This is surely a repeat topic, for that I apologize. I'm trying to figure out what I would need to "go digital" with my layout in the most economic way possible.

My current layout is analog, I have three electrically isolated loops, each with a 32va transformer (and some isolated parking yards), and about 18 two-way turnouts, 2 three-ways and a couple of uncouplers, signals (not currently setup for block, but was thinking about it one day). I'm running K track, all of my power sections are 2292 (with the capacitor).

I understand with digital I would not need to isolate the sections of the layout, unless I wanted to section part of it off for analog operation. For this discussion, I would assume the entire layout will be digital.

I want to be able to run 3-4 locos on my layout at the same time, with more parked (9-10 total including those running). I probably don't want to invest in decoders yet, so the turnouts, etc could remain analog. I don't have that many locos overall, 8 analog and 6 digital.

What would I need? I was looking at an MS or MS-2, but I am not sure what other things (boosters, connections, etc) I would need to "plug and play" with a M or MS-2? I'm not worried about converting the analog locos at this point, if I need to do that there is tons of information here as there are many experts!

Thank you.

Thanks H0. I would assume a booster per isolated section?

Brandon:

Your digital needs sound similar to mine. I can tell you that I ended up doing the following:

ECOS 2 - Transformer built in and it provides 4 Amps - So for running 4-5 trains no need for a booster. (Price approx. $750)
Switches, if they are already motorized you only need the decoders. I would recomend Switchpilot's, they can control 4 swith motors each (price about $37 each)

And then I would recommend the lokpilot decoders, no sound, (price approx. $40 with the magnet)

So total cost to go totally digital with your switches, engines and track control -

8 Engines * $40 = $320
Ecos 2 = $750
Digital control of Switches 6 switch pilots * $37 = $240 (I rounded up)

So everything for about $1300. Of course you can add digital to the switches later or a few at a time and same with the conversion of the engines.

And all that would be required is wiring the Ecos to your track and then wiring the switches to the switchpilots and converting the 8 engines. And you are fully digital. The only other thing I didn't mention was adding S88's for track detection but I use LED's and at this time I don't use any of the feedback features an S88 would offer. (But again the ECOS would allow for that should you decide to go down that path.)

Again, this is what I did for my layout and I am very happy with the ESU products with my Markling engines and I am sure if you ask the members on here can tell you the Marklin equivalents as well.

I hope this helps.

The full instruction booklet included with booster.

Ah, that makes sense. Now I understand.

It sounds like the MS2 includes a power supply (36w).

So, in a very basic implementation I would need:

-MS2
-Connector box
-Transformer (optional, if I required more power than the basic MS2 power supply)

In this model, would a separate MS2 connector box with built in booster also be applied each isolated sections if power expansion was needed beyond a single transformer? Or since it also as the encoder, can there be only one?

And can multiple feeder track be run into the same connector box?

Chris - thank you also for good options with Ecos, I will add it to the options to weigh.

No, MS2 can't give more power than the power supply that comes with it.

Märklin offer no boosters for use with MS2. Delta Controls and some non-Märklin boosters can still be used. I suggest to cross that bridge when you get to it (if you decide to go the MS2 way).

Now I see some of the expansion benefits of CS2 vs. MS2.

I was confused by the change of architecture from MS1 to MS2. In the case of MS2, I now understand it's really a pretty simple setup excluding accessories such as switches.

For running locos on the track, if using MS2 I would need:

60653 (Mobil station 2)
60113 (Digital connector box for MS2)
60055 (60va Transformer). This one is optional, only if I need more power than the 36w included with MS2.

If the switches were analog, I would continue "blue boxes" and use my existing analog transformer for powering them. If they were converted to digital, in addition to decoders, would I need to get dedicated 60055 for powering the switches, or can they still run off analog transformers in this case? Since they are power with a transformer independent of the MS2 track power, I don't see why not, but maybe there is something I have missed here?

Thanks again for helping me with this, I know it's pretty basic.

The Viessmann 5211 allow power from an independent source. I use them myself and have had no problems.

I operate my turnouts in the analogue manner from the power output of the track box.

Red wire from track box to Yellow of turnout.
Brown to selection box, and the normal blue/green to turnout.
Works well.

Hi!
This is all you need (as Shintaro already confirmed).
On eBay you may be able to get these three items in a set from an unbundled starterset.