Hello,
Is there any american based brand producing AC digital locomotives? I'd like to have some US locomotives running without (or at least mínimum) issues with my Marklin digital layout?
Thanks!
No. I believe Marklin is the only company that makes AC digital products.
Marklin does make a few US locomotives. I know their 2-8-2 Mike was made in both AC- (Marklin) and DC-versions (Trix). I see them on eBay every now and then.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
It seems to me one of the MR staff is building an HO layout set in the US but using Marklin equipment. There was an article about scenery that showed the layout maybe a year or two ago, can't quite remember the details.
There are 2 issues for Marklin compatibility.
1. Permanent magnet motors cannot be used on AC power. To use a motor on AC, the field must be able to have it's magnetic polarity reversed. Permanent magnet motors by definition have a permanent magnetic polarity for the field. The AC power must be rectified to DC in the locomotive to be usable on AC power. This is commonly done on 3 rail O locomotives, which work fine with the AC-based command control systems, whe equipped with the proper electronics in the decoder. Marklin uses small field-wound motors, which have copper field windings to generate the magnetic field rather than a permanent magnet. Field-wound motors are universal - they can run on AC or DC.
2. Marklin equipment uses a "3 rail" setup. The 2 track rails are tied together electrically. The center studs and center shoes on the locomotive complete the circuit. Normal 2 rail DC HO have the rails of opposite polarity. All wheel sets must be insulated in some way so as not to short out the 2 rails. Marklin does not require and normally does not have insulated wheel sets.
just my experiences
Fred W
Hi.
MTH has HO locomotives which are compatible with the Maerklin 3 rail system. If and when you order just make certain that the unit is for the Maerklin system since most of there locomotives are for the MTH DCS and standard DCC systems.
http://www.mthtrains.com/
All the best.
Reinhard
Joe F
Just checked MTH. I think their UP locomotives are the best (and so far besides Marklin, the only) option for me!!