Welcome to the forum Charlie, Lexington eh? Home of the IBM Selectric Typewriter, another of my interests.

There's nothing wrong with the vintage track and many would say if you're specifically acquiring Locos and rolling stock from that period then you should extend that also to the track, and accessories.

You have then the choice of specifically what style of track?

The 50's saw the highest amount of track design changes.

1: Introduction of stud contacts to replace the continuous centre rail

2: Hollow rails made from rolled tin to replace the earlier solid brass rails

3: The desirable 'Modellers' track was introduced, plastic sleepers, more accurate profile, two further radii, (38xx, 39xx)

4: Catalogue Numbering system changed from 1957 (same physical track but new catalogue codes). Track codes are printed on the bottom edge of the track base, near the joiners.

Prior to the 50's, you will come across track with wider spacing between the sleepers, quite a wide variation in the colour appearance also.

All of this track can be mixed, but generally you should not mix them willy-nilly. Try to maintain continuous sections of the same track to look more visually appealing (personal taste of course).

But you can just as easily use more modern C-track (and even K track) if you prefer, and C-track is very easy to work with but be aware when buying Loco's that very early models may have the older 'spoon' type centre pickups rather than the longer 'ski' style. The spoon collectors can ONLY be used with continuous third rail, not with the stud type. But ski collectors will work with all types of track.

Very early turnouts were single action, meaning one solenoid to toggle the track direction. Double solenoids mean a seperate control wire each for straight and branch.

Conversion to 110AC should not be an issue. That is totally down to the choice of Transfomer/s, but this is one area where many will advise you should get controllers from no earlier than the 70's, and more specifically those with plastic cases, not metal. This is because of a potentially dangerous situation with perished mains-flex. Older Transfomers can be made safe of course, but only by a qualified electrician or appliance technician.

Early plastic cases are Blue, White cases were introduced in the 1980's

As for sources of items, well some trading does go on right here. Next is the obvious eBay, Craigslist etc, there are a couple (or more) of Märklin trading groups on Facebook.

Personally, I love the older stuff, as do many others here so there is no shortage of support and inspiration.

This should be a starting point to help you along. Some photos of what you already have would be great

Cheers

Cookee

Hi Charlie,

For analog operation, I recommend the newer "white box" transformers, #6646. You can find them reasonably priced through a number of Maerklin dealers. I have several and they provide the right amount of power for all my vintage locomotives. As for track, I'm an old-school M Track fan: there's a certain sound created by the hollow rails on the sheet metal roadbed to accompany the smell of ozone from those open frame motors that really takes me back :)

You have some very nice pieces and no doubt more will follow soon... enjoy the journey!

Why convert to 110 V AC? Convert to 120 V AC to be on the safe side (e.g. Märklin 6646). Avoid transformers made for 110 V AC.