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Replacing 3-Pole Motors with 5-Pole Motors

In 2000, Marklin introduced the 5-pole motor, which offered better performance than the 3-pole motor used in all Marklin Z-scale locomotives for the 28 previous years. At first, only a few select models were available with the improved powerplant. And since about the fourth quarter of 2000, the old 3-pole motor was phased out entirely.

Luckily, most older locomotives can be easily retrofitted with the newer motors, which are available from any authorized Marklin dealer. (The exceptions are the 0-6-0 steam and diesel engines where the motor armature is not removable from the chassis.) What follows is everything you need to know about retrofitting a Marklin engine with a new five-pole motor.

In this article:

Related information:

I welcome any and all comments, additions, and corrections you wish to email me.

Click on any photo to see more detail.



Do you Need a 5-Pole Motor?

Initial observations were based on the differences between new engines with 5-pole motors and old ones with 3-pole motors. I've since upgraded several old engines, and noticed even more substantial improvements.

5-pole motors are smoother, especially at low speeds, and tend to generate less noise than their 3-pole counterparts. Although a new 5-pole motor should outperform a 3-pole motor at full throttle, the best thing about the 5-pole motors is their low-speed performance. Example: I was able to get my 88431 (which came with a 5-pole motor) to move so slowly that it took 4 full seconds to move between two ties on Marklin track - that's about 0.9 mm/sec, or a scale speed of 0.71 kph (0.44 mph)! For many of my engines, that's enough of a reason to upgrade.

I've recently retrofitted my Orient Express, my Mikado (see below), my 8856 Crocodile, and my 8816 railbus, all with superb results. The Crocodile now tears around my track, and since it's articulated design gives it terrific power pickup, it instantly has become one of my best running engines.

If some of your engines aren't running as well as they should, this is an easy, low-cost way to get a big performance gain. If, however, low-speed performance isn't that important to you, and your current locomotive(s) seem to be running well, then you might as well save your money for new rolling stock instead.

Note: some people have reported that their engines have become noisier after a 5-pole upgrade, especially steam engines. Most engines will become quieter after their motors and brushes have been broken in, so try running them around your track for a good 10-15 minutes without stopping. Also, make sure the gears and axles are lubricated (details).



How to Tell Which Motor You Have

There are two ways to tell if your locomotive has a three-pole or five-pole motor:



Retrofitting a Steam Locomotive

On most locomotives, all that is required to replace a 3-pole motor with a 5-pole equivalent is to remove the screws, clamp, or cover holding the motor, pull it out, and drop in the new one. Steam locomotives are a little more complicated, but the retrofit can still be done with no soldering.

Note: this process applies to larger steam locomotives. The smallest ones (such as the 8800, 8805, & 8803) have motor armatures pressed into their chassis, and cannot be easily upgraded (engines using the 261980 motor are exceptions). Unless you want to try to remove the worm gear with a gear puller (not for the faint of heart), your best bet is to replace the entire locomotive, or at least the chassis.

The following simple process shows a motor retrofit in a Marklin Mikado locomotive. The whole process takes less than five minutes.

  1. Click to enlarge First, remove the screw that holds the shell on the chassis, and left off the shell.

  2. Click to enlarge Next, remove the capacitor in the new, five-pole motor by gently pulling it out. The little copper springs, used to hold the two brushes in place, will snap outward. Gently remove the brushes if they haven't fallen out. (Note: the 5-pole brushes are different from the old 3-pole brushes, so make sure not to mix them up.)

  3. Click to enlarge Next, remove the upper motor screw, located between the two leads of the yellow capacitor; be careful not to break any of the leads.

    Remove the lower motor screw, which usually holds the trailing wheelset or the tender coupler. If absolutely necessary, loosen the front belly pan screw slightly to remove the wheelset; it's not necessary to remove the pan completely (don't remove the front screw). Note: it's not necessary to remove the lower screw for engines with 5 driving axles (such as the 8884).

    Important: Try not to turn the wheels, as doing this while the belly pan is loose may cause the gears to get jammed or even fall out.

  4. Click to enlarge This shows the motor and rear wheelset completely removed from the chassis. Notice that the capacitor is still attached to the chassis.

