In this video we look at which locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars from other brands can be used on a Märklin layout. In the video we look at 3rail, ability to run on the narrow R1 curves and optional AC wheels.

In general a locomotive must be 3rail compatible while a passenger/freight car can work directly on the Märklin layout. Exceptions are on layouts with R1 curves where you need to make sure there is enough clearance for locomotives and cars. The other thing to think about is if the passenger/freight car needs power (must support 3rail) or needs AC wheels for automation with contact track.

Finally, if you are using the Mobile Station or Central Station, then locomotives must be digital.

The following popular brands/manufactors that have locomotives/cars that can run on a Märklin layout are talked about:
Brawa
ESU
PIKO
Roco

Tips & How to included:
How to determine if a locomotive/Car from another brand can run on a Märklin layout.
How to see on the manufactors if it can run on a Märklin layout
Tip: A locomotive must support Märklin 3rail. Typically indicated as AC
Tip: Passenger/freight cars with power/decoder must also support 3rail
Tip: keep signals, tunnel entrances, platforms, etc. away from tight curves
Tip: Couplers from different manufactors can be difficult to couple
Tip: Making a consist best to use from same manufactors for same type to give a consistent look.

Enjoy and have fun with model trains :)

Interesting links (English):
Märklin: https://www.maerklin.de/en
Brawa: http://www.brawa.de/
ESU: https://www.esu.eu/en/start/
PIKO: https://www.piko.de/DE/index.php/en/
Roco: https://www.roco.cc/ren/
Brawa Example: https://www.brawa.de/en/products/h0/l...
Brawa example: https://www.brawa.de/en/products/h0/w...
ESU example: https://www.esu.eu/en/products/engine...
PIKO example: https://www.piko.de/DE/index.php/en/p...
Roco example: https://www.roco.cc/ren/products/loco...

Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:13 3Rail Märklin Track
06:11 R1 tight curves and long rolling stock
08:25 AC wheels for contact track detection
09:44 Hints for checking Märklin compatibility
10:54 Brawa
12:31 Passenger car example
12:26 ESU
18:19 PIKO
21:42 Roco
23:25 Outro & Hints