your train running round the track and therefore understand the basics. Starter sets usually include a booklet with track plans etc which will give future ideas.
Go slowly and with a start set you will have gained most of the information you require and can then come back to the forum here for any advice or comments. Also buy a Marklin catalogue which gives useful information.
Have fun

dave

Sachin,
it was recommended that you opt for one of the newer transformers, as they are equipped with safety features and slightly modified voltage tolerances.
You can probably find one on eBay or at a dealer like Lokshop or Schweickhardt in Germany.
Buying a modern Start Set will give you a train, the transformer and some tracks for a very reasonable price.
When I decided to go with the new "C Tracks", I bought a Set with two loks, freight and passenger cars and a digital controller and transformer. I got all of that for the price of the two loks and three coaches alone.
I would recommend that you consider starting by buying the Maerklin catalog. It will give you a general idea of what is available, the model numbers, which will help you when you are shopping, as well as information about how to connect the variouss parts together.
Welcome to the hobby and welcome to the Forum.

Regards from Canada

Mike C

Hi Sachim, perhaps im not the right person person to advice you...........
You got old M tracks and a blue transformer!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is the right way to start in marklin, with the original stuff..........then you can later upgrade to the newest tech thingys.........
You can mail me for anu question you may still have
Regards
Francisco

Hi Henrik. Glad you agree with me. By now Sachin will be so confused he may well give up. All the advice is of course well meant but presumes some understanding of Marklin and all its old and new items.


dave

Seems to me that Sachin has already decided that he wants to stay with the older analog items. Advice to buy the newer digital starter sets, while well intentioned, and maybe even correct in being pointed out, doesn't answer the original question, and may confuse him somewhat.

Sachin, you can still use any of the blue transformers if this is all you can obtain. Try to get one with the plastic case, like in Caralain's picture (6631), as this one is not so old. The older metal bodied transformers have been known to have their insulation break down, thus presenting an electrocution risk. Beware that transformers have various power ratings, starting at 10va, then 16va and finally 32va. The higher the rating the more locos and other things you can run off it. Be aware that there are also 40va transformers available, but these do not have a red loco control throtle so cannot control your locos, they are only suitable for powering lights and such like on a layout. Again, if you get one of these transformer types, you will need to get some plugs of the type shown in Caralian's picture, so that you can plug the feeder track into the transformer. Unfortunately, Marklin do not produce them any more, so you may have to ask around at a hobby store to find some. With the newer 6647 transformer, you don't need the plugs, as the transformer accepts bare wire.


As Henrik suggests, you need to make sure any M track you buy has the studded 3rd rail in the centre. All Marklin locos have a centre slider mounted on the loco which is used to pick up power from the track.

If you do buy a starter set, as suggested by some, you will not be able to use the loco(s) you already have without major conversion work. That is because the new starter sets are digitally powered and your locos are what we call analog powered. This means if you put your loco on track powered by a digital controller, it will only run at one speed, and that is maximum speed. That is because the digital controllers put a constant 18 volts onto the track, which your analog loco will interpret to run at full speed.

There are adapter tracks available to connect your M track to the newer C track, should you ever buy new track or buy a starter set with C track in it.

You should also be aware of a third type of Marklin track, K track, which has plastic ties mounted on the rails, and no preformed roadbed. Again, you cannot connect K track to your M track without proper connection tracks. All three track types do (should) have the centre studded 3rd rail.

The other thing to note is that you should not use these blue transformers directly with any of the newer digital locos, as the voltage output is again too high for some of the newer locos, and may destroy the electronics inside them. Another good reason why you should get a 6647 transformer, as they are compatible with the new locos.

Ok, here is the update. I went to local hobby shop in Gothenburg and there I found what I wanted.

A feeder track for 25 SEK and transformer 6647. There were also old blue heavy ones for like 300SEK but I decided to buy a new one with 2 years warranty. It is expensive(698SEK) but I guess I will be good for few years on that one.

Got some M tracks too and with what I had at home and new ones tried to make running loop. Coule not join two end of tracks so had to improvise and complete manually using normal wires.

It worked. Loco moved ahead.

Although two of old used one tracks I have now seems to stall the loco sometimes. I have identified two such tracks.

One reason might be as my loop is odd shaped,tracks might not be fitting together well.

Any tips on how to check of the piece of track is working well or not?

My camera battery is down and charging now. Once charged shall post some pictures to provide light entertainment to you all :) The loop looks way too strange.
Saving grace is: Loco runs.

Will buy some more curved M tracks tomorrow and will try to make a decent loop.
So far it felt good.

Hello Sachin.

I'm sorry to tell you that Henrik ( With the fantastic eyesight ) are right, the 9 curved and 3 straigt lot has been destroyed and are useless.

