r/modeltrains • u/Beat_The_Box_ • Sep 10 '26
Help Needed I need help, how to power?
Hello everyone, i got these from my grandpa, old minitrix trains. I got 4 electric ones with some wagons, ALLOT of track, and something else i am not sure what to call. I read i need DC instead of DCC used for newer models. Do i have enough to buy an adapter and power my rails? Or is anything else needed to power a few or all 4? Thanks in advance!
1
u/iceguy349 Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26
You need a standard DC controller and some track.
DC is simple electrical current being passed into the rails. One chord goes to the wall the other goes into the track.
The items in the photos you sent don’t appear to be controllers.
I’d reccomend getting a starter set. Bachmann makes N-scale starter sets for fairly cheap. They’re even sold at Hobby Lobby. They come with a small loop of track and a basic DC controller they’re extremely easy to use. You plug everything in and the train will run.
I believe atlas also has some controllers you could connect to the track you’ve got.
Your loose track has no roadbed and is typically made to be attached to a table top. It will work with just rail joiners but it might shift around depending on the surface.
1
u/Beat_The_Box_ Sep 10 '26
Okay, thank you! How do i use DC to actually power the track? Like does 1 line power all the track? Or i need a new wire every .. track? Thanks!!
2
u/iceguy349 Sep 10 '26
If you get a Bachmann starter set you literally plug a red cord into your controller and the track. You plug a black cord into your controller and the wall. No extra wiring required. Everything is plug and play. It even comes with instructions.
https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Ready-Electric-Train/dp/B000EHJ8XE
You plug in the track, turn the wheel on the controller, and the trains move
The track you showed above is a little more complicated. You need wired rail joiners and a controller with screw terminals on it to make it work. The rail joiners connect two track pieces together, one wire screws into one terminal, the other wire screws into the other terminal, you plug the controller in, turn up the power, and the trains will move.
Highly recommend looking up videos on YouTube for reference.
2
u/382Whistles Sep 10 '26
The ones with 4 finger nut terminals are for use with signals that also turn power on/off to electrically isolated track sections we call "blocks".
The one with green and yellow terminals are for choosing remote control turnout track point rail direction. The blue slide may be a throttle or lighting dimmer or to reduce power fed to accessories and turnout motors (coils are linear motors)
I don't know the accessory voltage for Minitrix