[calirider]

Simple question, can I run non-Marklin HO cars on Marklin three rail HO track?

 

[tworail]

Yes, however you need to swap out the axles for solid Marklin units otherwise you will create a short.

But with Marklin's wide range why would you want to run anything else?

Just kidding.. what were you thinking along the lines of?

 

[calirider]

Okay easy enough

I wanted to make a US army line with a bunch of different army cars and maybe paint a 0-3-0 OD green because I have a few black ones.

I don't really know, I am just toying with ideas right now.

 

[tworail]

Marklin also makes special military models but not sure if they do US outline. Cool stuff though:

http://eurorailhobbies.com/erh_list.asp?mn=33&sc=HO&ca=7

 

[calirider]

I have not seen any US military things by Marklin in my small amount of searching so far, but a good amount of other HO US military cars in the same amount of searching.

 

[tworail]

The only other concern would be couplers as anything non-Marklin, well anything non-European would have different coupler types. So if you were pulling the train with a Marklin loco you would need to modify the rear coupler to that of the first coach/car.

 

[BergieZA]

Yes, however you need to swap out the axles for solid Marklin units otherwise you will create a short.

I realise this is a very old thread, but something does not quite make sense.
The Marklin system uses the "center" pins as the live, and the one side rail as the earth.
Why would having both side rails attached to earth be a problem and create a short? :dunno:
I have been given some Lima rolling stock and want to make sure I understand this before hooking them up to my Marklin track and loco.

 

[Guest]

You are right, Bergie. Running two rail cars on Marklin track wouldn't create a short but running Marklin or any other three rail cars on two rail track would. The same it true for O gauge. Two rail cars can be run on three rail track without any electrical problems.

 

[BergieZA]

You are right, Bergie. Running two rail cars on Marklin track wouldn't create a short but running Marklin or any other three rail cars on two rail track would. The same it true for O gauge. Two rail cars can be run on three rail track without any electrical problems.

Thanks Joe - that makes perfect sense!

 

[Ricky Tanner]

Roco offers a lot of military cars in HO two rail DC. There are several heavy duty flat cars with tank and other military loads. The couplers have the NEM 362 quick change sockets. Kadee makes a coupler that plugs right in - Kadee #17,#18,#20 to name a few.

 

[ebtnut]

One thing to consider is that Marklin, and most all European equipment uses NEM wheel standards which are coarser than American NMRA standards. This may create issues when running through turnouts, crossings, etc.