One of the many advantages of using DCC is that compliant models are capable of operating auxiliary functions such as...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What are functions on a DCC decoder?Read more -
What is the difference between model asphalt and tarmac?Read moreIf you are installing model roads onto your diorama or layout, you may be wondering whether to use a product that...
-
Can I mix code 100 and code 75 track sizes?Read moreFor anybody who doesn't know the difference, code 100 track is the standard OO gauge model railway track. Code 75...
-
What coarseness ballast should I use for my OO scale railway?Read moreBallast comes in varying degrees in coarseness, fine medium and coarse. For OO scale the most realistic would have...
-
How do I build a model railway in limited space?Read moreIn the realm of model railways, enthusiasm often outstrips available space. But fear not! With careful planning and...
What are powerbase plates used for?
Powerbase plates sound as though they're going to be very high-tech with lots of microchips, wires and a complex installation procedure, but actually, they're just some metal plates that you place beneath your tracks!
That doesn't make them any less genius though. The plates are used in conjunction with strong magnets placed under your locomotive's chassis to create tractive effort when climbing gradients or hauling heavy loads.
Powerbase plates are a useful aid for many types of gradient where trains need a little help to avoid wheel slip, but they are especially useful when a helix is involved as these often suffer from several adverse conditions at the same time, including a tight radius, steep gradient and long trains.
Powerbase plates are not the answer to every train's wheel slip problem as the system relies largely on the magnets being placed with a degree of precision. Some model locomotives have very busy chassis and simply do not have adequate space to install magnets, so if you're considering using powerbase plates on your layout, you should do a little research first.
Posted in: Tracks
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
POWERBASE OO Starter Kit (2.5m & 6 Magnets)
Price: £ 19.95POWERBASE OO Starter Kit (2.5m & 6 Magnets) For OO/HO and larger scales....
POWERBASE N Value Pack (5m & 12 Magnets)
Price: £ 29.95POWERBASE N Value Pack (5m & 12 Magnets) For N or TT scale & Narrow...
POWERBASE N Starter Kit (2.5m & 6 magnets)
Price: £ 19.95POWERBASE N Starter Kit (2.5m & 6 magnets) For N or TT scale & Narrow...
Related posts
-
How to clean model railways track?There is of course the old tried and tested method, the track rubber which does the job, no railway modeller should... - Is Peco track and Hornby track compatible?Peco Setrack and Peco Streamline are compatible with Hornby track as they all share the same gauge width of 16.5mm....
- How often should I clean my track?This a hard question to answer. There are no hard and fast rules about how often you should clean the track. Bear in...
- How do I cut flexible track?Once upon a time I would have said a newly bladed junior hacksaw and some warding files, but these days I would have...
- How many pieces of curved track do I need to make a circle?As we all know it takes 360 degrees to create a circle, a standard curve is 22.5 degrees and a double curve is 45...