Liliput 111 locomotive

I recently bought an old train set which included some Märklin items (ES 800, CM800, and 3024) and in addition to those, an old 3-rail Liliput tank locomotive and a Shell tanker.

Loco going backwards only

I was running my Märklin 3511 „Schöne Württembergerin“ (which has done just over 600 scale km) and it was running beautifully as ever.

I reversed the train a bit and then I wanted to make it go forwards again, but instead, it only went backwards! No amount of changing direction would make it go forwards. Even when its lights function was switched on, and could thus show that the locomotive was meant to be moving forwards, it went backwards instead.

Märklin SNCF 241 A

A friend, Boyd Mistear, brought over his new Märklin 39241 loco, a model of the SNCF 241 A

It is a fabulous piece of technology, excellent sounds, detail and running characteristics!

Together with Hein Hopmans, we filmed it running on my layout.

Collection of BR 18 locomotives

I noticed a growing number of BR 18 type locomotives in my locomotive collection, so I got them out for a photo shoot...

All are Märklin models. I started off in the engine yard around the roundhouse.
Baden IVh, 18 434, Rheingold, Bavarian S3/6

First track laid

After 8 years I once again laid some track!

Since I am reusing track from the previous layout it is a bit more tricky to use pieces that were cut previously etc. but I expect things to speed up now that I have most things in place.

I started at one end of the lower hidden track area. I also made a template to easily see the correct track spacing from the rear wall.

The trusty BR216 with a Märklin 6080 decoder showed that all is working.

Power!

Now that I have the Betriebswerk in place, I am able to run the power cables along to where the control center is, and actually connect the Intellibox to the layout.


I fetched a loco to test that the track actually has power and it does... loco lights come on and the loco moves...

Roundhouse interior details

I put a lot of effort into the interior detailing of my roundhouses. 

Rough geartrain

This is the motor out of a class 141 locomotive. I have found that the gear train gets very rough in certain conditions and run as sooth as silk at other times.
If I hold the motor with the armature cover side down, the mechanism turns perfectly.

If I turn the motor over like this: