Marklin System: Buried Studs Versus A Third Rail

I believe for it to work you would have to convert to shoes.

You couldn't use Marklin track for O gauge because Marklin is HO.

There was a system developed and well discussed here.  I think it was simply called "stud rail".  It was a custom/nich product that didn't seem to go too far.  Search the archives and I am sure something will come up.

 

Good luck,

Seems a few years back someone here converted the 3rd rail to a stud contact system. And yes...you have to add/make a slider in place of rollers.  For me it's not worth the time and effort it would take. If a company had done it years ago....maybe a good choice.

While it is HO, my curiosity about the general concept being applied to O led to the post as I had never been exposed to the Marklin track system. I imagine it must be proprietary and patented as well. Its an interesting concept. I know that a thinner third rail was introduced by Lionel in the past and its somewhat surprising no one has come up with a concept to make the powered rail less noticeable. Much has been made of advances in control systems but the basics remain pretty much as they have been for 100 years. I always wondered if a small diameter wire that would interlock beneath the roadbed with other track sections would be feasible...My mind tends to meander on overcast days..

You might want to check this thread.

Since my other passion in model trains is Marklin HO, I will say that it does work well, and the slider does clean the studs as it passes making for excellent electrical pickup. Marklin M Track, (the metal one) is noisy, as it carries the sound of the train running. The C and K tracks are plastic, and are so quiet that you can now hear the slider "hissing" on the studs. Compliments the sound of the wheels. The slider is lightly sprung and lasts a very long time. Only some very used locomotives I bought ever even show signs of wear.

I know it's HO, but check out this website; http://www.ete.org/

Take a look at this link, Delta Track Systems.

 

http://www.deltatracksystems.com/index.html

Thanks Allan..an interesting thread in of itself. I got on a roll with wondering what the Europeans have been up to since our cousins across the pond understandably don't get much play here in the U.S, outside of MTH entering the market over there.

 

Quick Casey..Thats a cool website thas is interesting to browse around on. I am into O but I enjoy reading about  other scales. 

 

That Delta system is amazing...looking. I never heard of it. Thanks. Either I need new spectacles or those studs appear to be invisible. I wonder how a low slung pickup shoe gets over the diverging rail..

 

If you look closely you'll notice that the studs rise at the diverging rails so the slider rides over it..

 

Stuart

 

Hugo Pallesen was the one who introduced the concept. He used Atlas-Roco track with a stamped steel stud blade mounted in the seam of the roadbed underneath. The studs protruded between the ties and would be contacted by skis that clipped onto the pickup rollers. Once ballasted, the studs were VERY hard to see because they were roughly the same color and height of the ballast. As I recall, he eventually went over to 2-rail. I haven't heard from him in a few years.

I do believe that is correct, Matt.  Hugo also resided, or still resides, in France if I recall correctly.  I also recall similar attempts performed by the late Lisa Marie Tahatras.  Very impressive looking track systems that they both fabricated.  

 

Hugo's track might have generated a bit more interest if his geographical disadvantage,  combined with the current state of the economy the past several years, prevented more exposure at high-profile train shows/meets like York and WGH.  Might have been able generate enough interest to fill a niche market.