Hello there,

I am cooperating in a FREMO-inspired modular layout group here in Athens (Greece), and I would like to ask if it is possible to make a layout suitable for running both Marklin Digital and NMRA DCC?

I bought a Marklin K-line unballasted flextrack (a bit pricey, at 11.5 Euros apiece) for experimenting, and I found this works pretty well in place of the typical Roco flextrack (code 2205, if my memory serves me right). In appearance, it's not bad, and the center stubs could be hidden with lots of extra ballast and diesel/oil grime in the center.

So, I feel that it's easy to have this track used in single track modules (feed separately the left and right rails from a separate power bus, and add a 3rd power line for the center stubs).

The problem now seem to be in the switches. I suppose I will be forced to get the Marklin switches, and I have no experience with these.
Is it possible to wire Marklin switches so these will work with DCC models?? I think that it may be possible, but I am not an expert in Marklin-related things.

Any recommendations welcome.

Cheers,
N.Fotis

Hmmmm...are you planning to run 2-rail (DCC) locos and rolling stock on the same track at the same time as 3-rail (Märklin) stuff?

Surely the Märklin locos and wagons will short the two outer rails together?

This is much more of a problem than protocols!

...or did I misunderstand your setup?

PECO makes or used to make a strip that fitted under the sleepers of normal 2 rail track to act as "pukos" for Marklin engines. I once did a "home-made" version of it and it worked, though it was a bit fiddly around the turnouts.

Of course, you can't run both 2 rail and 3 rail at the same time, as correctly stated above.

Ray

Hello again,

many thanks for the fast answers.
Obviously we will not use at the same time Marklin Digital and NMRA rolling stock (I am aware of the problem with non-insulated axles in Marklin trains, but forgot to mention it). By the way, are there any Marklin locomotives with insulated wheels?

Didn't know about the Peco contact strips, these sound excellent for the task. Did anyone combined these with, say, Rocoline long turnouts? Or these work only with Peco turnouts??

That's a very interesting possibility... By the way, we aren't planning to use automation and signalling immediately. The plan is to make a large point-to-point layout, with single track between stations and yards, to make group operation a little more challenging

Cheers,
N.Fotis
PS. I suppose that we would use either an Intellibox for central operation, or alternatively a Digitrax/Marklin console pair (not at the same time!). That hasn't yet been decided, as we're still experimenting with module construction.

I think this is basically what some of the ETE groups do with their modules they take to train shows in the USA. The use K track, but can run either marklin digital or DCC using intellibox. Like said above - not run concurrently.

But as I understand it using IB or Ecos, you can control both Marklin digital and DCC controlled trains (if converted for 3-rail) at same time.

Our Marklinfan Marco explain how to built a DC-AC layout using C track, and you can enjoy some my pics too...

http://www.marklinfan.net/marcomaria_grattieri.htm

I once came across a website showing you how to make your own 3-rail turnouts , starting off with a 2-rail long turnout. Can't remember the url, but I'll check later.

EDIT : Found it : http://www.stayathome.ch/Weichenumbau.htm

The method was fairly simple and it was reported to work well.

This is roughly how it was done :
- Glue large a piece of aluminum foil onto the baseboard of the turnout, and connect a wire to it.
- then glue the 2-rail turnout onto the aluminum foil.
- Next, put small (current conducting) nails between the sleepers of the turnouts, carefully checking the height of their heads, so they lift up the pickup-shoe over the top of the rails.

Connect the power supply for the center studs to the aluminum foil, because the nails are forced through the aluminum foil, they will conduct electricity to the pickup shoe of the loc. Et voilà!

Hello there,

after a looooong hiatus, I expect to start again working on modules the coming weekend (I have constructed 4 modules, still haven't laid tracks in all of these).

I bought some more Marklin K-track flextrack, and I am designing a bridge inside a module, so after fitting it I'll start laying track and experimenting.

I hope I'll have more updates soon.

Cheers,
N.F.