Thanks for sharing this Video. Why did you replace all 3 axles since it seems that only the first one (motor side) had the damage? Was it because of the different colour of the new wheels? BR Klaus

Thank you for the very informative video over the different liveries over the years with Deutschebahn. I could never find why DB went with the mint green in the 80/90s and vaguely recall it as a child. I also I recently stumbled across a photo of three silberlinge (n-wagon) in the dark from the previous years. Not sure how rare it is, as I've only seen the one photo.

incidentally, when were you born? I am curious

Where could I purchase a model as good as the one you show?

Thank you for your review. I remember traveling from Paris to NIce in the 1960s on the Train Bleu which I believe had that engine. At least that was what my father had told me. I remember that it was pretty special.

I have one of those, but can't figure out which Marklin version it is. Can I send you a photo? At what address?

Old Märklin (3000 series) braking distance: the strength of the brush springs plays a massive role if you wish a soft braking or an abrupt braking. This makes possible to have 2 x 5106 rails stop section good enough for one-slider locos (not 3015, 3045, 3046, 3047 locos)

Hi, I'm absolutely fascinated by how you know how to honor and update the legendary M track. I have a question: how do you slow down at traffic lights? Another question: do you use Veismamn devices? Which? Thank you and... congratulations!!!

I know this first hand after buying two 1990's Piko start sets from the same Ebay seller, the wheels were so filthy that it looks like they were covered in dirty chewing gum, the Loco was filled with human hair and grease, took a whole container of cotton buds to clean it all and half a small can of contact cleaner, The rails were so black I thought it was plastic track. One set had rusted rails.

Increvable ...dans 100 ans elle roulera toujours ..normal c'est une MARKLIN la plus solide dectiutes les marques Avec HAG Toutes les autres Toutes ..Be valent pas une Marklin ..UBER ALES

Ma premiere belle locomotive HO dans un coffret Avec 3 voitures DB en 1968

Do you have the ICE Experimental that was in the 1985 Catalog?

I revise my previous statement about your channel. You are doing a great job and very much in line with what interests me. Thank you. By the way, are you Belgian? I am French and have a particular interest in French rolling stock and of course locomotives. Pity Marklin has never had much of those.

Wonderful

Thank you for an excellent video. I have a Marklin set that includes pre-war track, engines and cars as well as additional engines, cars, signals, M-track, etc. that I have accumulated over the years. So fun to see all the stuff I have boxed away on your track chugging along. I will soon be bringing it out to play with my brother and his grandson. Thank you for giving me an nostalgic reminder of why train sets are so fun.

Running more trains on the same track is still the most compelling argument for me. The amount of functions, sounds etc. doesn't really interest me and has become rather silly in the later years.

About the layout (just in case the disclaimer at the beginning of the video wasn't enough...): - It is a temporary set-up I use to run my collection of old trains, nothing is screwed down. The rolling stock was made in the 1980s, the tooling is often older, so is the track system. - It is analogue, 16V AC - The locomotives are all analogue -> no motor regulation (bar a few exceptions), no individual speed control - The speed is set centrally in a way that all trains can make the ramp to the elevated section. - Automation is done with relays, stopping is done by cutting power to isolated track sections - a small "Braking" effect before stopping sections is achieved with diodes, this is to avoid trains jumping signals -> things are going fast in places, the stop/departure behaviour is not realistic by today's standards. Running things manually would improve the behaviour, but filming and controlling at the same time would need to become a 2-man operation to make this happen, or need a substantial time investment... This channel is not my day job... If I was interested in realism, I would collect something newer and would install scenery... The point here is to experience the models as one would have when they were new, using the functionality available at the time, with all the flaws it entails.

... but you run your crocodiles way too fast. That's not the way they ran in Switzerland; as far as I can remember.

I am a Marklin enthusiast... have been for 60 years. I discovered your channel by chance, And to me the most interesting in your channel is that your "lack of scenery"(!) What idiot needs realism around the trains! Model trains are about trains!!

