Hello, and welcome!
All track types are usable with digital; but you should remove and capacitators under feeder tracks if you go digital. There are straight transition tracks between all three (but M-track is not under production since some years). But you can easily make transitions yourself. The advantages and disadvantages are more general ones; but there exist a few advantages with C-track and digital.

C-track is the basic choice; splendid electrical contact, exact fit, no derailments, easy assemble/disassemble. Ideal for carpet layouts. Disadvantages may be that you have to plan in detail; you can't cheat the fit as with M-track. With a bit paint C-track even look very well, the middle rail is hardly wisible, the track connections not either. The track bed has space for inserting turnout mechanisms, decoders for them and for signals etc, and for the wires.

But the K-track is by some people regarded as better looking, provided you build your own landscape. And has flex-track. But IMHO, C-track is better in most respects.

M-track has most nostalgic interest; and available at the second hand market. But has got it's future behind it. You know it well. I use M-track myself in hidden areas, but you should be aware that trains, especially modern locos for adults, are derailing much more easily with M-track.

As transitions are possible, there are no absolute limits. But the turntable is K-track, other items as the new signal (released this winter) are adapted mainly for C-track, but also for K-track. C-track has broader track bed, so it doesn't fit in old bridges. C-track doesn't have a industry radius (5120). I don't remember about K. With C-track it's easy to build your own contact track, for track occupance detection and the like. Also possible with K-track I think, but not with M-track.


Please ask more, and tell your preferences.
Kind regards,
Lars

Perhaps I should clearify "derailment".

Problems may arise when
- beeing careless at building (as Stuart pointed out).
- bent tracks.
- having curves and in paritulair turnouts in slopes.
- using other rolling stock than Märklin.

I like to test also other manufacturers, like Roco, you see.

/Lars

The startset is the only way I may recommend a 6021; It's really much value for money. But the contents is only next best.

Please consider DAISY or Intellibox (IB) before you go. You will never regret an IB (IMHO), and DAISY is fully usable both at a step into digital, and together with a future IB.

And the locos in the set are good I think; but you will probably later find others that are more to your liking.


Transition track is 24951, 24 is C-track, 9 is extra tracks, 51 as in 5100.
It's a straigt 180 mm track.

Regards,
Lars

Products of Uhlenbrock, germany. www.uhlenbrock.de.

Allow for mixing protocols, so you can have DCC decoder as well as Märklin decoders on your layout. Much better ergonomics; better connectivity, for example handheld driving units. Built in features that makes even an IB cheaper than the 6021 in the longer run (beside 6021 functionality it has one extra train control, half a keyboard with changable adress, and a built in interface). Lot's have been written about this in the forum, and in other places already. And IB can also connect all Märklin units, even a 6021 in some respect (which a 6021 can't!!!), but the Märklin units are so old that I doubt you will.

DAISY is even newer; it has two parts which make a digital system as a whole better than a 6021, but with some limits. A handheld control with good ergonmics, and a Power2, a stationary unit for track power. Both units can be connected with more of the same kind through the so called LocoNet, and also be used as a handheld control and a booster together with an IB.

To repeat; an IB is more expensive in the short run, but it's state of the art, and will probably save you money later on. For example; you probably have some old locos to convert to digital; with an IB you may choose a DCC decoder as well as a Märklin decoder. The Märklin decoders/conversion sets are wery good, but you get c a 3 DCC for the same price...

/Lars

My "problem" is that my experience with digital, decoders, 52VA transformers etc. can be told in 2 sec. My experience is none. Therefore my "digital-life" need to start out with some kind of start-sets (like 29845 or its like) where all I need to do is to follow a schematic drawing, plug it in and it will run.

In a few months/years (depending on my wife) I hope I can be more up to your standards in respect of knowlegde about märklin, electronics in general, etc.
I am amazed about the knowledge all you guys have - it brings the hobby to another dimension.

I do, anyhow, see Lars's point making it cheaper converting my old locos (thus I only have 3 locos to be converted [^] ).
Also - which transformer should I invest in then? Will the 6002 52VA transformer do, together with the IB?

Thanks again for all your comments and advises - makes it easier to be a digital newbie.

Hi Eisenhower,

I have to agree with Lars concerning the IB and Daisy. But I see very often that that may be a step that is too big for newbies. Many people are buying Delta starter sets, while they very well know that if they really continue in this great hobby, they will have to upgrade to true Digital. In the same spirit people buy the -excellent value- Digital sets, knowing they may want to upgrade the control unit later.

If you like the loco's and the cars that come with the Digital sets, you can't go wrong. Buy it all, and you can always later upgrade, it will still be a better value than buying everything seperately to be able to buy an IB immediately.

Hi all :-))

As Kimmo suggested I checked Ebay to see what the cost would be for a 6021 + 6002 set. The price differs between approx. 60-150 EUR. That is tempting, but for me the price isnt the biggest issue right now (early days of my digital carreer).
The functionality and "plug-N-play" feature is more important to me at this point. As stated earlier I need to be able to open the box, plug it in and learn the digital world step by step - as suggested by Nuno and Charlie.

