Sorry to keep bugging you guys...

[SpaceMouse]

The "starter sets" for these are about $299. Forget the collector's value, is this a good deal for a DCC Marklin Steam Engine and two cars? $165.95

Marklin 29550 Harry Potter

"Hogwarts Express"

Prototype: Express locomotive and 2 English design express passenger train coaches

Model: Locomotive comes with a digital decoder and a large headlight on the front. Headlight will work in conventional operation (transformer(not included)) and can be switched off in digital operation (Control Unit or Delta Control 4 f(not included)). One each passenger coach with and without a brake compartment. Train length 80 cm / 31-1/2".

Made by Marklin and brand new from a starter set.

Comes in styrofoam cradle. Also includes instruction booklet.

[Jetrock]

If you are modeling an English railroad in OO scale, sure, I guess it's okay.

[cefinkjr]

[#ditto]

SpaceMouse:

Note Jetrock's reply carefully. Everything I've seen from you indicated that you are getting started in HO scale. OO scale, while a very nice scale, will NOT be compatible with what you have already bought.

Chuck

[cacole]

Also note the description where it says the locomotive contains a DCC Decoder. It is my experience that Marklin decoders are not compatible with U.S. DCC systems so this may be a pig in a poke unless you have a Marklin DCC system. I would try to find out more about the decoder before I bought it. Check Marklin's Web site and see if they have information about their DCC decoders and whether or not they comply with the NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices, because they used to be a proprietary system that was developed before the NMRA got involved in setting standards.

[Jetrock]

Oh yeah, that's one other thing--most Marklin trains run on AC, not DC, and are thus not compatible with US equipment. Make sure this runs on DC first...

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks...The train is HO. I'll check on the decoder and power supply.

[Jetrock]

Is it? Some of the "Hogwarts" trains I have seen are actually scaled for British OO (which runs on HO track, but are actually scaled to 1:76 rather than 1:87.)

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

Is it? Some of the "Hogwarts" trains I have seen are actually scaled for British OO (which runs on HO track, but are actually scaled to 1:76 rather than 1:87.)

My Son's Bachman is HO/OO

From the Marklin site: 29550 H0 "Hogwarts Express™" Passenger Train Set with C Track Layout and Transformer



29552 HO Digital "Hogwarts Express™" Passenger Train Starter Set
$475.00

[Jetrock]

Okay then--by HO/OO they mean British OO (OO scale engine running on HO scale track.) This came about because British locomotives were too small (at the time) to model accurately in HO with the bulkier electric locomotives at the time--a compromise, featuring HO trackand OO models, was reached, and British OO has been kind of oddball ever since.

Again, make sure that this Marklin set is not the kind that runs on AC rather than DC--it requires entirely different track and powerpack. If it is the DC kind, find out if the DCC controller will run with a non-Marklin DCC controller.

If this is an eBay item, it might be so cheap because the previous owner discovered to their dismay that it won't work with conventional DC equipment or conventional DCC controllers...

[Anonymous]

Spacemouse,

From the description you posted, this is a 3 rail AC locomotive and car set. C track is Marklin's new 3 rail track. This system is basically compatable with itself and a few obscure (in the the USA) European brands. Delta is Maklin's entry level digital control system for 3 rail operation. It is not DCC, although it operates trains in a similar manner. Marklin does sell a limited amount of 2 rail DC stuff, but it is clearly marked as such. Unless specified otherwise, it is safe to presume that Marklin stuff is 3 rail AC.

Guy

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks, I've pretty much rulled it out. It was knawing at me for a while though.

[lupo]

if it is Marklin and not DCC it runs on AC, 3 rail.
Marklin running on 2 rail DC is sold under the TRIX brand

[Anonymous]

The Marklin "Hogwarts" apparently uses the Hornby loco bodyshell, tender, and cars with a Marklin 3-rail AC loco chassis. It will be to OO scale. If you want a Hogwart's express that you will be able to run under DCC on a 2-rail layout you would be better off buying the Hornby or Bachmann loco and cars - I've not seen the Bachmann models but the Hornby ones do have a very good standard of paint and decal work, and run well too. To the best of my knowledge the Hornby "Castle" class (and the Bachmann "Hall") do not have a DCC socket, so you'd have to do some soldering, though that's easy enough.