Marklin 1 Maxi

[Anonymous]

Looking for info on Marklin 1Maxi such as; Will it run on Aristo-craft track (brass), any compatibility problems with Bridgewerks or MRC, etc? Thanks!

[devils]

I've seen a Marklin Gauge 1 loco running on Aristo and LGB track with no real problem though it did bounce a bit on the point frog, must be those small wheels dropping in. Sorry that's all I can help with on this one.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Marklin trains are a bit of a different animal compared to other large-scale brands. Their track is NOT compatible with other brands and is not designed for outdoor use.

[Anonymous]

I'm more worried about the trains themselves. I use Aristo-Craft track.

[Rene Schweitzer]

I haven't tested this myself, but I would be cautious about doing this. They might work, but perhaps not reliably, as they are meant to run on Marklin's own track.

[Anonymous]

I'll have to jump in here, since I currently have about 20 Marklin MAXI locomotives in my collection.

I have operated my MAXI items on both Marklin's track and turnouts (which I really like because of the overall construction, the reliable track joiner design, and lower profile rails) and on LGB and Aristo track and turnouts.  I have had no problem operating MAXI trains on either track system.

Although many of the MAXI items tend to be somewhat fanciful in design, especially those based on U.S. prototypes, the trains are beautifully constructed and they run like a fine Swiss watch--far better (and more quietly), in my experience, than most other brands of Large Scale trains.

The trains are designed for AC or DC operation (with an easily installed board provided to make the change from one type of current to the other).  I have operated my MAXI locomotives with Marklin's own power packs, and have operated them on DC with various MRC packs.  Again, no problems whatsoever, in my experience.

A year or so ago I had given some thought to selling most or all of my MAXI collection, but the things are so darn attractive and so well made that I changed my mind and will likely hold onto those items until such time as I can once again provide them with a suitable layout to run on--probably an indoor pike devoted exclusively to the MAXI trains (with the garden railroad being reserved for my LGB and other trains).

[Anonymous]

Thank you all who replied. I just acquired a Maxi Union Pacific 54541 and can not wait to run it!

[ondrek]

I bought a Maxi a few years ago.  At the time, i wasnt really aware that they were 1/32 scale.  it looks odd pulling the Bachmann coaches we have...so we have it pull a flat car first.  it runs just fine on the aristo track and we have used a MRC control master 20 and a MRC 6200 for power.  it runs fine.
one odd thing....when running the engine, it runs in the opposite direction that the other trains do.  Also if we change the direction of the current, the engine will not operate.  no matter, we got no problem with that.  what this feature has allowed me to do is execute tug of wars.  it out pulls everything we have.  :)   Not sure if the no reverse thing needs to be fixed or not.

They are extremly quiet.  i have no other engine nor have i heard another engine as quiet as that marklin.
the marklins have pick up shoes like LGB, but they are shorter, they can and always would drop down in the slight gap on turnouts.  this would cause the train to stop dead in its tracks and derail.  I removed the pick up shoes as they arnt needed anyhow and the engine runs perfect. 

the 1/32 was very much off compared to the 1/20 stuff from bachmann, but we are goign to migrate to USA trains at 1/29 so, its gonna fit in much better soon.

enjoy it
kevin

[Anonymous]

I too have a very large collection of Marklin Maxi trains.  I usually only run them on all Marklin track which they were really designed for.  I occasionally run some of the bigger engines and cars on my brothers outdoor LGB layout.  LGB switches have an unusual high plastic frog that the engines raise up a little on but continue to run.  Shorter 2 axle engines running very slow sometimes stall on the frog.  As far as the space between rails, it is the same 45 mm.