|
|
|
|
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock |
|
|
A: The very first
basic knowlege about conventionally controlled Märklin H0 model railways A1:
What do the tracks in the Märklin
H0 system look like? |
|
|
The Märklin system differs
from ALL other brands: The Märklin tracks have a
„central conductor"! These are the knobs in the
middle between the rails. The specialist speaks of „stud contacts". Very old tracks from
before 1957 had a continuous central rail as a central conductor. A few
products such as even after 1957, the turntable was only available with a
continuous central conductor. There were also competing products with center
conductors from Trix and others. The This symmetrical
construction enables absolutely revealing track figures. The traction current
comes from the middle, is picked up by the currant collector shoe in the
middle under the traction vehicle and diverted to the rails via the wheels. The
two current H0 track systems from Märklin:
Attention: There are tracks
from Trix that look similar, without a center conductor, and from Märklin for
the battery-powered models “my world” with plastic rails; both are unsuitable
for our purposes! The tracks in
„start up” packaging are fully compatible. The C Track is the
further development of the „Track 2000”, which was developed for the „ALPHA”
program in 1988 and can be recognized by the copper-colored contacts. Numbers
20xx four digits. The incline of the ballast bed is different and lugs on the
C track prevent it from being plugged together directly with the ALPHA track. In the first years
of production up to 2000, Märklin had problems with the plasticizer in the
plastic, which made the tracks brittle. The newer, better ones have
„ASA" and the year of production injected as a mark at the bottom. As of
2004 supposedly harmless, but apparently the problems have not yet been
resolved.
Attention: The
K-tracks were made with hollow profile rails up to 1980, numbers 21xx
four-digit, later with full profile rails, numbers 22xx four-digit. The K-Track is also
available as a flexible track for freely configurable arches. The old H0 track systems:
Attention: Between
1953 and 1957, Märklin produced the "Modellgleis", a luxury version
of the M-track. Numbers 3800 and 3900 with letters to distinguish them. It
was ahead of its time and failed to meet the needs of normal model
railroaders. In the meantime, the „Modellgleise“ are
sought after and can only be obtained relatively expensive. The „Modellgleis“
system is described in the article „Märklin Modellgleise - a
closer look at these exotics” in the subject area „Special knowlage about
conventional Märklin model railways“. There were many
different colors for the M tracks. Number ranges 36xx, 51xx and 52xx
four-digit, 36xx also with letters for differentiation. See “M-tracks since 1935 – an
uncomplete overview”. The track sections
of the M track system with a continuous central conductor and point contacts
as well as the "Modellgleise" are compatible with each other. There
are only restrictions on the “Modellgleise”. Compatibility of the systems
with each other You can combine C-,
K- and M-tracks, with M-tracks also Alpha-tracks, using transition tracks
that Märklin offers / offered. These transition tracks are only straight and
180mm long, which limits their applicability. transition track K – C : since
1999 no 24922 transition track M – C : since
1999 no 24951 transition track M – K : since
1969 no 2191, since 1981 no 2291 transition track M – Alpha : since
1988 no 2091 The possibility of
retrofitting a track from other manufacturers with a central conductor should
not go unmentioned. However, this is more for specialists ... For a very detailed description of the Märklin
tracks (german) see: Märklin-h0-Forum.de, Faq und Tipps und Tricks, rund ums Gleis, die
Märklin-h0-Gleissysteme Which track sections are/were
there? The
three Märklin track types in H0 gauge have only slight similarities in the
radii of the curves and the lengths of the straight lines. This makes
transferring a track plan from one system to another problematic. Comparison
of the radii: |
|
|
|
|
|
Only radius 1 / normal
circle I is the same for all three systems. Radius 2 is the same for
M- and C-track. Comparison of the straight
lines:
Only M- and K-track have
the same lengths. In order to assemble other
lengths from the standard track pieces, I offer tables in the subject area of
Layout
planning and construction, planing and construction aids. There are special versions
of some track pieces with functions; see "H0
Tracks with function". The feeder tracks are
shown on the page "How
does the electricity get into the Märklin H0 track?” Turnouts, double slip
turnouts and turntables are described in separate pages.
The track distances resulting from the application are then also shown there. |
|
|
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock |
|
|
state: 20.12.2023 10:20 |
|
|
Contact:
Mail |
|
