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Upcoming HO scale EMD Class 66 diesel locomotive. Marklin or Trix?

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, July 12, 2020 1:13 PM

Your Trix class 66 comes with a DCC sound decoder, so running it with your NCE Powercab is no issue.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by Engi1487 on Sunday, July 12, 2020 12:41 PM

Tinplate Toddler

Märklin won´t do any good for you! They run on 3-rail AC, the third "rail" bein stud contacts buried in the track bed. In any case, go for the Trix DC version.

In Europe, DCC is called DCC. DC does not stand for direct control but for direct current, while AC stands for alternating current. While DC does not change its polarity, alternating current constantly changes the polarity, usually at a rate of 50 to 60 Hertz, i.e. 50 to 60 times a second. DC motors simply won´t run on AC and vice versa.

 



I see. However, my current DCC system is the NCE Powercab starter set. So, how would I be able to run it if I bought it. I swear I remember seeing the this video of the ESU Ecos DCC command station, and another video I cant remember where it is, that was both running an american and eurpoean style loco, both makes I am not sure off. Prehaps it can run both DCC and AC & DC.

I am currenty fixing issues with my NCE powercab, but how could Trix locos like the class 66 with DC run on DCC systems?
 
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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, July 12, 2020 11:56 AM

Märklin won´t do any good for you! They run on 3-rail AC, the third "rail" bein stud contacts buried in the track bed. In any case, go for the Trix DC version.

In Europe, DCC is called DCC. DC does not stand for direct control but for direct current, while AC stands for alternating current. While DC does not change its polarity, alternating current constantly changes the polarity, usually at a rate of 50 to 60 Hertz, i.e. 50 to 60 times a second. DC motors simply won´t run on AC and vice versa.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    March 2020
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Posted by Engi1487 on Sunday, July 12, 2020 11:37 AM

Tinplate Toddler

Märklin is one of the oldest toy train manufacturer of the world and the one we owe the "name" HO scale to. Märklin HO scale products are designed for their proprietary 3-rail AC system, whereas Trix products are intended for 2-rail DC. Both follow European NEM standards with flanges slightly larger than RP25 wheels. They do run on code 100 track, though. Both Märklin and their DC counterpart Trix are quality products and - with a little care - will give you a lifetime of service. They are equipped with NEM coupler pockets, allowing to easily swap the couplers to Kadees.



Hi Tinplate,

Now that you say this it would be best to stick to the Trix version. I looked up what Marklin 3rd rail track looks like, and I am guessing this is it?. I also have to ask if European model train DC is the same Direct Control, or a different control all together like DCC, as I looked up the same version at Reynaulds and according to the product specs, came with sound as shown by the micrphone sound symbol.

This names me wonder, is DC the term for DCC in eurpoean model trains? The only track I have is my Kato HO scale HM1 track loop, which I intend to add the additonal outerloop, two siding and turnout interchange piece Kato also makes to create a double track, twin siding with turnout interchange setup.


I feel it could fit on, as my PC (Presidents Choice) Mehano made Canadian National locomotives that where part of the tran sets released by the grocery brand, where made for the Code 100 loop track and even fit on the Kato HM1 track loop which are code 83.

Dont mind the second paragraph. I was trying to insert a sentance or two between the first two, but the linking too made it automatculy purple.

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, July 10, 2020 11:42 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
Tinplate Toddler
Kevin´s remark about incorrect details is simply not correct.

 

I was referring to allowances needed to make it possible for the models to negotiate tighter curves, not fine detail on the carbody.

-Kevin

 

Wrong again, Kevin. Märklin, or any other European manufacturer, are way above in terms of detail, quality and durability of any BLI, MTH, Athearn, Bachmann and you name it products.

It´s certainly misleading to refer to the way products were made 50 to 70 years ago!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, July 10, 2020 11:14 PM

Tinplate Toddler
Kevin´s remark about incorrect details is simply not correct.

I was referring to allowances needed to make it possible for the models to negotiate tighter curves, not fine detail on the carbody.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Friday, July 10, 2020 11:00 PM

Märklin is one of the oldest toy train manufacturer of the world and the one we owe the "name" HO scale to. Märklin HO scale products are designed for their proprietary 3-rail AC system, whereas Trix products are intended for 2-rail DC. Both follow European NEM standards with flanges slightly larger than RP25 wheels. They do run on code 100 track, though. Both Märklin and their DC counterpart Trix are quality products and - with a little care - will give you a lifetime of service. They are equipped with NEM coupler pockets, allowing to easily swap the couplers to Kadees.

Kevin´s remark about incorrect details is simply not correct. It may have been so 50 years ago, but so were your Tyco or Model Power products. Today, European model railroading products are often much more detailed than what you buy at your end of the Big Pond.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, July 10, 2020 10:51 PM

Stay away from Marklin unless your layout is 100% Marklin. These are 3 rail models like Lionel and not compatible with anything else.

Trix is owned by Marklin, so the quality is similar, but will operate on 2 rail layouts.

Be aware, these are intended for the European market, so might have oversized flanges and incorrect details to be able to negotiate tighter curves.

I have never owned a Trix locomotive, so I will stop here.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by tstage on Friday, July 10, 2020 10:17 PM

Random,

I have two of the Trix NYC 2-8-2 Mikes (ca. 2005) and they are terrific runners and beautifully detailed.  I don't know if it's still the case but Trix was/is intended for the American market and Marklin, the European market.  Marklin is generally for 3-rail operation and Trix, 2-rail.

A few years ago I mistakenly purchased a Marklin caboose and found out that it shorted my DCC layout.  The fix was easy: Swap out the uninsulated trucks for insulated ones.  Problem solved.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Upcoming HO scale EMD Class 66 diesel locomotive. Marklin or Trix?
Posted by Engi1487 on Friday, July 10, 2020 9:27 PM

Being Canadian, I am set on North American HO, and N trying out. I disocvered a while back EurorailHobbies, a Canadian based dealer and importer of Eurpoean made and prototype specific model trains.

I took interest in the upcoming (third quarter of 2020) EMD made Class 66 bi-directional diesel locomotive offered by both Trix and Marklin for the same price

However from your experiance with both manufactures, which do you think is best to you. Any product demos or test sample video avaible to watch? I'm not set on a prototype, as I am figuring out where my interest lies within the old world of model railroading.

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