Analogue Control

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.

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... (Photo: scan made from Electrical Handbook for Model Railroads Vol.1 by Paul Mellery, Carstens Publications, 1974)

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 also be used as a DCC-control system). Another new development are analogue output controllers that are controlled by a smartphone or tablet. See this page for an overview.

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.

Recently I came across a website of a Swiss manufacturer named Elesdag that offers really great analogue controllers that are made to order. Capacity varies from 8 VA with limited voltage for 'Z' gauge to high capacity controllers suitable for battery powerd G-scale trains. The manufacurer also offer control panels for points and signals.

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.

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 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 (now out of business) offered 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.

RCS from Australia offers radio control. Several varieties exist, 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.

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

Helmsman Electronics offers good controllers and a control panel building service. Other model railway electronic devices are also on offer. Helmsman has ended their operation, warranty claims are handeled by Peco. Sad to see them go. Good news! Peco has taken over the Helmsman brand and will introduce new Helmsman controllers. At first they aim at the larger modelling scales.

Heisswolf from Germany offers a very sophisticated analogue controller. It has a memory that stores the driving characteristics of your locos. German language page.In 2022 this product range is continued by Tams.

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.

Mondial Braemer trades the Lauer range of model railway control devices, analogue controllers, power supplies and automation units.
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Cosmic is a Japanese maufacturer of analogue controllers, they have a wide range, including cab-style controllers and small controllers that could be built-in into a mini-layout.