Power and control

Yes, it is possible to use a battery to power a small, portable model railway layout. In fact, using a battery can be a convenient and flexible way to power a layout, especially if there is a need for frequent relocation or if mains power supply...

Catenary systems are used to provide an overhead power supply for electric trains. They consist of a series of wires, known as catenary wires, which are suspended above the tracks and carry the electrical current to power the trains. When it comes...

Semaphore signals were a common form of railway signalling before the advent of modern electronic signals. During the day, train drivers could easily see and interpret the position of the semaphore arms. However, reading semaphore signals at night...

The two-rail wiring principle is a fundamental concept in model railway wiring. It refers to the use of two separate tracks, each with its own electrical polarity, to power the trains on a layout. In this system, one rail is connected to the...

When it comes to model railways, the choice of point motors can greatly impact the performance and realism of a layout. While there are various types of point motors available, including both slow and fast-acting ones, slower-acting point motors...

Servo motors offer several advantages over solenoids when it comes to operating points and semaphore signals on a model railway layout.Here are some key advantages of using servo motors:Precise control : servo motors provide precise...

Contra-rotating propellers, also known as counter-rotating propellers, are a type of propeller system that consists of two propellers mounted on the same shaft, with one rotating clockwise and the other rotating counterclockwise. This...

An electromagnetic decoupler is a valuable addition to any model railway layout. It provides several benefits that enhance the operation and realism of a layout. Let's explore these benefits in more detail :Realistic uncoupling : one of the...

Motorising a level crossing can add a realistic touch to the operation of a layout. There are several options available to achieve this effect. Let's explore a few of them:Servo motors : Servo motors are commonly used in model railway layouts...

If you’re new to model railways, one of the more daunting parts of the hobby can be figuring out how to wire up your railway and get it actually running. Proper wiring is essential for operations like controlling trains, running accessories, and...

A DCC (Digital Command Control) decoder serves several important functions for controlling and operating model trains and accessories digitally. The main functions of a DCC decoder are:Locomotive control:Receives digital commands from the...

The size of wire you should use for wiring your model railway layout depends on several factors, including the scale of your layout, the length of the runs, and the current requirements of your locomotives and accessories. Here are some general...