Learn the basics of powering your model railway with our SkillsCast demo. We'll show you how to get started and answer any questions you have live on air: bit.ly/3e8uYBG
I’m an old guy who is just starting a Marklin Z scale. I hadn’t seen a train set in over 50 years and realize I’m on a tremendous learning curve. Thank you for the practical video.
Me too! I was in an N gauge train club back in Sydney Australia when I was 12-16 and after I left school at 18 , joined the Australian Army for a decade or so, moved to the US , I hadn't had time to indulge in my child hood hobby until now in my mid 40's . But it's never too late and it's a hobby that isn't age restricted. I actually run HO now even though my first train set 'the Spirit of Progress ' ,by Hornby was HO/OO, I had shorted out my motor on my diesel loco and it sat idle for years until I joined the SNGMRC,or Syd.N. gauge M.R.Club and now I've had to sell off all my N gauge stuff as my eyesight no longer could cope with the fiddly little bits anymore, even with specs. So it was back to HO !! Here in the states there is many good hobby stores and supplies available!! So good on you and good luck running your layout!! Cheers from Csanad Bernath formerly of Sydney Australia.
I am an older man, and had a great layout as a child in the early 70s...i recently bought a shed load of Triang Hornby boxed engines, carriages and boxed sets etc....i have yet to see if they will power up, and so found this very helpful indeed. The digital versus analogue worries me slightly, as i am unfamiliar with the digital sets, engines etc. I had better get a power track set up and get testing these old beauties. I hope you wont mind more questions..if the need arises?.....Thanks again for this very helpful video.
Can you please help me I'm trying to set up my oo train set but can't get any thing to move IV got 4 contact on the back of tranform can you please help
Hi Dave. In the video you mentioned soldering power wires to the bottom of the rails. To do this I will have to cut away 2 sleepers from the section of track I want to attach them too (an R605 R1 curve section) in order to expose the rails that I want to solder too. Will this cause any weakness or deformation of the track, or should I solder to the fishplate on each section of the adjoining pieces of track? I know you mentioned being able to purchase pre wired fishplates made by Peco, but the cost of 4 sets of wires here in New Zealand makes buying the pack uneconomical when I only need the one set, as my proposed layout is only going to be a small oval with a couple of points on it.
Hi, I’ve just watched your excellent video. If you purchase one if your Hornby train sets & add a few extra track packs to create a double loop. Can you run another loco with the one power controller?
What kind of transformer/power pack would you recommend for a Marklin 5747 BR 38 DC loco on about 50 ft of track with with a healthy number of cars (8-10) on a level surface? I live in the U.S.A with 110V/60Hz AC outlets.
Hi Leah, we have OO gauge signals that offer exactly this. Check out our website for more info or have a look at our video covering colour light signalling: czcams.com/video/if8TQw7ALNM/video.html
With a digital layout do you need separate power sources to each track? I'm looking at a double track layout with various passing loops and sidings. How do I power this and how does points affect this?
Hi Chris, it depends on the size of layout you're building. A DCC controller will power all sections of a layout but you may need a power booster unit to supply more amps if its a larger layout. Regarding points, you can use non-isolating points so that the power passes through, although a power connection to each siding or loop is still recommended if you can. I hope the above gets you started but feel free to get in touch with our Product Experts via email or phone for a more in depth run-through on getting started on Digital.
I am making a 8 ft Diarama and would like the train to go back and forth on a stright track . It has open ends no circle . How could I put power to my track ?
basically you would use 1 color wire for A and a different color for B that way you dont cross wire the track and have a short. per se red wire A goes to the outer rail, B to the inner rail. Just make sure you connect the track power to the track terminals and not the accessory terminals to the track they are different voltages, the accessory terminal are for lighting,switches etc. Hope that helps
Hi Phil, the various controllers include instructions to make sure you put the wires in the correct places, but if there's a specific model you're looking at let us know and we can help.
@@philparrish8892 the wire outputs on this controller have a + or - above each connector indicating whether to fit the positive or negative wire from your layout. Hope that helps!
I’m an old guy who is just starting a Marklin Z scale. I hadn’t seen a train set in over 50 years and realize I’m on a tremendous learning curve.
Thank you for the practical video.
Me too! I was in an N gauge train club back in Sydney Australia when I was 12-16 and after I left school at 18 , joined the Australian Army for a decade or so, moved to the US , I hadn't had time to indulge in my child hood hobby until now in my mid 40's . But it's never too late and it's a hobby that isn't age restricted. I actually run HO now even though my first train set 'the Spirit of Progress ' ,by Hornby was HO/OO, I had shorted out my motor on my diesel loco and it sat idle for years until I joined the SNGMRC,or Syd.N. gauge M.R.Club and now I've had to sell off all my N gauge stuff as my eyesight no longer could cope with the fiddly little bits anymore, even with specs. So it was back to HO !! Here in the states there is many good hobby stores and supplies available!! So good on you and good luck running your layout!! Cheers from Csanad Bernath formerly of Sydney Australia.
