I fully understand the version 1 syndrome. Back when I was developing software as a side business, I was told that very few people will buy release 1 since it is immature, and very few will buy release 4 or above since it is outdated software. As for me, I just recently upgraded from Win98 to XP on some of my machines at the office (mainly because UPS Worldship doesn't support 98 anymore...it did everything I needed). I still have test machines on the floor running win3.1

Count me in as well, Adrian.

While I opted out of the CS, I do have a first year Mazda RX8 with the return of the next generation rotary engine. What a headache. No where in the manual does it tell drivers that once you turn it on you have to drive it; no shutting it off in a few minutes or less. Otherwise, it terminally floods the engine and most have to be towed to the car dealer to get them to start. Mazda pays for the towing but it is still a pain. It has had about 12 recalls, some of which I've missed. Great looking and performing vehicle but I'd never get a first year car again, at least, not one as complex as this one.

Simply speaking - because it has been specified as such right at the time of introduction (by this man and his "crew" )



These pieces were listed as the "primary components":



And here the 6021 connection was clearly identified as "optional".



During subsequent communications at that meeting it was already made clear that both functionalites (optional interface and updateability) would a) not be of charge and b) that extra effort would be required to install them.

Fact is today that the optional interface will be installed free of charge and that even additional SW (i.e. functional features), which were neither specified nor committed at the beginning will now be included, as well without any extra charge for the customers.



Very simple (again): Most Märklin dealers are either not qualified or not reliable enough for such tasks. They even don't go to trainings although being offered by Märklin.



Pure speculation. I never had this happen with any of my pieces (actually I had thought once about such a case; lucky enough I found the "missing" model still bravely "sleeping" in my shadow station - I had carried it to G., but taken it back home again since it turned out that the required item to be updated would not be available for another three months! ).



Every incoming item for repair/upgrade gets a unique identification (repair ID) since a very long time. This is directly linked to the sender/delivery information. If Märklin thinks that the CS (or a loco) serial number needs to be included in that information they will do so.

It is still up to you to keep or even include such unique identifiers of your items (I do this all the time for my own model records).

Well said Lutz. Some sanity to the discussion.
There are folk who will never be satisfied unless they have a control system made to their specification and I would doubt Marklin will be interested in their comments. I would have thought that if a new CS mark 2 had been issued this would be more profitable for the firm and those who did not get an update could buy something else.
What is worse is the number of threads and complaints we are going to get over the next few months when people are without their CS and dont know when it will be back and then dont like it when they do get it back.
I am beginning to think that those with an IB or ECOS (Bert)have the right idea...they think they are great and enjoy using them.
No surprise really that Marklin sells most of its stuff in Germany same as Hornby sells in the UK.
As for precision models and computers I think you will find that the other 99% of the population think they are toys...I know Kingbridge do and they own the firm.. I still have an association with the Investment Banking Company and their interest is in the mass market and profitabilty. This they are now achieving and Marklin systems will be part of that.
Anyway off now to enjoy playing with the trains with my inferior CS

David

Hello Nikos

1 ) Yes
2 ) Don't know [}:)]
3 ) Don't know, but first in = first out
4 ) See # 3 [:p]

Just got a e-mail from my dealer today that he want me to send him
the CS in the middle of next month so he send it to Märklin in the
end of the month. Then maybe it is back to him due to my holiday in
the end of june and I can then take it with me home [:p]

I love Marklin trains. They make some of the best, most reliable engines and rolling stock in the market. I only have one non-Marlin lok, a Roco E143 that my son really liked on a visit to Schweikhardt a few years ago. It runs OK but it is not Marklin. Marklin has never, however, been known as an electronics house. Their first digital system was designed by Lenz. Let us not forget the mfx is an ESU innovation, not a Marklin one. I am well aware of how demanding and domineering a large company can be on it's vendors, particularly smaller ones. I deal daily with Volvo Global Trucks and they are extremely difficult to satisfy. I can fully understand the friction between ESU and Marklin.

I think this upgrade is a good thing. On balance, the S88 capability was initially going to be an external device that would cost. Adding it to the CS is a benefit to the user, particularly at no cost. I do expect thet the CSII with the upgrade will cost more than the current population paid, so those of you who bought the CS and are going to have them upgraded for free are getting a benefit for your loyalty. Actually my only real complaint about this process, if I were experiencing it, is the time lag in having to send the unit to Germany. Looking at the pictures of the upgrade, I don't see why a reasonably savvy computer experienced person could not do their own. Above that, most Marklin dealers, especially premium dealers, are authorized service centers. Why not have them do it?
Or at least have Marklin USA service the North American population.

David, we may be fanatics but this forum does represent a good cross section of the types of users they are marketing to, from the out of the box operators to the technically minded tinkerers, and everything in between. The views and thoughts expressed here should be useful to them in product support and development.

Thanks Paul.

