TS Controllers creates a range of hardware to cover a wide range of driving UK and overseas rolling stock. This guide may help you purchase the right hardware for your needs, and what you might feel is most important and useful first.
The AWS and the Door Panel are the original starter items, providing a low cost entry to the world of a realistic simulation experience.
The Door Panel, unique to the market, is much more than just a box of buttons and switches, it provides a flexible panel of controls, primarily for the use of doors, but the controls can be customised for a range of different functions. One of the benefits is that the Door Panel has two way communication, which enables things like the door open and interlock lights to illuminate to mimic the controls in the train you are driving.
Although a certain controller may have an appearance like a particular train, the controllers are designed to be as versatile as possible, such as the Class 66 controller stack, where the throttle and reverser work in almost every train in Train Simulator/Train Sim World.
In general, yes. All TS Controllers are designed to play nicely together. So you could have all controllers plugged in and active at the same time performing different functions.
The same goes for other controllers you may already have, you can use them at the same time as TS Controllers products. But ensure there are no conflicts by setting the controllers to different functions. For example do not set two different controllers to Throttle
TS Controllers focus on the most realistic driving experience and provide a range of handles for throttle and brake. The table below provides a summary of what the controls can achieve.
| Controller | Functions | Changeable notches | Benefits | |||
| PBC Pro | - PBC (Combined power brake controller. - Throttle |
✅4 modes: - Fully notched - Half notch half smooth - Smooth PBC - Fully smooth |
A great controller that provides the perfect PBC experience for UK trains as well as worldwide rolling stock. Note the Euro PBC is planned later in the year, which provides a more specific and focus European experience. Its also ideal for use as a throttle only, where you can use he notched mode for things like sprinters, and the smooth mode for loco's with linear throttle. Note it will only control brakes on a train with a combined throttle and brake handle. |
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| Flexi-lever | - Throttle - Brakes (Train brake, loco brake, dynamic brake) - AFB, Cruise control. - Gear changer ~(BR Class 101 and similar) |
✅Changeable notch pieces: - 4 notch - 5 notch - 7 Notch - 8 notch - smooth (no notches) - German style brake notch |
The Flexi-lever provides the user with 1 or 2 configurable levers. Now known as the ‘primary’ and 'secondary' levers, these can be configurable to control a range of different function as shown on the left. The USP of the Flexi-lever is you can swap out the notches to exactly match the notches of the train you are driving. Nothing else provides this sort of realism. The controller is offered with or without the HST style curved pieces on the top. If you go without, its a £22 discount per unit. |
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| Flexi-brake | -Brake (Train brake, loco brake) | ✅Switchable modes: - Westinghouse (UK diesel loco). -3 step/ Westcode (Sprinter style). -Smooth mode. |
Is this the perfect brake handle? This has the three modes to cover all bases. The smooth mode is idea for everything that the Westinghouse or 3 step is not suitable for. This is an ideal partner to the PBC Pro, when used in Throttle only mode. See the article below Flexi-brake Vs Flexi-lever as a brake. |
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| Class 66 stack | -Throttle - PBC (Combined Power Brake) Controller. |
❌ | Not just a one-trick pony. The throttle and reverser on this unit can control pretty much every add-on in the train sims. The primary function is a 08 notched power controller, but if you are driving a UK sprinter it will map to 7 notches. If you are driving an Electrostar, unit it will have 4 brake notches, neutral, and then 4 power notches. |
PBC + Dual flexi-levers.
PBC + Flexi-brake
A great setup to cover all UK bases.
The PBC mode will of course cover all trains with a combined throttle, and brake, where as switch it to throttle only mode, then the Flexi-brake becomes the perfect companion.
Dual Flexi-levers
Good question. They are both brake handles that cover most bases.
The choice of handle may be dependant on what you drive most. The Flexi-lever is better for modern European, where as the Flexi-brake feels and looks like a lot of older UK stock.
They both work equally well with everything brake-wise apart from PBL brakes such as on the UK Class 66/67, and TGV Duplex.
Both units are switchable to control either the Train Brake, or Loco brake. The Flexi-lever can also be assigned to a dynamic / electric brake brake.
The Flexi-lever now has a German style braking notch which is ideally suited to all modern German rolling stock.