how good is the Hornby silver/black controller?

[meehow]

The only controller, I have is from ​the Hornby Christmas set.
It is the silver/black one.
The small red locomotive from the set runs well. Also had a success with a 90's 8-wheel drive Bachmann and 90's 8-wheel Walthers - both running slow but fairly smooth.

Recently acquired 2 spares/repairs: single pancake Tyco and a 4-wd tank Airfix, Done a full service. Both locomotives would only move a few inches and stop, sometimes just buzz and not move at all. I questioned my ability to bring them back to life.
Connected a 9V battery to track.
Both locomotives run so smooth and beautiful on the 9V battery and seem to be faster than the max "14V" from controller.

Is it a dodgy controller or is it the quality of it?

[Flashbang]

Its relatively low powered output causes many issues.
There are far better (probably more expensive!) DC controllers available, that do not suffer this issue. Gaugemaster and Morley are two makes

[Roger (RJ)]

It's rubbish. Invest in a Gaugemaster for (almost) total reliability and a lifetime guarantee.

[stuartp]

Worse than useless. Trips out at the slightest hint of a short and takes ages to reset itself.

[Dalerailman]

Silver/black no good many other controllers H&m before hornby versions like duette and clipper really good controllers. The output of he later controllers does not go well with older trains I found with Hornby 2000 controllers x-04s used to smoke and stall and hum a lot more than the old H&M Clipper i had at the time. anything at 14v is not good for 12v also. if do stick a loco on uncontrolled 16v be prepared for a small fire I have seen the result on a terrier which was a mess

[Mountain]

The controller you mention does work for lower powered locos and it looks as if it should be good BUT after having had one for a bit, it is so horrible to use due to its over-safe safety features that I did not even want to use it to test trains with. Get a Guagemaster and buy a nice one. They are a luxury that is worth paying out for.

[Someone]

Mine broke in a week......

I suppose that sums it up.