Hi Lutz

I did the short version,,, hehe

I sent my CS to my dealer in Australia to return to M for repair on 2/12/2006. A brand new replacement arrived last week. It was a) great that it was replaced, but b) not so good that it took 4-1/2 months for the round trip NZ/Aus/Germany/Aus/NZ. I hope it doesn't take that long for the upgrade.
Neal.

Lutz, I rest my case..........

Funny how 'that man' (and maybe some of his crew - I don't know for sure) are no longer at Marklin...

Well, I better wipe the dust off my MS and Delta Controller (read 'booster')......

Yes Nikos, your local dealer can arrange the whole thing. It is stated in the official announcement.

Nikos,

did you ever really read the letter from Märklin that Nev posted already days ago above?

"- 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 G�ppingen."

Not only in Greece, Swedish highways see a lot of them too...

Hrrrmm... Let's get back to the topic... When will "upgraded" CS:s be shipped from factory as the standard 60212? I am not getting one until I know I get "the latest"...

Ask Goofy, he knows all about buying "updated Central Station's"

Hi Juhan,

CS's included in any new 2007 Mega starter set will already contain the upgrade (i.e. #29680, #29840, #55037 as well as new CS's shipped from the factory after May (i.e. when the upgrade material is available). These have priority ahead of any units that are sent in for upgrade.

What is finally being offered to you by your favorite dealer after May is a different story; it could be one of these new or already upgraded ones or even unchanged older production items.

Here's also the "official" message.

http://www.maerklin.de/produkte/cs_update.php#

Please recognize also the comment regarding updating for Switzerland and USA.

It is finally making sense. They will be carrying out the upgrades in North America by Marklin USA. The upgrade time won't be any quicker but shipping will be much less in cost and time. A wise decision.

Thanks for the info Lutz. For those of us who can't read German, here's the translation provided by Mr Google.

---

Starting from June available:
Update of the Märklin central station

Starting from at the beginning of June 2007 until December 2007 can be extended the Märklin central station by means of a free update by further games functions, which make a still reality-more faithful driving possible.

Range of the update

This update consists of a new software for the central station and a hardware extension for the connection of the acknowledging decoder s88 and for the binding of the earlier digital assortment. (6017; 6021)

Who can accomplish this update?

This update can be accomplished only in the Märklin repair service. The central station with this update it is modified in such a way that in the future also a simple update is over possible for Internet.

How can I mean central in station to the update to send?

The following alternatives are available:

* The central station can be transferred with the specialist dealer for forwarding to Märklin.
* The central station directly at the Märklin repair service is sent in.
* The central station can be delivered in the Märklin experience world in Göppingen.
* In Switzerland or in the USA the cent ral station can be brought to agencies also with the there Märklin locally on the current version.

Which new possibilities or changes offer does the central station after the update?

* Switch from routes
* Connection type of a computer for future updates or as control electronics *
* Connection of the acknowledging DEK OR s88
* Mechanism circuits like e.g. a pendulum enterprise
* Optimized control possibilities with locomotives. Like that is e.g. Bremsenquiet with mfx locomotives now more simply releasable.
* Digital devices like the control unit can be attached. If further control devices are attached such as key board, MEMORY, control 80f etc. to this central processing unit, then also these control instructions are implemented.

* = suitable software is from different offerers in preparation.


Do my past data in the central station remain with the update?

In principle the data will be available also after the update of the central station. In exceptional cases like for example this cannot be guaranteed to the exchange of defective equipment however.

---

As to the saving of CS data, I think there were some tips on how to do this in the 'Tweaking the CS' thread.

I emailed my dealer regarding the CS update, he tells me he is getting inundated with enquiries about the update from both NZ and Australia (Nev, are you responsible ). My dealer was going to phone Marklin on Monday night to see what the arrangements would be for this part of the world, and whether he can perform the update - he is an electrical engineer by trade.
So, I'll wait and see what the response is to that query, hopefully my dealer will be authorised to perform the update, and save us all the 12000 mile trip.

Well Nev, he got it twice then, cos I pilfered your post and sent him the text of the newsletter.... I see that he has posted an edited version of the newsletter on his website now (www.toottoot.co.nz).

It's now officially on Märklins German website too that customers in the US and Switzerland can send their CS to their service department in their own country.

http://www.maerklin.de/produkte/cs_update.php

Regards
Guus

Good thinking 99.

Fosters I expect... I we show them the wagon, then they will be impressed..

CS updaters are not allowed to drink while updating. They are however allowed one small glass of red wine with their steak and fries.
While working on the CS it is important that they wear the hat with the bobing corks to keep insects away from the CS. This is very difficult work which must be taken seriously and is being overviewed from Sweden where all mistakes will be written down for posterity
Meanwhile travel updaters will go to the countries in the order they are booked. At present they are starting in Chile then to New Zealand then Canada then Australia. Please remember there is only one canoe and one paddler (updaters do not paddle)

David

why do I post this stuff????????????