For the conversion of locomotives, the following scenarios must be distinguished:
- Analog locomotives
- Digital locomotives without plug connection
- Locomotives with standardized plug connection
Further down on this page, we have documented various locomotive conversions for you in text and images, and we regularly add to these.
Basic notes on conversion
- Always take photos of the locomotive before conversion and ensure that the wiring is fully visible. You never know when you might need them.
- Check if the locomotive works before disassembling it . It is very frustrating if you spend hours searching for the error during conversion only to find that the locomotive was already broken before the conversion.
- It is also worth taking photos regularly during the conversion – this can be helpful for troubleshooting and gives us the opportunity to better understand what you have done when you request support.
Analog H0 locomotives (without standard plug)
For PluX22, we have our own installation adapter with large solder contacts or screw terminals in our program.
For an analog Märklin locomotive, you will find a detailed documentation in the articleConversion BR03.10 Märklin 3089 based on our CTC-Loco-Module-M3 .
The decisive criterion for selecting the loco module and deciding on an installation adapter is the available installation space:
- In old Märklin H0 locomotives, this is quite simple: Since the direction switch is removed during conversion, its installation space can be used for the CTC module. This space is sufficient for installation adapters, CTC-loco-module and 1000 µF buffer capacitor.
- In two-rail H0 locomotives, there is often not enough space for a loco module and installation adapter. However, this can be easily created with pliers, saw, file or rotary tool. Alternatively, you can use the much smaller CTC-Loco-Module-S3 , which has the same motor and power drivers as the CTC-Loco-Module-M3.
Analog G-scale locomotives
If there is always sufficient space for the CTC-Loco-Module-G2 , you should also use this. The more compact version consisting of CTC-Loco-Module-M3 and CTC-Adapter for PluX22 with screw terminals is much smaller, but does not offer any significant price advantage.
We have dedicated the LGB classic "Stainz" in the articleConversion LGB Stainz #2020 and #2021 .
With the CTC-Loco-Module-M3 and the CTC-Adapter for PluX22, installation is much easier than with the CTC-Loco-Module-H0a shown in the article. The Stainz is already in our workshop and is waiting to be converted, which will of course also be documented.
Analog N-scale locomotives
With the CTC-Loco-Module-S3 , it is now also possible to convert N-scale locomotives to CTC. Due to the limited space, some work with pliers, saw, file or rotary tool is often required.
The article "Locomotive conversion N-scale analog (over 50 years old)" in the CTC community gives a first impression.
Digital locomotives without plug connection
The conversion is basically similar to that of analog locomotives. However, care must be taken with the wiring of the functions, especially the lighting. There are often already light boards with a common supply connection and several switching connections.
Whether there is enough installation space for the loco module can only be determined by opening the locomotive. However, the chances are good that the electronics removed during the conversion will free up sufficient space.
The old electronics often pose a puzzle. In most cases, I decide to remove the old electronics without further examination and only decipher how the lighting and motor work.
Note: Sometimes the resistors important for LEDs are not on the light board, but on the main board or even the decoder. If you connect an LED directly to a switching output of the CTC-loco-module, the LED will immediately burn out.
Locomotives with standardized plug connection
For standardized plug connections, we already have suitable loco modules:
- CTC-Loco-Module-21mtc for Märklin's 21mtc.
- CTC-Loco-Module-M3-PluX22 for PluX22.
- CTC-Loco-Module-M3
with SUSI3-Classic socket for the plug standards
- PluX22
- 21mtc
- NEM-651 (6-pin)
- NEM 652 (8-pin)
- as well as with open cable ends.
- For the N and TT scales and H0 locomotives with limited installation space, the CTC-Loco-Module-S3
with MicroSUSI socket for the plug standards
- PluX16
- NEM-651 (6-pin)
- NEM 652 (8-pin)
- as well as with open cable ends.
Installation space:
- For PluX22 , and 21mtc , the installation space for the decoder is defined in the standard and the CTC-loco-modules comply with this.
- For PluX16 , the CTC-Loco-Module-S3 meets the required installation space of 20 mm x 11 mm x 4.2 mm.
- The requirements of Next18 , for the installation space for the decoder cannot be fully met by our CTC-Loco-Module-S3 (0.1 mm too thick) if space is provided for a sound decoder according to the old standard. The older Next18 standard requires 25 x 10.5 x 4.1 mm, the newer one only allows 9.5 mm width.
