It was such a wonderful day in Cape Town yesterday. Lovely hot weather, with cyclists out training for the cycle tour next week, people going to the beach, children swimming in the pool at home, and a game of rugby on at the Newlands Stadium in the evening.

Joe and Terry, two of my Marklin colleagues, came over and we set up a little layout outside, under the thatch roof shade around the pool area, to enjoy some trains.

Actually, I wanted to see in action a system that I shall be using for my next layout. A combination of Delta and Analog. I come from a long background in analog trains (about 40 years of Marklin) but I did purchase a Delta Starter Set (ICE2) and another Delta train and I converted my DB103 to Delta a few years ago. I wanted to see how well the system would work with Delta in the Catenary and Analog on the Ground Pickup, and then be able to flick a switch and have Analog in the Catenary and Delta in the Ground Pickup.

Using this system, I will be able to have two sets of 5 trains running. One set would be made up of 4 Delta locomotives running from Catenary and 1 (or more) running Analog from Ground Pickup, and then flick the switch to have 4 Delta locomotives from Ground Pickup and 1 (or more) running from Analog from Catenary. Of course, using signalling system, several Analog locomotives can be scheduled to keep the layout busy anyway.

Fortunately, the system described above worked exactly as expected. Joe and Terry and I enjoyed switching between the systems for Catenary and Ground Pickup and between the locomotives, and even though it was just a little layout, we could have great fun with the concept.

Of course, having Delta in the Catenary and another Delta in the Ground Pickup would allow 8 trains to be run simultaneously with individual train control, but that’s another story …

I have attached some pictures here so you can see the enjoyable day we had yesterday.

Terry and Joe getting to grips with the layout :





You can see the old Analog Transformer and the Delta transformers side by side.
Note the Borsig, the DA800, the F800 and the Crocodile lurking in the box with the panto's showing :










One other item which I wanted to check was how well the old Analog locomotives would run on the new C Track. They all seemed to cope absolutely well enough, except for 3014 the Class 01 097 and the F800 which seemed to struggle a bit on the C Track Curved Points. I was delighted that my DA800 and 3005 locomotives ran well on C Track, and even the 3039 Electric locomotive seemed to be fine, although without the traction tyre at the back, it sent the 3039 into a bumpy ride over the new C Track. The CM800 locomotive had no problems, neither did the 3003 locomotives, but my old 3080 Diesel Shunter was not too happy. I think the wheel flanges of the older locomotives are slightly wider than the newer locomotives, hence the bumpy ride as it goes over the sleepers.

Joe and Terry and I enjoyed the day, and next time it’s back to Joe to see how his wiring and scenery development has progressed on his home layout.

Regards,
John

Looks like you had really nice day....

Cant get much better than that.

What a great post, what a great way to spend some time with friends, thanks for sharing John.

Jeremy.

Pity the Bulls got beaten..........

Good times, John, Good times...

Dale,

What is the American equivalent of "ag man, braaivleis rugby sunny skies and Märklin...." ?
I suppose "oh man, hollywood , football, sex in the city and Sante Fe" or something like that ?
Don't you miss your alma patria ?

Regards,
John

Hi John,

Great way to spend a day.

We could do with a little bit of your sunshine.

Ian.

Mark,

Thank you so much - Delta Decoders received all in good order.

I took some time last night to figure out how to install a Delta Decoder into one of my old locos. I chose to install it into my 3937 DB Electric Locomotive, which I purchased in a DIY kit form in January 1970 at Frankfurt Airport. The process took me a couple of hours, but I am very pleased with the result. Now I have one of my favourite locomotives to control around the track.





And here is a picture from my old Marklin Magazine of the kit of the 3937 locomotive which I purchased :



Regards,
John

Well I don't think there is an equivalent.... but your suggestion is probably not too far off...
Perhaps: "yea! burgers, football, Bud, and a V8" but only those from SA know where the expression is from....



Oh! sometimes... miss the climate the wildlife and general attitude and competence that used to prevail... but I certainly don't miss the new levels of crime and corruption... and sadly most people are completely blind to the massive extent of corporate corruption in the USA... life is still too easy here for people to care - massive natural resources compensate.

Thanks for the nice report, John.
I wish I were there.

In my opinion it's always sunny in Capetown
Maybe because I look at this photo from time to time



This was shot from Signal Hill some years ago.

Thanks John for an amazing day! Of course you know its all your fault that I'm having to go digital now!!...You have more than whet my appetite....as they say, if u can't beat them, join them....
Joe