Technically, it is possible to have an "either / or" set up using three rails. Years back, some O gaugers built layouts using Gargraves track (3-rail with wood ties, so the two outside rails weren't electrically connected) and wired the three rails so they could either use the two outside rails for DC, or all three for three-rail AC trains. But you can't do both at the same time of course.
However, I don't think it's worth the effort.
For your situation, many engines, cars etc. available in the Marklin AC 3-rail HO line are also offered under their Trix brand name in DC 2-rail.
The two types of track won't work together. What sort of 'thing' is this? If it's a special track piece like a double slip, I doubt a 3 rail one would be any more reliable. Two rail ones should be fine - it's going to need care in track laying, and making sure all your rolling stock is properly gauged to run reliably, but it can work just fine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello OP?
I Googled Profi track--it has a built-in roadbed, but otherwise is straight-ahead 2-rail track:
Maerklin makes a variety of track, some with roadbed, but they all have center contact studs for power pickup and the outside rails are common:
Gary
tstage Yea, I mistakenly purchased a Marklin caboose a few years back an had to switch out of the wheelsets for insulated ones. Tom
Yea, I mistakenly purchased a Marklin caboose a few years back an had to switch out of the wheelsets for insulated ones.
Tom
Makes sense since 3 rail trains Lionel for example use the inside rail as a common and the outside rail both sides as the return feed. I suppose it’s possible to convert Lionel tubular track to 2 rail. By isolating the two sides and removing the Center rail but why bother? Don’t know anything about markin though.
Joe Staten Island West
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage 2-rail is generally DC while 3-rail is generally AC; two completely different animals. You would be need to rewire and remotor your locomotive. Any 3-rail lighted cars would need rewiring also. Tom
2-rail is generally DC while 3-rail is generally AC; two completely different animals. You would be need to rewire and remotor your locomotive. Any 3-rail lighted cars would need rewiring also.
Not only that, but many 3-rail Maerklin cars will not work on 2-rail--they don't bother to insulate wheelsets.
TFTtrainfanTristan hello, I have a question i want to make a h0 model railroad that is 2 rail but there is a part that I really want on my layout but is a 3 rail piece (All of the 2 rail pieces of that thing are really bad bechause they have many issues) so can I use that part for my layout (btw I'm using fleischmann profi track and the thing that I want is from Märklin) Thank you
hello,
I have a question
i want to make a h0 model railroad that is 2 rail
but there is a part that I really want on my layout but is a 3 rail piece
(All of the 2 rail pieces of that thing are really bad bechause they have many issues)
so can I use that part for my layout
(btw I'm using fleischmann profi track and the thing that I want is from Märklin)
Thank you
I'm afraid you can't mix and match 2 rail and 3 rail track and have them work together. Electrically, they are too different. I am not that familiar with profi track, but I do have some Maerklin H0 and I don't see how it can work. I would be glad to be proven wrong, though. What are you trying to do?