Marklin Loco's

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Evening All, Just Wondering if one or more of you good people could help? I keep seeing on Evil Bay these Marklin Locos, some if not all say they are fully compatiable with L.G.B,Bachmann etc,is this so? Are they the correct scale to run with L.G.B or Bachmann coaches and rolling stock, and will they operate with L.G.B. controllers or gaugemaster.I am not to concerned about digital as i only run analouge at the present time.Any help or comments would greatly appreciated.Kind Regards Pete.:wave:
 
Maerklin make expensive Gauge 1 models and also used to make a cheaper range called Maxi, which I think was discontinued a few years ago.

I can't comment about the "proper" gauge 1 stuff (though I do think it looks lovely), but I do have a Maxi 0-6-0 loco:

The scale is smaller than LGB (closer to Gauge 1 scale of 1:32) so they look odd (too small) against LGB stock.

The Maxi range are simple designs made mostly from metal. They don't have much detail, I think they were aimed mainly at kids or people with a fondness for old tinplate toy trains.

The mechanism in my 0-6-0 is pretty good, and will run ok on most G trackwork. It uses a similar pickup skate to LGB. I think the wheel flanges are not quite as deep as LGB, I noticed my loco would sometimes stall on the frog of LGB R5 points which use a metal insert in the bottom of the frog to assist with continuity. I don't think the Maerklin flanges could quite reach down to touch these inserts. No problems since upgrading the points to live frog!

The couplings are definitely NOT compatible, I found a way to bodge an LGB hook and loop onto my loco.

Be aware that some Maxi locos came fitted with a "Delta" module, which is digital system NOT compatible with NMRA DCC. Make sure the loco also includes a replacement plug-in plate to allow running on analogue DC. If this is missing then something suitable can be bodged up from copper-clad stripboard which will plug straight in. Once fitted with the DC plate they run perfectly well on LGB and other G controllers.

Bottom line is I think the Maxi locos are very nice simple toys, probably best run with other Maerklin stock rather than LGB or Bachmann etc.

Don't pay too much for one: I don't know the current going rate on ebay but personally I probably wouldn't go beyond say £120 or so for another 0-6-0 like the one I have - and to be honest I bought only that one as the name plates are my wife's name so I had an excuse!
 
Pete, I assume you're referring to ebay item 370450771561, the Maxi loco for £250? (I think there was also another similar one for around half that price recently but it's not there now)

Hmm... the seller does indeed say fully compatible with gauge 1 and G scale stuff. Personally I think that's stretching things a bit with regard to G scale, for the reasons I've commented about in my previous post: yes it will run on the same track with the same controllers but you certainly cannot couple it up to other G brands without a bodge.
 
I cant comment on this particular loco but some Marklin locos (older ones perhaps) run on AC current. i.e. not compatible.
 
Hi Alan,

yes that's certainly true of older Maerklin stuff. I think more modern production actually uses a DC motor in many cases, with suitable circuitry to run on AC. So effectively there's no real barrier to using such locos with AC, DC, DCC or any other digital system.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Delta module in these Maxi locos lets them work on analogue AC or Delta Digital (similar to a DCC decoder allowing running on analogue DC), whereas you need the specific DC plate to run them on analogue DC.

I had no problem fitting a DCC decoder to my Maxi loco, using a piece of copper-clad stripboard to make a suitable interface plug. I did write this up but I can't remember if it was here or on GSM. In the past I also remember advising another member about making a DC plate from stripboard.
 
funandtrains said:
The Maxi range were not built by Marklin but by I think an Eastern European company who make there own "0" gauge range who I can't remember the name. They are intended to appeal to the retro market but with modern electrics.
Click to expand...

ETS? Seem to remember they make/made a range of O gauge "modern tinplate" stuff
 
As all above. I have two of the Maxi RANGE LOCO'S AN 0-6-0 AND 0-4-0 BOTH ARE A LITTLE SMALL AT 1-32 SCALE TO RUN WITH THE BIGGER lgb STOCK BUT LOOK JUST FINE WITH ALL THE SMALL 4 WHEEL SHORT STOCK (Damn Cap locks) and they both are fitted with circuit boards to run on DC or AC they are very well built chassis and will pull a ton I didn't pay $100 each for mine I think so don't spend $250!!! cheaper to buy from USA and import at that price!
 
And there was a Glaskasten....granted, never in narrow gauge, but I always liked them!
 
Spule 4 said:
And there was a Glaskasten....granted, never in narrow gauge, but I always liked them!
Click to expand...

Still on sale at a local model shop. I have been tempted by it many times!
 
Evening All, Thanks for all your comments,they have been and are very helpfull, I did think the Marklin Locos would be a bit to small,Think i will give them a miss for now. Regards as always,Pete.:bigsmile:
 
They are excellent pullers, weighs in very heavy, sturdy construction.
But they should be about 120£ for the 0-6-0 even less for the 0-4-0

You can find the pride and joy of the Maxi range, the Bavarian 4-6-2 for as little as €600 on German e-bay.
And decent 0-8-0s for about €250-300

But beware:
make sure they come with the "alternate" DC circuit board as often the default is Motorola DCC and AC current combined. Can be run on Digitrax I am told.
They are also precisely 1/32, not just "close to" in the reviews of these models they get trashed if they deviate 1mm on full length. This is rivet counting territory. The maxi line is a bit more lose, but still 1/32.
 
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