Which power pack would be good for a small layout? This weekend I'm going to get a new one and some track so I can start my little layout. Joe
I have a 2' x 4' two track layout and I run two trains using two MRC Railpower 1300 power packs which I purchase new on Ebay for $15.00 each I belive that there are still a few available for bid on Ebay. So far they do a good job for my small layout slow speed is great. I am runing Atlas GP-9's , Lifelike GP38's and Life Like SD-7's , and LifeLike SW9/1200's pulling about 10 cars on each track Hope this helps, on a small layout for the price you can't go wrong with the MRC 1300. Beeline
Right now I have 2 train set control packs I'm not fond of them. Anything should be better than them. The layout I'm building 3'X5' oval with 2 small sidings and a small staging area. Joe
The only thing I use my train set power packs for is structure lighting and to power accessories, not my trains. I also use one when I clean the wheels on my locos. I nailed a 12" piece of flex track to a 1"x 4" x 15" long board soldered a wire to the track crimped on terminal lugs to attache to the power pack wet a piece of old tee shirt with denatured alcohol put one truck of wheels on the rag other truck on the track on turn the power up about 50% and this cleans of all the crud on the wheels nice and easy no fuss. Beeline
I use one of these on my 12x13 foot home layout and it works just great. I'd recommend the MRC 1300 as well.
What do you guys think of the MRC tech 4 280 - I have gheard good and bad - I ask because I know where I can get a good deal on one, and want to be sure before I buy.
MRC is almost the industry standard for non-dcc power packs. I have only bought used except for one, and they all worked fine. Now I am DCC. I will use one for turnouts, perhaps another for signals when I get there....eventually. You won't go wrong with MRC!
I have two MRC Tech 2's They work really well. Lot's of fine control. Got em both used on eBay, the Tech2 1500 for $20.00 and a Tech2 2500 for $ 25.00. I am very satisfied with them.
I have a pair of Tech2's, the 1500 (got new about 7 years ago) and a 2400 (got used dirt cheap) and both are awesome, I've run 5 locos at a time with HEAVY trains powered by the smaller one (1500) with no problems. I've accidently had dead shorts, still no problems from the power pack.
If you plan to stick with a small layout, then go with an MRC 1300 and if you plan to expand to a larger layout later on, then go with an MRC 1370, as it has scads more power but is still OK for a smaller layout. Tech 2 power packs are great but more expensive and if you are inclined to go with them, then try the 1400 (On/Off, Forward/Reverse) or the 1500 (On/Off, Fwd/Rev, Momentum, Brake). The Tech 4 series is replacing the tech 2 series and pack for pack they are a little more powerful (And more expensive), the 2 lower end models being the 200 (On/Off, Fwd/Rev) and the 220 (On/Off, Fwd/Rev, Momentum, Brake). I have used all of them and they are all great power packs, however, if cost is your concern, then go with the 1300 as it is a first class power pack and should last for many years. Happy modeling. Cheers. Terry
For the large amount of track in my swyd, 250 ft., I used an MRC Control Master 20 Walkaround. It sends power through 35 switches with no trouble and also operates an Arnold indexed turntable. It is also powering a Tech II Sound Generator 8000 and an MRC Sound Station 312 and powers 23 Kato turnout operators. I have had six Kato Mikados running on it at the same time, mind you they were all going the same speed and at that point I was thinking, Hmmmm, DCC. For a larger layout, I think that the MRC Control Master 20 Walkaround is a good choice. You can still use it even if you switch to G scale....OOPS sorry guys.
