Need advice on a good walkaround that isn't DCC.

[oryan_dunn]

My dad and I are going to build a small layout (something like a 6x10) with dual main lines, a yard, and a few spurs. Since we will at most be running two trains at once, we don't feel the need to go to DCC and spend all the money required to just run those two trains. On our layout, we will only be wireing the crossover switches for remote control and they will be wired in parallel so that if one is on the curved leg, so will the other. All the turnouts for the spurs and the yard we want to be manual throw. As such, we need to be able to control the trains from both sides of the board. We will want to have two different transformers so that one train can run on one mainline, while we are switching with another train on the second mainline. We also will be using selector switches to control which blocks are controlled by which transformer. I tried looking for a decent handheld that will do what I want. Given this information, my ideal handheld would have an a-b switch on it to control either the first or the second transformer, have a throttle, as well as directrion, momentum, and possiblly brake control. I've yet to see such a device. In my search, most of what I've come across, as far as handhelds go, are for DCC. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ryan

[cwclark]

I use the DALLEE yardmaster throttle..it runs about $95.00...it is an excellent walk around throttle with a 10' teather but there will be one catch..you will have to use one power pack for the dalee walk around throttle and one power pack only! ...it takes the 16v AC side of the power pack for it to work properly and that is all..if you try to use the AC for the Dallee throttle and the DC throttle on the same power pack for control of another train in a section of the tracks, it won't work...the Dallee will backfeed through the DC side of the power pack and will not control the trains properly...what i would do since you have two power packs is connect them like you would cab control except use the dallee output side as one of the two cabs..that way one power pack can run one train on the main line as "Cab 1" and the AC side connected to the Dalee walk around throttle from the other power pack can be used as "Cab 2"...you will also need a 4 pronged connection ...I use a male / female microphone jack to connect the Dallee to different parts of the layout...it doesn't come with the Dallee walk around throttle...to answer your question about your idea throttle..they don't make one for two cab control in the same unit..nor do they make them with momentum or braking like the MRC tech 4's ....you will have to install a DPDT switch to toggle between the two power packs...they act pretty much like momentum and breaking though..the throttle is very precise for slow running speeds see www.dallee.com Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

I don't know if the book is still available, but didn't Kalmbach publish a book concerning electronic projects that included walk around DC? If not in that book, maybe it was in MRR - check out the index at the top of the website. If I'm remembering right the handheld was plugged into various phone jacks that you could put around the layout and it had memory so that you could disconnect and reconnect. The hand held looked pretty simple (the major stuff was in the base unit) so you could simply have two handhelds vice trying to use one to control both throttles.

[cwclark]

it was called electronic projects for model railroaders...I have a copy of it ..it took a toy joystick from a kid's game, was gutted, and then reassembled with electronic parts to make the walk around throttle...a lot of people don't understand it but a walk around throttle does not have a power pack built inside...you have to build or purchase a power source which then goes to the walk around throttle and then out to the layout blocks...the hand held in the electronics book was pretty complicated to build to say the least...Chuck

[Anonymous]

There is a rather nice looking PWM throttle on that auction site for a buy it now of $35.00 It looks pretty good, I think I may try one.
Heres a link to his off auction site:

http://www.warplink.com/user/kencan/handheld.htm

Dave

[DanRaitz]

Personaly I would rethink the issue of DCC. By the time you add up the cost of 2 throttles and all the toggle switches and wire for block control, you've already reached the price of an inexpensive DCC system.

Dan

[Modeloldtimer]

There was a company that is now OUT OF BUSINNESS that made just what you are looking for. Hope you can use this infomation in your hunt for a "Cab Controller".

TROLLER CORPORATION
4445 N. Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Tel# [phone]

The Handheld conected by (4wire ) flat telephone cable. Had a directional switch , track votage and overload LEDs. The throttle controls response 0 to full range MPH.
Could be used in Z,N,HO scales. Althow the controler is Digital it had to be hooked to Low voltage Isolated AC ACCESS Terminals ONLY of ( 8 to 20 Volts AC )
You can hood up controllers as needed to control the speed and direction of Loco's in the cab controlled blocks. Hope this info is what you need.
The Controller is also known as
"TRANSCAB Controller"
or
"AUTOPULSE CAB CONTROLLER"
Here's a link To an Electronics Parts Dealer, if you want to build the controllers yourself
(They should be able to supply all the parts you'll need for construction.)

demarelectrics.com


Good luck.[tup]

[bcammack]

This fellow has schematics and parts lists for several different throttles as well as other useful circuits.

http://www.awrr.com/

[Anonymous]

Brett,

Way cool website. While I haven't checked the whole thing out . .. the flickering light circuit is very very interesting and looks like it can be built for way under what a RTR version goes for in the Walthers catalog. Also, the memory walk around unit looks pretty close to what I was remembering from way back when (either in MRR electonic symposium or some book). Thanks for posting!

Dave

P.S. Something about Texans lol.