Hello, new person here. My kids and I setup some of my father-in-law's old Marklin trains yesterday. They're from the 50s/60s, we're blessed with plenty of M-track and a 280A transformer. Is there a safer modern version of the transformer we could use to continue to run the analog trains with? The 280A we have has 6 receptacles on the back, 2 for trains, 2 for lights and 2 for switches and accepts the bullet style plugs.

Also second hand blue plastic transformers like 6631 etc (don't know the correct one for your voltage). These are cheap.

I'd advise not using your old metal blue one, even from here I can see the insulation on the earth lead is cracking.

Read this and scare yourself!

https://www.marklin-user...Metal-Transformer-Danger

Just a pair of sidecutters or wirestrippers to bare the wires. To fit the wire, you push the spring loaded lug in, put the wire in place and then let go of the lug. That will hold the wire in place while making contact.

Picture of the lugs on the rear of a new style transformer.

Hi,

The modern transformer 6647 works fine for all products from 1952. Only the switches made before 1952 need 20V for remote switching instead of the 16V a modern transformer will deliver. If your switches have three coloured wires, everything will work fine, switches with only two wires will be "weak" if you try to switch them.

Regards

Markus