Hi, received my first Märklin sound loco but unfortunately I most probably can't use it, programming it will be a problem with certain CV's so I'll exchange it for an ESU sound decoder, its a shame because the sound file will not be from a 1189 but rather from a Swiss crocodile, I'll see how I go,
my first impressions are excellent, lots of detail, handrails all metal, so they've gone a step further to make it an outstanding model,
the sound sounds a bit crackly when the person announces a message but everything else seems to be sounding ok, there are several light functions which I haven pursued as yet., it has cab lights on both sides and machine/motor room lights, 1 marker light on each end,
the weight is 499 gram, it has 2 rubber tyres on one set of driving wheels and I'll order another axle with rubber tyres for the other driving wheel assembly.
I haven't had the time to compere the loco with its counter part from Roco,
I'll post some pictures from the outside and inside the loco, unfortunately there is no electrical connection for the pantographs and I have to find a way to connect them, I also would like to add a Roco 4 pin electrical coupling and this has to be also investigated if it is possible, another change will be to convert it to 3 rail but this is just a simple job to combine both wheel contacts just in one side and use the other for the overhead system,
Of course I would have like a version without sound but it would be a shame not to use the Märklin 21 mtc sound decoder,
all in all I'm happy with the loco and future videos will be interesting,
I've notice there aren't any spare parts available except a few so I've written to Märklin and see what they cn do regarding an axle with rubber tyres

regards.,

John











that is the sparepart list

Edited by user 10 December 2024 19:13:40(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Kimball, I'm considering selling it, for me to convert it with a Roco 4 pin electrical coupling, I haven't seen a solution as yet, the sound decoder I can't program to my liking, the pantographs aren't electrically connected and I can't see that spare parts are available

John

Ive just received an answer from Märklin Alex Karamichailidis, he said the axle with rubber tyres is not available and any fault with the loco I would have to send the whole loco back, there is no fault with the loco only that I fancy 2 axles with rubber tyres instead of 1

Edited by user 11 December 2024 13:16:00(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Having been in contact with Märklin about an axle with rubber tyres and being told it isn't available I've made a second attempt and was lucky, although the price was Euro 30.00 with postage being Euro 50.00I've decided to aske them to send it to Modellbahn Rainer in INNSBRUCK, I rang again asking if they could send it to Rainer and they told me it was already on it way and the cost
from Rainer Euro 20.00, so I can add another axle to the loco which will dramatically increase the pulling power.

John