Track controller by radio. And battery news.

[zebedeesknees]

It was one of those "why not"s?
If you have one of the transmitters from The Stores, and a bunch of 12 volt locos like yer do, the thought occurred to use a Micron 603 receiver as a normal train controller powering the track rather than trying to fit it into a loco.
For a proper test, I have a small stretch of OO track and an old Tri-ang B12, so with a bit of soldering and a pair of croc clips, it worked!
Still with all the disadvantages of pickups, dirt on wheels and track of course, but battery locos without pickups or with input regulator can be selected to run on the same track at the same time, independently controlled remotely from the same Tx.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battery technology advances. I am in receipt of a couple of 9 volt PP3 style ones of 5500mAh capacity, and more coming of (allegedly) over 12,000 mAh capacity. 9 volts output but still recharged by USB type C connection. Li-po of course, with internal circuits to protect against over charge, discharge, and short circuit. On test, the former will deliver over 400mA to drive trains, but on ammeter s/c current test the output drops quickly - 5 secs - to under 80mA.

Mains, Transformers, - who needs 'em?

Ted.