Authorized Marklin Digital Dealer  

The Marklin 60902 Decoder

If you have a digital locomotive, you are most likely already familiar with the "older" style of Märklin digital decoders -- you know, the style that had 8-DIP switches for setting the locomotive address and two potentiometers: one for top speed and one for the acceleration / braking delay:

This decoder was first introduced in the 1990's to provide smooth acceleration / braking and constant speed abilities to locomotives equipped with Marklin high-efficiency, 5-pole (permanent magnet) motors. An added benefit to these decoders over the previous (c90) version was the addition of two extra functions to support such features as smoke, Telex uncouplers, interior lighting, etc.

Several years ago, Marklin changed from this style of decoder to a newer "fx" version, one that could be "programmed" with various digital controllers -- everything from the 6021 to the Mobile Station and Central Station.  And, as there is rarely a "free lunch" with these things, programming these "fx" decoders just isn't as easy as one would like, especially with the 6021 Control Unit.

Many of my customers and do-it-yourselfers have longed for the "good old days" when changing an decoder's address, speed and acceleration could be done in a few seconds by just popping off the locomotive’s body (or tender) and making a QUICK adjustment with a screwdriver.

Well...

I have recently purchased a large quantity of these original Märklin decoders and they are all 100% brand new -- never been out of the package, and I can offer them to you for a limited time at a very special price.  Please read the next paragraph for the details on these.

Marklin used to produce the 60902 and would sell them to dealers in packs of 5, or they could be ordered individually as item 614090 -- and this is the decoder that came in the "kits" 60901, 60903, 60904, etc. Dealer cost on these was more than $400 for a pack of 5 of these, and they would normally be sold for over $100 each !!! 

Now, Märklin also made a similar decoder, part number 60905.

What's the difference between 60902 and 60905?  Not much, except that the 60905 was specifically designed for locomotives with "bell-shaped" armatures, commonly referred to as "can" motors.  These are used in many of the locomotives that came with the highly touted "Faulaber" motors and came in such wonderful models as the 3611, 3614 and many, many other locomotives, including those made for Märklin by Brawa, etc.  In fact, when trying to "upgrade" the analog or DELTA versions of locomotives with these "can" motors, people have often been frustrated by the fact that the "digital" boards for these locomotives are no longer available.  That's where the 60905 decoders come in -- they were designed especially for this type of motor.

In a recent experiment, I noticed that these 60905 decoders work just fine in ANY digital conversion or application -- even with the "regular" permanent magnet, 5-pole high-efficiency motors.  And best of all -- and even better than the decoder that comes in the 60760 kits -- this decoder (aside from being easy to change address, speed and acceleration) also has two auxiliary functions that can be used for such accessories as interior lights, smoke, TELEX coupler, etc.  In other words, you can use these 60905 decoders for virtually ANY Märklin digital application.  In fact, I’ve even been successful in installing these decoders in some of the smaller MAXI locomotives.

(From a technical perspective, the 60905 just operates at a higher frequency than the 60902 -- but it does work perfectly well with all Marklin motor types.)

Installing these decoders in former analog or DELTA locomotives provides the smooth, gradual acceleration and braking you love, constant speed up/down inclines, two functions AND the ability to quickly and easily tweak the decoder’s parameters without any fancy programming.

So what’s the deal???

No catch to this deal.  New LokPilot decoders are nearly $50.  And, while there is NOTHING wrong with the LokPilot decoders, I’ve found that a lot of folks just prefer the old type of decoder (with the DIP switches) and I can offer them to you at less than one-half the price of other decoders.

While supplies last, I will offer these original-equipment Märklin decoders, complete with installation instructions, for only $25 each, or $99 for a pack of 5.  Remember, if you’re looking to install a decoder such as this in an analog or DELTA locomotive, you will need the appropriate motor parts (which I always have in stock).  If you have a locomotive with an existing “can” motor, there’s nothing else you would need beyond this decoder.

So, maybe you want to stock up on a few of these “in case” you need them in the future.  Maybe you have some existing DELTA locomotives (or locomotives with existing DC motors that could run MUCH nicer with a full digital decoder installed.  Or, maybe you just want to go ahead and have me install one of these in an existing locomotive for you.  Whatever the reason, you don’t need much incentive at this price to pickup a couple of these.  Now, while I did purchase a bunch of these, I do not have an infinite number available.  So, please let me know immediately if you’re interested and I’ll be happy to help you.