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I have spent considerable time on this issue and as a person who has a large layout currently running Marklin locomotives with American freight cars, I have a few observations. I gave up on converting locos. The idea to run Marklin on one main and Two rail DC on the other is possible if they are to be separate systems. If you want to run rolling stock between the two systems there are several big drawbacks that you should consider carefully before embarking on the project. The biggest is the fact that Marklin uses the NEM (European) standard for wheel width. This standard is slightly smaller than the NMRA standard (check it with the respective wheel sets). This means that none of the USA cars will run through Marklin switches (narrower points) to the diverging track without modification (there are some cheats here). This includes trying to run NMRA standard locos on Marklin track as well. If you want to run the Marklin rolling stock on DC track, the Marklin flanges will bottom out on track that is not at least code 100 (limiting you to large rail in the DC section) and all wheel sets will have to be changed to insulated sets to work on DC track (not an inexpensive prospect). I have spent many hours modifying my layout to run NMRA standard gear on Marklin track. It is a lot of work and things don't run perfectly. After 4 years I eventually decided to build a new layout and use two rail DC with no Marklin equipment. I have a few tricks you might be interested in and I would be happy to dicuss my experiences with you via e-mail...Guy Cantwell at gtrguy@sbcglobal.net
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