Successful build-up of the Märklin railroad

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The traditional brand Märklin is characterized by railways in different gauges, a sophisticated pantograph system, various control options and lots of accessories. In order to set up a Märklin railway, some preliminary considerations should be made.

How to build a railway system.
How to build a railway system.

What you need:

  • cable
  • Base plate
  • Märklin railroad
  • Terrain material
  • equipment

Basics about Märklin railways

Märklin railways can be driven with modern digital technology and each layout can be expanded as required. The gauges in which Märklin trains are offered are HO, 1 and Z gauge.

  • HO is the best-known track size, it corresponds to the scale 1 to 72. In this size there is not only a lot of tracks and rolling stock, but also a lot of accessories such as People, animals, houses, cars and everything with which such a railway system can be realistically designed can. However, a simple oval has a size of 1.10 m by 0.80 m. There is hardly any space for a larger, detailed system in an apartment.
  • The gauge 1 has a scale of 1 to 32 and its size is only suitable for garden railways.
  • At 1 to 1 to 220, the Z gauge is tiny, and for many the locomotives and accessories are certainly a bit too filigree. Note, however, that a simple oval is only 40 cm by 26 cm and on a surface on which a Märklin railroad in HO could only run in a circle, a detailed layout in gauge Z is possible be. You will find plenty of tracks, rolling stock and accessories in Z.

Planning your railway system

  1. Determine the dimensions of the base plate according to the selected track size and the space you can use for the railroad.
    2. Converting the scale in model construction - this is how it works with model railways

    Many model makers have a problem with converting the scale. So guess ...

  2. Draw the course of the tracks on this plate. If there are any crossing points, consider whether you want to connect the tracks with switches or whether the tracks should cross on different levels.
  3. In the background you can plan a slope and build a mountain range there. The slope should only be 3%, with a plate length of 1 m this is only 3 cm! If you want to go higher, you have to create a track spiral.
  4. Now lay the tracks on the slab and mark their course, also where cables have to be laid under the slab, for example to illuminate houses or streets. Remove the rails and drill all the necessary holes.

Construction of the Märklin railroad

  1. Place the base plate on 2 trestles so that you can also work under the plate.
  2. Now design the area according to your wishes. There is also litter, houses, terrain construction mats and much more. First design only the terrain that is under the tracks or on the same level. Mountains that tower above the railroad tracks can only be created on the Märklin railroad when the tracks are in place.
  3. Now lay the tracks. You should also build ramps and other auxiliary structures to safely lift the tracks.
  4. Now connect the cables to the rails, put a train on the layout and do a test run with your Märklin railroad.
  5. If it gets stuck or jams somewhere, you have to correct the tracks again, otherwise you can continue with the further decoration and connect the lamps at the same time. Always do a test run so that you are sure that nothing protrudes into the track of your Märklin railroad.

You can also find a lot of interesting information at Märklin.

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