Operation Manual

24
Important Terms
Alternating Current: Electrical current whose direction and magnitude change constantly. The
direction of travel for models in AC operation (Märklin H0) is stored in a reverse unit. The direction
of travel for each locomotive can therefore be selected individually for each locomotive.
Analog Operation: Also known as conventional operation. Method of operating a model railroad
whereby the locomotive‘s speed is controlled by the voltage present in the track and by the strength
of the current. The voltage present in the track provides
power to the entire track circuit connected to the power
source, i.e. all of the models present on this track circuit
start running at the same time. Usually, several indepen-
dent power circuits are set up on analog layouts. They
are separated from each other by separation points.
Booster: A power booster for supplying power to model
railroad layouts, usually used in digital operation.
Bw: Abbreviation in German for a railroad maintenance
facility, a railroad installation for the servicing and han-
dling of all locomotives and powered rail cars. The size
and equipment for such an installation depends on the
size of the station to which it is assigned and the type
of motive power in use. Typical parts of a maintenance
facility are locomotive sheds, workshop, sanding station,
and administration buildings. Steam locomotive mainte-
nance facilities also have a coaling station and water
towers and stand pipes. Diesel locomotives have a diesel
fueling station.
Catenary: (Also known as “overhead wire“) a metal wire
hung over the track from which electric locomotives and
powered rail cars receive power by means of panto-
graphs. On a model railroad catenary operation was for
a long time a simple means of operating several trains
at the same time. In the process one train was supplied
with power from the rails and the other from the catena-
ry. In the digital age catenary is mostly for looks only, not
for powering locomotives.
Central Station: Märklin‘s central unit for digital control of model railroad layouts.
Color Scheme: The Märklin color scheme makes wiring a model railroad layout easier by assigning
functions to the colors of the wires, such as red for track current in the center conductor, brown
for the ground, or yellow for the hot wire connection to solenoid accessories.
Contact Track: A section of track with one outer rail insulated electrically from the other outer
rail, used for track occupation detection. The wheel sets on Märklin locomotives and cars are not
insulated electrically. So, when a train passes over a contact track, a contact is made between the
outer rails and an electrical impulse is thereby generated.
Decoder: Electronic component for encoding digital signals, locomotives, etc. Decoders translate
the control commands from digital central units into concrete running commands for locomotives
and powered rail cars or into switching commands for solenoid accessories and provide the nec-
essary energy for these commands.
Digital Operation: Method of operation in which locomotive and accessory commands are sent
out digitally. The digital central controller is connected to its own transformer and takes on the
task of supplying power to the layout. The central controller can control locomotives / powered rail
cars and solenoid accessories on its own, but you can also connect additional locomotive and ac-
cessory controllers. The advantages of digital operation are more extensive multi-train operation,
expanded functions, a high level of operating reliability,
and simplified wiring.
Direct Current: Electrical current, whose power and di-
rection do not change. With direct current operation the
direction of travel for a locomotive is determined by the
polarity present in the track and not individually by a re-
verse unit. All locomotives and powered rail cars there-
fore run in the same direction regardless of their location
or position on the track.
Keyboard: Also called an accessory controller, a digital
device for controlling solenoid accessories.
Memory: A digital device for controlling complete routes.
Mobile Station: A digital device whereby a locomotive to
be controlled can be selected from a locomotive list or
a turnout to be controlled can be selected from the key-
board portion of the Mobile Station.
Multi-Train Operation: Simultaneous operation of two or
more trains on a layout, the operation of each train being
totally independent of each other.
Open Frame Construction: A type of bench work whereby
plywood cut to shape and support pieces are screwed
to an open frame. The track subbed can be mounted on
this type of construction. This type of construction gives
a rough indication of the shape of the scenery to be built .
Passing Siding: A track parallel to the main line, used for
storing trains, it is connected to the main line by turnouts
and allows trains to meet and pass.
“Planting“ Grass: The application of grass fibers to the basic scenery “skin“. The fibers are spread
evenly over a surface that has been covered with cement. This can be done by hand or with an
electrostatic grass application device.
Radius: Half the diameter of a circle of curved track. In H0 the radius for the smallest possible
circle, the so-called Standard Curve, is 360 mm / 14-3/16“. Lines running parallel to this one require
a larger radius curve, which is known as the parallel curve. The first parallel curve in the C Track
system has a track spacing of 77.5 millimeters / 3-1/16 inches with the normal or standard curve
and also has a radius of 437.5 millimeters / 17-1/4 inches. The second parallel curve has a radius
of 515 millimeters / 20-1/4 inches. There are a total of five circles or different curves in C Track.
Reverse Loop: A way to reverse the direction of trains on a model railroad layout. The track forms
a curve that comes back onto itself by means of a turnout. This allows trains to change direction
without being turned. A special reverse loop circuit if necessary on 2-conductor or 2-rail systems