How To Convert Hornby 2-Rail DC to Marklin 3-Rail AC-DCC

[TheMärklinUser]

 This question might be better asked on the DCC Forum, where you are more likely to find electronic expertise, because the motors of Hornby locomotives are 12-18V DC even when run under DCC conditions (the chip converts frequency superimposed on 18VAC to DC), and I suspect the control of the Marklin AC motor will use a completely different type of de-coder which responds differently to Marklin commands to the way a Hornby chip will respond, and may be damaging to either the chip or the motor.  It sounds like quite a complicated electronic conversion, possibly requiring a bespoke chip.

 

Alternativly try a Marklin users group, there is one in New Zealand http://www.mmrc.org.nz/ and this European site looks useful http://trains.manvell.org.uk/links.htm

[TheMärklinUser]

Hi

I am currently running a Märklin layout but I want some British engines in my layout. Since Märklin only produces German engines and rarely ever produces British stuff except for the old thomas and friends one. I was deciding to get a Hornby 2-Rail DC loco and convert it to Märklin 3-Rail AC with DCC. I want to do that but have no idea how to do it. And im also trying to save some money since Märklin locos cost a lot of money.

[Chrissaf]

I would give up on this idea, I can't see it going anywhere. The technical and physical conversion issues are too great to overcome.

.

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[TheMärklinUser]

@Crissaf It sounds hard do i dont think i will do it then.

So are there any manuafacturers than make 3-Rail british locomotives that are compatible with marklin?

Or would hornby dublo with a modified shoe work?

[ellocoloco]

@TheMarklinUser.

 

The only British outline locomotive sold recently by Marklin was the Hornby Harry Potter loco. This was  a 3-Rail AC version and sold by Trix as DC. There must be some sort of commercial arrangement with both Hornby and Marklin as the Electrotren Talgo has also been boxed and sold under the Marklin and Trix brands.

 

https://www.ebay.de/itm/MARKLIN-HARRY-POTTER-HOGWARTS-EXPRESS-Sonder-ZUGSET-incl-Schienen-u-Trafo/264302989121?hash=item3d89af8f41:g:AVEAAOSwqHFcxxxw

 

The Harry Potter loco (Hall/Castle??) appears to have the skate between the first two tender axles. I have had a look online for a service sheet - its Marklin set 29550 - but cannot find one. If you can find one, then you could compare it to the Hornby DC version available on this website and see what changes have been made to run on AC. This might help with your plans.

 

Best of luck.

[Phil_Spiegel.]

2-rail DC/digital to run on '3-rail'/stud contact AC'  is the easy way round for the conversion.  Effectively - simply buy a multiprotocol decoder and fit a 'skate' beneath the loco for the centre pickup - connecting  a wire across to the skate (to the decoder input - the other coming from the wheels).  Specialist firms may even make modification kits - but search in germany not the UK 8-)

Sensibly, some manufacturers have started making 'common' stock for both 2 and 3 rail .... simply by changed by adding or removing the central power skate (eg ESU locos) .... there is still a large perhaps 50:50 ??? split on the continent between 2 and 3 rail use!

Obviously they consider there to be too litte difference in finescale wheels to cause running problems on the coarser standard.

With Marklin - whilst you might be running on 'analogue-ac', it is more likely you are using the Digital- Motorola80 or the later Mfx formats .... as with dcc, they are both (different generations) of digital control systems. with similar electrical voltages, but differing protocols.....

(Marklin have just announced a new decoder for their 'older locos' which is both Mfx and DCC and will work with any of their motor types)

ESU and OTHER 'Continental' Decoder manufacturers make 'MultiProtocol Decoders' - which AUTOMATICALLY detect which system or systems (plural) they are running on  (Yes, some control systems are Multiprotocol too - switching repeatedly between them so the the user is unaware of the changeover)..      If you look at an ESU Loksound 4 (or 5?) decoder manual it will give you the information, and, these decoders (and probably others (non-sound) in the range, and other makers)  they can also AUTOMATICALLY DETECT the MOTOR TYPE too.

For converting a Hornby Loco from 2-rail to 3 rail -  there may even be a spare part available ( see Marklin Thomas Range diagrams ) because they marketed the Thomas Range as 3-rail which, as has been mentioned, was the Hornby 2-Rail (dc) version with 3-rail pickup (and a decoder which provides the adaption to digital and power standard) ... so an 0--6-0 Thomas Skate might fit a wide range of Hornby 0-6-0T locos.,

I am faced with the harder task of converting the 3-rail to 2-rail, for some models which are not in the Trix range  or parts no longer available (some rahter nice Swedish Locos)  - this requires the uninsulated axles to be bushed or replaced with an insulating axle - and that is what I am about to experiment with !   The newly announced decode means I will not have to modify the motors, BUT a problem with SOME OLDER MODELS (whether 2 or 3 rail) is the depth of the flange - if used on Code 83 rail or less, contacting the chairs.