Best Power/Speed Controller for Beginner

[rab]

I'm putting together a 'Starter Set' from my late son's collection,

for a 7 year old who is showing an interest in model railways.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a power/speed control unit for it,

(I let someone else have the Clipper my son had as

 I thought it was a bit too complicated for a beginner)

so I'm looking for suggestions on the best one to get; 

something basic but reliable, Hornby, Bachmann??

[Gilbert]

I don't know exactly what they offer in terms of a basic unit but Gaugemaster have an excellent reputattion for back up, warranty etc.

Would this do?

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/gaugemaster-combi-combi-single-track-controller-plug-in-transformer-1-amp?variant=35450598621256&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwr6wBhBcEiwAfMEQsypPPP0lJYGCFt4Dt8Ifu0on4G4bgLdSXpxDAYHPoc8clxVnsWqQqBoCf3wQAvD_BwE

[GrumpyPenguin]

On 05/04/2024 at 18:05, rab said:

I'm putting together a 'Starter Set' from my late son's collection,

for a 7 year old who is showing an interest in model railways.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a power/speed control unit for it,

(I let someone else have the Clipper my son had as

 I thought it was a bit too complicated for a beginner)

so I'm looking for suggestions on the best one to get; 

something basic but reliable, Hornby, Bachmann??

Some of the controllers that come with start sets really are cheap & nasty.

 

Choose one from the Gaugemaster range, good, basic, well built & a lifetime warrenty, you will pay a little more - but only once.

[Pete the Elaner]

Another vote here for Gaugemaster.

Their controllers give good performance throughout the speed range. Go for their cream coloured range. The black ones are feedback models, which are still good but some motors do not like feedback.

They also offer a lifetime guarantee & you will not need to find your receipt for them to honour it.

You can find used equipment cheap if you are patient. I found one of their handhelds for sale at a show for £3 last year. It was a newer model too. Their guarantee made this a risk-free bargain.

[rogerzilla]

My only two criticisms of my Gaugemaster DS are:

 

1. The wiring terminals are too small for really fat bus wire

 

2. The colour scheme looks like something from a 1950s Magnox power station.

[kevinlms]

9 hours ago, rogerzilla said:

My only two criticisms of my Gaugemaster DS are:

 

1. The wiring terminals are too small for really fat bus wire

 

2. The colour scheme looks like something from a 1950s Magnox power station.

1/ Use a very short small wire as an extension - better than straining any small terminal.

2/ Doesn't that make them suitable for BR steam era?

[GrumpyPenguin]

10 hours ago, rogerzilla said:

My only two criticisms of my Gaugemaster DS are:

 

1. The wiring terminals are too small for really fat bus wire

 

2. The colour scheme looks like something from a 1950s Magnox power station.

Track terminals on most controllers are really too small - as Kevin says, just use a short extension.

 

[jcm@gwr]

10 hours ago, rogerzilla said:

My only two criticisms of my Gaugemaster DS are:

 

1. The wiring terminals are too small for really fat bus wire

 

2. The colour scheme looks like something from a 1950s Magnox power station.

 

If you need to use 'really fat bus wire', then you either have a huge layout, so the Gaugemaster DS isn't suitable,

or you're using oversized wire! 

It's a starter layout for a beginner, according to the OP

 

Edited April 13 by jcm@gwr

[rab]

Thanks for the advice.

 

I've purchased a Gaugemaster hand held controller.