Lewis, I don't have Gauge 1 myself but I do convert these locos to digital and with sound decoders but these type of conversions aren't cheap, XL decoders are usually sold for A$ 360.00 and than you can get synchronized steam generators.

John

Lewistrain, before you buy any 1-gauge, please do your homework

Generally, my recommendation is to stay away from older locs with item numbers starting with 57, as these in almost all cases are with an Ahlstrom-motor and internal ( noisy ) gears. It is possible to make them digital; but the price and the trouble is IMHO too high, compared to the relative small price difference up to a newer loc.

Newer locs have item numbers starting with 55; if they are 55xx they are usually digital with DC-motor, and much better detail; but not all are with sound.

Locs with 5-figure item numbers, 55xxx, are the newest, in many cases the same body as the 55xx locs; but with a newer decoder and more sounds.

For wagons, first generations had plastic wheels and stiff puffers, where newer wagons have metal wheels and puffers with in-build spring.

Per.

thanks guys, any info on these is appreciated.
the locos i saw on german ebay were as so
https://www.ebay.de/itm/...4597a:g:RbQAAOSwHgdatMQ4
https://www.ebay.de/itm/...c646c:g:SXQAAOSwY7VZibvY

Even with the conversion to AUD these are still not too bad considering a HO mikado or such is over 600 AUD.

any other thoughts?

The V100 is a really fin loc, a very strong puller and totally quiet motor. It comes from the startset 55033, and has build in motor sound and horn, in very good quality. I have "a few", and they all have breaking sounds; but I've heard that some were made without. Even the price is OK; you can sometimes get lucky and get them cheaper; but not much cheaper. One of the best you can get for not too much money. Take it

The 5713 BR55 however, I will strongly recommend that you stay away from it. The so called "sound" sounds like an AM-radio without antenna and not catching any station; the motor and gears are VERY noisy and you'll end up hating the loco. There are at the moment several item number 5505 BR55s for more or less the same price; which is a much better loco.

https://www.ebay.de/sch/..._from=R40&_nkw=br+55

The original sound in the 5505 is also not up to today's standard and the build in decoder is for the old Märklin system ( Unless already exchanged, which is often the case ); but since the are born with a DC motor, all you need to do if you want a state of the art loco with fantastic sounds, is to build in a ESU Loksound XL 4.

Important is that you understand, that the term "digital with sound" on these 55xx locs does not always mean that they run digital out of the box on whatever digital system you have now; but that they because of the DC motor easily can be converted.

The 57xx locos have a 3 pole AC / Ahlstrom coffee grinder motor and is not easily converted, and even if, is still not worth it, IMHO.

Per.

Wow thanks so much for the in depth info about the different models and their litttle quirks and such. The coffee grinder noise is also quite bad in many marklin HO models. I have been lately searching which models have normal can motors instead of the marklin motors, as they are just too loud and sound terrible. Looks like I will have to wait a while to take any action on this. Thsnks again everyone.

Must say the idea has crossed my mind several times,sell all the H0 stuff and opt for spectacular gauge 1.
Problem is i cannot depart from my beloved H0 items,which means there is a budget issue.

Eventually,i would like to buy a gauge 1 model for static display in a clear display case in the livingroom,could be Marklin or another brand.
Marklin 55900 Br 01 147 or KM1 Br 01 512 spring into mind.
Going price anything between Euro 1,500.- and Euro 2,500.-

Space is not an issue if you keep them static,like in a railwaymuseum.

http://www.km-1.de/html/lokomotiven.html

While I myself will never leave HO completely, I have been bitten by the gauge 1 bug and actually have sold off some of my LGB narrow gauge pieces to fund purchases. I am keeping most of my gauge 1 to the old Maxi line as my overhead indoor line has 600mm curves. The detail level of the class 140 electric locomotive as more than enough for me and it looks good next to my Aster SBB Eb 3/5 live steamer. If you love the feel of tinplate/metal and want the size of gauge 1, Maxi is the way to go. Not all the items in that old series were toy like. Mike