- NEM-651 allows the decoder and plug to be separated. The installation space requirements for a standard decoder (20 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm) cannot be fully met by our CTC-Loco-Module-S3 (0.2 mm too thick). The installation space for a sound decoder according to NEM-651 (29 mm x 11 mm x 6 mm) is easily met by the CTC-Loco-Module-S3.
- For NEM-652 , the plug and decoder are always separate. The CTC-Loco-Module-M3 fits easily into the specified installation space of 31 x 18 x 7 mm.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that manufacturers always adhere to the installation space specifications. In case of doubt, the only solution is to open the locomotive, measure it or try it out, or possibly saw/grind something out of the locomotive.
If you need modules for other standards, please let us know – we can then adapt our development plans to your requirements.
Locomotives with DCC sound decoder
Instead of replacing an existing DCC decoder with a CTC module, you can also install the CTC module between the track and the DCC decoder. This is particularly useful if you want to use the sophisticated sound of your locomotive with CTC as well.
The article Conversion PIKO BR 50 with DCC Sound explains how to do this.
Our DCC-loco-modules are pre-configured variants of CTC-loco-modules with cables that are suitable for this application and are specially pre-configured for this purpose.
Conversion documentation N
Conversion documentation N Next18
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 221 | Piko 71608 | M3-PluX22 |
Conversion documentation N PluX16
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
Conversion documentation N NEM-651
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
Conversion documentation N Analog
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
Conversion documentation TT
Conversion documentation TT NEM-651
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
Conversion Documentation H0
Märklin H0 Analog
These conversions were still carried out with the no longer available CTC-Loco-Module-H0a
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 103 | Märklin 3054 | H0a | ||
| BR 23 | Märklin 3005 | H0a |
Märklin H0 Analog PluX22
In these conversions, an adapter is installed in the loco, which then allows the use of a CTC-Loco-Module with PluX22 plug.
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 03.10 | Märklin 3089 | M3-PluX22 | CTC-Einbauadapter | |
| BR 260 | Märklin 3065 | PluX22 | YouTube | |
| BR 53 | Märklin 3102 | PluX22 | CTC-Einbauadapter | |
| T5 | Märklin 2857 | PluX22 |
H0 Digital
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 44 | Märklin 34880 | H0a |
H0 21mtc
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 218 | Märklin 36218 | M3-21mtc | ||
| BR 89.70 | Märklin 37140 | 21mtc | Bauraum zu klein |
H0 21mtc with SUSI3 Sound
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 247 | Märklin 36292 | M3-21mtc | ||
| BR 247 | Märklin 36292 | 21mtc |
H0 PluX22
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 147 | Piko 51583-2 | PluX22 | ||
| BR 182 | Piko 98548A | PluX22 | ||
| E10 | Piko 51744 | M3-PluX22 | ||
| G7.1 | Piko 57564 | M3-PluX22 | ||
| V100 | Piko 52324 | M3-PluX22 | ||
| V200.1 | Piko 52600 | M3-PluX22 |
H0 NEM-652
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| VT 98 | Roco 52634 | 21mtc |
H0 with Sinus Motor
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| SBB Ce 6/8 II (Krokodil) | Märklin 26730 | 21mtc |
Conversion Documentation Garden Railway
Garden Railway Analog
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| ALCO FA1/FB1 | Railway Express Agency 22000-01 | G-6A | ||
| Köf (D10) | LGB 2090 | G-3,5A | ||
| Stainz | LGB 2020 | M3-PluX22 | ||
| Stainz | LGB 2021 | H0a |
Garden Railway DCC
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 50 | Piko 37243 | G-3,5A | ||
| BR 99.5016 | LGB 20753 | PluX22 | PluX22 |
Garden Railway with DCC Sound
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| ABe 4/4 | LGB 25392 | G2-3,5A |
Garden Railway with SUSI3 Sound
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 50 | Piko 37243 | G-3,5A |
Conversion Documentation Gauge I
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| BR 55 | Märklin 5714 | G-6A |
Conversion Documentation H0m
H0m Analog
| Model series | Article | Loco module | Special features | Status |
| RhB GE 4/4 II | Bemo 1258 | PluX22 |