Rebuilding Märklin 2846, CFL 455, to digital with Märklin 60901 conversion set
This can be done on all the models based on the BR V36/236. I have converted the locomotives from the sets 2846, 2848, 28502, the 3145 and the double locomotive 3346.

Updated 15.06.2009

Märklin 2846, CFL 455

Conversion parts:
For the 2846 I used the conversion set 60901.  A rather simple and straight forward conversion.  There are no needs for any modification to any parts, except for the lamp holder to the common bulb for both front and rear lights.  I have replaced the couplers with close couplers from Märklin 7205, 40 couplers for cars and 10 for locomotives. 

Decoder:
The decoder is installed at the same place as the original reversing unit.  It is installed in the holder 258820.

The decoder in CFL 255:

Motor:
Installation of the motor itself is simple.  After removing all the existing parts (motor, reversing unit, lamp etc.), clean the chassis and make sure that everything (transmission and wheels etc.) is turning smoothly. Install the new motor, firstly without the brushes. Check once more that everything revolves effortless. Install the brushes.

The motor in CFL 455:

Lamp:
The original lamp position in the locomotive is still used, now in a new holder, to use the 610080 bulb. See the above photos.
The interior light is a 28 Volt T1 bulb connected to f1.  The original lamp bottom contact is soldered to one if the lamp holder pin and connected to the orange wire from the decoder.

Wire colours:
Wire colour function Connecting to
Red wire B (center contacts) pick-up shoe connector
Brown wire 0 (tracks) locomotive ground
Blue wire Motor brush rear brush holder
Green wire Motor brush front brush holder
Orange wire Common + both bulbs (front lamp and interior light)
Grey wire Forward lights these wires are connected together at the decoder and connected
to the free connector on the center bulb, on in both directions
Yellow wire Reverse light
Brown/red wire function 1 interior light
Brown/green wire function 2 not connected