Kudos go to Kent Johnson for his article co-written with his father Carl. I especially want to point out his paragraph, "Life without a control panel." If you are using a command-control system, you don't need one!!!!
YEA!!! Someone else has finally caught up with my no control panel layout.
With the skirting off, you can see mine under the layout.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Wonderful,
The story of a father and son and how they came to enjoy the same hobby. And built great layouts!
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Buckeye Riveter Kudos go to Kent Johnson for his article co-written with his father Carl. I especially want to point out his paragraph, "Life without a control panel." If you are using a command-control system, you don't need one!!!! YEA!!! Someone else has finally caught up with my no control panel layout. With the skirting off, you can see mine under the layout. Note the phone, too.
10-4
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I understand the point you are making Buckeye, but hee's another way of seeing it:
Traditional/Conventional control is having a set location with all the wires going beneath the layout.
Command Control is having a movable remote but instead of wires going all over the place beneath the layout, the wires and circuit boards are crammed into each and every locomotive.
Each way has its drawbacks and advantages. I don't believe I've ever read one post Buckeye from you ever grumbling about the new high tech trains. You always been pretty level headed, offering constructive advice to others seeking help over command issues.
But on other forums, there have been more than enough complaints and grumbles over the years I've been back in the hobby to more than fill a very large book. Even with overseas production, I've never had the quality control issues with lower end trains that many seem to have with more expensive ones, outside of the obvious paramenters of lower end trains: The compromises made to keep their costs down.
As with semi-scale/027 over scale fidelity, there's no right or wrong way. Just different ways. So it is with the method of control. Either way, it's still helpful to know how to solder wires.
I'll stick with the old way of control and a zero product failure rate and when I need parts, they always seem to be available. But to each his own.
I do have to admit, the underview of your layout is FAR neater than mine, which is a obvious plus!
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
I too have enjoyed the whole idea of Kent and his Dad working together. It has given me inspiration on developing a similar relationship with my son. So many great aspects of this hobby that I wish to pass along to him.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
I dumped my control panel for about 2 years but I really started missing the ZWs sitting up there so I just had to bring them back.
Trying to update my avatar since 2020
MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!
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