MÄRKLIN H0 conventional driving and electromechanical automatisation
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock
Märklin-H0-Knowledge A: The very first basic knowlege about conventionally controlled Märklin H0 model railways A15m: Criss-cross - The Märklin M-track crossings and double slip turnouts
Preface Since I almost exclusively own Märklin metal tracks (M-tracks) and a few Märklin model tracks, this article only describes the crossings, double slip turnouts, turntables and the transfer table of these systems. The mentioned radii are related to the center conductor. The detailed naming of the numbers should help you to identify the turnouts offered. Planning programs also list these numbers. (I hope I researched everything correctly ...) I repeat some things in the sections so that the information is complete there. This article assumes knowledge of the previous article "Track branches, track connections with Märklin M-track turnouts". So that we speak of the same: Terms around the turnout Märklin published a beautiful book in 1975: Click on the picture for open or download I refer to this book in the following. Therefore it makes sense for you to open this link in a second win-dow. Almost all the dimensions of the M-rails can be found in this book. In 1982 a new book came out that brought other interesting information. Here are shown the turnouts no. 5137 to 39 too: Click on the picture for open or download Spare parts lists for the newer turnouts and much more: Click on the picture for open or download Historical overview Märklin M tracks with point contacts appeared for the first time parallel to the M tracks with a continuous central conductor rail in the 1953 catalog in the form of "model tracks" no. 3800 and 3900 with very large radii, which are still a specialty in the Represent the Märklin system and are expensive. Refer to "Märklin model tracks - a closer look at these exotics" Beginning in the catalog of 1956 are the M-stud contact tracks with the radii 360 mm and 286 mm to be found as the third variant, initially as no. 3601 xx. From 1957 the M-rails of the normal circle radius 360 mm were then numbered 51xx (the arc radius 286mm no. 5120) and the new parallel circle radius 437.4 mm with numbers 52xx. In the years 1969 - 1992 Märklin produced a reduced and technically partially simplified range under the brand name “Primex”, which was sold outside the specialist trade and without advice, e.g. in warehouses. The M-rails disappeared from the range in 2000. In more detail (german) in maerklin-h0-forum.de Crossings (without turnout function) With an crossing you can cross a neighboring track without joining into it. Examples: see book Märklin 0390, pictures 63-65, 79-82, 88. The 4 versions are precisely tailored to specific applications.
Crossing suitable for normal circle turnouts:
Picture 13 left Geometry: Crossing angle 30°, track length 192 mm Used when the branch track of a 30 ° turnout has to cross the parallel neighboring track. 30°-turnouts are: Normal circle turnouts no. 51xx, where no. 5137, 5138 or 5139 must be supplemented with a track no. 5102,
Parallel circle turnouts Märklin no. 52xx and Primex no. 5033, 5039 und 5043, if you extend them with curved tracks no. 5205. Numbers and variants: 1956: no. 3601 K 1957 to 2000: no. 5114 There are (probably) two variants: the older one with connected central conductor as shown (all 4 track ends connected) and a newer one with separate central conductors (the opposite track ends connected, the neighboring ones separated). That means, if two different driving circuits cross, you need the newer version. Crossings suitable for parallel-circle turnouts
with a flat angle Picture 13 center: Geometry: Crossing angle 24°17', track length 180 mm The scope of delivery includes 2x leveling tracks 8mm no. 5208. Used when the branch track of a 24°17' turnout has to cross the parallel neighboring track.
24°17'-turnouts are: Parallel circle turnouts Märklin no. 52xx, Primex no. 5033, 5039 and 5043, Normal circle turnouts no. 51xx, if you expand it with a counter-arch no. 5205. The short turnout no. 5137, 5138 or 5139 must first be supplemented with no. 5102 to 30°. Numbers and variants: 1979 to 2000: Märklin-no. 5215, 1980 to 1992: Primex-no. 5085 The center conductors of the opposite ends of the track are connected, the adjacent ones separated. This means that the two crossed tracks do not affect each other.
with steep angle Picture 13 right: Geometry: Crossing angle 48°34', track length 98 mm For application see book Märklin 0390, picture 80-83
Numbers and variants: 1959 to 2000: no. 5211 I have two variants: the older one with connected middle conductors (all 4 track ends connected) and a newer one with separated middle conductors as shown (the opposite track ends connected, the adjacent ones separated). The model track crossing Picture 14
Geometry: Crossing angle 16,865°, track length 174mm Used when the branching track of a model track turnout has to cross the parallel neighboring track. The special requirements for the environment of the model track crossing see page "Märklin model tracks - a closer look at these exotic species”. Numbers and variants: 1953 to 1956: no. 3900 K, 1957: no. 5016, The central conductors of all 4 entrances are connected. Double slip turnouts
With a double slip turnout you can join into the neighboring track as well as cross it. A double slip turnout can be replaced by two simple turnouts, but this takes up twice as much space. In the prototype, double slip turnouts were exchanged for simple turnouts in many places because the wear and tear and the possibility of failure were too high. However, you can still find them today e.g. B. in the main train station at Dresden, Germany, Saxony (see photo).
