Hey all,

So I've been interested for some time in purchasing the 26549 Leig set.
I love the BR 38.10-40 and do not own one - I'd really like one with sound.

Unfortunately there are several documented issues with this model - very poor pulling power, really noisey drivetrain coupled with low speaker volume, very expensive etc...

Luckily though, these issues are well documented and with solutions provided to everything (except the price).
Is it worth risking buying this model and making the fixes?
Its really poor know that the model you buy will need urgent fixes, but if I want a BR 38.10 with sound what other option do I have?

Seeing as 2006 was the 100 year anniversary of the P8/BR38 did Maerklin come up with a special commemorative loco then?

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered it.

I had planned to purchase the BR64, 39640 but the shop did not actually have it in stock.

And just when I found this out, lokshop have 26549 on special for 340 euros or so.

I've also ordered the axle part with traction tires to fix that issue immediately.

I am excited and look forward to it, hoping it will be good after fixing the issues.

Though I did read someones 26549 only lasted 10 minutes before going up in smoke:S

I guess that's what I should do to my Br38. I was going to try some Bullfrog Snot.

Hello applor,

the train runs well even with the Märklin Museum 2009 leigh cars. Mine has no modification and is pulling the train without any problem through my elicoidal or slopes. See here starting minute 1:20 :

http://www.myvideo.ch/watch/7465639

rgds

Stephan

Hi!
You can only reduce the volume as the loco comes with the maximum setting. Go to EDIT LOC and select VOL to change the volume.

The part no you require for the replacement axle is 130228.

Just wondering about what speaker to use in this loco, John. I think these locos have an ESU decoder, but I will check that with my Lokprogrammer, which I'm just starting to have a play with.

Things that can be tried to increase the volume:

• Run loco without tender cover. Is it loud enough now? Maybe a few holes in the bottom of the tender will be enough ...
• Try a bigger speaker
• Try a different decoder (just in case the sound level of the decoder sound project is too low)

Some people wrote that holes in the bottom of the tender increased the sound volume of the BR 52 (but that one has a tub tender with a plastic bottom where drilling holes is easier ...).

Lokprogrammer told me that the sound volume (at least on my 26549) was set to maximum.

If the original wav files were recorded at a too low volume, then that could explain the quiet sound. You can't amplify anything that doesn't exist.

Since the Lokprogrammer seems to interact with the decoder OK, do you think it is worth a try to upload the ESU soundfiles? (Yes Tom, I know you cannot make that decision for me, but I'd like to know your opinion).

From what you are saying, you cannot backup any of the sound files currently on the decoder, is that correct?

I'm guessing that if I do do this I should start off with the loksound 3.5 soundfiles.

Hello All,
I bought the 26549 myself a few years ago, before the Museum set came out so I also bought a set of the extra wagens only, from an ebay dealer, I'd previously dealt with, who was selling broken up sets, however at the time he would not ship the extra wagens in the box so ended up with two complete sets. One is unrun and will still be sold, just the Lok or as I've since got the '09 Museum set maybe a complete set. I too found the sound a bit quiet, but then that applies to a few older model Marklin steamers that they've re issued with sound like the BR96's and Wurtt C's. In the little running I've done with mine didn't notice the traction issue, and compared to my 37030 P38 wasn't noisy at all, but since I'm working on a "hilly" layout this renewed thread has got me wondering. My BR38 which I've used quite a bit on the flat seems to be OK and I thought the lack of rear tyres was because the model was bit nose heavy anyway, also th back axle is only driven by the drive rods as far as i could see, from the model and the parts diagrams. So maybe I need two or three ? of those tyred axles ? One criticism I have of that model is, with a bit of handling a few of the clip on details have fallen off, and are a bit difficult to reattatch, everything being black I assume the 26549 '38 is just as delicate, haven't even put a smoke unit in mine as yet, which because of a faulty one, caused the extra handling of the 37030, and bits falling off, and I consider myself very careful with my loks and use a Noch foam service station as pa pauls does
The 37030 '38 was noisy too so when fitting the smoke unit I greased the drive gear in the chassis with some Trix grease used for the worm drive SDS Loks. That made it considerably quieter as the gears were as dry as !
Sorry if this has gone a bit off topic and thanks all for your comments and pa pauls for his informative web page
Dave, have you replaced the axle as yet ? I'll be consulting Dennis about speakers as he has the full range of ESU ones and has played around with them a fair bit
Also Dave, you can't save, or edit, a Marklin sound project with a Lokprogramer

Well Guys,
Being a rainy old Summer day in Auckland, I decided I'd better revisit my 26549 BR38, and shock horror
when I first ran it, it only went a short distance and stopped, emitting a loud humming noise. I reversed it and it went ok, and fwd again, seemed OK, however the trailing axle of the front bogey was not turning either . Removed it from the tracks and had a good look at and deciced it needed a bit of a lube, it was built four years ago I guess, not unreasonable ! After just lubing all the axles and sitting it on my rolling prof stand it bound up again going fwd, but with a bit of a click, suddenly freed up and is running happily, but........ Anything over half throttle and the gear noise is becoming quite apparent and by full throttle drowns out the operating sounds , just like others have reported. I'm assuming the binding was something in the valve gear so I'll check that out !
So the only thing do do was open her up and grease the motor drive gear, and while I'm in there, fit the smoke unit, or so I thought . The motor drive gears and surrounds were caked with a white grease that has dried to a certain degree, I assume it's one of those clay based white grease's. So as it's beer a clock here, I'll clean it off whilst enjoying one and let you know how I get on

i can deal with the sound.....working flawless in the midnight :)
i can't do the speaker swap or drill the tender either.

but the acceleration & pulling power............:(
additional traction axle is a must, hope can find it at my city.

i compare with my BR81 from starter set 29539.

at 1st bar power, half is enough to make it run. 1-2 second respond time.
but for 26549, stand still. need 2 full bar to move, response time 3-5 second. is it normal?

There's 7 sound projects for steam locos so far, but none for the Br38.


http://www.maerklin.de/de/produ...ads/decoder-updates.html

Yes you are absolutely correct, did you notice that you can play them Dave ? All?

PS I think a complete clean up of all that old grease is on the adgenda, so my findings/report may be a few days away !

Hi all,
Having had this Lok on my "work bench" since New Year, over Easter I decided it's time for resolution. I couldn't see a complete strip down to clean all that white grease as totally necessary at this stage, not if only to prove a point about the noise anyway.
So a bit more of a clean up of the visible white grease and a generous application of Trix 66626 grease and put her back together and the result is pleasing. Whilst not a total "shut up" of the noise it is considerably less, and in line with the noise of my older 37030 P38 I ventured to do the same to, a few years back.
However, whilst there was no binding this time, whilst running on track, I do suspect the left front wheel is slightly out of quarter as there was a slight resistance when turning the wheels by means of a screw driver on the drive cog, during the clean up, so will get "Dennis" to check it out