I am not sure if this helps, but on page 26-27 of the 1972 Marklin catalog, what appears to be a 3015 crocodile is shown pulling the 4635 tipping bucket cars. A possible consist suggestion?

Everthing from Märklin old stuff can be fixed. This old material ist my favorite

¡Gracias!

No, the models weren't bad. They are simply a product of their time.

Excellent models, and layout!! 👏👏👏

Dear 3rd rail, wishing you a happy new year as well as for all Marklin fans. I have followed this video to also solve my not working 3605 red arrow. Because it is fitted with a 6080 decoder, there is more space inside. I took pictures but couldn't find how to upload in the comments. Mine was also with hardened oils .... So had to clean the engine first and let dry. So residual cleaner was still present as the engine smoked when running solo. But this was self fixed with a little more patience 😅. The bogie was also hard to turn to a good cleaning as in the video was done. Please note the bogies gears are made of metal and the final speed is ok after all the maintenance (not before 😂). It does looks very nice and you are very right this loco needs attention if not used for a long time. The 3605 has only the light as digital option and it is not directional unfortunately. Lastly I do wish soon the 4k subscribers.... Been watching it recently and it climbed from 3.95 to 3.98k over last week , just less than 20 new subscribers... Now ... Happy new year

Grand automatic show

Thank you. I built a vintage 1970s/ 1980s M track layout for my kids this Christmas with a layout board, signals, and uncouplers. "These are trains you can touch" is what I told them, and they are playing with them every day. I'm back to visit this video again as I revive a yellow box 7051 with similar issues as yours to add to the layout. Thanks for the inspiration and guidance.

Very nice video. I like Tchaikovsky and Märklin too. All the best for you in 2025. BR from Germany Frank

I bought a few used stuff over the years for my garden and my new HO railway. In nearly all my purchases i had to clean the tracks and the wheels cause very less people care about cleaning. Instead they complain in social media about technical issues. But cleaning tracks and wheels - as you said - are important for your trains esp if you run your trains digitally. Place a capacitaor in your locomotives doesnt solve any problems. I made a video about cleaning tracks. And as you said: use track cleaner/smoke fluid for cleaning cause its not flammable. Never use any alcohol or petrol. The german Miniatur Wunderland had a fire after using alcohol for cleaning. Not what i want to have in my train home.

Really nice video! I will sure try with some pickups I have laying around. I always thought about also doing this with pantographs. Have you ever considered/tried it?

Perfect video, just great to watch and learn on the 7051. I used this video to maintain my 7651 which has been in a box almost since purchasing 20+ years ago. The decoder works with the light and the rotor cabin motor. However I got an issue with the lift up and down motor that appears to be always on working, meaning when rotating only the up down also works even if deselected on the CS3. Do you have suggestions where to look for? I'm worried to hear the decoder is possibly faulty... ? This is why the analog version is more robust and easier to repair. Happy new year Looking for more of your videos in 2025.

I thought LGB analog was slick but I’m amazed what Marklin did in the 70’s. Your videos are great, I really enjoy them. I’m curious with regards to M-track none of your videos delve into the issues with acquiring the used metal track that may have some corrosion or other contact point issues that must be addressed. What advice regarding the M track can you share?

Super video, thumps up and keep it up. 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️😀😀👍👍👍

So cool to see so many different trains zooming around! I have 3 questions 1. Where can I buy those wires and (fe)male connectors? 2. Even though this track is superb, will we be seeing a 2025 Layout? 3. If you don't mind me asking ofcourse, who are Alex and Max (16:52) Either way, happy christmas! Just like last year, I've put a track under the christmas tree, this time with more logic and isolated sections controlled by a signal! Something I learned from you!

I did not ask you yesterday, but your lovely red 'bus' that runs in front and looks so happy, what and who is that?

Merry Xmas, 3rd Rail! Teasing us with the Railbus! The Swiss train is cool & Nice to see the Nez Casse locos again.

wonderful! 🎄🎄🎄merry christmas to you and the watchers of the 3rd rail! … just an idea for your next music video: let some of the S3/6 variants you own run to honegger’s pacific 231!