I have before me a circular from Marklin about the projected upgrade of the Central Station - which I appreciate has been discussed in this forum before.

A couple of points stand out to me:

"this upgrade can only be carried out by the Marklin Service Department";

this necessarily involves the physical transport of the device to and from Germany; and,

"we will carry out the update on Central Stations in the order in which they are received and that there may be a wait period under certain circumstances".

Now I may have this wrong, but what I read leads me to the conclusion that I have to suffer the cost and inconvenience of transporting a device which I purchased less than 4 months ago from Australia to Germany and back; and because of its function I will be unable to use my entire layout for the total period involved including any "wait period".

If my interpretation of the document is correct then I am also astonished that in this day and age anyone would suggest such an arrangement when there must surely be some way of delivering this upgrade in a more decentralised and efficient manner.

But then again, let's hope that I am wrong!!

Bob

If true, that would be crazy.

My guess is they have really gotten themselves into a bind over the addition of the s88 feedback support, supposedly there is a i/o card to be inserted and they don't want the end user to be doing it.

I have a CS in the Air Mail right now... and I doubt it's an upgraded one since it's coming with a 2006 starter set. I won't be sending it back to Germany anytime soon unless the update is so unbelievably urgent that it can't wait. And then the postage.. eh.. perhaps the dealer I bought from in Germany can exhange the CS for an updated one? Also unlikely, maybe I'll buy some more stuff from him before asking [:p]

