Nice of Marklin to finally let us see what Sinus is. It's been around for a few years now so I guess it is time. Looking at the illustration it's abviously some form of brushless/stepper motor... Steph

It looks like the one fitted to my Trix BR 01 but the "softdrive" description is new. Performance on DCC is exemplary but on analogue it starts with a jerk at 7.5 V and will only just keep running on 7.0 V at about a scale 40 km/h. The dealer has sent it back to Märklin, thinking something is wrong with the 4-system chip. I'm disillusioned but can see that a Maxon or Faulhaber motor would fit in its place if necessary. Märklin did include a description of the standard C-Sinus motor, to fit their existing spur-geared chassis, when it came out. This is a much better explanation of a refined edition. Thanks, Tim. David

As I understand, It's a brushless 3-phase motor with the 3-phase controller Actually, an AC motor... If you look at the video presented on the above link some things gets more clear :wink:

Yeah, had a look at the video too. The structure of the armature (with no wire windings) and lack of brushes indicates it to be a brushless motor. In fact there isn't any such thing as a DC brushless motor as you have to feed them sine waves to make them spin. The voltage applied gives the torque, the frequency and sequencing of the waveforms give the speed and direction. Their strength is that (with all other things being equal) they're capable of producing much more torque at low speed. If they're well controlled they can be very smooth too. A stepper has a different principle, with the drive signal being switched around a set of poles. And it's normal to feed them a square wave rather than a sine. It's easier for control circuitry too in most cases where they're digitally controlled (in things like computer printers). The great thing with both of them is that they have fewer moving parts than conventional AC or DC which tends to give them longer life and higher mechanical efficiency. Steph

The new softdrive will also be available in Trix DC locos although my understanding is it will only work with DCC. There is a list of the locos that will have it on the Trix website and the Profi Club model BR05 seems to be the only steam loco which will have it at this point.

Maybe I need a sinus drive to sort out the problems I have Eustachian tubes. Or is the Euston Station Tube? :lol:

Roger, Usually only women suffer from sinus problems. (latin joke)

Alan, I feel an attack of Kultur coming on but unfortunately my Latin Dictionary and Roman Joke Book are both out of reach. Explain, please, as long as you can do so without Political Incorrectness. I'd never stand for that! David

I meant to say that the sinus drive might sort out MY Eustachian tubes, any road, my Latin brain is not functioning properly, so I don't get the joke either. All anatomical jokes are out I think, but one never knows. Ars longa, vita brevis.

Although sinus means curved in latin, it also refers to those curves in the upper regions of a women's toga. I hope that this explanation doesn't offend anyone, especially those who might wear such a toga. :wink:

Folun marw nawr! A curiously sensitive knowledge you have of Latin vernacular you have Comrade!