Large Scale Central

Another Poll.... How do you power and control your Trains

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I was speaking with another member here the other night and we got confused as to what type of control we used so

I was wondering, How does everyone on this forum run and control their trains ?

I myself run Track Powered DC, with control from analog Bridgewerks power packs and also DCC which operates

perfectly. I also use to run MTH DCS but it never worked very well without a lot of extra work so I sold it. I may add a SINGLE Battery car down the road

so i can run at the few club members houses that dont have track power.

You Betcha,

LOL…

Nick

:slight_smile:

#2

Battery with Airwire controllers/receivers.

#3

Outdoors it’s track power DC with a Revo trackside receiver on each loop (3x). I run all my non-Revo equipped loco’s this way.

Big Bachmann loco’s run with individual Revo receivers…by setting the base receiver to full linear output.

Indoors I run straight DC input from transformers wired direct to the track.

#4

Battery with RCS Elite Tx-24, also got some Airwire decoders to install with a T5000 controller. I will also be trying the Aristo Revolution in the near future I expect.

Alec

#5

One of the advantages of being indoors is that I can take advantage of both the past 50 years of model railroading and still use some of the latest technology. My indoor layout is a hybrid:

Track power: LGB 1amp 50080 is more than sufficient for my layout size.

Track control: Trackage is seperated into control blocks, blocks are controlled with good ole Atlas controls, including a reverse wye.

Train Control: Crest BTE (Basic Train Engineer) single channel RC throttle control, allows for easy walk around operation.

Turnouts: All manual controlled, another advantage of not being too big, its easy to walk along and hand switch, couple & uncouple cars.

#6

Battery/RC here. A mix of RCS and Revo.

#7

My layout is still wired for track power using a 15A ham radio 13.8V supply tweaked to put out about 15V. I have the Aristo Train Engineer being fed by this supply and enjoyed good range over my entire layout even though the TE receiver was in the basement below grade.

I started experimenting with battery power and trail cars using an Aristo TE and an 18V drill battery in an open gondola. This ugly set-up visited several railroads and was capable of powering a consist of 3 locos, but due to the folding of the antennae, range was very poor.

I purchased a Spectrum DX5e system for my live steam engine when they first came out. Range was exceptional and no glitching. When the receivers came way down in price, I bought a bunch. A year ago I did my first stand-alone battery conversion using the Spektrum RX, a G Scale Graphics RailBoss and LiIon batteries in a Bachman Porter.

I was so happy with the results with the LiIon/Rail Boss/Spektrum in the porter that I retired my drill battery/TE trail car and converted my sound car to be both sound and R/C for my 1:29 trains. I’m presently building a similar trail car for my 1:20.3 trains which will also feature LiIon batteries, Spektrum reciever and a new RailBoss Plus board.

BTW - with the exception of a short test on my indoor track of locos being sold , an electron has not flowed through my track in over two years.

I can’t afford to put battery & R/C and sound in all my locos. That’s why I chose the trail car route. So far, it works for me. And since i’m pretty firmly committed to the RailBoss, I should probably think about selling some of my TE’s.

#8

NiCad & NMH Batteries, RCS controlers and Sierra Soundboards (no longer made). That way I can operate on any trackage the is 45mm (1 3/4").

Paul

#9

I like to keep things simple and inexpensive. I run mainly track power using the train engineer. I also have two engines hooked up to battery using Li-ion batteries and the simple critter control. Since I dont really do operations remote control was not needed. Both of the engines can still run on track power with a flip of a switch. I might try one engine using an RC system some day. Then I also have a live steam that is hooked up to RC. Its got hi tec servos and a planetX controler. The only thing I need next is a clock work engine and maybe a solar powered engine. Wait I kind of have that with my solar power panels in my backyard. :slight_smile:

#10

My M&CC RR point-to-point mainline is operated with RCS battery, the UP loop is track powered as well as the NYC branch line. This spring a gravel pit branch will be added which will also be track powered using the Train Engineer.

