Railroad Electronics

Electronics make our models come alive. The detail needed depends upon how much interaction you desire for your trains. Using the basics you can power a single engine across a model railroad, adding inexpensive switches can allow for more than one operator on a layout. More complex electronics can fully replicate signals and large control panels, you can even integrate your computer for the most realistic command and control of your models.

Some modelers focus on electronics as their speciality. You can make the electronics as simple or as complex as you desire.

Cab Control - This is a basic powerpack you can purchase at your local hobby shop. It is simple to install and operate. I started in the hobby with a single powerpack. We later added a few toggle switches and another power pack for two train operation.

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Pictured on the right is a Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC) Tech II power pack. This is the first power pack we used to control our trains, it is still used today.

Digital Command Control - Is a more complex but flexible way to control your trains. Digital Control can open up new possibilities with many trains running on a single layout. To run multiple trains you don't need added toggles like Cab Control. To run multiple trains you install or purchase a locomotive with a Digital Decoder. The digital decoder allows you to send commands to a specific locomotive to move, stop, reverse and other functions.

We upgraded to Digital Command Control with a Digitrax brand control system. Pictured on the right is a Digitrax Chief DCC system. The old power pack we initially started with is still used but to power accessories like switches and lights on the layout.

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• Basics of Digital Command Control (DCC)

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