I have an M track layout with actions controlled by 5107 connected to signals.

I cannot see a way to run a train with more than one power pick-up without causing problems. Coaches that are illuminated are a particular problem as would be 3015 if I had one (wishful thinking!).

Apart from setting up coach lighting as a 'daisy chain' getting its power from the loco is there any way round the problem (not mentioning Train Tech type LED installations)?

I have never liked 5105 because it seems to me that it would send lots of impulses and if the train stopped on it it would fry a solenoid somewhere.

Is there a trick to solve this?

5107 is the track with a sort of tumble switch in the centre actuated by passing power pickups/sliders/skates
5105 is the track with a short of isolated rail that is actuated by a wheel running over it.

Hi Michael
Indeed the trains with multiple sliders complicate operations with slider-operated contact tracks.
There are ways to circumvent this but it complicates the wiring.
Here is a link to one of the Märklin manuals for signals https://www.marklinfan.net/Documenti/SignalManual.pdf
The trick is to add a circuit to disable the contact rail just after the first slider activates it and to re-activate it, once the train is gone. Usually it takes one additional relay to do this.

I have a 3015 and a one slider operation is OK (the slider is short and there is a need to have a minimum speed to cross DSS, crossings or triple switches).

My all time favorite is the Märklin 6600, dedicated to analogue operation (no digital locos allowed):
- allows a simple shuttle operation (one input with make a direction change inpuls)
- allows automatic operation in yars
- allows smooth start and stop
- alas released too late: just before 1984 and the avent of digital operation.
- one of the most under-rated device in Märklin stuff

Here is a video of what you can do with it (it can do way more things)


Cheers
Jean

Many thanks for the information, plenty of food for thought.

I loved 6600 and have used one a lot in the past however I managed to fry my unit. It is in the hands of another forum member but I fear may be beyond repair.

Depending on what kind of signals you use...
If you are using older Märklin signals common to the hey-days of M-track, you could use the signals additional catenary power contact; It is closed when signal is green, and it is free of potential.
You could simply route the impulse from the 5107 track through this contact; That would allow the first slider to set the signal to red, and then cut off all consecutive impulses.

It all depends on how and where you run your automatization. It is posible that a simple spacing out of the 5107 tracks would solve your problems; Install the 5107 much further down the line after the signal.


Impulse might be too short though, for slow-moving signals and relays, but you can try....
It´s definetly better to go with 2 * 5107 tracks and an extra relay for each signal...

Hi. I just bought a 6600 and I'm curious what you did to fry yours? I don't want to do that myself.

Hi Alan,

That's great news, thanks for your help.

Best

Michael