The Märklin Outsider Episode 3: Märklin System C-Track

[@informatimago]

Basically, the C-tracks are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, and can be used on any surface, hard or smooth, without being fixed. They're kind of stand-alone. On the other hand K-tracks will require more attention, and while it is conceivable to use them temporarily on a board without fixating them, the normal use for them is to be integrated into a fixed layout, the tracks being screwed or pasted to a cork substrate itself pasted on a board, and with landscaping notably track ballast, etc. For this reason I would consider K-track for more advanced model makers. However it should be noted that Märklin has transition tracks that let you mix and match M-tracks, C-tracks and K-tracks, so you can start with C-tracks, inherit or buy second hand M-tracks and eventually build some K-track sections easily connecting them all together. (Also, once you become more advanced modeller, you will want to add ballast to the C-tracks or M-tracks too, since the embedded ballast is not entirely realistic, being too homogeneous and too high.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Indeed. My vids are aimed at friends and family who know nothing of Märklin, C Track, AC, 3Rail. Some things often need simplified because not everyone has a full working knowledge of these things. In the end, C-Track is not as realistic but extremely easy to use and make digital. K-Track is standard track which requires more work and wiring (the same as any standard track), but is more realistic looking.

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

I don’t use any of the products your talking about but finding if very interesting, a very in-depth conversation and history

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Thank you for checking in. 😀 Indeed, it is for HO continental train folks. Although Märklin makes American locos sometimes. Of course, I don't do UK or OO but love the info, the insights, and enthusiasm. 😎👍👍

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

It’s train related just a thought would like to see you do a walkthrough of your layout in your other series and explain what is where perhaps? And future plans ?oooh perhaps your younger self could help lol👍

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway I just had the same thought this past weekend.

[@hovermotion]

Intresting vid as ive never used Marklin track . Only fleischmann hornby and peco... The fleischmann pre ballested track has presure loaded fish plates which are great....the Marklin track is a very good system...

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Yes, Roco/Fleischman started doing pre-bedded track a few years after Märklin switched completely to their newer C-Track in the 90s. They just don't push it as their primary the way Märklin does. Piko makes a very poor pre-bedded track which they just re-designed for 2019. They all have pros and cons. For me, it's about simplicity and ease of use.

[@hovermotion]

@@ModelTrainOutsider yeah and we do not have to ballast the sleepers which is one area I hate doing...

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@hovermotion Indeed!

[@LumaMoba]

Who the hell did not like that video about C-Track, how someone put thumbs down without a logical comment on the matter ... at least have the balls to tell everyone what you did not like ...

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Sometimes, I just annoy the wrong person. lol We all get haters.

[@heinebohmann1566]

There are trolls everywhere.

[@waggie]

Great video, informational and to the point=) TBH Märklin should hire you to communicate for them in english, its suprisingly lacking even here in Europe

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Well, they do have "Marklin of Sweden" who works in English. But I am up for it... if they pay. 😎😋

[@roguico]

@@ModelTrainOutsider i totaly agee, you could promote the Märklin system way better than they are doing.

[@InterCity134]

On the brittleness it would be worth knowing what age the c track that broke on you comes from. I say that because the very early c track years uses a plastic formulation that the contractor making the track didn’t comply with the requirements and that track was known to become very brittle. For some years Märklin would exchange the defective track for new c track of the fixed production. There are year stamps on the bottom to show when it was made. But you are correct. There is a correct way to separate c track that is described in Märklin documentation. Pushing down is one of those ways. It’s a shame that the instructions don’t come with every track purchase but as much track isn’t purchased in 10 packs that just isn’t possible. I guess they assume everyone read the instructions in the starter set book. And I’ll admit I’d not done that either. And didn’t learn the right way till a year later when i saw it posted somewhere.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Age is definitely a factor, as the older versions were made from a different formula. Unfortunately, eventual brittleness is still a small issue with any hard plastics. I wish Märklin made c-track in a more typical ballast color of light gray. The pigment can't be much different in price to the greenish black they currently use.

[@informatimago]

People used to M-track also need to relearn the gesture; M-tracks could be disassembled more easily with lateral and longitudinal movement (not vertical).

[@newjerseydiesel8962]

I bought a 1982 Marklin display board that I’m attempting to spruce up but I’m new to marklin and I’m having a heck of a time with all the switches accessories. Everything works when i test them but when all together the buttons don’t do anything

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Hmmm.... that sounds interesting. I am not much on Märklin pre 2010, sadly. There are 3 channel friends I know who could potentially help you, as they are more familiar with Märklin of the 80s and earlier. Tom @kzbin.info/door/zEFYT2dS4W7Xjn6Gp--wkg Ivo Van Zon kzbin.info/door/JM4pxBv8UxUvJ1lvNMii7g and maybe Jean Ricard: kzbin.info/door/S7psPu19kLeZfXtK2MTWXw

[@newjerseydiesel8962]

@@ModelTrainOutsider thanks I’ll give them a follow

[@robertcornelius3514]

Four years later, can this type of engine be modified to run on DC tracks?

