Power and control

A stay-alive capacitor (also known as a keep-alive) is a component that can be fitted to DCC model locomotives to temporarily maintain power to its electronics and motor should the main source of power be interrupted due to dirty rails or...

A push-to-make switch is a push-button type of switch that doesn't lock into place when pressed, it allows power to connect through a circuit temporarily for as long as it is pressed in, the circuit is only complete for as long as the switch is...

Although nowadays there are CDUs (Capacitor Discharge Units) designed for model railways that plug straight into the mains, it is still common practice for a lot of modellers to power them using the auxiliary ports on their controllers often...

EMF stands for Electromotive Force and requires a fair knowledge of electrics to fully grasp what it is and the effects that it has on motors and circuits, the problem is that most explanations often contain quite advanced terminology or at the...

If you're not electrically minded, the thought of installing solenoid point motors to your layout for the first time can be a little bit scary but don't worry because when you have done it once, it's really quite easy.The circuit you'll have...

Interlocking is used in railway signalling to ensure that potentially dangerous combinations of points and/or signals cannot be selected.Interlocking works by either a physical mechanism or an electronic application preventing a signaller from...

With so many functions on a modern or advanced multimeter, and so many reasons why you may want to use one, it would be impossible to answer the question 'How do I use a multimeter?' comprehensively. However, most modellers will only want to check...

There are a few reasons why your analogue controller could be cutting out, but the most probable cause is a short circuit.Many controllers have a built-in safety feature where, if a short circuit is detected, it will automatically cut out. Some...

In recent times, you may have noticed a number of 'Hornby Digital' products appearing on model shop shelves alongside the regular Hornby products that we're so used to seeing, but what are these newfangled shiny objects sent to confuse us?...

The very first time you have to fit a decoder to a DCC ready locomotive can be a little daunting. But worry not, because providing your decoder is compatible, i.e. features the correct number of pins for your loco, decoders are designed to simply...

If you are planning to install a decoder into a DCC ready locomotive, it will need to be the correct one. There are many different factors to consider when ascertaining which decoder is the absolute best one for your model, including, the number...

If you are new to modelling or considering your first layout, you may be wondering if it is possible to run locomotives either independently or in opposite directions when placed on the same track. And the answer is yes, but there's a but!...