Welcome To


Frankie Frederiksson's Märklin Digital Page

Last 05-02-2022





Warning : It is on your own responsibility if you build any of these constructions and they do any harm to persons or your equipment.

The Marklin Digital hardware I have made consists of several small boards. The Master Controller Board, the Minibooster board, the Turnout board and the Concentrator board. These small boards are easy to build on an experiment board, but they can be etch if you want to. Look at this Example to better understand the principe in combining the circuits.
If you haven't visited Dr. Michael Koenigs Home Page, you should , because he has collected a lot of material witch explain the principe of Marklin Digital ,and several of my construction's has referents to his pages.
  • Dr. Michael Koenig Home Page

    Marklin Compatible Decoder

    The Decoder is a microprocessor controlled board that needs a pre loaded PIC16C84 processor. The processor should be loaded with the file Decoder.hex. The Decoder has 2 outputs for light and 4 function output for additional purposes such as smoke generator, sound and Telex. 1 function is the old forward function and F1, The 2 function are the old rewerse function and F2, the last 2 is F3 and F4. The Pic Decoder is a very simple circuit you can build very cheep, about 120.- DKr.

    Use this file Decoder.hex to program the Pic.

    Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 1



    Due to some problems, with the manufactures specifications, of the MAX809, we have to replace it with 3 resistors and 1 PNP transistor, all SMD, look at the MAX 809 Replacement Diagram.

    The Decoder Board Etch Pattern (Made by Bo Braendstrup).
    The Decoder Board Schematics.
    The Decoder Board Component Map.
    Photo of a prototype Decoder Board.
    Photo of the prototype Decoder in a Train.
    Place of the Decoders components. (Made by Svend Jensen)
    Etch Pattern in right size. (36*22mm) Made by Bo Brändstrup.
    Photo of the SMD Decoder in a Märklin V200 Train. (Notice the Connector for reprogramming)
    How to change Decoder Address. (Old Software)
    "ONTRACK" Programming of the Decoder.
    Reprogramming of the Pic on the Decoder.
    MAX 809 Replacement on the Decoder.
    Click here to go to the Software page.


    Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 2a





    Small two side PCB made by Bo Brændstrup (18mm*22mm) , who only need drilling 5 hole and soldering of 5 pieces of small wire.

    This Version of decoder has more functions ,and are cheaper to build than Decoder ver.1.
    At the same time, the PCB , have every changes from Decoder type 1.


    Decoder Board Type 2 Diagram.
    Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 1.
    Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 2.
    Place of the Components on the Decoder Board (Made By Svend Jensen).
    Decoder Board Order List.
    Picture of Decoder Type 2 in a Marklin MY Train.( Yes it really so small, here glued into place with a "hot glue gun")
    "ONTRACK" Programming of the Decoder.
    Reprogramming of the Pic on the Decoder.
    Click here to go to the Software page.
    Changes in the components, for using software version 3.
    "ONTRACK" Programming with an IB by Finn Madsen Translated by Bo Brændstrup.

  • Look here at Bo Brandstrups Page, and see how to do !!!.

    Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 2b





    New type , less components. !!!



    Decoder Board Type 2 Diagram.
    Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 1.
    Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 2.
    Place of the Components on the Decoder Board (Made By Svend Jensen).

    Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 3a



    DC-version of the decoder 3,made by Bo Brænstrup (18mm*22mm) , and only one side are different than decoder version 2 .



    DC-Decoder Board Type 3 Diagram.
    DC-Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 1.
    DC-Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 2.
    Place of the Components on the Decoder Board
    DC-Decoder Board Component order list.
    Picture of Decoder Type 3 in a Train with DC-Motor.
    "ONTRACK" Programming of the Decoder.
    Click here to go to the Software page.
    Changes in the components, for using software version 3.
    "ONTRACK" Programming with an IB by Finn Madsen Translated by Bo Brændstrup.

  • Look here at Bo Brandstrups Page and see how to do !!!.

    Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 3b



    New type , less components. !!!



    DC-Decoder Board Type 3 Diagram.
    DC-Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 1.
    DC-Decoder Board PCB Layout Side 2.
    Place of the Components on the Decoder Board

    [image]Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 4 [image]

    DC-Decoder Board Type 4 AC Diagram.
    DC-Decoder Board Type 4 DC Diagram.
    DC-Decoder Board Type 4 Print side a.
    DC-Decoder Board Type 4 Print side b.

    [image]Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 5 [image]

    This decoder is for a Marklin AC train with one light, and we are using layout and PCB from digital-bahn.de, but with my software,
    witch transform a switch decoder into a Train decoder, see it here on : https://digital-bahn.de/shopping/pcb_weichei

    AC-Decoder Board Type 5 Diagram.
    Parts for Decoder-5.
    DC-Decoder Board Type 5 Print.

    [image]Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 6 [image]

    This decoder is for a Marklin AC train with two lights, and we are using layout and PCB from digital-bahn.de, but with my software,
    witch transform a double switch decoder into a Train decoder, see it here on : https://digital-bahn.de/shopping/WeichEi-Zwei

    AC-Decoder Board Type 6 Diagram.
    Parts for Decoder-6.
    DC-Decoder Board Type 6 Print.