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Yes, 3 Rail can be modified to 2-Rail and vice-versa, but Märklin releases the exact same locos already in 2-Rail under the brand name-Trix.

[@wimbletrain]

LOL KZbin suggested this video just after I asked you about this AC business in one of your recent videos!

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Kizmet! 😄

[@Ausmerica]

You under sell your self Mate. Your more intelligent that you make yourself out to be. Your more powerful than you think... Marklin needs to give you some free samples of their products to you. You explained this very well. It goes to show why Marklin are the leaders in the Model Train world, and so many times set the bar for other model train manufacturers. I have an old book from 1970, "The World of Model Trains"by Guy R Williams, and it has the old M track you mentioned, so it goes to show how long they have had this type of track for. Pre ballasted track is good if one can afford it, to have the track work look like it's completed, advantage for those who don't have time, or some that are lazy..... But in all honesty even in Eastern Europe countries where my folks come from, there they had very high track beds and ballasting profile as you've shown here. This system of C track is great, makes work much easier, I believe ROCO have adopted this similar system to their line of 2 rail ballasting tracks too. I'd have to take a look at one. Shame that these European tracks here are 3 times the price of what you pay. Bachmann, Walthers, and KATO, had tried to copy this system. Yes we all connected to Marklin and Germans with this, a little bit of German in all of us, and those who flown and have been in a Jet aircraft, have a touch of Hungarian in them too... Greeks will be spewing over this...lmao

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Oh, I am very intelligent. Made MENSA at 18 and Prometheus Project at 22. I have just spent my life trying not to be an intellectual snob and making people feel uncomfortable. I don't play dumb, I just try not to a snob or jackass.

[@Ausmerica]

@@ModelTrainOutsider I just play dumb, that way one can get away with more things...lol But when it comes to the crunch when some thing has to be done that no one else can, and I just go in ad do it like with my eyes closed, the look on the people that looked down on me is priceless, not to forget the sound of deafening silence where one can here the ants tip toeing on the ground is priceless.

[@rossmorrow3013]

Hello! I wondered if you have a page showing a system but, using the extension sets 2, 3, 4, making it bigger I have only bought a starter set and noticed the (to me! Nought well shown) pictures don’t show your starter set but their first extension set pictures don’t tell/show you unlike Hornby, how the extension sets add to you’re existing starter oval? Very sorry for long winded question. Yours truly ross

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

A good question and a great idea for the next Märklin Outsider Video. But, for now, the Märklin expansions do show how they fit, but it is not well done. I do not own, nor can I buy, but I think I have enough extra pieces to do it. It may take me a week or two to put it all together. Cheers

[@elvispresley2021]

Question is there a way to connect marklin 7040 to C Track and is there a video on it and putting in the red insulator NO Marklin Store in MY area on Long Island HELP

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

I have been told that, while it is possible, you shouldn't. The bulbs burn really hot the wiring is more designed to wire to an old K84 module or M84 module (for C-Track).

[@informatimago]

@@ModelTrainOutsider Correct, but you can still use the signal. The idea is to use only the relay in the signal to power or not the track section (if you want the signal to drive the tracks), and then to power the signal itself with its bulb lights from another (analogic) transformer. Be sure to hook the mass of both transformers (digital and analogic) to the same brown mass rails. Märklin has a set of videos explaining various ways to connect signals, etc. While in German, you can still easily understand the gist of it, thanks to the clear demonstrations and schemas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWTbnnWcap2Sj7c kzbin.infoplaylists

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@informatimago Sounds like a plan. I asked a couple of more knowledgeable folks who passed on the info to me I passed on. Hopefully, Elvis sees your post and gets the info. (I do speak fluent German, btw).

[@pietvandewyk]

nice,informative vid, sehr schoen,

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Thank you very much. As I look back 3 years or more, there are errors and stuff I learned later. I made these to explain Märklin to friends and family, and it kind of grew into something more. Vielen Dank! Wenn ich 3 Jahre oder mehr zurückblicke, gibt es Fehler und Dinge, die ich später gelernt habe. Ich habe diese Videos gemacht, um Freunden und Familie Märklin zu erklären, und es ist irgendwie zu etwas mehr gewachsen.

[@evangelosntavaris7445]

By my opinion, Marklin, it's time to update the c-tracks. I believe that c-tracks in color of m-tracks will be the ''big bang'' in ho rail tracks history! Just imagine, how beautiful will be marklin tracks (about the price I don't care if I will pay plus 1or 2 Euros each track, because I will have the ''perfect'' track - no need tricks, painting, extra ballasting, etc).

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Totally agree!

[@frank1672]

I had a few brake on me but once screwed down they poised no problem!

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

I love it. The original C-rracks were made with a bad plastic, which dried out and became brittle. The new stuff is much better.