The Märklin double slip turnouts have 4 pairs of tongues, which means they combine 4 turnouts. The mechanical effort is correspondingly high. Exemplary track diagrams: see book Märklin 0390, picture 6-8, 66-68, 74-76, 83-86, 88.
Double slip turnouts suitable for normal circle turnouts Picture 15 left and center Geometry: Length of the straight track 192 mm, crossing angle 30°, curve radius 360 mm (R1), curve angle 30° Used when the branch track of a 30° turnout has to cross the parallel neighboring track, but should also join into it. 30°-turnouts are: Normal circle turnouts no. 51xx, whereby no. 5137, 5138 or 5139 must be supplemented with a compensation track no. 5102, – Parallel circle turnouts no. 52xx, if they are supplemented with the curved compensation track no. 5205. Variants: Variant 1: picture 15 left: The old double slip turnout with a continuous middle conductor; because of the special construction mentioned here as an exception, 1952 to 1956: No. 3600 DKWS 1957 to 1958: No. 5126 (and 5013 on the manual from 1956) Manual from 1957 This double slip turnout has two drives, 6 connection lines: 1x yellow for 16V light in the lantern, 1x yellow for 16V coil voltage, 4x blue with 2 green and 2 red plugs each for operation on ground.
There are two rotary knobs for manual operation. The two closely adjacent pairs of tongues move each pair, once straight ahead and once branching off. As a result, both entrances lead to the same exit (one route is set correctly, the turnout is cut open on the other). This can be operationally advantageous. There are therefore 4 positions, which are also shown in the lantern and which show the actual set travel path (in contrast to the newer double slip turnout).
Picture 16 shows the mechanic in 2 of 4 positions. The video shows the tongue and lantern movements of the no. 3600 DKWS / 5126. Variant 2: picture 15 center: The newer double slip turnout 1959 to 2000: no. 5128 (manual) This double slip turnout has only one drive, 3 supply lines: 1x yellow for 16V coil voltage and light and 2x blue with a green and red plug each for operation on ground. There is a very small, unwieldy slide for manual operation. The tongues are all set either straight or branching, i.e. 2 positions. The lantern shows either one of the straight routes or one of the curved ones, even if the other is used. Picture 17 shows the mechanic in the 2 positions. The video shows the movements of the mechanics using the 5207 as an example.
Funktion of 5128: The movement of the armature is deflected into a movement perpendicular to it via an inclined slot, an octagonal frame moves the panels in the lantern and two scissor arms, on the 4 ends of which wire springs are attached that move the turnout blades.
No wonder these double slip turnouts are a bit more expensive ... Double slip turnout suitable for parallel circle turnouts Picture 15 right: Geometry: Track length 180 mm, crossing angle 23°16', arc radius 437,4mm (R2), arc angle 24°17' The scope of delivery includes 2x leveling tracks 8mm no. 5208. Used when the branch track of a 24°17' turnout has to cross the parallel neighboring track, but should also join into it. 24°17'-turnouts are: Parallel circle turnouts no. 52xx, Normal circle turnouts 51xx, if you expand it with a counter-arch no. 5205. The short turnout no. 5137, 5138 or 5139 must first be supplemented with no. 5102 to 30°. Variants: 1959 to 2000: no. 5207 (manual) I am showing the two different versions here. They differ in the construction of the center conductors and rails. In picture 18 the older version approximately until 1963 (picture in the catalog until 1981) can be seen above and the newer version below. The the older version has a special switch inside: 1. When driving straight ahead, the current collector slides over the piece of metal I colored red in the middle and the wheels ride on the rails I colored green. 2. When branching off, the current collector slides over the rails I colored green and the wheels ride over the piece of metal in the middle I colored red. Therefore the polarity of these elements is switched. The contacts for switching can be seen at the top in picture 19. In the newer version from approximately 1963 (picture in the catalog from 1982), these elements are made of plastic. Therefore, the internal structure is simpler, but the contact may be worse. This double slip turnout has only one drive, three supply lines: 1x yellow for 16V coil voltage and 2x blue with one green and one red connector each for operation on ground. There is a very small, unwieldy slide for manual operation. The tongues are all set either straight or branching, i.e. 2 positions. Function: The movement of the armature is deflected into a movement perpendicular to it via an inclined slot, an octagonal frame moves two scissor arms, on the 4 ends of which wire springs are attached that move the turnout blades.
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock
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