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How/where do you store your DCC controller?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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How/where do you store your DCC controller?
Posted by mobilman44 on Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:29 PM

Hi!

Being only into DCC for a few months, I'm finding that I don't have any set place to store the Digitrax controller.  Usually it just lays on some benchwork.

The layout is under construction and a second controller will be installed when the main level is complete - and I'm not sure where to keep it between use.  Obviously I want to keep it safe and "dust free but just don't know what to do with it.

Soooo, what do you do with yours when not in use?

thanks,

Mobilman44

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by mfm37 on Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:56 PM

 My Dt400R is sitting on the layout right where I left it last week. The UT4R's are in a drawer underneath. The one place I do not leave them is hanging from their cords in my UP5's. That's the best way to need a premature plug replacement.

Martin Myers 

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:42 PM

My Lenz throttles have a strip of Velcro on the back.  A few of the layout legs have the opposite flavor of Velcro.  So, the throttle has a place to hang out when not in use.

Now what I need is beverage holders.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, July 25, 2009 3:20 PM

 My last layout never got past the tracklaying phase, so when not runnign trains I usually just left it sit on top of the layotu somewhere. Not very practical. I was planning to go the velcro route once I had a fascia installed. I don't like things sticking out where clothes can catch on them, like cupholder-type throttle holders. Putting the fabric side of the belcro on the layout fascia also keeps from getting cloithign attached to it if you brush up against. If you put the hook side ont he layout, you'll get caught if you brush against it.

                                   --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by tradupj on Saturday, July 25, 2009 3:27 PM

Try these. I have 3 mounted on the side of my benchwork, and they work pretty well.

 http://www.dallasmodelworks.com/products/product_detail_accessories.asp?ItemNumber=NR-501-400203

Good luck,

Joel

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Gahanna, Ohio
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Posted by jbinkley60 on Saturday, July 25, 2009 4:05 PM

mobilman44

Hi!

Being only into DCC for a few months, I'm finding that I don't have any set place to store the Digitrax controller.  Usually it just lays on some benchwork.

The layout is under construction and a second controller will be installed when the main level is complete - and I'm not sure where to keep it between use.  Obviously I want to keep it safe and "dust free but just don't know what to do with it.

Soooo, what do you do with yours when not in use?

thanks,

Mobilman44

I have throttle pockets located on the facia. 

 

Engineer Jeff NS Nut
Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/

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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 25, 2009 4:51 PM

 My Digitrax Zephyr has a strip of velcro on the back (2" X 0.5") that is atuck to a matching piece of velcro on the layout facia. The only problem I had with this is that the strip on the Zephyr would pull loose once in a while. I put it back on with a bit of super glue and have had no further problems with it over the past 7 months.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by saronaterry on Saturday, July 25, 2009 4:55 PM

I made my own out of scrap facia masonite:

 

 

 

Terry

 

Terry in NW Wisconsin

Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel

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Posted by selector on Saturday, July 25, 2009 5:05 PM

MisterBeasley

My Lenz throttles have a strip of Velcro on the back.  A few of the layout legs have the opposite flavor of Velcro.  So, the throttle has a place to hang out when not in use.

Now what I need is beverage holders.

Dito.  Or ditto, whatever turns yer crank. Cool  I think I found a package with several 2" diameter wafers of velcro and their matching pads at Wally's a few years back for a buck or so.  One goes on the back of my DT400 and the other on the front fascia or boards of my layout's main bench, close to the base station.

  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by mobilman44 on Saturday, July 25, 2009 5:20 PM

Thank you all for the replies and advice!

I suspect I'll start using the velcro during construction, and may or may not go to pockets after.  Considering the price and potential for breakage, I sure want to take care of them (DT400s).

Mobilman44

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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    February 2002
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Posted by wjstix on Saturday, July 25, 2009 5:31 PM

I bought a "Universal Pocket" but haven't installed it yet. For now I drilled a small hole in the back of my UT-4 and put a few small track nails into the fascia (or more accurately, where the fascia will be eventually) and just hang it up there. My layout as of now is mall enough to just need the one walkaround and one plug in (with a cord extension) so it works out OK.  