When it does go I'll just have to use my IB

Fell off a truck. From Marklin Newsletter to persons
Full document:
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH
Stuttgarter Strasse 55-57
D-73033 Göppingen
Telefon +49 (0) 7161/6 08-0
Telefax +49 (0) 7161/608-360
Göppingen, April 17, 2007
Dear Madam/Sir:
We are presenting the new Softdrive-Sine propulsion system for H0
locomotives for the first time at the Intermodellbau 2007 show in Dortmund.
We have successfully reached a milestone with this in the area of locomotive
running characteristics paired with maximum motor efficiency.
We would also like to inform you at the same time in this newsletter about
this new Softdrive-Sine propulsion system.
Thanks to a new location for the magnet field, we have succeeded in
developing a motor that begins to work at very low operating voltage as
smooth as silk and with no cogging action. Contacts such as the commutator
and brushes that create drag and resistance are not necessary; the motor
requires no maintenance. Thanks to a special electronic circuit, it will work in
all modes of operation (analog or digital) and will impress people with the fine
control of its operating characteristics.
The new Softdrive-Sine motor is very compact and even fits in smaller
locomotives. The size is the same as the previous standard compact design
C-Sine motor.
Here is an overview of the advantages:
• Superior Running Characteristics and Prototypical Operation:
The new design of the Softdrive-Sine motor allows jerk-free operation, even
with a large load for a train, at slow speeds, and on steep grades. The high
quality ball bearings for the motor enable silky smooth operation that is low in
noise.
• Completely Reworked Control:
When there is an increase in the total current load on the layout due to
several locomotives in operation, you will not see any break in the speed of
the locomotives. The motor's performance remains constant even on curves.
• Extreme Power Capacity:
The new Softdrive-Sine motor will impress people with its high power density
compared to conventional motors. Even at low speeds, the Softdrive-Sine
motor reaches a high level of torque and therefore an outstanding level of
pulling power.
• Innovative Motor Design:
The cogging action of the motor is reduced to a minimum by the diagonal
arrangement of the magnets (oblique magnetization). This allows an
extremely fine feel to the running characteristics of the locomotive.
• The Smallest Possible Size:
The Softdrive-Sine motor can be installed directly in the boiler of steam
locomotives by virtue of its small size (instead of in the tender).
A prototypical open view through the windows of the locomotive or powered
rail car remains preserved even in models such as the rail bus.
• High Level of Durability:
The Softdrive-Sine motor has no carbon brushes or other parts to wear out
and is designed with maintenance-free ball bearings for an extremely long
service life.
Many high quality H0 locomotives from Märklin and Trix are being equipped
right away with the Softdrive-Sine propulsion system. Below is a list of the
new items in 2007 coming with this new motor:
Märklin Assortment
26218 Commuter train with the class 218, 3-car "Silberlinge" set in red
26540 DB Train set "50 Years of the TEE", Era IV
29680 Gotthard Mega Starter Set
37772 DB SVT 04 express powered rail car, Era III
37902 DB AG class 290 diesel switch engine, Era V
39050 DB class 05 express steam locomotive, Era III
39121 DB class E 10.12 electric locomotive, Era III
39180 DB class 218 diesel locomotive, "old" red, mfx with sound
39181 DB class 218 diesel locomotive, "old" red, mfx without sound
39401 SNCF class CC 40100 electric locomotive, Era IV
39402 SNCB class 18 electric locomotive, Era IV
39500 DB class E 50 electric locomotive, Era III
39540 SBB TEE Rae "Gottardo" powered rail car train, Era III
39562 SBB "Crocodile" freight locomotive, brown, Era III
39590 SBB class Ae 8/14 electric locomotive, Era III
39802 DB class 220 diesel locomotive, Era IV
39890 DB AG class 189 electric locomotive, Era V
39970 DB class 701 catenary maintenance car, Era IV
39981 ÖBB rail bus with control car, Era III
Trix Assortment
T 22025 DB SVT 04 express powered rail car, Era III
T 22030 DB class E 10.3 electric locomotive, Era III
T 22031 DB class E 10.12 "Rheingold" electric locomotive, blue/beige, Era III
T 22032 DB class 112 electric locomotive, Era IV
T 22130 DB class 05 express steam locomotive, Era III
T 22135 SBB TEE Rae "Gottardo" powered rail car train, Era III
T 22150 DB class E 50 electric locomotive, Era III
T 22218 DB class 218 diesel locomotive, "old" red, with sound
T 22219 DB class 218 diesel locomotive, "old" red, without sound
T 22576 SNCF class CC 40100 electric locomotive, Era IV
T 22577 SNCB class 18 electric locomotive, Era IV
T 22798 DB rail bus with control car, Era III
T 22799 ÖBB rail bus with control car, Era III
Since both of the Insider models for 2007 – item nos. 39050 and T22130 –
are being equipped with the new Softdrive-Sine propulsion system and since
the introduction of this new propulsion system is planned for just before the
end of the deadline for ordering these Insider models, we have decided to
extend the
Order deadline for all Insider models for 2007 until June 15, 2007.
We would like to take this opportunity to point out again that the Insider
models will be delivered by the date the order was placed. Therefore, please
send us immediately by mail orders you already have. You should avoid
including repairs or warranty claims with these orders in order to ensure
faster processing.
In the near future there will be additional information on our home page about
the new Softdrive-Sine propulsion system. A brochure is also being prepared
for this new propulsion system. We will send you an appropriate quantity for
distribution to interested customers in one of the product shipments.
Update for the Märklin Central Station – Item No. 60212
From the beginning of June 2007 to December 2007, the Märklin Central
Station can be expanded be means of a free update to include additional
control features that will enable even more realistic operation of your
locomotives. Below is information about the procedure for this program and
several FAQs.
Extent of the Update
This update consists of new software for the Central Station and a hardware
addition for connecting the s88 feedback module and for connecting
equipment from the former digital assortment. (6017; 6021)
Who can carry out this update?
This update can only be carried out by the Märklin Service Department. The
Central
Station is modified during this update in such a way that in the future you can
do updates easily from the Internet.
How can I send in my Central Station for the update?
The following options are available:
• You can leave the Central Station with your dealer to be sent to Märklin.
• The Central Station can be sent directly to the Märklin Service Department.
• The Central Station can be left at the repair counter at the Märklin World of
Adventure in Göppingen.
What new possibilities or changes does the Central Station offer after
the update?
• Route control
• The possibility of connecting a computer for future updates or as an
electronic circuit for controlling locomotives and trains1
• Connecting the s88 feedback module to your layout
• Automatic circuits such as for push/pull operation
• Improved control possibilities for locomotives. For example, the sound of
squealing brakes on mfx locomotives will now be easier to activate.
• Digital components such as the Control Unit can be connected to the
Central Station. If other control components such as the Keyboard, Memory,
Control 80f, etc. are connected to this central unit, commands from these
units will also be carried out.
1 = Suitable software is being readied from different vendors.
Do my previous data in the Central Station remain preserved after the
update?
In principle the data remain available for use after the update of the Central
Station. In exceptional cases – such as the exchange of a defective unit –
this cannot be guaranteed.
Please understand that we will carry out the update on Central Stations in the
order that they are received and that there may be a wait period under
certain circumstances.
Sold Out Items
These two items
- 26536 Iron ore freight train
- 58568 Märklin 1 Gauge Museum car for 2007
are sold out as of now. No more orders can be taken for these items.
Sincerely yours,
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH
i.V. Dagmar Bauer i.V. Michael Backhaus
Export Department Office Manager Area Sales Manager

Thanks for your great information, Bob and Neville.
Well ... had those clowns [|)] done such <u>right from the start</u> -
they'd bewared their paying customers from lots of trouble ... [xx(]

That is the Unknown Guus,
Fortunately I have a MS to keep me going while the CS is Away undergoing Surgery in the M Hospital with an Unknown operation date and recovery period.

Yes - and? This is a "toy" and we are not talking about a BCS or alike.

A "good" (i.e. professional) dealer will likely be able to keep his customers "downtime" at a minimum.

... Right, Sir !!!

<br />

In case of the Gotthard Mega starter set #29580 this is even promised by Märklin.

