MÄRKLIN H0 conventional driving and electromechanical automatisation

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Märklin-H0-Knowledge The very first basic knowlege about conventionally controlled Märklin H0 model railways The evolution of Märklin command and switch panels

state: 10.02.2026 15:12

Preliminary remarks Sometimes I repeat things to complete the section. Designation of connections: “0” connection is the brown connection on the Märklin transformer (there may be duplicate, then both are equivalent), “L” connection is yellow, “B” connection is red. Since I only have few of the devices described below, I use images from the catalogs that are published here or in my archive are. Sensible previous knowledge: Functionality and connection of the Märklin turnouts and signals as well as the uncoupling track section, solenoid devices. See the related articles from me. Each solenoid has a yellow connection cable that is connected to the yellow socket/terminal "L" on the transformer. This line supplies the solenoid coil(s) with 16V AC voltage. Every by solenoid driven unit has o one (uncoupling track) or o two (simple turnouts, two-aspect signals) or o three (three-aspect signals) or o four (three-way turnout) blue connection line(s) to which ground from connection "0" of the transformer must be connected for a short moment via a momentary contact so that the circuit for the coil is closed and the movement takes place. The contact element of a momentary contact command panel transmits a voltage as long as the finger exerts pressure on the actuating element. Momentary contact, push button function. In the unloaded position the circuit is open. The Märklin solenoid items need to be operated via a momentary contact for damage-free operation! The contact element of a permanent contact switch panel maintains the current position of the switching element. Permanent contact, switch function. Märklin magnetic items burn out if they are operated with a permanent contact. Applications for permanent contact control panels are light installations, e.g. in buildings and switching the voltage on and off in sidings. For those in a hurry, an overview ... Momentary contact command panels

numbers

catalog years

purpose

picture

472

1936 – 1947

for 2 single solenoids

473/6

1936 – 1947

for 6 single solenoids

473/12

1937 – 1939

for 12 single solenoids

474/4

1949 – 1952

for 4 single solenoids

474/8 B

1949 – 1952

for 8 single solenoids

476/4 7072

1953 – 1956 1957 – 1994

for 4 double solenoids

7271

1994 – 2004

for 4 turnout drives of K or C-track

7272

1995 – 2004

for 4 double solenoids

72710

since 2005 new plugs

for 4 turnout drives of K or C-track

72720

since 2005 new plugs

for 4 double solenoids

70729

2010 – 2017 old plugs

for 4 double solenoids

72751

since 2011 special plugs

for 4 signals

72752

since 2011 special plugs

for 4 turnout drives of C-track

permanent contact switch panels

numbers

catalog years

purpose

picture

494

before 1936 - ?

1 switch

475/4 7070

1950 – 1956 1957 – 1961

4 switches with common input

474/6 7071

1955 –1956 1957 – 1961

4 separate switches

7210

1962 – 1994

4 switches with common input

7211

1962 – 1994

4 separate switches

7273

1995 – 2004

4 switches with common input

7274

1995 – 2004

4 separate switches

72730

since 2005 new plugs

4 switches with common input

72740

since 2005 new plugs

4 separate switches

72750

since 2005 special plugs

Signal switch panel for the Hobby-signals 74391, 74380 and 74371

72751

since 2011 special plugs

for 4 digital signals

72760

since 2013 special plugs

for 4 digital signals

70739

since 2010 old plugs

4 switches with common input

70749

2010-2021 old plugs

4 separate switches

From the beginning It all began in 1935 when Märklin created its first electric 00 gauge model railroad. (Track 00 is half as wide as track 0 and is now called track H0 = half zero.) Märklin manufactured electromagnetically operated turnouts and signals earlier for gauges 0 and 1. However, the mechanism was much more complex, but therefore managed with just one magnetic coil. One voltage pulse was used to switch over, so the mechanics switched to the other of two positions. Ballpoint pen principle. Similar to this TRIX Express turnout:

The 1936 catalog showed the following momentary contact command devices (sorry, only german):

The „Stellplatte 472“ can be plugged together to form larger control units. We see two plug connections per button. A double line was led from the setting contact to the solenoid, so - compared to today's technology - the light line (today yellow, from the transformer connection "L") and the ground line (today blue, via the setting contact from the transformer connection "0"). It should therefore be possible to integrate these control devices into our more modern system. If you can get them to buy ... Stellplatte 472 in catalogs from 1936 to 1947. Stellwerk 473/6 in catalogs from 1936 to 1947. Stellwerk 473/12 in catalogs from 1937 to 1939.

The „Schaltapparat 494“ could be described as a permanent contact switch apparatus. Found in the catalog 1936 to 1938.

In 1949 these momentary contact command panels appeared. Amazingly, the image fields on the 8-way control console were illuminated! The consoles had a plug on the narrow left side and a sleeve on the narrow right side for connection to the ground connection "0" on the transformer. The control lines for the solenoid accessories were then connected to the rear. The 8-button console had further connections for the supply of lighting on the narrow sides. Stellpult 474/4 in the catalog from 1949 to 1952. Stellpult 474/8 B in the catalog from 1949 to 1952. These units can be plugged together to form larger control units. A permanent contact switch panel was not listed in 1949, but the new crane released that year already included the control panel 475/4, which was offered separately first in 1950.

The position of the connections is the same as for the 4-way control desk 474/4. On the narrow sides there are plugs on the left and sockets on the right for connecting the voltage that is to be switched. On the back there are 4 sockets assigned to the levers. These switch panels can be plugged together to form larger switching units. This switch panel is particularly suitable for lighting because you can only transmit one voltage. Several consoles are required for different voltages. Switch panel 475/4 in the catalog from 1950 to 1956, with no. 7070 in the catalog from 1957 to 1961.

