Running two trains

[Alimax]

My son has a hornby train set. 1 controller is for the Caledonian belle, and the other controller is for the flying Scotsman. Can i run both trains at the same time and where do i plug in the electrics on the train track. Thank you. 

[2e0dtoeric]

Rather a vague question - do you have two circuits, one for each train?

You cannot connect two controllers to one circuit. (Well, you can, but it won't work!)

If you have two trains on one circuit, you cannot control them individually, and as they are different, before too long the faster one will crash into the slower one.

You CAN have a separate circuit for each train, each with it's own controller. BUT you cannot join the two circuits together so a train can cross from one to the other, without some further electrical work.

There is a 'locked' section at the top called something like 'adding extension packs'. Give that a good read, and understand what it says, and it will tell you how to proceed.

(or there was, it seems to have been temporarily removed!)

[Chrissaf]

The sticky (locked) post Eric is referring to is my 'Getting Started with Track Extension Packs' document. It is still available on the forum, but temporarily it is not located where it is normally located in a sticky locked thread at the top of the General forum section. It will return in the new year, it is having a holiday whilst some other changes take place on the forum.

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In the meantime it can be downloaded from the direct link above. You will find that Section 5 of the document will explain how to use two DC train set controllers. As Eric (2e0dtoeric) said you will need two track circuits, one per controller, each circuit will typically be an oval of track with sidings. Anyway, it is all explained with diagrams and drawings in my document.

[Alimax]

Hi thanks. I'm trying to upload a photo but won't let me. He has built up his set with track packs so he has two full tracks to run trains on. So wasn't sure if he could run one train with its controller on one track and the other train with its own controller on the other track. Will read the guide as well. 

[Chrissaf]

Pictures need to be checked and OK'd by the forum administrator before they appear. The administrator will be working 28th, 29th & 30th......then off until January.

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To upload a picture you can't use copy and paste. You have to select the image manually (a .JPG or .JPEG) using the black and white icon in the post tool selection bar. It looks like a black moon over a black hill and is to the left of the smiley face.

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If you were to upload the photo tonight, it may appear on the forum sometime tomorrow. Unfortunately the Community Moderators have not been given the capability to approve images.

[RDS]

... trying to upload a photo but won't let me ... 

Welcome to the Forum.  

Your photo needs to be approved by the Forum Administrator and hopefully it will appear in the next day or so.  In the meantime, hopefully the link Chrissaf has provided will help you to proceed..

[Fishmanoz]

While you are getting around to reading Chris's guide, which by the way has absolutely everything you need to know related to this question, the short answer is yes, you can run one train on each of 2 ovals with 2 controllers.

 

Plug one controller into each oval with a power track or power clip.  Make sure you connect them the same way - eg.  Track A to inner track on each oval, Track B to the outer.  Ideally, between the crossover tracks you need to put insulated rail joiners, IRJs, but not essential to get started.  Both trains will operate on their own ovals independently using the 2 controllers, as long as you set the points in the crossover to straight ahead.  If you switch the points to crossover, first turn one controller to zero, either controller.  Now both trains will be operated from the one controller not on zero.  With a bit of tooing and froing you can swap the trains between ovals, put the points back to straight ahead and you are back to each train on its own controller on each oval.

 

That should get you started, but do read Chris 's guide, it tells you this and much more.