This has helped me so much! Thank you
Great starter video for the wiring up of a track ... would definitely like a beginners guide to soldering!
Thanks David, we'll definitely put that into our list of ideas for future SkillsCasts.
I am an older man, and had a great layout as a child in the early 70s...i recently bought a shed load of Triang Hornby boxed engines, carriages and boxed sets etc....i have yet to see if they will power up, and so found this very helpful indeed.
The digital versus analogue worries me slightly, as i am unfamiliar with the digital sets, engines etc.
I had better get a power track set up and get testing these old beauties.
I hope you wont mind more questions..if the need arises?.....Thanks again for this very helpful video.
Very helpful indeed for someone who ain't very confident about wiring
Excellent video. Thank you.
Once again a great video ideal for the newcomers to model railwaying.
Thanks Richard, hopefully we're encouraging some new beginners to join in our excellent hobby - Dave
Very useful video. Thank you so much
yes a beginners guide to soldering would be great
Very helpful Dave
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the show.
Can you please help me I'm trying to set up my oo train set but can't get any thing to move IV got 4 contact on the back of tranform can you please help
I can help you sponsor me and my 12 children to come and live in the UK
How do I get around running multiple locos on two mains (one up,one down), on a DC layout without having multiple transformer units??.
any idea on proper way to wire phone jacks around layout for DC walk around control?
Hi Dave. In the video you mentioned soldering power wires to the bottom of the rails. To do this I will have to cut away 2 sleepers from the section of track I want to attach them too (an R605 R1 curve section) in order to expose the rails that I want to solder too. Will this cause any weakness or deformation of the track, or should I solder to the fishplate on each section of the adjoining pieces of track? I know you mentioned being able to purchase pre wired fishplates made by Peco, but the cost of 4 sets of wires here in New Zealand makes buying the pack uneconomical when I only need the one set, as my proposed layout is only going to be a small oval with a couple of points on it.
Hi, I’ve just watched your excellent video. If you purchase one if your Hornby train sets & add a few extra track packs to create a double loop. Can you run another loco with the one power controller?
What kind of transformer/power pack would you recommend for a Marklin 5747 BR 38 DC loco on about 50 ft of track with with a healthy number of cars (8-10) on a level surface? I live in the U.S.A with 110V/60Hz AC outlets.
Can you use the power clips on n guage track. And can you get the power track piece in n guage?? Any help would be great thanks.
Crimping pins constantly slipping out of the controller clips does my head in!!!
Would love to see 3 and 4 aspect signal lights, with switches for manual control.
Hi Leah, we have OO gauge signals that offer exactly this. Check out our website for more info or have a look at our video covering colour light signalling: czcams.com/video/if8TQw7ALNM/video.html
What is that track feeder
Thankyou for the video. Do you have these tutorials for other brands like KATO or AHEARNS? Thank.
With a digital layout do you need separate power sources to each track? I'm looking at a double track layout with various passing loops and sidings. How do I power this and how does points affect this?
Hi Chris, it depends on the size of layout you're building. A DCC controller will power all sections of a layout but you may need a power booster unit to supply more amps if its a larger layout.
Regarding points, you can use non-isolating points so that the power passes through, although a power connection to each siding or loop is still recommended if you can.
I hope the above gets you started but feel free to get in touch with our Product Experts via email or phone for a more in depth run-through on getting started on Digital.
Hi, do I need a bus cable and droppers for a good sized oo gauge DC layout? Thanks.
I am making a 8 ft Diarama and would like the train to go back and forth on a stright track . It has open ends no circle . How could I put power to my track ?
Is the hattons essentials wire pre-cut to go straight into the controller?
Hi Cal, its not, but you can strip the wire with suitable wire strippers, sold separately.
Do you have a beginner's guide to soldering on two Hornby tracks
Please could you do a video on wiring points? I’ve tried to understand it and nobody has made a simple video
I have many power clips. Each has 2 sockets marked A and B What is the significance of.A and B?
basically you would use 1 color wire for A and a different color for B that way you dont cross wire the track and have a short. per se red wire A goes to the outer rail, B to the inner rail. Just make sure you connect the track power to the track terminals and not the accessory terminals to the track they are different voltages, the accessory terminal are for lighting,switches etc. Hope that helps
Does it matter which wire goes to the terminals in the track and controller?
Hi Phil, the various controllers include instructions to make sure you put the wires in the correct places, but if there's a specific model you're looking at let us know and we can help.
@@HattonsModelRailways Yes I am interested in the Gaugemaster 4 way controller.
@@philparrish8892 the wire outputs on this controller have a + or - above each connector indicating whether to fit the positive or negative wire from your layout. Hope that helps!
@@HattonsModelRailways Thank you.
I am really enjoying this series. Very helpful and informative. But I really wish you wouldn't shout. We can hear you if you speak normally.