Hello there,

I am back to playing with my trains after almost a decade away. I have just dug out my old Intellibox that seems to be working, except it will not read and use the programming track. My decoders are old MM, Delta and some DCC ones. The question is now, what is new? Should I find a new controller? If yes, what would that be?

Since you have an Intellibox, an Intellibox II might be of interest.



http://www.uhlenbrock.de/de_DE/...ntryInfo=0004.0.I000C67D



Actually, a Mobile Station 2 can store up to 40 locomotives.

Plus, there is no such thing as a Mobile Station 3. You are referring to the Mobile Station 2 with a black case, the earlier ones had a grey case.



I don't think the CS2 can be purchased new, unless you find one that is in stock at a dealer - I can only see 2 available on ebay, including this obscenely priced one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/...7e2ba:g:bkoAAOSwdoVZfs1z

Thank you, any views on the new Intellibox versus Marklin?

Short answer - no.

Longer answer - depending on what you want to do yourself vs already packaged and done for you, there are several options. If you can control all of the locomotives by DCC, and not need MM or MFX you may have even more options.

For computer control, the main thing you need out of the equipment is to allow the computer control software to generate and get the track signaling data to and from the track digital stream. There are several systems that allow you to do that including the Central Station 2 & 3 and other main controllers.

There is also a hobby solution that lets you use just your Märklin trackbox (from say a Mobile Station 2 kit) and using a controller board (BananaPi) and a daughter card (you have to buy this as a kit the guy developing it - there are threads here ( https://www.marklin-user...-Box-and-mfx-programming ) and on Stummi ( https://www.stummiforum....pic.php?f=7&t=146143 ) - so the combination as big as 2 packs of cards at a cost of $100 or so can get you a system that eliminates the need for a full station. If you don't need the buttons and big screen on the likes of a CS2/CS3, and are willing to do a bit of electrical work and linux configuration (the board) that may be a viable option. I'm looking down this path myself - the current development is that the developer is working on getting the MFX registration feedback working right, and then will be getting the kit. Combining that with what is called the AutoFuse (another kit) that gets you with a power booster module a 4 zone power booster solution, one can get a solid power distribution and signalling system without having to buy a Central Station or similar from other makers. But it is a non-commercial product, so all of the issues that come with that - so if you need a more turnkey polished solution then an updated late model CS2 with the latest 32 function firmware would be the solution.

Running S88 directly to the computer and not through the Central Station has been the wisdom of old, due to the latency/processor overload of delivering the S88 signal state to the computer software. Not sure if/whether the CS3 has addressed that bottleneck.

Once I get that solution working I'm planning to do a write-up on how to set it up, or report on how it doesn't work well for me depending on how it turns out. I'm expecting to have an answer by this time next year... so for now you'd also be a beta tester if you jumped in now.

Right now he's testing an SMD version alongside the traditional through-hold built up daughter card, and working the MFX feedback in the firmware.


Additionally there are projects to control the system via a RaspberryPi as well: https://www.marklin-user...trolling-a-MS2-from-a-PC

Depends what kind of system you want for your layout.
MS2 is more comfort for the standard layout which there is not so many locomotive to control.
CS2/3 are more advance and of course more expensive.
This is more playful but does it really good for small layouts?
You choice and what your wally says.
There is other products to use by control digital locomotives.
The most important for the digital system is possible to choice protocols.
I have Lenz and this system allows only DCC protocol.
Märklin do have now multi protocol decoders in the locomotives which means you can use even DCC protocol with the three rail and not only mfx/MM.
If you want to use MS2 there is limit function of it.
More advance digital system is more fun and better choice than MS2.