Train Set Power Packs

June 20, 2013

John sent in this piece of advice to share:

In keeping with Robert Anderson’s Tip about power supplies, it’s time to examine the power that comes with train sets. The power packs that come with most model train sets are not the greatest, and should be considered along with buying locomotives or cars by themselves or in sets. The word “sets” does not include the way some manufacturers include three or more cars with different numbers in a single package, which are usually very good products.

Train sets are relatively inexpensive and are great for putting around a Christmas Tree, or for someone who is just starting out in The World’s Greatest Hobby. For the oval or circle of track that is usually provided, the Power Pack should work accordingly, but expanding the track into a regular railroad may provide difficulties. You get basically what you pay for, and the loco or pack is not up to expectations for making a large layout, but should give you years of good running around a Tree as packaged and put away carefully until next year. A word of caution though – spend a little more and get Nickel Silver track rather than steel track. It works and looks better under “normal” conditions.

As someone who loves running model trains the old way with a Power Pack, I’ve had great results with MRC. Even the less-expensive MRC packs (about $25-$30) work more than adequately for N, but for larger scales it is suggested to go to a more expensive pack with higher readings and more bennies attached to it.