  5. Click to enlarge Carefully slide the new motor into place, making sure the lower shaft (with the worm gear) slides into the brass bushing (as shown in this photo), and the spur gears mesh properly. You may have to gently turn the motor armature to get the gears to mesh and the motor assembly to slide into place.

    Also, the two leads of the capacitor should slide into the two holes, as shown in the photo here. There are actually two pairs of holes, located in front and behind the brush section - make sure the capacitor leads fit correctly into both.

  6. Click to enlarge Once the motor is in place, put the trailing wheelset back in (if applicable), and gently tighten both screws.

    The next step is to install the brushes. In the photo here, the brush on the right has been installed. The copper springs hold the brush against the two leads of the capacitor.

    The easiest way to install a brush is to insert it with a pair of fine tweezers, and then, using the tweezers, pull the spring over the brush so that it snaps into place. Look carefully at the photo for details.

  7. Lastly, put the shell back on the chassis and give it a test-spin!

    If the engine appears to run louder than before, the new gear is probably not sufficiently lubricated (details). Note also that it may take a few runs around your layout for the engine to be broken in, after which it should be noticably quieter.

    If it runs really rough, the gears are probably binding, and need to be re-set (details).

The transformation was remarkable. With the new five pole motor, it now runs quietly and smoothly; the low and high speed performance is much better, and I did it all for under 20 dollars!



5-Pole Motor Upgrade Table

The following chart lists all (or nearly all) Z-scale locomotives Marklin has produced (either sold separately or as part of a set), and the corresponding model numbers for the appropriate 3-pole motor, 5-pole motor, and brushes. Many locomotives once sold with 3-pole motors are now being sold with 5-pole motors, and with no change to the model number. If you bought an engine recently and you're not sure which motor it came with, open it up and count the poles on the motor armature (details).

Note that the brushes used in 3-pole and 5-pole motors are similar, but not the same (the model numbers for 5-pole brushes end with a '1'). Most of the 5-pole motor upgrades listed below come with a pair of brushes pre-installed, as shown by the Brushes Included column (a n/a here means no upgrade is available). For those motors that don't have internally-mounted brushes (such as the 8816 and 8800/8805), however, you'll have to purchase the brushes separately.

An n/a in the 5-Pole Motor column means that the old 3-pole motor cannot be removed, or that a corresponding 5-pole motor is not available. An n/a in the 3-Pole Motor column means that the locomotive was produced only with a 5-pole motor. (Note that upgrades are not possible for some engines, even though they have been produced with both 3 and 5-pole motors.) Unknown simply means that I don't have a part number yet. If you don't see a locomotive listed here, look for a similar model, or contact me.

You can order these parts from any authorized Marklin dealer (see Where to Buy). Prices vary, but you should be able to find them for less than $25.00 each.

