I also have this 26 year old train that runs perfect, and I want to convert it to digital, but don’t know how and I dont know what model it is, it was from a started set. I saw alot of online videos, but what kind of decoder would I need, and I heard you can have a decoder that allows you to upload your own sound effects is that true?

Good morning

Yes, you can insert a sound decoder into that diesel locomotive.
And yes, you can customise your own sounds for some sound decoders.
But you will require some hardware and some software :

1) You will need to replace the motor inside the locomotive with a more modern high efficiency motor.
You may need either the 60941 or the 60944 motor kit ... you would need to determine this from size of the current motor in the locomotive.
Perhaps removing the top cover and taking a picture of the existing motor would enable us to let you know which motor you require.

2) You will need a sound decoder. I use the Marklin Sound Decoder 60986 for diesel locomotives like this. Other decoders may also be suitable.

3) If you use the Marklin sound decoder, then you can customise the sounds by having various Marklin hardware and software options.
I have downloaded the Marklin Sound Library (mDecoder Tool) onto my laptop, and this software allows you to select a range of sounds from the Marklin Sound Library, and to compile a sound project for your loco. I use the Marklin CS2 connected to my laptop computer to upload sounds for my locos.

4) There are even other options for Marklin using a sound decoder with a wiring harness and a decoder programmer connected to your laptop,
and there are options for other brands too.

Regards
John

Hello

Thank you for the good pictures.
That old motor is a Large Flat Commutator Motor (LFCM).

The modern high efficiency motor which you require is therefore the Marklin 60944 kit. As mentioned in one of the attached threads, the new motor magnet will perhaps require a slight filing down in one corner to get it to fit neatly into the chassis.

As I mentioned previously, the Marklin 60986 Sound Decoder would be suitable, but some other brands would have suitable sound decoders too.
Which Digital Controller will you be using ?
Reason for my question relates to the choice of Sound Decoder.
If you have a Marklin Digital Controller, then the Marklin Sound Decoder would be my choice.

I should mention as well that it would be highly recommended to swap the old lights for new lights, in particular because the old lights will flicker due to the old method of connection to ground AC in the light socket. Hence, two light sockets Marklin E276770 and two lights E600080 would be suitable replacements.


Regards
John

The 3072 can be converted with the 60944 motor.

But the new motor is thicker than the old one. So you need to do alterations on the loco body and the field magnet to fit the motor in.

Is not an easy conversion!!!!

Some pictures from my conversion:

The Original



The two magnets


Some metal must be filled for the thicker magnet and the screw to be fitted






The new motor in place!!!





Next problem:
The magnet is to thick and on curves has a contact with the rear bogie


So you need to file some metal from the magnet where is marked




Better now


Final motor assembly: be careful the two screws are not the same!!!





Everything in place working fine


The loco ready



The WW and Red LED lights is another story......




I hope that this will help you because there is no other way if you want a 5pole motor

If you have any problems during the conversion don't hesitate to ask.

Have fun

Best regards

Costas

Why not?
The 6021 can control up to 17 functions with current ESU decoders and 15 or 16 functions with current Märklin decoders.
There is no MS3. The MS2 cannot upload sound projects to the decoder, so sticking to the 6021 for a while is a valid option IMHO.

Wow Very impressive work, thanks for the detailed instructions Costas, I am definitely following your method of conversion. 2 things come to mind:
1. I noticed the digital decoder in the loco in the pic does not have a switch board of numbers to assign the address.
2. And would the model 60944 be compatible running using a 6021?
Thanks again

The decoder is an mFx sound decoder (dip switches are 20 years old story)

To use your own sound is possible with Märklin mSD3 decoders as well with the ESU LokSound 5 decoders.

To do that you need special hardware and software and a lot of knowledge. Is better to leave this to somebody with experience in sound decoders at the moment.

Costas

Wow this is very informative and valuable infos. It is much clearer to me now. Thank you very much, I will proceed with this information.

After installing the new motor, how do you assign the loco an address on your digital layout?

Greetings Masters!
I would like to ask you a question.
I want to turn a Br86 Telex clutch locomotive into an mfx loud smoky digital locomotive.
The question would be what kind of converter kit should be added / motor, decoder, etc. / that handles the telex clutch?
Thanks in advance for the answer.
Greetings: Attila

Edited by user 07 March 2021 18:13:29(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified