Take Control

To control your layout you now have several options. You can have conventional analogue control (furter referred to as DC or AC, depending on the manufacturer of your rolling stock and track), DCC (digital command control), other command control systems or direct-to-the loco radio or infra-red control systems. On this page I will explain a few control systems with links to manufacturers for further information.

Using this kind of control has the advantage that it is to understand with basic knowledge of electricity and how electric circuits work. When you have a large layout the wiring can become very complicated and it is good to have good drawings of how the wiring is done. This is strongly recommended for all model railway wiring on any layout larger than a 4x8 ft board (1x2 metres). To control your trains you can either use the power pack supplied with the starter set or a more powerful power pack (transformer/controller). When using power packs I recommend a rating of at least 1 Amp, even for N-scale! European power packs offer single-knob control and an auxiliary 16V AC output for points and accessories. The manufacturers normally state for which system their equipment is made. Do NOT USE Märklin or other AC power packs, Japanese model trains all run on 0-12V DC.

In the UK, modellers often use panel mount transistor-type controllers. I have good experience with these controllers and I can thouroughly recommend them. These controllers are only suitable for DC systems. Good controllers are made by Orbit (very expensive. if still in business), Gaugemaster, Helmsman Electronics and others. Personally, I like the hand-held controllers. The hand-held controller is mounted in a small case with a long lead, so you can take the controller in your hand when walking around the layout. Very handy when you are shunting (switching). When you have an old KPC controller, it is good to know that Helmsman Electronics could repair them when needed. Some manufacturers offer plug-in handheld controllers that plug into a main unit offered by the same manufacturer.

Helmsman standard controller (Photo: Helmsman Electronics)

When operaring more than one train simultaniously you will need to divide your layout in many sections or 'blocks', a switch wired to each block enables you to select the controller. When selecting a route for your train, you will also have to put the selector switches in the right position, to run your train on the same controller over the whole of the selected route. This needs extra wiring and making a drawing (schematic) of the wiring will become very useful for fault-finding. Do not neglect this! Even you will have a fault in your wiring. A good schematic will help you to rectify the fault quickly. I recommend a good book on model railway wiring, such as 'Easy Model Railroad Wiring', by Andy Sperandeo, published by Kalmbach Publishing.

At the moment most new model railway control developments are in the field of digital control (DCC!), analogue control is by no means obsolete. A few German manufacturers have developed 'networked' analogue controllers. In such a system, controllers are split into a held-held control unit and an amplifier, that is mounted on the layout. The amplifiers are connected with a control bus or other cabling. With such a networked controller you can handover a train to a different controller without any jerks, derailments etc.and eliminate the need for block switches. Networked controllers are offered by Heisswolf and Uhlenbrock ('Daisy' system, can be converted to a DCC-control system)

This controller appeared on the market in 1975 and is still available! Development and original production was done in Belgium, but after the company ceased operation, production moved to the Netherlands. It's the TER 2103 controller. A pulse-width controller with adjustable acceleration and brake characteristics and an adjustable pulse for slow-speed shunting or high-speed mainline running. The controller has a luxurious finish, with aluminium faceplate, power output meters, wooden side panels and nextel top plate, as per 1975 vintage HiFi equipment!

TER also offers an analogue block control system, which features signal and point control, smooth starting and stopping an precision braking on red signals. Also a non-recent development, but still available to modellers who do not want to put DCC decoders in their trains.

In Japan most manufacturers (Kato, Tomix, Endo, KTM) offer transistorised analogue controllers, which offer a much smoother control than the conventional transformer-controllers offered by European manufacturers. Apart from smoother control, Kato and Tomix also have paid attention to the whole wiring system and both manufacturers have a convenient plug-in wiring system. However, the Kato and Tomix wiring systems are not compatible due to different plugs. More information is available through the links below.

An introduction to Kato's controllers and Kato's digital command control system, one of the early systems that was not very successfull.

Gaugemaster offers a wide range of controllers, including controllers for Z-scale and large scales.

Helmsman Electronics offer good controllers and a control panel building service. Other model railway electronic devices are also on offer.

Heisswolf from Germany offers a very sophisticated analogue controller. It has a memory that stores the driving characteristics of your locos. German language page.

Dallee Electronics have a wide range of control equipment including sound systems and train detection circuits.

The Dynatrol analogue command control system is still available from Classic Dyntrol.

Morley is a new name to me, they offer a range of 5 different types, with power outputs matching a certain scale. In the range there are models specifically made for 'Z', 'N', 'H0/00'and 0 scales. There's also a 4-output controller. All units come with 2 plug-in handheld controllers and have a built-in capacitor discharge unit plus an 1 Amp uncontrolled 12V DC output. Check the Morley website, they seem to offer good value-for-money.

An older analogue controller made by MRC, the controller features adjustable momentum (inertia) and adjustable maximum track voltage (max. speed). Newer MRC controllers have hand-held controls, sound effects and more...

Cab-style controllers. Many modellers always wanted to be a train driver, well with a cab-style controller you can be inthe driver's seat of your own model train. I made a survey of what's available from both Japanese and European manufacturers, both analogue and digital (DCC).

These can be controlled with various switches and other controls. It is best to build a control panel where all switches are mounted in such a way that they can easily be identified and that their function is clear. You can build such a control panel yourself or use a 'domino' type system that is offered by several manufacturers. When using DCC it is possible to use your computer as a control panel using special software. This software can also control locomotives and even trigger sound effects etc.

As you can see, the SES control panel is made up of hexagonal sections. These sections clip together, the hexagonal shape is space-saving, so the resulting panel is still very compact, without impairing clarity. SES now offers control panels with LocoNet connection, these plug in into a DCC system with LocoNet, like Digitrax, Uhlenbrock's Intellibox or Fleischmann's Twin Center.

Erbert Modellbahntechnik offers miniature versions of the control panels that are used by the German railways. No surprise that these work best on German-prototype layouts, with the correct signals that are also offered by Erbert. Erbert also offers control panels that connect to LocoNet.

Titan offers a range of transformers and battery chargers, there's always a suitable transformer in the Titan range!

Mondial Braemer trades the Lauer range of model railway control devices, analogue controllers, power supplies and automation units.
.

Cosmic is a Japanese maufacturer of controllers, they have a wide range, including cab-style controllers and small controller that could be built-in into a mini-layout.

Min Wa Electronics offer a huge range of step-down transformers, DC power supplies and battery chargers.

This type of control offers you the possibilty to run more than one loco or train indepently in a section or block. This is done by means of encoding control commands into a constant voltage that powers your locos. The earliest systems were introduced on the US market in the early 1960's and were not very successful. In the 1970's new systems were developed, also in kit form, so that modellers could save the cost of assembly. In the 1980's the analogue systems could handle up to 20 channels (locos) and included sound effects (steam or diesel sound, whistle and horn). With command control you don't need to divide your layout into sections, as all locos can be controlled indidually. With Command Control tiny receivers inside your locos filter out the information needed for each individual loco and respond only to the commands meant for them. In the late 1980's analogue command control became outdated with the introduction of Digital Command Control (further called DCC). When you have a Dynatrol analogue command system, it's still possible to buy components and even complete systems. < click here > for more information.

Firstly, you need a basic DCC set (see listed manufacturers) and so called decoders in all your locos. This can become quite costly, as these decoders cost around US$ 30.- each, although prices are dropping, cheap decoders may cost about US$ 20.- or less nowadays. There are cheaper ones, but they fit only 'HO' scale locos. For 'N' scale you need the smallest decoders available, and these miniature versions are more expensive. These decoders have top-flight technology inside. Most manufacturers provide you with lots of information on wiring the layout, decoder installation etc. etc. Good news, recent developments show that cheaper small-size decoders become available. Lenz offer the Silver Mini, a basic decoder that should fit most N-scale diesels and Digitrax with their DN-123 entry-level decoder. Both are priced around US$ 25.- There are a few small manufacturers who offer cheap, but good decoders. It also pays off to shop around for good deals on decoders. Buying 5 or more decoders usually gives you discount.

Digital Command Control also offers you control of your turnouts and signals, even from the hand-held controller (throttle), and it is well possible to hook up your layout to your computer and control the layout from behind your screen. The most interesting option is to divide tasks and have loco drivers (engineers), signalmen (despatchers) etc. and operate your model railway as per the real thing!

Lenz Elektronik is the main developer of DCC systems. All other manufacturers took a license from Lenz. This system has been chosen as a standard by the NMRA.

Digitrax has become the leading US manufacturer of DCC systems. Pages look simple, but are very informative.

Uhlenbrock brought DCC 'to the masses' in Europe, they developed the multi-protocol DCC system Intellibox.

ESU offers a wide range of DCC components and decoders. ESU is a pioneering firm in sound decoders.

Zimo from Austria developed a high-end DCC system. This manufacturer was the first ever to bring a (non-standard) DCC system on the market, this was back in 1979! Now Zimo makes NMRA-compatible DCC systems, with a few extras.

Littfinski Datentechnik offers add-on modules, accessory decoders and boosters for most DCC-systems. All equipment is available in kit form, which saves you money.

cT elektronik also from Austria, offers loco, function and accessory decoders, with the Zimo transponding system. A command station and handheld controller are also offered. These are more or less compatible with the Roco 'LokMaus' DCC system. German language.

CVP offers a kit-built system that you can either assemble yourself or have it ready-built. Also offered are wireless controllers for both their Easy DCC and propiatry Railcommand systems.

ZTC from the UK offer a range of DCC products. Their command console is impressive, with seperate brake and accelerator controls.

SNJPN is a small Japanese manufacturer that offers decoders mattched for japanese model trains. Available are loco decoders, motor-only decoders (for use in multiple-units), head / tail light decoders, interior light decoders, accessory decoders, a special decoder for the Tomix track cleaner and a programming unit that connects to the USB port of your computer.

These systems use a constant voltage on the track for power (mostly 12V DC) and use infra-red or radio signals to control speed, direction, lights and other effects. A few manufacturers offer these systems. Normally the receivers inside the locos are quite bulky by todays standards, and are mainly aimed at the large-scale (O-scale and upwards) garden railway enthousiast.Rail Lynx offers an infrared system that fits into HO-scale locomotives. Across the rails is a constant 12V DC, or even a command control signal, which only powers the locos. The speed and direction command are transmitted directly to the locos, which should have IR detectors fitted. Repeater transmitters are available for use on hidden trackage. New is a large-scale loco decoder. Point motors, signals and other accessories are conventionally controlled, using normal electrical techniques.

Rail Lynx offers a direct to the loco infra-red remote control system, based on DCC technology. An N-scale loco decoder is now available.

RCS from Australia offers radio control. Several varieties exxist, mainly aimed at large-scale modellers. However, there's a version which replaces your stationary controller. A small handset (about the size of a pack of cigarettes [ooch, I hate smoking:-)] is used by all RCS controllers.