Minitrix Point Motor / Switch Machines Manual

Some months back, one of the readers of my humble blog had some questions about Minitrix switch machines (or point motors).  At the time I thought it might be helpful to post the manual that comes with the switches and switch machines to help others.  So finally, after much procrastination, I finally scanned in the manual and am posting each page below.

The pages are not numbered, and the order can be a little confusing based on how its all laid out, so I've taken the liberty of attempting to put each page into what I think is a logical sequence!   All of the diagrams and illustrations have German text, but translations in English and French (found on page 7) and Dutch and Swedish (found on page 8) explain those diagrams in those languages.

If this was helpful to you, please leave a comment so I can understand if posting this information was valuable to someone!

Page 1 (German): 

Shows the electrical connections of the switch machines/point motors;  How to remove the contact springs to eclectically isolate  each arm of the switch and how to isolate and power sidings

 

Page 2 & 3 (German):

Shows the different combinations of Minitrix track pieces for various switches/points/turnouts.

 

Page 4  & Page 5(German):

Shows connecting track pieces for combinations of Minitrix's curved turnouts:

Page 6 (German):
Although technically the last page, this contains the last of the 7 different sections described in German.  This page shows how to attach and remove the switch motor from the turnout (for both regular and inverted use):

  

Page 7 (English and French):

Translation of sections 1 through 7 in English and French.

Page 8 (Dutch and Swedish):

Translation of sections 1 through 7 in Dutch and Swedish.

Page 9 (German):
Illustrations and warning about proper use of the polarized frog:

 

Page 10 (English, French, and Dutch):

Translation of the above page from German concerning the warning about ensuring that the polarized section of the frog is always powered for the direction of travel or damage can occur:

Locomotive Roster: SNCF A1A 68000 ; Mabar 86803

Continuing with my reviews of my N Scale French locomotive fleet, here is the A1A A1A 68000 diesel locomotive from Mabar.

Mabar may be yet another new name to persons outside of Europe.  They appear to be a Spanish manufacturer which typically focuses on the Spanish market and Renfe but have recently released some French models (Similar to Star Train).  The prototype of these diesels on the SNCF have apparently reached the end of the line, with just a few remaining examples providing power to various infrastructure and work related duties (I believe they have all been retired however).

While the prototype might be vanishing, Mabar has produced a fantastic model! The detail, operation, and quality of these locomotives are incredibly impressive! If this is typical of Mabar's standards, then the Spanish model railroaders are truly fortunate!

The AIAAIA 68000 is very similar to the BB 67300 model (shown above and below from Minitrix) with the most obvious difference being the extra axle in the bogies. 

The Mabar model, however, outshines its Minitrix cousin with a level of detail (separately applied grab irons, LED lighting to the above the cab window light) beyond the BB 67300.   I love seeing this locomotive next to its fellow diesel locomotives as shown in the below photo!

Of course, more detail in the video (above).  Please feel free to add a comment or add additional information!

Locomotive Roster: SNCF BB 26000 ; Piko 94133 Piko 94136

Here's a review of my models of the SNCF BB 26000 from Piko!

This locomotive - famous in France - is my first locomotive from the resurgent Piko!  Piko is probably more well-known in the Americas for its line of older, inexpensive building kits, or for its rather extensive line of G-scale accessories.  Its probably less well-known outside of the continent for its ancient forays into N Scale locomotives in the ancient days of the 1960's and 1970's.  Only recently has Piko re-entered the N Scale locomotive and rolling stock with entirely new models.

And they are very good models - which  may seem surprising as Piko had its origins as a state-owned enterprise of the communist government in the old East Germany back in 1949!  Of course, those days are long gone, and I'm glad to say Piko quality is really outstanding!

The models I have from Piko are two versions of the BB 26000 - commonly known in France as the "Sybic".   That fancy sounding name is really just a shortened version of one of this locomotives key features "Synchronous Bicurrent". 

The model in orange (TGV Orange I believe?) is Piko 94136.  This is actually my second one as I previously had the other locomotive in the red/silver "multi-services" livery.  At first, this locomtive (in terms of style) did not really interest me.  But as I saw more photos of the Sybic working in its natural environments I became more and more interested in it. 

While not as flashy or iconic as its 'broken nose' cousins, it has a definite edge to it and now looks almost classic against more modern Traxx and Taurus electrics.

The 'multi-services' version (Piko 94133) has a more modern paint scheme.  While not as interesting to me as the orange TGV scheme, I still find it quite nice!

I go into much more detail (of course) in the video review, but there were a few thoughts I wanted to get 'on paper' as it were!

Overall, a really nice model that (so far) has been a flawless operator!