For that purpose I have looked at 29845 and 29855 from epoche III, which anyhow will be the epoche dominating my future layout.

Also if I use my calculator I find the total price very close buying a complete starter set compared to buying all the items seperately. (ofcause everything is relative depending on the used price I have to pay - but still). The biggest advantage would ofcause be that I can choose whatever loco's I want. But I like those in both starter sets mentioned earlier.

Anyhow - as I have learned now from all you people - there is no question about me having an IB (learned from Lars controling my future layout together with a laptop or something - that is still my goal. But I think I have to be patient and learn the digital world step by step.
If I dont learn the digital world step by step, I will be asking questions to you guys the next 3-4 years instead of contributing with answers.

Maybe I should ask the webmaster to put a vote on the frontpage asking "Should Eisenhower go step-by-step in the digital world" hehe [:p].

The question that started all this have developed to a longer discussion about IB, DAISY, starter sets and learning digital step-by-step.

My conclusion is that I need a digital starter set 29845 or 29855 and continue buying C-track (any comments on those choices? - remember Im going epoche III anyhow)

Actually I have put in an "I want to buy" in the 'marketplace' if anyone have something on stock [:p]

Thanks again for all the help and comments.
"I have a dream.........huge.......Märklin......wife.....8x6m...." :-))

Hi again Eisenhower,

I bought the 29845 starter set, and must say it is an excellent choice with IMHO brilliant loco's, the 03 steamer and the 216 diesel. This set is now out of production but still available from various sources. The current 29855 set has the electric loco in place of the diesel, which for me was not quite to my liking as I don't know when/if I will go overhead. However the 29855 has a better track set up with curved points and a longer passing siding. I bought my set through a club and traded the C track in for as new M track sets E, T1, T2, and T3, paying a very reasonable price.

Yes the 6021 is getting a bit long in the tooth, the IB is a superior unit, we are all waiting to see if MArklin is going to respond at some stage. I still use a 6021.

Go for it, don't hold back, tell the missus that's what your doing (as long as it's OK with her...)

Hi Eisenhower,
I just made the jump into digital with the Marklin start set (29855) a little while ago. This was before I even knew about this users net. But I must admit I feel that starrting with the start set is a good way to go> I also was able to find Marklins book on digital and between the two PLUS this website made it very very easy to enter the digital world. Now I am even converting some of my older analog engines over to this new system. I am also planning on running my layout with a notebook computer like yourself. The one thing that made it really easy for me was reading and rereading posts and talking to everyone on this site, everyone is willing to lend a hand to a fellow Marklin nut. Charlie really set me on the right path in regards to digital, I am in his debt big time!!
As far as the track issue, I am in the process of going to all C I really love this new track system. Now you can get adapters for the turntable and I also believe that the transfer table can also be adapted.
From my own expierence my best choice was joining this group. I thank everyone on this site. Another good one is also the Marklin Bar and Grill available through yahoo. I think Kevin can help out in this department if I'm not mistaken
Regards
bgemski

I did it!!
I bought a 29855C Digital starter set and 2 x transition track item no. 24951 to be able to connect to all my old M-track (Bought it on the internet). While I was out spending money I also bought an used 3157 loc (digital) - so now I have 3 digital trains to start with.

Im on my way in the digital world guys!! [:p]
(Dont ask me what my wife thinks hehehe)

Cheers
Eisenhower

It sounds like you are going to be hooked, Eisenhower, like most of us. I started to build a permanent layout this year from scratch, in a small room that we had available. And I am already now trying to get my wife to trade our bed room, which is bigger, for this smaller room, so that I could build it bigger. What could be more important, hmm...

Hi, all. Sorry for joining this discussion so late and offering my humble opinion, but I have been in Germany and Switzerland enjoying the scenery (and railroads) for the last week and a half. Also did a "little" shopping at the Lok Shop, ETS, and the Marklin factory store.
You are right, this is a very addictive (and expensive) hobby. I was away from it for about 20 years (I am in my late 50's) and last year dove back in. I chose to go all digital so in order to introduce myself a bought a Premium Digital starter set. It is the best way to introduce yourself. A few thoughts for you considerations: I prefer K track on a cork base. It is quiet and runs smoothly. I found the C-track that came with the set limiting and noisy. I am considering buying an IB in the near future since the 6021 and 6051 is limited, but it is sufficient for what I am doing now. I have devoted 1/4 of my basement (so far) to a layout which is just coming to useability. I have also converted 8 of my 12 or so old engines to digital...it is not hard with the 60901/60903/60904 conversions, so don't be afraid.

Hope my humble contribution helps...Have fun and enjoy this fascinating hobby.

-Ron Schaffer

Hi Bill,all,



It's real easy if you own an airbrush!