In this post on Brass HO Trains we look at Power Supplies for Model Trains. There are various types of control system and power supplies for the model trains. Many of the manufacturers like Atlas, Bachmann, Kato USA Inc, Marklin, MRC are the leaders in the control systems. Most of the power packs are specific to the scales, but some may be used for more than a single scale model train. Control and power units for Brass HO trains are manufactured by companies like Model Power, Digitrax, MRC, etc.

The Model Power has two main models of the power packs for HO model trains. Electro is a fully filtered Micro controlled regulation pack. It has useful features like circuit breaker protection, Overload indicator light, Separate on/off switch, Super low speed performance and smoothness, no-screw terminals, Double insulated electric approved casing, etc. This model is powered to operate five trains at once and is compatible in AC and DC tracks. The second one is the Deluxe power pack that suits all trains and racer car sets. The unit is encased in a sturdy black plastic box and has forward and reverse switch and is UL approved. It also has a circuit breaker protection.

The Unitrack power pack from Kato USA Inc is used for the Kato Unitrack and locomotives. The unit can be used to control direction and speed, and has a circuit breaker with reset button and turnout control switch with swap-on socket. Products from MRC have features like pressure breaks, proportional tracking control, and monitoring of feedback from the layout to detect sudden changes in loads. One of the products, Control master, is a walkaround model that has hand held control with memory. The products give a 300 degree speed control for the Brass HO trains and other HO and N model trains.

Bachmann has come up with various control units for HO brass model trains. One such product is compatible with N, HO and On30 scales. This is used with DC operated trains and has features like plug-in wiring, power indicator light, direction control switch, and electronic circuit protection.  The model has universal track power wire for other track systems with convinient E-Z-Track track power wire. The other model, E-Z Command Power Booster is intended for indoor use and can be used for Brass HO trains, N, O or even larger scale layout. The unit is designed to run many DCC locomotives and the output voltage can be altered to suit the scale for which it is used. There are a lot of safety features like thermal overload protection, and also includes air vents and a fan. The E-Z Command DCC Controller system is a digital system that controls speed, lighting and direction of multiple locomotive in N, HO and On30 scale from any manufacturer.

MRC Tech 3 Power Command

Brass HO Trains

This post on Brass HO Trains is about the Bachman model train company in Europe. Henry G.Bachmann Immigrated from German to America and took over a company that manufactured products made from horn, ivory and tortoise shell. They obtained Model trains from The Kader Company, the exporters of models and toys. The initial product range was the Branchline series that consisted moulds used to produce the Mainline range.

In 1992, Bachmann Industries (Europe) purchased a continental manufacturer named Liliput and established an office to handle product development, marketing and sales for the Liliput. The Kader Group is now one of the largest known manufacturers of the model trains. Ever since, Bachmann Branchline is strived to bring in the finest OO scale British locomotives and rolling stock.

Bachmann Europe also distributes many other of the essential items that is required by the collector to display his model railway collection. They are the agents for Bachmann American outline products in various scales such as N, O, HO and G and the Bachmann China HO scale. The outdoor railway systems like track, locos and control equipment are obtained from Aristrocrat Garden Railways and the Scenics and DPM buildings are from Woodland Scenics and Scenecraft. Brassworks supply O and 1 Gauge, and the Color corrected Hobby lighting is supplied by OTT-LITE technology. The company is an authorized agent of Liliput HO and HOe scale European models. Under the brandname The Intertrans, the company imports its own range of vehicles.

Bachmann has its own digital command control system for the locomotives and railway models, with a toggle style joystick and 10 function buttons. The controls can be activated for selection of locomotive, operation of sounds and lighting, decoders for points and accessories, etc. Three additional wireless controllers can be attached to the digital command control, and the unit complies to the NMRA standards.

The latest range of intricately detailed models, called Bachmann Blue Riband Range, was introduced in the year 1998, when The Kader Company celebrated its 50 years of existence. The company has come up with latest versions of the Branchline series, too. The Twin Double Deck Car has a close coupling system, highly detailed underside equipment, etched hinged bridging plates and articulated axle boxes. The top deck can be raised or lowered as required. A new 2-car unit model comes with full underfloor equipment and illuminated train headcode panel with internal lighting.

The steel High sided wagons have door securing chains, elaborate chassis and can be used with the steam and diesel train models. The Class 105 DMU has the same old windows from one of the earlier models, but the bodywork detail and the elaborate underframe detail matches the prototypes. They also have separate etched tablet cathcer pads, 8 pin DCC sockets with directional and interior lighting fitted as standard. The Winsdor Castle, the locomotive named by The Queen, has individual numbers, full colour Bachmann certificate.

The Graham Farish series has an addition to its collection, namely the Class 3MT Tank, in the N scale. There are 3 variants of this series and have finely detailed external components and come with accessories like head code discs, brake-rods and others.

All the models, whether past or present can be pre-ordered or purchased from the local stockist in the United Kingdom. The website has railway clubs listed and one can join any or list their own. Various details about getting started with the hobby of collecting rail models are available and news and events are also published.

Brass HO Trains

Today at Brass HO Trains we’re talking about the most popular coupler for locomotives HO Scale Trains, namely the: Kadee #5 Couplers. They’re relatively easy to attach and are very realistic looking. Most brands make couplers (i.e. Bachmann HO Trains, Marklin HO Trains, Lionel HO Trains) but making couplers is what Kadee does so they’re the specialists. The Kadee #148 is also a popular brand.

I think Europe brands use a different type of couplers so if you’re in Europe I’m not 100% sure about this.

Sometimes a bit of handiwork is required to sand them down or cut them back a bit.  Unfortunately with the HO Train set scale’s size you will probably battle a little and it tends to be a bit fiddly but this is the nature of the beast   For all couplers,  regardless of brand,  you must make sure that the couplers don’t touch the actual body work of the models.  And try and avoid having metal touching metal as this can lead to short circuits.Visit http://www.brasshotrains.com/

Kadee #5 Coupler

Welcome to Brass HO Trains,

HO Scale is a type of model train.  It is a reference to the size of the model in comparison to the actual object that’s being modelled.  This ratio is 1:87.  So for any item found on the real train the model train’s item will be 87 times smaller. So if your train is 87 feet long then the model is 1 foot in length. The HO scale is the most popular and thus the easiest to find parts. As an example here’s a list of the more popular items and brands in this range: Athearn HO trains,  Bachmann HO trains,  Locomotives HO,  Broadway Limited HO trains, Marklin HO trains, Lionel HO trains and electric trains.

Join us on this site to explore all the toys in this space