Some beginner help

[highlander100]

Following a regression from grown man to lego to model railways, I’ve settled on building a g gauge garden railway.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and a lot of you tube watching, but things have moved on from my days of one DC controller. I’ve decided what I’m aiming for, but not how to get it. So wondered if people could point me in the right direction. I would like the following and am looking for some recommendations of control systems to consider:

- want wireless control and battery power for the local’s
- able to power trackside accessories, happy to hard wire these.
- be able to intergrate locos and accessories from the same interface
- ideally be able to have control to stop the locos remotely at signals.
- final layout could be in the range of 30m by 20m. But that will likely be years off. But want the system to be able to communicate over that distance from day one.

Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[pugwash]

Greetings from teeny-tiny land and welcome to the forum, you were quick making your first post!
For your requirements almost any digital system will do, I use the Roco Z21 system for my admittedly indoor HO layout but know others use it for G. Obviously there are others and most seem to use the Massoth system in the garden as that is what it is designed for.
I think the first consideration is going to be how you want to power everything, either track or onboard with, as you say, possibly using both. For instance battery locos with track-fed lineside accessories (interior lighting for coaches should be thought of too) but you are right to want to future proof your layout.
The other guys will be along soon to give you nuggets of wisdom, some may mention the humour but be advised it is all perfectly normal for responsible, grown adults.
Have fun here.

 

[dunnyrail]

Following a regression from grown man to lego to model railways, I’ve settled on building a g gauge garden railway.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and a lot of you tube watching, but things have moved on from my days of one DC controller. I’ve decided what I’m aiming for, but not how to get it. So wondered if people could point me in the right direction. I would like the following and am looking for some recommendations of control systems to consider:

- want wireless control and battery power for the local’s

A few options to do this, we have a member in the site that does Battery equipment. There are also some other suppliers.

Micron Radio Control : Micron Radio Control

www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk

Fosworks

Garden Railway Radio Control and Sound Radio DCC for Gauge 0 to Gauge 3 Analogue DC and live steam systems too

fosworks.co.uk

Piko do a battery RC system as well.
Then in US there is this group that will be able to add to the knowledge.

Dead Rail Society

This is the official website of the Dead Rail Society, founded 2010 in San Diego, California, and dedicated to the elimination of electric power on model railroad track. Batteries and radio control are the way of the future!

www.deadrailsociety.com

- able to power trackside accessories, happy to hard wire these.
- be able to intergrate locos and accessories from the same interface

Not sure this would be that easy, but perhaps PhilP may have some ideas.

- ideally be able to have control to stop the locos remotely at signals.

Not an easy option with Battery Radio Control, one needs to drive the locomotive and obey the signals just like the real thing! Though I expect a link to a Relay in the loco may be possible.

- final layout could be in the range of 30m by 20m. But that will likely be years off. But want the system to be able to communicate over that distance from day one.

Keep well clear of WiFi Radio Control systems, not sure that the Piko would work at that distance, I have Fosworks RC predominantly that will cope with that distance.

Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be great. Thanks in advance.

Have a look in the battery section in the forum.

 

[JimmyB]

First welcome, second, I would start by using the search facilities on the site for each of the areas, then, once having read them, a lot of you queries will be answered, but you can then come back with more specific questions to fill in the gaps to meet your requirement.

Though, I think R/C battery locos and auto stop on signals are a way apart, and I would think little steps first. Get track on the ground, and run a loco (track or battery) then move forward.