The upgrade may be free, but what about the postage? International postage from the US or Australia is not an insignificant expense. They need to have the US upgrades done in Wisconsin, if they don't trust their dealers to do it. I don't know what they can do for Australia/NewZealand. Also, with the number of CS's in service, the lag in doing these will probably be significant. During that time these folks who trusted Marklin will not be able to run their layouts. I think that Marklin has taken a major beating in this and significantly reduced their customer confidence by rushing this product to market before it was ready. I have been wanting to buy one for my Grandson for about six months now, but have been waiting to see how this upgrade played out. I'm very glad I waited. I had decided on the CS over the ECoS, even if the ECoS becomes mfx capable, mainly because of the motor driven knobs on that device. I really think that will be a major reliability issue down the road.

I disagree with that, or better, I don't think reliability will be worse with a motordriven potentiometer than with a rotary encoder system as used in the CS. I have had equally bad experience with both of them (in hifi applications).

That said, my ecos still works perfectly well and it doesnt matter if I set a motorola 14 loc or a dcc 128 loc to half speed, the knob position is the same.

Bert

Hmmm,

Maybe I should take the CS with me this summer when we
are going to Göppingen and let Märklin do the update ASAP [:p]

Mmmm...would it make a difference if I would take it directly to a German 'Ruhrpott' dealer instead of a native Dutch dealer? [B)]

I cannot disagree either.

Considering that car factory recalls are typically limited to safety/health risks, it looks like Märklin is surely doing more than they are really obliged to. The simple and only reason is that this update was promised by Märklin management to customers who wish to get it; and this even for (almost) free.

For all who are (still) complaining about this; they should look around in the toy industry and list any comparable instances (and the "rationale" behind those).

This is all very fine for you Lutz, but you just live around the corner from Marklin....for those of us 12000 miles away it is a big issue, for the reasons that Ron states. Furthermore, this is not an upgrade, but final delivery of the full feature set that was advertised when the CS was first announced.

As Clapcott says in his other CS update thread.....



BMW would not ask you to send your car halfway around the world to be fixed / upgraded, why does Marklin think they can?


I would bank on my CS being away for at least 6 months while the 'upgrade' is being done, with no guarantee that it will ever come back to me or not disappear into a 'black hole'. At the very least Marklin will need some sort of system where you can register your CS serial number with Marklin, with your name and address, etc, prior to it being sent back.

Considering that M marketed a flawed/incomplete product, I would mean that satisfactory service for an expensive piece like the CS would be if M offered current CS owners a replacement CS Mk. II through local dealers ...free of charge [}:)]

I think that the cost of the upgrade is "Free" is magnificent. But as others have noted the "Upgrade" is getting the CS to a state that was hinted at when we purchased them.
Nev

When I bought my CS i knew what the specification was ... If you dont like it then sell it and buy something else.
Marklin have no need to upgrade anything as had been made clear before. The CS is only expensive because it is a toy and thus has large amounts of profit for all concerned in the selling process. Electrical goods have a 10% profit...toys and model rail have up to 200%.
I wish those who constantly moan about the CS would buy an IB or ECOS as those with them always appear to be happy and enjoy bashing the CS. Model rail is not the cutting edge of technology...very far from it and unless you are prepared to pay considerably more it never will be. Computers are cheaper because they sell in millions..Marklin I am afraid just cant match that type of turnover. In the years to come there may not be much railway stuff available so have fun while you can and if you dont like it thyen dont buy it.

David

First pictures from the hardware update.

http://www.eisenbahnclinic.com/news.htm

Look a the second at third picture.
Source stummi's forum.

This is absolutly top service from Märklin...there are very very few products where you get a free function-adding upgrade!

I am still very pleased with my current CS and can't wait to upgrade from curiosity

Never had a 2 liter engine upgrade on my 1.6 liter car...Did receive 3 call-backs from Renault though

Still waiting for the 5.1 upgrade for my stereo. [}:)]




Are you refering to picture 1? Me neither....

So if i understood well,i have to send my CS to my dealer so as to get it after some months,paying the shipping cost.
From my dealer to the factory,who pays the shipping cost?
The updated cs will have new options,if yes does anyone know something?
P.s.There is no point to use a keyboard when you have a CS.

It is not Marklin that cannot do a good job with the CS but ESU who are the maniufacturers. If Marklin made the item then I am sure by now it would be all we need. In fact it is more or less all I need now as I dont drive using a computer.
The quicker Marklin give up on or take over ESU the better or get the decoders etc made elsewhere. Any problems I have had with a loco either
Marklin or HAG has been caused by ESU.
At least if
Marklin make something which has a glitch they do appear to be failrly quick in putting things right.

David

What makes you say that? Everything I have gotten from ESU has worked excellently. Email questions are answered promptly (unlike Marklin). THey had updates on their site even BEFORE the ECoS was officially released. As far as I can see, they have not promised anything that has not been delivered as yet.

Bravo!!!! Well done Dave.. That sums it up very well.. Thanks..