1. 54312 Maxi Rail Beetle

We regret to inform you that the 54312 Maxi Rail Beetle cannot be produced. Despite experimenting with different prototypes, this model cannot be produced in the current parameters for cost and design reasons. This model will therefore not go into regular production. The existing orders for it will be removed from the backorder list. This was not an easy decision for us. We know that many customers were eagerly awaiting this model and will therefore be very disappointed by this decision. However, certain unforeseen problems sometimes do not have a solution unfortunately.

2. 60904 Digital High-Efficiency Propulsion

As already promised, below is additional information on the 60904 digital high-efficiency propulsion.

As already reported, this set will consist of the digital electronic circuit, a permanent magnet field and two armatures as well as two brush plates. A number of dealers have given us their thoughts about this announcement on account of the two armatures and two brush plates. One armature and one brush plate will not be used in each set.

Please note, however, that we are offering the complete set at the same price as the price as the 60901. This means that the additional parts are included at no additional cost. The alternative would have been three different conversion sets. This alternative cannot be in anyone¹s interest due to the high inventory costs.

The 60904 conversion set cannot be used for all, but it can be used for a large number of earlier H0 models with flat commutator motors to convert them to digital high-efficiency propulsion. This will include interesting models such as the "old" V 200 (3021) or the E 03. The two armatures included in the conversion set differ only in the number of teeth on the pinion gear pressed on the motor shaft (7 or 8 teeth). In principle there should be no confusing the two. If you use the wrong armature, the gear will not seat itself properly in the mechanism. You should however determine the number of teeth on the old armature and replace it with the correct new version.

Please note that the brush plates come with 2.5 mm mounting screws. In some cases 3 mm screws were also used in the past. Since the brush plate is made of plastic and the mounting holes on it have a diameter of 2.8 mm, the 3 mm screws can usually be used by exerting a little more force when screwing them in. Another solution would be to enlarge the holes a little with a suitable reaming tool or drill bit.

On some models it may be necessary to shorten the bottom mounting pin on the permanent magnet field. A small jeweler¹s file can be used to do this.

The earlier models usually have light bulbs with screw-in or bayonet bases. With these light bulbs the ground for the frame and body of the locomotive automatically becomes the ground for the headlights that are to be controlled as an auxiliary function. The orange ground wire for the headlights must not be used in this instance for the headlights!

Depending on the design of the locomotive, this ground through the frame and body of the locomotive will result in a slight flickering of the lights. We have therefore decided to include two insulated light bulb sockets and 2 pigtail light bulbs in the set. These parts can be installed in the screw-in socket from above, whereby the two leads to the light bulb are passed through the hollow mounting rivet on the bottom of the light socket. In this instance the orange ground wire can be used, and this will eliminate the flickering of the light bulbs.

As with the 60901 and 60902 you should ask your customers before converting the locomotive, which controllable functions they want built into the locomotive. Up to 3 different controllable external functions are also possible with the 60904. It is best if you ask what digital address they want and the desired settings for the potentiometers for acceleration / braking delay and for maximum speed. There is a page in the instructions for the conversion set where you can write in the above information for the customer.

The following list shows which models can be converted with the 60904 set. In the interests of a manageable table, not all variations that are identical in design have been listed for the individual models.

3. 74046 C Track Interference Suppression Set

The current 74046 interference suppression set is designed in such as way that it can also be used on C Track layouts with DELTA multi-train control. This interference suppression set will therefore be included in the future with the 29785 starter set. The reference in earlier instructions that this interference suppression set must not be used on DELTA layouts is hereby canceled.