Will the standard controller on a Bachmann NON DCC HO trainset power a 4x8 loop with at least 3 turnouts?
Yes, it will. though on like DCC you can only run one engine at a time.
You may want to use a separate power source for the turnouts because when you throw a turnout its draws power away from the track causing the loco to slow down or potentially stop. Any old HO/N power source will suffice.
Good Morning All,
First of all, you have been correctly informed that the power pack will run the railroad. However, it would be best to have at least two, if not, three sets of track feeds at different points around the railroad to avoid voltage drop. This is noticable if, at some point, your train slows down and then picks up speed again without you using the power pack. It would be very easy to accomplish by simply buying an Atlas Connector panel. This has three yellow slide switches. Two screws to the left are for the wires that go to the power pack's track screws, then the two screws above each of the slide switches will be for the three sets of track feeds. Once all the wiring is done, simply push the switches up to the on position.
YANK-
Applying the KISS principle makes the wiring even easier: Just run a large guage (say #14 or #16) wire more or less around your railroad, under the table of course, and use suitcase connectors to add three or four sets of fine gauge (#22 or #24) feeders spaced around the pike. That should be adequate for your set-up but you'll have a power buss available if you decide to add more track, sidings or whatever in the future. For example, it is good practice to have a feeder to each switched track in addition to the mainline, meaning extra ones for each siding and spur track. You really don't need the connector and separate feeds although it will allow you to more easily identify the source of a short should you have one. It will not, however, allow you to operate your railroad in blocks, meaning more than one "cab" running locomotives simultaneously. For that you'll need to electrically isolate your track sections, have double-throw, single- or double-pole switches, a second power pack for the cab, and separate power leads from each electrical switch to each track section (no common power buss). What you'll gain is operational flexibility but it will be quite a bit more work and expense. The state of the art today is to go to DCC if you want that operational opportunity, for a lot less work and not much more money.
Whatever you choose, good luck and welcome aboard!
-- D
Thanks everyone for the replies, another question. Can you use a x crossing to make two seperate tracks cross paths?
yes, as long as they are insulated. the parts where the rails cross, called frogs, should be plastic. the two tracks are independent electrically, just as if they were two seperate pieces of track.