Converting Motorpost to digital

Shortly after receiving the Märklin Motorpost from this previous post I converted it from analog operation to digital. This post will describe the process and what is needed for the conversion.

The parts needed to digitize the Motorpost (Märklin part no. 3389):
- Decoder and motor (Märklin part no. 60760)
- LED prints (Märklin part no. 300730)

Please note that this decoder is by no means the best choice available. I bought this set as it was the easiest way for me to upgrade the locomotive.

The body removed from the chassis, the motor will be replaced as will the analog control unit in the middle.

Removing the old light print from the body. You need to remove the cabin interior to reach it.

The prints side by side, the reason for replacing the prints is a slight difference in the connections on the prints. The old prints will not work with a digital decoder.

New motor installed while the old one is still connected.

Old motor gone, along with the analog control unit. The new decoder is waiting to be connected.

And everything in place and connected, including a huge 1000 µF elco to compensate for any power loss while driving over switches. The new components are kept in place by hot-melt (glue-gun).

With this new engine and decoder the loc runs very well.

H0 Märklin Motorpost

Introducing the NS Motorpost by Märklin. This is the first Dutch loc I got. It’s real world counterpart was run by the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) as a mail distribution train in service of PTT Post. The series was called Plan mP.

Side view of the Motorpost. It is quite lengthy.

Profile view. Heaps of details on the bogies.

Side detail of the Motorpost. Excellent detail on the doorhandles and windows.

Side detail with the pantograph folded. The Motorpost can be powered through the pantographs if you have catenary wires.

Roof detail. De middle of the roof comes off to expose the switch controlling if it gets power from the 3rd rail or through the pantographs.

Head-on view of the Motorpost, front sign illuminated.

Head-on view of the Motorpost, rear sign illuminated.

The Motorposts are not in service anymore, a few have been converted into testing and measuring units.

Eindhoven Train Yard

I work at an office on a former train yard 2 days a week and there are always a nice collection of trains parked for servicing on the way to the office.
Yesterday I grabbed my camera for a few shots. Sadly there were not many trains at the time and I had to shoot from behind a fence, but I still got some decent results…

A 700 series in service of NedTrain. NedTrain services, repairs and cleans railway vehicles. Eindhoven is one of the many locations where they do repairs and cleaning work.

An IRM in service of the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), a commonly used double-decker intercity train.

One of the cargo locs in service of Railion. It still has the old colors (yellow/grey) from the time it was in service of the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen).

And for something a bit different, a view of the many power lines snaking their way towards Eindhoven central station.