[font=Arial]Hello. I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions in reference to Märklin Minex. I understand that the trains use the same track as the HO, and are AC? This being the case, would the brushes and pickup shoe, bulbs, etc. be the same as AC models? Part number compatibility? Example 60000 bulbs, 600300 brushes, 7164 slider, 7152 traction tires, etc. The reason I am asking is that I have an opportunity to purchase a Märklin Minex set # 3450 with a 3400 locomotive. I was considering to use it for an around the tree train this year at Christmas. I have always used HO, which I limited it to a 3000, and a few cars since my boys are still young and I didn't want them to damage my expensive ones. I know the set doesn't have any instructions. By the way, I do repair my own trains so technicalities are no problem at least with Z and HO gauges.
Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Karl F. Schill

Karl, welcome to the forum.

Should be standard spare parts, like 7185 slider and such... I have read somewhere that they were "fully compatible" with H0 until you hit the first tunnel entry...

A nice loco to pull your Christmas tree train..
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eB...ry=9075#ebayphotohosting

Hello again. I just wanted to let everyone know who would be reading this that I purchased the set. The Minex Locomotive uses all standard easy to get "Tune up" parts. For example 600300 brushes. The armature and housing would be available also. It is a nice engine and runs just like any other Marklin. I really don't know why Marklin quit making this especially for children. I was impressed with it and since I only had Ho and Z, I had no idea what I was getting myself into this time. Well if you can come accross a decent loco with some cars, GO FOR IT!!!!

Minex was to expensive and there were to few accessories available to make it worthwhile ... oddly enough the Semaphore signals for Minex are selling for more than the locomotives.

There are also some problems with the plastic chemistry on the MInex Box cars ... basically the white refrigerator car quickly changed colour to blotchy yellow (I have 3 of these all from different sources ... either mint or new old stock ... and they all look awful).

I too would like to add some Minex to my collection - at least the steam engine and a few cars. They are few and far between here in the USA. If marklin weren't in the situation where they have to control costs, it would be nice to see them do another run. surely they still have the tooling?