power pack
- Thread starter bndrinkin
- Start date
MRC. Pick one with the features/power output that you need. All are excellent powerpacks, and light-years beyond the "train set transformer".
Andrew
Andrew
N
nachoman
I will second the comment for MRC. If your layout is really large, you may want to think about a walk around throttle or DCC.
Kevin
Kevin
Tell us more about what you want to do, and we can be more specific...
E.g. - how many, what brand, age, etc of engines? How many will be running at once? How big is the layout? How big do you think it will get? Do you want walk-around capability? Wireless? Do you want to be able to "troubleshoot" with it (i.e. need built-in multi-meter)?
Lots of things to consider, so please provide more info!
Andrew
OK, so now there are other things to consider...
Is the layout wired into at least 4 blocks? This is the minimum required to operate two locomotives (or lash-ups of multiple units) independently. One block for each loco to operate in, and one block ready to receive each loco.
There is nothing wrong with an older Tech2. It is capable of running several avaerage engines at once. But if you are going to operate them independently, each loco will require its own power pack (sometimes called a "cab").
My old powerpack is a Tech 2 (I'm not sure which model), and it works well. It's probably at least 10 years old.
If you need to rewire your layout into blocks to operate two or more engines, you might want to consider going to DCC.
Andrew
Is the layout wired into at least 4 blocks? This is the minimum required to operate two locomotives (or lash-ups of multiple units) independently. One block for each loco to operate in, and one block ready to receive each loco.
There is nothing wrong with an older Tech2. It is capable of running several avaerage engines at once. But if you are going to operate them independently, each loco will require its own power pack (sometimes called a "cab").
My old powerpack is a Tech 2 (I'm not sure which model), and it works well. It's probably at least 10 years old.
If you need to rewire your layout into blocks to operate two or more engines, you might want to consider going to DCC.
Andrew
No, I don't mean junction boxes.
Do you want to run two engines independently (i.e. in different places on the layout at different speeds and/or directions)?
If yes, you need to divide the power supply to your layout into separate sections (called "blocks") through a series of electrical switches that allow you to control a given section of track.
If you control all the track with one powerpack, all the trains will move at the same speed in the same direction, according to the powerpack. This is really only useful if you want to simulate "lash-ups" (m.u.) when multiple engines pull one train.
Otherwise, you need to be able to electrically isolate different sections of the layout in order to control these "blocks" (and the engine in them) with separate powerpacks.
Your other option, as I stated above" is DCC - Digital Command Control. A "computer chip" in each engine allows it to move independently without having to wire the layout into electrically isolated blocks.
Andrew
Do you want to run two engines independently (i.e. in different places on the layout at different speeds and/or directions)?
If yes, you need to divide the power supply to your layout into separate sections (called "blocks") through a series of electrical switches that allow you to control a given section of track.
If you control all the track with one powerpack, all the trains will move at the same speed in the same direction, according to the powerpack. This is really only useful if you want to simulate "lash-ups" (m.u.) when multiple engines pull one train.
Otherwise, you need to be able to electrically isolate different sections of the layout in order to control these "blocks" (and the engine in them) with separate powerpacks.
Your other option, as I stated above" is DCC - Digital Command Control. A "computer chip" in each engine allows it to move independently without having to wire the layout into electrically isolated blocks.
Andrew
Well, it sounds like you are all set then.
Do you want to replace the powerpack for some reason? Since the set-up you describe will run two trains independently, I am not sure why you need a new powerpack?
The powerpack you have is basically "two-in-one" so another is not required.
Andrew
Do you want to replace the powerpack for some reason? Since the set-up you describe will run two trains independently, I am not sure why you need a new powerpack?
The powerpack you have is basically "two-in-one" so another is not required.
Andrew
Just to clarify...Are your two sections (blocks) of track ELECTRICALLY isolated from each other..??
If not...Some smoke might be visible for miles....:mrgreen:
If not...Some smoke might be visible for miles....:mrgreen:
I don't think you can really expand on the track or improve it on the table it is on. Do you have space to ad to the table? How much space do you have available? Can you clean up the walls of the room to allow you to build an around the walls layout on shelves where you operate the layout from inside instead of outside the table? When you use a 4 x 8 table, you can get a mainline run of about 23-24 feet maximum in an oval around the perimeter. A figur 8 with either a cross over or a crossing track will get you a few more feet. To operate that 4 x 8 table, you will need at least 2-3 feet of clearance on each of the four sides, which translates to a room of at least 8 x 12 feet or 10 x 14 feet. If we look at an around the walls shelf in that 8 x 12 foot room, you have the capability of getting single oval mainline run of 40 feet! If you want to have the layout at a height of 40 inches above the floor, you could build shelve below the layout all the way around the room except at door ways, to clear the walls for the layout. Put a draw bridge, swing bridge, or lift out bridge at any doorways to allow access to the room.