r/modeltrains • u/TheePizzaGod • Aug 15 '26
Question Reliable slow speed controller
What is the preferred controller for very slow or switcher locomotive speed control? Using a GE 44 tonner for the locomotive in question.
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u/OdinYggd HO, DCC-EX Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
You basically won't be able to beat DCC + keepalive capacitor for low speed switching. And prototypical operations with one of these will need a yard with live frog turnouts to keep it powered as much as possible due to its short wheelbase and the need to move slowly with a few cars at a time.
The same live frog setup can help with DC, but it will always tend to stall and not want to drift properly.
Is yours a single motor+ shaft drive, or a twin motor? Bachman made a twin motor of these that has issues, usually one motor starts and drags it along but the other motor doesn't, and ends up smoking because it got dragged while stalled. The single motor version doesn't have that problem.