Model Railway Help and Tips

ADDITIONAL LOOP CONTROLLER

If you wish to power a second loop on a layout, or wish to replace the original train set controller, we recommend Bachmann 36-560 which we have found to be a very reliable and smooth running controller, at a reasonable price.

HORNBY TRACK PACKS

Track packs assume they are being added in order.  If you wish to jump from the typical "Loop plus Track Pack A" layout that many train sets come with, to the double loop shown as Track Pack C, you need to purchase BOTH Track Pack B and Track Pack C.

SIMPLE WAY TO POWER INNER LOOPS

If you find that the train on your inner loop goes dead when you close the points, and you do not yet want to purchase a second controller, simply order R8201 Link Wire pack - this will bridge the power from your outer to inner loop ensuring that the single train controller will power both loops at the same time.

TRACK INTERCHANGEABILITY

We offer Hornby and Bachmann track.  The product is near identical and can be substituted for one another without issue.  Simply go for the similar product code - R601 = 36-601, R628 = 36-628.  Please note that Bachmann points have no zero in them, so R8077 = 36-877.  The only items to watch carefully are Bachmann Standard points, which come in both Digital and Analogue versions, all other pieces are the same between the two ranges.

DIGITAL CONVERSION CHIPS

If you are running a DCC system and require chips for your locos, please note that Hornby controllers do not successfully program many non-Hornby chips.  They are OK with Gaugemaster and DCC Concepts chips, but do not program Bachmann chips or any with strict "noise filter" technology, as unfortunately many Hornby controllers do not give a clean signal.  In general with a Hornby controller you are best to use the R8249 Hornby decoder wherever possible.