    [image]Marklin Compatible Decoder Type 7 [image]

    [image]Marklin Compatible Wagon Decoder [image]

    The Minibooster 3A

    A low cost booster. (Made from a draft of Dr.Koenig) The booster is good enough to power about 5 trains and 10 turnouts. The booster is a good choice if you are going to use this system as a test system. Power about 60W with auto shut off, Price about 150DKr.

    Power the booster with the little Power Supply and use 5A fuses.

    The Minibooster Schematics.
    The Minibooster Component Map.
    Photo of a Minibooster.
    Diagram (Made by Bo Brændstrup)
    Place of Components. (Made by Bo Brændstrup)
    Pcb Drawing. (Made by Bo Brændstrup)

    The Master Controller Type 1

    Master controller, the heart of it all , able to control up to 80 Trains for Marklin Digital , with manual and auto control of the booster's auto shut off, The old Function Forward and Backward button , and steepless speed control ,up to 20 Master Controllers can be put together, making it possible for several people, to control all of the train's at the same time. Price about 155DKr.

    The Master Controller Schematics.
    The Master Controller Component Map.
    Photo of an Master Controller.

    Master Controller Type 2

    Master controller, the heart of it all , able to control up to 100 Trains for Marklin Digital , with manual and auto control of the booster's auto shut off, Keyboard for train address and old Function Forward & Backward button & F1 -F4, display showing the train address and steeples speed control. Up to 20 Master Controllers can be put together, making it possible for several people, to control all of the train's at the same time. Price about 150.- DKr.

    Master Controller Schematics.
    Master Controller order list.
    Master Controller Component Map (Made By Svend Jensen).
    Master Controller PCB Layout ( Made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Picture of the Master Controller.
    Picture of the Keyboard Changes.
    Building the Master controller.
    Click here to go to the Software page.

    Master Controller Type 3

    Same data as Master Controller Type 2, but code and diagram changed by Bo Brændstrup to use all 28 Speed step in our Train Decoder Type 2 + 3 , be aware that the keyboard no longer need to be changed. Price about 150.- DKr.

    Master Controller Schematics.
    Master Controller Component Map (Made By Bo Brændstrup).
    Master Controller Component Map, PCB side.(Made By Bo Brændstrup).
    Master Controller PCB Layout ( Made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Master Controller Program guide ( Made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Click here to go to the Software page.

    Master Controller Type 4

    Hole new layout, with LCD Display , and speed Knob with 28 speed step , without any stop (like IB) , Very few components , but then more advanced. Code and diagram changed to use all 28 Speed step in our Train Decoder Type 2 + 3 , be aware of the keyboard don't have to be changed any more . Price about 350.- DKr.

    Master Controller Ver4 Diagram.
    Picture of Master Controller ver 4 without box.
    Picture of Master Controller ver 4 with box (side).
    Picture of Master Controller ver 4 with box (front).
    Master Controller Component Placing, PCB side.
    Master Controller PCB Layout .
    Working picture .
    New Project made by Volkmar Heinz.
    Click here to go to the Software page.

    The Signal & Turnout Controller A

    1 Signal & Turnout controller for marklin Digital , able to control of 16 turnout's or 16 signals or 32 magnet equipments, Price about 195DKr.

    The Signal & Turnout Board Schematics.
    The Signal & Turnout Board Component Map.
    Photo of a Signal & Turnout Controller.
    Signal & Turnout PCB drawing (made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Signal & Turnout PCB, Component side (made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Signal & Turnout PCB , pcb side (made by Bo Braendstrup).
    Photo of Signal & Turnout Controller Keyboard Matrix.
    Clik here to go to the Software page.

    The Signal & Turnout Controller B

    1 Signal & Turnout controller for marklin Digital , able to control of 16 turnout's or 16 signals or 32 magnet equipments, Price about 195DKr.

    Pcb changed by Bo Brændstrup, to hold the pushbuttoms.

    The Signal & Turnout PCB drawing (made by Bo Brændstrup).
    The Signal & Turnout Board Component Map. (made by Bo Brændstrup).

    The Concentrator Unit

    1 Simple gathering unit for Marklin Digital , gathering 10 Master controller to one booster or 5 Master controller + 5 signal controller to one booster , can be expanded to 20 units , but recommendation max 15 units, Price about 150DKr.

    The Concentrator Schematics.
    The Concentrator Component Map.
    Photo of a Concentrator Unit.

    Power Supply

    The Power Supply is used to power the mini boosters with the +20V and -20V . The power supply is fed with 16-18V AC. Power about 60W , Price about 190DKr.

    The Power Supply Schematics.
    Photo of a Power Supply.


    Edits Interface

    Interface between the Edits 300 W Booster and the Master Controller Units , able to control the booster auto shut off and manual on/off , Price about 50DKr.
    Edits Interface Schematics.
    Edits Interface component Map.

    Back to main page
    If you have any problems or questions regarding my constructions, please be so free to send me an mail.
    © 1998-1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015-2016 Frankie Frederiksson frankie@frederiksson.dk