Talk:Märklin

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Although called third rail, Märklin acually has a two rail system and is the only brand using AC.

Although it's safe to say it only has two visible rails, the studs in the middle of the track do provide power, so technically it is a three-rail system, correct? I'm going to change this. -- Dave Farquhar 14:44, 16 May 2004 (UTC)

no, it is a two rail system; the two outer, visible rails are connected, the middle 'rail' is insulated from the other two. Also, the wheels on Märklin cars are not insulated and if used on other track brands they will cause a short circuit. Standard Märklin cars can only be used on other, say Fleischman, tracks if the wheels/axles are changed for insulated ones. Due to Märklin's use of the symmetry in the common outer and insulated middle tracks, a turning loop can be made without problem. The only true 'three rail system' is made by Trix Express - with three insulated rails. (MH, 2004-05-16)

The outer rails on large-scale three-rail track are connected as well, the notable exception that I know of being O gauge GarGraves track, which isolates the three rails. But traditional tubular O gauge track has always been called three-rail even though its outer rails are connected. I've edited the page to hopefully clarify all of this. How's it look? -- Dave Farquhar 15:44, 17 May 2004 (UTC)

OK, you may want to mention that people convert Märklin AC engines to DC to be used on DC lay outs. Märklin itself now also has DC engines - Märklin-Hamo (IIRC). (MH, 2004-05-17)

Any thoughts on it now? -- Dave Farquhar 19:37, 18 May 2004 (UTC)

There should be an article explaining two and three rail systems in model railways. MH 213.51.209.230 22:02, 22 May 2004 (UTC)

Excellent idea. I'll start thinking on that, maybe get something written up later this week. Dave Farquhar 02:22, 24 May 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Märklin construction sets

I was disappointed to find no mention of Märklin's long heritage of mechanical construction sets. My father, who grew up in Germany, played with both their electric trains and construction sets, even building trestles and bridges for his layouts with the construction set materials. He introduced me to the construction sets in the late 1950's, and it was quite a while before I even learned that Märklin also made electric trains! That said, I added a brief mention of that former product line.

[edit] ", but of better quality."

Does anyone have evidence/proof/citations of how Maerklin was "better" then Erector or Meccano? Thanx 69.142.2.68 21:25, 4 September 2005 (UTC)

• That appears a bit WP:POV, so I removed it. --Janke | Talk 22:44:57, 2005-09-04 (UTC)

Yes. Personal experience. I played with both Maerklin and Erector building sets as a child. The Erector components were of thinner gauge metal, flimsy, and had sharp edges that could injure. The comment about "better" should go back in. Since Maerklin sets are no longer on the market, unless someone has personal experience with it, a reader would have no way of obtaining a point of reference. Quicksilver 16:57, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

I don't have personal experience with Meccano sets, but see the article at Erector_Set, wherein the writer rated Meccano inferior to Erector, with specific reasons. Stating that Maerklin building sets were of better quality than Erector and Meccano is not merely POV. Both 69.142.2.68 and Janke could have avoided this question by reading both Erector_Set and Meccano articles. Quicksilver 17:12, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] C Track Geometry

For what it's worth, I've started an article over on Wikibooks where I'll hopefully be putting some notes on Marklin's C track. --65.57.245.11 21:18, 28 October 2005 (UTC)