Locomotive / Set 3-Pole Motor 5-Pole Motor Brushes (3p/5p) Brushes Included?
8100 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8101 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8102 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8103 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8104 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8105 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8106 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8107 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8108 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8111 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8112 n/a 209452 8988/89881 no
8113 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8114 265500 211904 8989/89891 yes
8115 265860 211917 8989/89891 yes
8116 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8117 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8118 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8119 273520 211918 8989/89891 yes
8122 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
8128 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8130 267650 n/a 8989/89891 yes
8131 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8133 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8134 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8135 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8137 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8139 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8140 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8141 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
81411 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81412 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81413 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
81415 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
81416 265860 211917 8989/89891 yes
81417 265860 211917 8989/89891 yes
81418 268000 unknown 8989/89891 yes
81419 n/a unknown 8989/89891 n/a
81420 n/a unknown 8989/89891 yes
8144 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8145 273520 211918 8989/89891 yes
81460 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81461 n/a 211911 8989/89891 yes
81465 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81466 n/a 211911 8989/89891 yes
8150 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
81520 n/a unknown 8987/89871 n/a
8154 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
8155 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81560 n/a 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
81561 n/a 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
81562 n/a 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
81563 n/a 211909 8989/89891 yes
81565 n/a 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8158 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8160 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8163 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8165 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8167 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8168 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8170 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8172 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8177 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
81780 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8180 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8185 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81860 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
81861 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8188 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8189 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8800 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8801 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8802 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
88021 n/a 209452 8988/89881 no
8803 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8804 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8805 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
88051 n/a unknown 8987/89871 n/a
8806 273520 211918 8989/89891 yes
88061 273520 211918 8989/89891 yes
88065 n/a 211918 8989/89891 yes
8807 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8808 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8809 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8810 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8811 265800 211905 8989/89891 yes
88111 n/a 211905 8989/89891 yes
8812 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
8813 265800 211905 8989/89891 yes
8814 273520 211918 8989/89891 yes
8816 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
88161 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
88162 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
88163 n/a 209452 8988/89881 no
88175 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
88180 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88181 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88183 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8819 446840 211903 8989/89891 yes
8820 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8821 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8822 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
88221 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
88222 n/a 211906 8989/89891 yes
8823 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8824 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
8825 265800 211905 8989/89891 yes
8826 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8827 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
88271 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8829 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8831 262070 209452 8988/89881 no
8832 446840 211903 8989/89891 yes
8833 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8834 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8835 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8836 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88361 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8837 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88371 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8838 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88381 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8839 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88391 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8840 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88401 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8841 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8842 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8843 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88431 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88432 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88441 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88442 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88443 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88444 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88445 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88446 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88447 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88448 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88449 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88450 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88451 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88453 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88454 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88455 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88456 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88457 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88458 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88459 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
8846 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8847 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88471 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88472 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88473 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88474 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88475 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88476 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8848 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8849 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8850 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8851 268000 unknown 8989/89891 yes
8852 265500 211904 8989/89891 yes
8853 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88531 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88532 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88533 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88534 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88535 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88536 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
8854 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8855 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8856 265500 211904 8989/89891 yes
8857 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
88571 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
88572 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8858 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8860 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88601 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88602 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88603 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
8861 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8862 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8863 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8864 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
88641 261520 unknown 8987/89871 n/a
88642 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8865 261520 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8866 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8867 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
88680 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88681 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
88682 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88682 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
8870 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8871 269530 211907 8989/89891 yes
88711 269530 211907 8989/89891 yes
88712 446840 211903 8989/89891 yes
8873 446840 211903 8989/89891 yes
88731 446840 211903 8989/89891 yes
88732 n/a 211903 8989/89891 yes
8874 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8875 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8876 267240 n/a 8989/89891 yes
8878 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88781 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8879 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
8880 264440 211903 8989/89891 yes
88807 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8881 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8882 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88820 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8883 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88831 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88832 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88833 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88834 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88835 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
8884 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
8885 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8886 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88861 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8887.1 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8887.2 262700 211911 8989/89891 yes
8887.3 268200 211906 8989/89891 yes
8888 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88885 n/a unknown 8989/89891 yes
88886 n/a unknown 8989/89891 yes
8889 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88891 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88892 n/a 211909 8989/89891 yes
8890 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8891 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8892 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
88921 n/a 211909 8989/89891 yes
8893 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes
8894 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8895 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
8896 265860 211917 8989/89891 yes
88961 265860 211917 8989/89891 yes
8897 261980* 261980* 8987/89871 n/a
88980 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88981 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
88982 n/a 211915 8989/89891 yes
8899 267650 211912*** 8989/89891 yes
88991 267650 211912*** 8989/89891 yes
8900 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8901 261920 211901** 8988/89881 no
8907 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8909 279730 n/a 8987/89871 n/a
8994 427360 211916 8989/89891 yes
8998 428610 211914 8989/89891 yes
90701 268850 211915 8989/89891 yes
91701 261900 211909 8989/89891 yes



* Note that the 261980 is actually a chassis with the motor armature pre-installed, which is why the 3-pole and 5-pole varieties have the same model number. If you buy new stock of this item, you'll get a chassis with a 5-pole motor (just be careful about buying old stock).

** For locomotives of type BR 103, BR 151 and Ae 6/6 produced after mid-2002, you will need 211903 instead. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to differentiate the two versions of these models. Instead, make an educated guess: if your engine is brand-new, order the newer motor (211903) - otherwise, purchase the older motor (211901). If you're not sure, purchase both motors and sell the one that doesn't fit on eBay. Please let me know if you have more information on this issue.

*** Reportedly, upgrading the motor on an 8899/88991 locomotive is quite a hassle. Chet says, "You actually have to unsolder the capacitor and after installing the new motor solder back again."











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