Stix
  • Member since
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Posted by Graffen on Saturday, July 25, 2009 5:50 PM

 On my Roco Multimaus there is a keyhole shaped hole in the back of it, so I have a forged nail  on the fascia to hang it on (my neighbour is a blacksmith).

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, July 25, 2009 7:58 PM

I picked up a couple of these Universal Throttle Pockets and they work great for me:

You can usually find them discounted at train shows.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by jamnest on Saturday, July 25, 2009 9:00 PM

I have a Digitrax radio system, however I do not keep the batteries in the throttles.  I have coiled extension cords which allow me to use the wireless throttles as wired throttles if I just want to go down to the basement to run trains for a few minutes, or test run a locomotive.  All throttles are stored in throttle pockets attached to the layout.

Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.

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    May 2005
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Posted by spidge on Sunday, July 26, 2009 1:34 PM

Layout_with_curtains

I usually unplug the throttles and drape the cord over the top of the throttle in the pocket and leave it there much like the preveous posts. The command station is under the layout.

John

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, July 26, 2009 2:58 PM

 On my nightstand next to my bed. When I wake up in the morning I can fire them up and by the time I get down to the trainroom the windows are defrosted and the cab is warm and were ready to go.Smile,Wink, & Grin

 

                                                                     Brent

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by locoi1sa on Sunday, July 26, 2009 7:47 PM

 I put a little I bolt on top of my Power Cab and it hangs on a finish nail at the work bench when unused. Velcro or even a magnet glued on the back works also. When I finally finish the home layout it will have shelf type pockets in the fascia so nothing stick out to snag some one.

    Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

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Posted by Margaritaman on Monday, July 27, 2009 9:35 AM

Throttle pockets as well...just above my adult beverage holder.

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Posted by luvadj on Monday, July 27, 2009 10:02 AM

 The throttles on my system one get unplugged and put in a stackable drawer rollaround that I keep my supplies in....my Atlas Commander is on a removable bracket with molex plugs for all electrical connections. I just unplug it and take it off the layout for storage.

Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R.        My patio layout....SEE IT HERE

There's no place like ~/ ;)

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Posted by 1948PRR on Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:39 PM

I started using computer mouse holders,then I realized how many I would need,and figured I'd better look for something cheaper.

Then I tried building them from 1/8 poplar,and realized how much time that would take.

Finally,I got outside the box, and went the other way.

I have a prodigy advance, and there is some clearance inside the handheld case, so I drilled a small hole in the top center of the backpiece, and threaded in a brass cup hook. I only had to use 1 per handheld, instead of 1 per every location I wanted tohang a throttle I started to drill small holes near the facia, every few feet,but then I figured, the most likely place to hang a throttle would be near a switching area, so now I just hang them on the micomarkbill boxes. I've got about $2 and 45 minutes invested,ans can hang my throttles in any town.

 

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Posted by pastorbob on Friday, July 31, 2009 7:59 AM

I use NCE system, the Tbone throttles and the cab04p throttles.  I bought a quantity of the universal pockets and have them along the fasica of the layout about 4 ft apart.  In yard areas, there are additional pockets.  However, when the railroad is not operating, I have more of the pockets, enough for all 13 throttles fastened to the outside door of the bathroom in the layout area and all throttles are hung there for storage.  Each universal has a number corresponding to the address of the throttle which is also listed on the outside of the throttle.   No cords are left attached when they are stored.

Keeps everything neat and orderly.  As a side note, I have certain throttles assigned to certain locations, that info is also on the throttle.  during an operating session, the crew selects their throttles, grab a cord and railroad.  When done, they are put up.

The only exception is one Tbone which is assigned to the programming track and test tracks on my workbench.

Organization is the chief enemy of chaos.

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, July 31, 2009 11:45 AM

I only have one throttle which is wireless, so I just lay it on the shelf under the layout where the booster/command station/power supply is.

Enjoy

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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    May 2008
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Posted by Hamltnblue on Friday, July 31, 2009 2:47 PM

Throttle pockets here.  I never thought of beverage holder. Good Idea.

Springfield PA

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