It Ain't Prototypical

[jktrains]

There have been previous discussions about the pros and cons of decoder equipped turnouts and the ability to use a DCC throttle to throw turnouts.  In those discussions someone always points out that on a real railroad you can't throw a turnout from the cab of the locomotive, i.e. it ain't prototypical to control turnouts from your loco.  Now there's proof that it is prototypical to throw turnouts from your loco.  Check out the July issue of TRAINS magazine and the stories about the Wheeling and Lake Erie.  There's a story about radio controlled turnouts and how the crew can throw the turnouts from the cab simply by punching in the proper code into their radio.  Neat technology and so now controlling turnouts from your throttle is prototypical.

[HEdward]

NYC subways had the motorman set his route at the station stop prior to the switch.  A box with a large push button or two was within reach of his window.  Every train needed to stop there, and wouldn't get a go signal until the prior train cleared the switch and it was set.  They may only have been indications for the dispatching "tower" but the motorman had to push a button or risk getting sent down the wrong path.  Not exactly a freight operation, but wether directly or indirectly, the train crew did set the switch.

[THE.RR]

WAY back when, I visited Green Bay, and the GB&W had a YARD CONTROL PANEL, just like your layout, located at the throat of the yard.  No toggle switches for track power, but they did have push buttons for the turnouts. The engineer would pull a cut out, and the ground man would push the buttons for the track wanted.  I think he even set the cut lever for delayed uncoupling.

Phil

[loathar]

I've heard of radio frequency remote control turnouts before. Someone here posted this winter that one by their house had malfunctioned and the crew was having a hard time getting the switch thrown.

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

Well, heck!  It's not too prototypical to have  a 920 foot tall engineer (N scale) walking along side the train running it, either!  I think the best way to control turnouts is the way that lets you get the most enjoyment out of your layout.

[HEdward]

Well, heck!  It's not too prototypical to have  a 920 foot tall engineer (N scale) walking along side the train running it, either!  I think the best way to control turnouts is the way that lets you get the most enjoyment out of your layout.

If there was a guy that big, he'd just carry the freight to where it was going.

[jackn2mpu]

I read that Trains article - I think they're using touch-tones for the control. We hams have been doing that kind of stuff for years. The Wilmington & Western uses that for signal control at Hockessin.

What isn't prototypical about remote control of turnouts? What about remote interlockings? Granted some may be using wired remote but it's still remote control.

[dehusman]

Radio control turnouts have been around for decades on the prototype.

Dave H.

[Flashwave]

Yeah, my complaint has always been that noobs with only a UT4R (Budget) can't throw the switches. There;s lots of ways a remotely thrown switch can be taken.

[nbrodar]

But for it to be truely prototypical, you have to tone the darn turnout in 6 times, and still have to get off the locomotive to throw the darn thing.

Nick 

[WSOR 3801]

But for it to be truely prototypical, you have to tone the darn turnout in 6 times, and still have to get off the locomotive to throw the darn thing.

Nick 

Or, in the winter, tone it up.  Somebody forgot to turn the heaters on.  "SWITCH IS NOT LINED.  SWITCH IS NOT LINED."  Somebody else forgot to put a broom on the power.  Somebody else broke off the hand pump lever.  Eyeball it; not gapped too much, ease over it.  It keeps talking as you go over it.  Made it, though.