#11

Each engine is 100% self contained using batteries + RCS TX24 R/C + operator controllable Sierra sound. The only track power is a 6’ section on the work bench, used for testing new arrivals and helping friends troubleshoot track powered units.

Unfortunately neither my favorite (RCS) R/C nor the Sierra sound system are still being made. I have a couple of new engines parked waiting for a new controller that is as good as what I have in the earlier locomotives. Promised, but not yet available.

I also have plans to equip a 1:20, 32mm gauge aggregate mining train with battery + Critter Control to operate continuously back and forth between a borrow pit and concrete mix plant. Loading bins and mix plant are under construction. Track and switches (PECO SM32) are here, tipper cars are built, but motive power is yet to be obtained. I’ll use an IDEC PLC for automating the turnouts for the switchback track plan. No track power involved.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#12

Based on the KISS system :wink: track power is the principal method used here but on days when there is a dampness (not rain), when the track can not be cleaned easily, I use battery power. I have four Aristo-Craft locos which have the battery connector fitted when manufactured: my two Aristo Center Cabs do not and neither do my two ‘Annies’.

Naturally these four Aristo locos can trail a battery car. I have a 100T coal hopper, a stock car and a two door box car which I use as trailing cars but as I have mounted the 27Mhz. TE receiver on a portable base the Rx can also be put in any gondola, - a especially a covered version. This multi trailing car facility allows for most of the consists that I usually run. Batteries are a pair of NiMH 9.6V. They are a couple of years old now but I am considering getting an Aristo Lithium ION battery which will be the main battery and the NiMH will become extras.

I have used a 27Mhz. TE for almost four years now and find it provides adequately my railroad operating needs. The previous two years, or so, were a primitive turn of a knob and reversal of polarities. :wink: It is fed by an Aristo power supply but I also have other power supplies (Ham radio) which can provide 15V as a stand byes. A kind friend in the States sent me a rubber duck antenna for the TE which I find more easily used than the telescopic antenna.

I intend to have one of my Center Cabs converted to permanent battery operation. I am not sure, at this point, how that will be achieved but as all modelers will know there is always at least one project on the back burner. :wink:

#13

As Alan noted, I still stick with KISS. (That way I can still understand it.) Track power. I have two MRC 10amp packs, an older Aristo 5amp pack, a Bachmann 3.5 amp pack, and sundry LGB starter set packs. No layout at present, so packs get carried to displays and shows. I do have one battery locomotive, my Genuine D Cell Locomotive. (runs on 6 D cells; uses 4 AAs for the headlight)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/SKing06307.jpg)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/SKing06407.jpg)

In deference to the engineer, the gages read: “Relative Speed, Relative Brake Pressure, and Relative Amps.” Best wishes, David Meashey

#14

Batteries with a variety of Aristo Train Engineer systems… I have 27 mhz, and 75 mhz and revolutions… My preference is to eventually convert over to all Revolution control…

#15

Air Wire

#16

Nimh batteries, and either Airwire or an Aristo 27mHz TE in a boxcar.

I will be switching over to LiPo and more Airwire for the USA stuff and REVO with sound when it comes out for the Aristo stuff.

#17

Airwire and batteries.

#18

I’ll chime in, though I don’t have an operating layout yet. Just started laying track last summer. I will look for an used 27 Mhz TE to get some trains running as soon as I finish the loop in the spring. Don’t know where I will go from there in a few years, probably RCS R/C. (The original/real RCS)

#19

I’m using Lithium Ion batteries for power. When I first started, I used NiMH, but they are much larger and heavier.

I also used to wire them to charge in place, but since the Lithium-Ion batteries are so much smaller, I found it easier to just make them removable. I no longer need the extra wiring and sockets to charge them in place. I use the Aristocraft connectors to make the connections; they easily snap together and apart when desired.

I’ve had RCS, Airwire, and Revo. I now only use the Revolution for control. I have two of them so I can have two crews operating on my layout.

#20

NiMH + XBee radio. My own design. Just “barely” working…