chrisb74

Just picked up an M1 for £19 inc postage on eBay 😊

I cant thank you guys enough for all your advice - it's really helped clear things up. I'm going to go down the cab control route, using the outer two controls of my UQ, and I'll use SPDT switches as I'm going to wire the layout using a common return. All I've got to do now is build it... Thanks David - I think between you and Nigel, I'm finally starting to grasp this!

I don't want to speak too soon, but I think I'm finally starting to grasp this - the diagram helped enormously, thankyou! I assume I'd need to use insulated rail joiners between each section? Also, can you clarify what type of switches I would require? I'm still struggling to get my head round poles and throws...

Thanks David - I think between you and Nigel, I'm finally starting to grasp this!

I appreciate this is probably like talking to a child, but bear with me 😁. Rather than switching out track sections, would a system work whereby feed 'A' from the transformer ran to an on-off-on switch, the outputs from which ran to the two controllers which subsequently provide power to the inner and outer loops? Feed 'B' could follow a similar path, eventually terminating in the two sidings sections. In my mind, I could then run a loco from the outer loop onto the inner loop via an insulfrog-point crossover without fear of short circuits, as this system would not allow both loops to be fed power simultaneously. Or am I talking out of my hat?

As you may gather, I know very little about electrics! Humour me - if insulated rail joiners were used between the two turnouts that formed this crossover, would that solve this issue, or would the powered bogie on the loco bridge the gap? Alternatively, if I used conventional rail joiners and left the controller speed on the 'receiving' loop to zero, not increasing it until that loop had been isolated from the other by switching the points back (using insulfrog points), would that be OK? As you may be able to tell, I'm not keen on purchasing multiple transformers...😁

Cheers for the reply. Can I ask why it's considered bad practice? If only one of loop 'A' or loop 'B' is going to be active at any point in time, why can't they share a common power feed?

Thanks for this mate. I'd like to independently power four separate sectors of track, i.e. two main running lines and two sidings srctions, but can only imagine having two trains running at once e.g. one left running on the loop while I mess about with something in the sidings. Therefore, as I don't fancy buying multiple transformers,would I be able to use one M1, splitting the two outputs between the four controls? I'm thinking one feed powering bothe the looped main lines while the other one feeds the two siding sections.

I'm looking for some transformer advice, if anyone can assist. I've just been gifted a Gaugemaster Series UQ four-track panel controller, but as I've only ever used simple, single track controllers with wall mounted transformers, I don't have a transformer to power it. My question is what would be my best option to provide the requisite power? Is there a transformer on the market that would meet my needs? I can't envisage having any more than two locos in motion at once, and could do with a 16v AC output to power point motors on my proposed layout. Any advice is greatly appreciated 👍🏻