I took my 12 year old son to the train show today to work on his Boy Scout Railroading merit badge. He got pretty excited about all the things that he saw at the show and wanted me to get my set out.
My dad built the layout for me a good 30 years ago. The control system was custom built by him and I can get most of it working but I think that it isn't putting enough power to the track. By custom I mean completely from scratch. There isn't a recognizable control component anywhere. The switches (the doodads that route the train from one part of the track to another) and track were standard for the day. I have spent considerable time adjusting the track and switches with limited success.
So I would like to start over or greatly renovate the existing system. Dad may have been an electronics expert but I'm into software not hardware. So need a lot of help.
In my layout I have three switches and all the custom control stuff. I have one working engine that is definitely old school. I don't have a problem going to the newer technology (DCC, right?). Wireless probably is overkill here since it' a flat 8' x 8' layout with two loops and a side yard.
Assuming I have a maximum budget of $300 what do you recommend? Part numbers would be appreciated. It's been so long since I've done any model train stuff that I don't remember many of the correct terms for things.
Thanks!
Jim
My dad built the layout for me a good 30 years ago. The control system was custom built by him and I can get most of it working but I think that it isn't putting enough power to the track. By custom I mean completely from scratch. There isn't a recognizable control component anywhere. The switches (the doodads that route the train from one part of the track to another) and track were standard for the day. I have spent considerable time adjusting the track and switches with limited success.
So I would like to start over or greatly renovate the existing system. Dad may have been an electronics expert but I'm into software not hardware. So need a lot of help.
In my layout I have three switches and all the custom control stuff. I have one working engine that is definitely old school. I don't have a problem going to the newer technology (DCC, right?). Wireless probably is overkill here since it' a flat 8' x 8' layout with two loops and a side yard.
Assuming I have a maximum budget of $300 what do you recommend? Part numbers would be appreciated. It's been so long since I've done any model train stuff that I don't remember many of the correct terms for things.
Thanks!
Jim