Testing the Gaugemaster Combi Controller

I've been using the standard Hornby controllers for nearly five years. But with the new layout looming and heaps more vids to come, I thought it was time to make an upgrade. Enjoy!

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Battle of the Shunters:

Hints & Tips:

IC82 On Tour:

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Facebook: COMING SOON!

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All other video, sound effects, graphics and photographs are my own.

[ktfcmatt]

Just bought the combi from Rails of Sheffield off the back of this review. All I can say is it’s bloody fantastic. Smooth operation, speeds I never thought possible and perhaps best, British made. Thanks!

[jonnyhuk]

I bought a Gaugemaster twin track with "simulation" controller back in the mid 80s from their Bognor shop when I was about 12. They haven't changed much, solidly built, they look like they've taken a sheet of metal and just drilled a few holes through it for the dials and switches, non of your cheap moulded plastic here! Still going strong today :-)

[andrewtongue]

I've had that 'Combi' unit for over forty-seven years - it's still the smoothest controller I own (for DC). Gaugemaster outclasses everything else - those nasty, cheap Hornby units - & even the modern day contemporaries are as nothing compared to GM. I (also) own another British based manufactured controller - Hammant & Morgan's 'Duette' - solid-state build quality; another faultless power unit. Of course, unless you want to run two locomotives on the same track, then there's no need to upgrade to DCC - naturally, GM have accommodated the modern contemporary chipped locomotives into their power unit range. Sublime stuff.

[janiceandcliff]

Have used these Combis for many years now, always been impressed with the smoothness of the DC output, possibly as smooth as pure DC from a battery.
Cliff.

[anglingsteve]

After watching your video that is very informative I now know I have done the right thing buying the gauge master controller.

[onlineWOF]

Many thanks, great help. Just got my first combi today and the running is superb with my Hornby 08.

[jacobporrett]

Great review well done. That controller is great and with a price of £35 that is brilliant. Your running sessions will be even better now now that you have a better controller.

[SamsTrainsGames]

You can easily modify the Hornby controller so that you can change direction whilst in motion - if you open if up, its very easy to see what you have to do! :)

[thurstablelane]

Fantastic, IC82 you have now got me hooked on buying one of those controllers

[Ed_Gilbert]

My Hornby DC white controller is really bad for slow speed performance on my class 66 shed. Is it because the 66 has 6 wheels on each side? The only thing is. It shouldn’t have a problem on straights but I guess it does.

[pqconcrete]

Thank you. After watching this video I bought the Gaugemastet controller
Very impressive!

[SteveUKUSNZ]

Nice work Will. Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Save up now and get a pair of those gaugemasters.

[miniroll]

Back in the day I owned the Hornby controller that you show at the beginning of the video. I just took it for granted that model trains didn't run smooth, and it was only after discovering the Gaugemaster controllers online that I realised how much better the hobby could be.

Why Hornby hasn't improved theirs is beyond me. My only guess is that, because the controllers are typically bundled with 'sets' that are targeted at young people/beginners, Hornby knows that anyone who takes the hobby even remotely seriously will buy a better quality controller.

[COBO]

How do you connect new Hornby DC controller with the Turntable?

[DieyoungDiefast]

I use one of those with a gaugemaster trackcleaner  on my running in loop. Comes in handy occasionally if I de-chip a loco and run it round for 15 mins to clean the wheels.

[ThomastheEengine]

Don't worry you're not the only one who didn't know Gaugemaster was British...
Always thought they were German.

[barleyarrish]

thanks for this info, when you consider the little lms saddle tank has a scalextric motor that is very impressive slow running

[ooairmonkey]

Great review! It's one of the one's I watched in detail before deciding which new controller to go with, so cheers for that! 🙏
In the end, I decided on the Model D because I want to run a twin-track layout with it. The first thing that I tried when I got it were the knobs and I too surprised to feel they were... I don't know, "flimsier" than expected? At any rate, as you mention, I too was expecting them to put up just a bit of resistance upon turning, which aways tends to indicate a good quality potentiometer. Otherwise, the controller seems absolutely robust, almost built to survive the end of days! (At least in comparison to everything else that's built today.) So I've yet to test it but I'm crossing my fingers that, even though the pots just fly around with the lightest touch, it still works as well as you've found yours to work!
Thanks again for the great reviews!

[CKTDAVE]

when will you do a video on your main layout, i am dying to see it! 

[bavarianbanshee]

8:07 for the beginning of the new controller review.
And 13:17 for the unboxing.