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Belt pack throttle

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  • Member since
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  • From: US
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Posted by cmrproducts on Saturday, August 16, 2014 7:52 PM

No I don't

I made it out of a surplus Tazer holster that our local Surplus store (Ollies) had them by the box full!

I made a plastic box (sized to hold the Digitrax Throttle) and basically fitted it inside the leather Holster.

I added a belt clip and that was pretty much it!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, August 16, 2014 7:41 PM

cmrproducts
I built a Throttle Holster that hangs off my Belt or Pants pocket.

Do you have a picture of that?

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Posted by mfm37 on Saturday, August 16, 2014 7:28 PM

I believe the reason we don't have a throttle designed like the real thing has to do with there being no off the rack plastic case available. Most of the DCC companies use generic cases purchased from outside suppliers. Digitrax designed the box used on their DS64 and has been using the mold for everything since. A.J. told me he had a lot of money tied up in that case and intended to put it to a lot of use in the future. That was 6 years ago. same was true of the Zephyr case. That was a joint cooperative effort with KATO who also uses it for their DC power pack.

Martin Myers

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Posted by cmrproducts on Saturday, August 16, 2014 6:54 PM

As I stated before - I will pass on that!

Good luck designing one though!

As for having to let go of a Throttle

I built a Throttle Holster that hangs off my Belt or Pants pocket.

Holds my Throttle (DT402D Digitrax) or my NCE Hammerhead Throttle and my uncoupling Tool and it has a clip to attach the Car Cards too!

So I don't have to hold anything and can even work the throttle right from the Holster!

Can't get ant simpler than this!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, August 16, 2014 6:42 PM

 That's why many people attach a lanyard to their throttles. Yes, it means you have to open it up to attach the swivel part, but then you have the same thing - you can let go, accidently or on purpose, and not worry about the throttle hitting the floor. I wouldn;t recommend this for a tethered throttle, but for wireless ones, why not?

                            --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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  • From: Potomac Yard
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Posted by NittanyLion on Saturday, August 16, 2014 3:32 PM

I am very eager to poo-poo all sorts of things, but I actually like the idea of a throttle that you can just let go of without it falling onto the floor or having to find a place to set it down.  Saves precious half seconds during the OH SH-- moments.

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Posted by EMD#1 on Saturday, August 16, 2014 3:03 PM

cmrproducts

 

 
maxman

 

 
EMD#1
Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

 

So, in concept, the thought is to take the functions of my hand-held radio throttle and incorporate them in a larger box that not only hangs from the front of my body but also forces me to be another 3 to 6 inches away from the layout when I want to be switching?  Please put me on the probably not interested side of the ledger.

 

 

 

 
maxman

 

 
EMD#1
Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

 

So, in concept, the thought is to take the functions of my hand-held radio throttle and incorporate them in a larger box that not only hangs from the front of my body but also forces me to be another 3 to 6 inches away from the layout when I want to be switching?  Please put me on the probably not interested side of the ledger.

 

I have to agree on this too!

While some come up with these ideas - FEW ever really think these things through as to HOW they would actully be able to operate with such a thing hanging off the front of them.

While my Throttle is a small handheld unit and it gets the job done - why would I want something 4 times as big (or bigger) and hang it off my belt and then try to walk around aisles most of the time way too narrow and meeting other Operators carrying the same thing.

THINK ABOUT THIS A Bit - WOULD that be FUN??

It is amazing what one can come up with when they are BORED!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

 

 

 

Who said the model railroad throttle had to be the full size of an actual belt pack? I believe a scaled down version the same size as your typical throttle could actually be either held by hand or around the neck. This would also help to prevent accidental drops. The point is that the controls on the throttle could be similar to controls found on a standard belt pack with a few DCC specific features. Just a thought. I guess one can really get folks feathers ruffled if you try to think outside the box. Jeez!

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  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:45 AM

BroadwayLion
 
joe323

What is the actual size of the belt pack looks bulky in the pic?

 

 

 

 

Eh? THAT must be a new one, the ones I have seen are much much bigger. It had full size controlls that operated in the same manner as the ones aboard the locomotive.

It must also be held in the correct position. If the operator falls over, is hit by the train, or drops dead, the train will stop.

 

ROAR

 

 

That makes sense like a deadman switch

Joe Staten Island West 

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  • From: North Dakota
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Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 9:10 AM

joe323

What is the actual size of the belt pack looks bulky in the pic?

 

 

Eh? THAT must be a new one, the ones I have seen are much much bigger. It had full size controlls that operated in the same manner as the ones aboard the locomotive.

It must also be held in the correct position. If the operator falls over, is hit by the train, or drops dead, the train will stop.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by cmrproducts on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 7:43 AM

maxman

 

 
EMD#1
Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

 

So, in concept, the thought is to take the functions of my hand-held radio throttle and incorporate them in a larger box that not only hangs from the front of my body but also forces me to be another 3 to 6 inches away from the layout when I want to be switching?  Please put me on the probably not interested side of the ledger.

 

maxman

 

 
EMD#1
Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

 

So, in concept, the thought is to take the functions of my hand-held radio throttle and incorporate them in a larger box that not only hangs from the front of my body but also forces me to be another 3 to 6 inches away from the layout when I want to be switching?  Please put me on the probably not interested side of the ledger.

I have to agree on this too!

While some come up with these ideas - FEW ever really think these things through as to HOW they would actully be able to operate with such a thing hanging off the front of them.

While my Throttle is a small handheld unit and it gets the job done - why would I want something 4 times as big (or bigger) and hang it off my belt and then try to walk around aisles most of the time way too narrow and meeting other Operators carrying the same thing.

THINK ABOUT THIS A Bit - WOULD that be FUN??

It is amazing what one can come up with when they are BORED!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 7:16 AM

What is the actual size of the belt pack looks bulky in the pic?

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 7:06 AM

While not at all a belt pack throttle, the LION will demonstrate this hostler's control from an R-46 subway car. It allowed operation of the car from the blind end. The short-lived device was not repeated on later equipment since uncoupling such equipment to expose a blind end could only be done in the shop anyway.

The device was mounted in the equipment, but was removable for repair or replacement.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 10:35 PM

EMD#1
Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

So, in concept, the thought is to take the functions of my hand-held radio throttle and incorporate them in a larger box that not only hangs from the front of my body but also forces me to be another 3 to 6 inches away from the layout when I want to be switching?  Please put me on the probably not interested side of the ledger.

  • Member since
    February 2002
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Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 6:13 PM

Should be able to do it, as a device that interfaces with an Android or iDevice, then controls the layotu via Engine Driver (Android) or WiThrottle (iDevice) and JMRI.

No need to reinvent the wireless part, if it interfaces to a phone or tablet, that handles the wifi communications.

                       --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 gregc on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 6:10 PM

 

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

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Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 5:51 PM

Tim,Interesting thought..I would like to see one produce at a reasonable price--of course a orange vest would be needed.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    May 2007
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Belt pack throttle
Posted by EMD#1 on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 5:23 PM

Hi all!

I have often wondered with all the advancement in electronics in the model railroad industry today why some manufacturer hasn't invented a throttle like the remote control belt pack used by the prototype. I'm an engineer for a class one railroad and while I have never had a chance to operate a remote control engine I have spoken to a couple of folks who have. Both claimed it was like playing with a giant train set. It seems to me then that some manufacturer would seize on it and produce a DCC throttle just like the remote control belt packs. Am I the only one who would love to have one to operate my HO scale layout with? Just curious to see if any of you feel the same way.

Tim

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