In 1955, Märklin remedied the lack of requiring separate switch panels for different voltages and released the switch panel 475/6 with 4 separate current paths. Here are the 4 inputs with plugs at the front and the assigned 4 outputs with sockets at the rear.

switch panel 475/6 in the catalog from 1955 to 1956, with no 7071 in the catalog from 1957 to 1961. A new generation of momentary contact „Control plate“ with plastic housings started in 1953 with no. 476/4.

This control plate has 4 pairs of momentary contacts and is therefore intended for 4 solenoid items with double coil drives. The ground connection is designed as a socket on the left narrow side and as a plug on the right narrow side. The control plates can be plugged together to form larger command units. control plate 476/4 in the catalog from 1953 to 1956, mit no 7072 in the catalog from 1957 to 1994.

Note from the author: I could never get familiar with the philosophy of these control plates. If you connect a signal according to the instructions and in the correct color, i.e. the control line with the red plug to the red socket and the control line with the green plug to the green socket, the operation is the other way around as expected. When you press the red button, the green button comes up and the signal turns green. Green signal, green button up, that's what Märklin thought. Green signal, green button up, that's what Märklin thought. But pressing the red button so that the signal turns green is strange ... In 1955 the crane got a new control panel, a combination of 2 pairs of momentary contacts for turning and lifting/lowering and 2 switches, one of which is intended for the magnet and the light.

This heralded the new generation of permanent contact switch panels, but it wasn't until 1962. button colours 1962

The switch panel 7210 with the common input on the left as a plug and on the right as a socket has 4 outputs at the rear. In the first year the inputs are still swapped and thus like the control plate 7072. The switch panels 7210 can be plugged together to form larger switch units. The yellow buttons on the front switch on, the black buttons on the back switch off. The control panel 7211 has 4 separate contact paths, therefore 8 sockets at the rear. Black buttons on the front and yellow buttons on the back. The switching function should have been the same.

The colors of the buttons were changed in 1963.

switch panel 7210 in the catalog from 1962 to 1994 switch panel 7211 in the catalog from 1962 to 1994 In 1994 a new generation came, the penultimate one. White plastic and square buttons. The first control plate was a special one, only suitable for the turnout drives of the K track and later also the C track and with LEDs for feedback.

The successors to the blue control plates and switch panels followed in 1995. The control plate for 4 double solenoid drives:

The control plates 7272 can be plugged together to form larger control units. The switch panel with 4 separate contact paths:

The switch panel with 4 contacts with a common input:

The 7274 switch panels can be plugged together to form larger switch units.

The control panel 7274 had 4 changeover switches in the first year, at least that's what the catalog says. I don't know whether that was really the case. That made this first series something special.

only 1995

As early as the second year of the catalog, the control panels only had 4 simple NO / NC contacts, each with two sockets at the output. Outwardly, the control panels did not change.

from 1996

control plate 7271 in the catalog from 1994 to 2004 control plate 7272 in the catalog from 1995 to 2004 switch panel 7273 in the catalog from 1995 to 2004 switch panel 7274 in the catalog from 1995 to 2005 New connector system In 2005 a new connector system was introduced in accordance with the current safety regulations.

Old plugs

New plugs

This changed all connections. Control plate 7271 became control plate 72710. Control plate 7272 became control plate 72720. Switch panel 7273 became switch panel 72730. Switch panel 7274 became switch panel 72740.

And the signal switch panel 72750 for the hobby signals 74391, 74380 and 74371 was created. This panel has completely different plug connections. Switch panel 72750 in the catalog 2005 to 2013

In 2010 Märklin realised that the new plug system was not generally accepted, that there was still a need for control plates and switch panels with the old connections. Therefore, blue ones with old sockets, diameter 2.6 mm, appeared again:

control plate 70729, function as 72720, in the catalog from 2010 to 2017

switch panel 70739, function as 72730, in the catalog from 2010 until today

switch panel 70749, function as 72740, in the catalog from 2010 to 2021

In 2011 appeared new control plates/switch panels for digital signals and C track turnout drives:

signal switch panel 72751, in the catalog from 2011 until today turnout control plate 72752, in the catalog from 2011 until today

signal switch panel 72760, in the catalog from 2013 until today (wrong picture in 2013 and 2014)

A tip for installing the control panels A member of my German group showed the following picture:

I mentioned several times above that the panels can be plugged together. Here you can see that you can also combine the older blue panels (7072) with the newer white panels (7272). The special trick in this picture, however, is that the lower parts of the panels can be turned around and the panels are closer together. The symmetrical design of the panels means that they can be turned around without any loss of functionality. This does not work with control panels with LED feedback! Special control panels I have already shown the control panel for the 7051 crane above. The control panel for the 7186 turntable is based on the same mechanical ideas as the panels of the blue generation. This box combines a switch and a momentary contact. (Painted by my father in the 60th.) Pressing a button moves the switch in the relevant direction and at the end of the button stroke the contact for starting the engine is reached.

The control panel for the 7294 transfer table probably works (I don't have one) similar to the control panel for the turntable. A slide determines the direction and there is probably a momentary contact to start the motor at the end of the switch travel. The control panel of the 7286 turntable has a rotary knob as a direction selector and a slide for different travel levels. Have I forgotten a conventional control panel?

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