Frank has got a used 6647, for which he wants 125,- Danish kroner, that is a fair price: http://www.marklin-model....dk/Tilbehor-digital.htm
( Don't get confused about the word "digital" in the link.)

If you buy a set like this you will get new tracks, a 6647 transformer, a ( plastic ) locomotive and two ugly plastic waggons:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Markl...&hash=item51953f5ac6

( More pictures here; but this auction is over: http://cgi.ebay.at/MARKL...MPFLOK-OVP-/250679594633 )

Per.

P.S: I now see that you have spend more money on just a transformer than you could have gotten a complete startset for

Hello again Sachin.

Here is what you could have bought from Nettog in Denmark, also with a 2 years warranty:

http://www.shop.nettog.dk/product.asp?product=121

749,- Danish kroner + shipping.

I think somebody told you to wait and not spend any more money before you where advised

Per.

P.S: One item that NEVER breaks is a 6647 transformer, you don't need a warranty

P.P.S: IMPORTANT!!! Is there any chance you could take the 6647 transformer back to the store,
and either get your money back or get something else?? TRY IT !!!

Thanks mates.

Yes, I will try to see if I can return it. More I think, more I realize how stupid the deal looks like.


If I could return this one and get something cheaper one from this place it shall be like 300-400 SEK.

With 125 DKK and shipping it will for sure cross over 225DKK(may be more as it is around 1.5 kg or so) which is like 280 SEK. So I guess it can be better to buy one locally or??

Fishtankfishy wrote:

I just checked Postdanmark-prices, cheapest solution if it can be kept below 2 kgs is 121,- Danish kroner.

Has the hobbystore in Gothenburg got a webpage? Maybe we could help you find something to trade your 6647 for.

Per.

Here...
http://www.hobbycenter.se/

Per has it right. You can spend more money buying old bits and pieces much of which is obsolete than you would on a brand new up to date start set.
It would mean that the older locos already obtained would need to be upgraded but in time this opens up a new part to the hobby.
M track is fine if you already have lots of it but the advantage of C track with better running and turnout decoders under the ballast etc is way ahead. If you want the look of real ballast and enjoy the work then K track is the way to go.
I still say get a start set and most if not all of your questions so far will be answered just be setting up the track and running the loco. Probably save you cash as well.

dave

Sachin, I think the problem with your loop may be that you have different sized curves. You need to make sure you have all the same type.

In Marklin M track there are 3 curves with differing radii.

First is the 5120 curves with a 285mm radius (measured to the centre rail), these should be avoided at all costs, as they are too tight for longer locomotives.

Next is the standard curves, the 5100 at 360mm radius. Marklin design their locos to be able to negotiate this curve as a minimum.

Last is the 5200 curves, at 437.4mm.

You need to make sure all of your curves are the same type. You need 12 of either 5100 or 5200 to make a loop, and only 8 of 5120.

If you look underneath the rails, you will see the item number printed on the edge of the rail.

Oh dear! The 5206 curves are of the same radius as the 5200 curves, but are designed for use as the return curve for a 5202 turnout. the 5100/5200 curves are 30 degree curves, the 5206 are only 24 degree 17 minutes, so you need a 5205 make up curve to convert a 5206 into a 5200 curve.

Best that you try and obtain either 12 5100 curves or 12 5200 curves.

Or, maybe take up Per's offer of one of his starter sets with the newer C track. You can still use the loco and freight cars and transformer you have with it. The M track you have could be sold on ebay.

One thing you should also do is get a Marklin catalog. I have posted download links to all Marklin catalogs between 1950 and 2010 in this thread - https://www.marklin-user...aspx?g=posts&t=12093 - I suggest you should download one that has M tracks in it (the last was 2000), and maybe the current 2010 catalog. If you continue to want to buy M track, the catalog will help you ensure you buy the right pieces.

Update:
I have returned the 6647 trafo and got a store credit.
Also picked up few 5100 as suggested BDNZ and on my way home picked up smaller Märklin 37540 for 100 SEK. Hooked up everything and it ran smoothly.

So cute. You eventually opted for the "blue". Pay attention: you are being contaminated by a difficult virus to eradicate by regular medication.

Enjoy without moderation!

Pierre

Hi Sachin ,

it's called Industrie-Kreis (or Industrie-Radius) - only small (and a very few articulated) locos can manage it.
You do a great start with marklins - congratulations, Sir !

Have fun ,
John

BTW, Sachin - that transformer #37540 is one excellent little controller (we still use one for the occasional carpet layout).
Its only downside: he is a bit on the "sharp" side when it comes to decoders - fries 'em in blue smoke
So please only use it for classic locos with electro-mechanical reverse unit, they are just built for this voltage