Has anyone ever used memory throttles by GML? I saw an ad in the back of a recent MR for GML, but know nothing about them. I am thinking of converting to DCC, but to save money, I would consider a memory throttle system for my linear layout which is still DC. I know that DCC is the greatest, but, maybe for me and others like me with linear layouts, this would be a more economical solution.
Thanks.
ACS
I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service!
By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without.
Richard
Before I switched to DCC I used GML throttles. They are great quality and work as advertised. IMHO the best DC walk around throttles.
Larry
http://www.youtube.com/user/ClinchValleySD40
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52481330@N05/
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/page/1/ppuser/8745/sl/c
astapleford Has anyone ever used memory throttles by GML? I saw an ad in the back of a recent MR for GML, but know nothing about them. I am thinking of converting to DCC, but to save money, I would consider a memory throttle system for my linear layout which is still DC. I know that DCC is the greatest, but, maybe for me and others like me with linear layouts, this would be a more economical solution. Thanks. ACS
Another afordable DC option is the Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless radio throttle. I use them in HO and I am very happy with the result, as are several other modelers I know. How many throttles do you need?
The Train Engineer has a pulse width modulated output for great slow speed.
If you would like some more imfo, send me a PM.
Train Modeler I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service! By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without. Richard
Richard,
Respectfully, I will never understand these types of responses questions like the OP asked. He is obviously interested in "walk around operation" - that rules out the Zephyr and puts him in the Empire Builder or above range - not to mention extra throttles and decoders - something he has likely already priced. And going that far, why not just go radio?
Again, respectfully, I will say - what is the point of DCC if it's not wireless?
Two Aristo Train Engineers and two inxepesive power supplies will tie into his existing wiring and give him wireless for less than $400 - about the same as a two throttle memory set up from GML.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Train Modeler: I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service! By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without. Richard Richard, Respectfully, I will never understand these types of responses questions like the OP asked. He is obviously interested in "walk around operation" - that rules out the Zephyr and puts him in the Empire Builder or above range - not to mention extra throttles and decoders - something he has likely already priced. And going that far, why not just go radio? Again, respectfully, I will say - what is the point of DCC if it's not wireless? Two Aristo Train Engineers and two inxepesive power supplies will tie into his existing wiring and give him wireless for less than $400 - about the same as a two throttle memory set up from GML. Sheldon
Train Modeler: I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service! By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without. Richard
The Op was considering sticking with DC because it's more economical for him. Of course Zephyr and Empire builder do not fit the bill. Remember it's not just about the controller but all of the loco's as well. Some people have a significant amount of loco's and it can be quite expensive and time consuming to convert.
Springfield PA
Hamltnblue ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Train Modeler: I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service! By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without. Richard Richard, Respectfully, I will never understand these types of responses questions like the OP asked. He is obviously interested in "walk around operation" - that rules out the Zephyr and puts him in the Empire Builder or above range - not to mention extra throttles and decoders - something he has likely already priced. And going that far, why not just go radio? Again, respectfully, I will say - what is the point of DCC if it's not wireless? Two Aristo Train Engineers and two inxepesive power supplies will tie into his existing wiring and give him wireless for less than $400 - about the same as a two throttle memory set up from GML. Sheldon The Op was considering sticking with DC because it's more economical for him. Of course Zephyr and Empire builder do not fit the bill. Remember it's not just about the controller but all of the loco's as well. Some people have a significant amount of loco's and it can be quite expensive and time consuming to convert.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Train Modeler: I had one. And a few plugs. Honestly, sometimes the extended cord version was better because if I couldn't get the plug back in to stop or slow down, it made me a little nervous. Pretty much when you're unplugged you have no control as far as I can remember. You will need a power supply in addition. It was my last DC effort and pretty successful for a couple of years. I still have it hooked up with a power connector switch so that I can test things with DC on part of the layout. Great service! By the time you get all of the stuff for that, you're getting pretty close to a zephyr which can be had for around $170 at Blueridge Hobbies. But of course you would need to add decoders at some point, even though you could run one loco at a time without. Richard Richard, Respectfully, I will never understand these types of responses questions like the OP asked. He is obviously interested in "walk around operation" - that rules out the Zephyr and puts him in the Empire Builder or above range - not to mention extra throttles and decoders - something he has likely already priced. And going that far, why not just go radio? Again, respectfully, I will say - what is the point of DCC if it's not wireless? Two Aristo Train Engineers and two inxepesive power supplies will tie into his existing wiring and give him wireless for less than $400 - about the same as a two throttle memory set up from GML. Sheldon
I pointed out that .."of course you would need to add decoders at some point"... and was just trying to let him know that there are some good prices out there.
I still use my GML at times and find it just fine. I looked into Aristo years ago and from what I recall it was a good system too.
And true, going fully wireless among other things was a big reason for us to go to DCC. But you can do that with a Zephyr, wireless receiver and wireless cab, even infrared if you're willing to live with it's limitations. Lots of options out there and to me that makes this time of our hobby particularly fun where each one can run their layout as they wish.