I've pretty much settled on a V-60 type small diesel loco for shunting duties.
See my previous post on this matter

My choices are pragmatic:

my local dealer has a 37652 in stock:
BR 362 (ex.V 60) Diesel, Era V, fx decoder, 5-pole motor, metal body, two rubber tyres

New releases 2007 has 37655:
BR V 60 Diesel, Era III, mfx, 5-pole motor, metal body, 1 tyre

Now, mfx is kinda neat -- I do like the automatic registration, but 37652 is in the MS database. One thing I do like about the mfx decoders is the 128 speed steps -- much smoother. For a shunting engine, how important is this in practice?
Also, only one tyre on a shunting engine?

I prefer the look of the Era V 37652.

So, I can get the 37652 now, but I assume only 14 or 28 speed steps, or wait for the 37655, with mfx, but only one tyre.

Any advice?

Hi

The new model 37655 also have metal body,,,
My "old" model 37650 (looks like 37655) has plastic body,,,

Does anyone have experience with the 6090x decoders (in the 37652, I assume) with shunting?

I'm not (very) interested in "new light effects" in this instance, but I do want nice "drivability", since I expect this loco to live its life in the shunting yard (i.e. under the theoretical Kelly layout, in the switch-yard)!!!

I repeat the question:
In a shunting application, is there an advantage in the mfx 128 speed steps over the older fx 27 speed steps?
In general: is mfx an advantage over fx in this application?

The loco can go pretty slow, so you can deliver freight cars exactly at the location where you want them.
You need some momentum to hook up cars - so that's not really prototypical, neither with mfx nor with any other decoder.
37562 doesn't work good with close couplers; Relex couplers work better.

The telex couplers found on class 44/50 steamers work better with close couplers. These locos did some shunting at small stations, too.

Locos with PIC decoders have 14 speed steps only. I think VMin is not adjustable and some go pretty fast at speed step 1 (I have two Bo'Bo' electrics with this decoder; a V60 probably is slower so this might be OK, too).

MS = M* Systems so it's possible and normally the telex is on a reachable function.

DC cars tend to be lighter, so I'd say yes, if you are using it as intended (with DC rolling stock, that is [;) ). On a Marklin loco, I'd always want at least one traction tyre.]

RE: Mobile Station control of Telex couplers on 37655 - found a specific answer on a dealer site.

6021, 60652 (MS), and 60212 (CS) / all can control the headlight, the switching lights, Telex front and Telex rear. I just ordered one

I had a 3665 with only one traction tyre: it was able to pull a maximum of one car. With 2 cars and more, the wheels slip, mainly on turn outs. I then bought a second hand 3065 with 2 traction tyres, upgraded with a 5 poles motor: works like a charm.
Then I definitely avoid the one traction tyre loco.

Fred

I agree with Karl

The V60 had a maximum speed of 60 km/h. When setting the scale speed to that level, the 14/27 available speed steps are in my opinion more than enough.

If you use 128 steps at that low max. speed, you have to turn the speed dial like cracy to change the loco speed. I set the speed to the correct level, using my 49960 or th new "radar device" (don't remember the M#) and the acc/brake delay to 10 seconds. Then even the 14/27 steps runs smoothly.

I had a test drive of the 37652 (BR 362 Diesel, Era V, fx decoder, 5-pole motor, metal body, two rubber tyres) at my local shop, and I was quite impressed with the smoothness and pulling power. I used a 6021 controller (or something old school like that ), so performance with the MS remains to be be tested, but I'm sure it will be fine.

In fact, I went ahead and bought it yesterday . I decided I can fit an mfx decoder easily enough if I am unhappy with the speed steps.

I haven't played with it yet [:(][:(], but everyone at the Kelly Family monthly chow-down/piss-up was suitably impressed -- my brother-in-law (him with the ancient Hornby UFO train set) commented how heavy and solid it felt for a small loco, and my younger niece immediately demanded to be shown how to use the Telex couplings the next time she visits here

I take it that the Telex decouplers are not common in non-Märklin locos (at least, I've never heard of a non-Märklin loco with remotely controlled couplers)