Rewiring an AC locomotive to Direct Current

[Anonymous]

I have an old Marklin Steam Locomotive which I would like to change to Direct Current so that it can run on my layout. Does anybody know if this is possible and how to do it?

[Jacktal]

I may be wrong but I believe the only solution would be to fit a DC motor in your loco,unless the AC motor could be modified to DC.I also would like to know.

Your question brings along another question which I find interesting.Since DCC feeds AC current in the trackwork,is their a reasonable way to design a special decoder that would allow an AC powered loco to be used along with decoder equipped DC locos?

I don't own any AC powered loco but I'm simply curious to know and I'm sure somebody on this forum can answer both these questions.

[dknelson]

I am no expert on Maerklin but I THINK it takes mroe than just rewiring -- if you intend on running in on two rail it might be that the wheels are not insulated at the axles meaning you will have an instant short. I assume Maerklin works the same as Lionel and other three rail (and trolleys for that matter) where both rails have the same polarity and the third rail or stud or overhead is the other. So you are looking at a big job here. I think even Maerklin freight cars have this problem for two railers
I would explore the British or European magazines to see if someone offers retrofit kits with new wheels for your engine --or leave it alone for its collectors value.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

you can't do it easily.

The main problem is that the Marklin locos are three rail so the two sides of the drivers are not insulated from each other. It will short out wheather you have changed the motor or not (which you need to do too incidentally)

To got it to work you need;
new motor
new internal wiring
new wheels (all of them)
probably a new chassis and gearbox

so if i were you i'd dingy the idea as you effectively have to scratchbuild a new loco and put the plastic top on it. leave it alone:)

neil

[Jetrock]

Considering that Marklin locomotives carry a pretty high pricetag, your best bet might be to sell it on eBay and use the money to buy a DC locomotive--much simpler!

[Anonymous]

I asked this question some time ago as I had been given a beautiful Marklin 2-6-8-2 with an air cooled condenser on the tender. I would have loved to have run that lady on my layout but came to find out it was virtually impossible. I wound up selling it and bought a Shay with the money. I sometimes wish now I had kept it and put it on display.