I suspect there are a small percentage of model railroaders who either can't afford a switch to DCC (estimated price I came up with to purchase a loco and power could be $150+) right now, or are fine with conventional DC, or have some other reason why not to convert at present time. I respect those who have joined or are about to join the DCC world and look ahead to being one of the latter someday. That being said and recognizing that any hobby can be pricy, my main questions/discussion are centered around DC.
I am interested to know if there is a DC walk around throttle or some such that is available commercially. I have 2 modules with a fold up connection between both and have found out that my Railpower 1300 doesn't provide walk around capabilities. I can't justify financially switching to DCC yet. Any advice would be appreciated.
I'm using an MRC Controlmaster 20, which comes with a walkaround throttle. I'm told that this is no longer being made, but there must be some kind of a replacement offered by MRC.I wasn't especially fond of the walkaround controller - it worked, but lacked subtlety, and the momentum feature never worked properly.I replaced it with a pulse-width modulation throttle, as shown here:
kstapleton
I'm running mine off the AC side of the CM20, but it can be run with either AC or DC power. The throttles have an adjustable momentum feature and offer excellent low speed control and the capacity to run multiple locomotives - most of my trains are doubleheaded, but I've run over a dozen locos at a time. If you don't require that capacity, Ken also offers a 1.5 amp model. This is a well-made product and he stands behind it, too.
Wayne
Brakeman:
I have three CREST ELECTRONICS Train Engeneer wireless throttles, because I use Dc block control. I am happy with these throttles.
Now the problem, I bought them 12 years ago at $!50 Canadian each.
At that price one of them will cost close to what you figure a DCC system will, and you want to change in the future.
Your railroad, your money, your decision.
Dave
I have two CMI Super Blue transformers with walk around throttles, momentum and braking. CMI is out of business but you might still find them on ebay or amazon. The same model in now offered by USA Trains as Train Power 10. I love mine and that's one reason I have no intention of switching to DCC. Here is a link. http://www.usatrains.com/usatrainspowerpacks.html
Brakeman:Over the years prior to the advent of commonplace dcc, Model Railroader published a number of articles on building low cost walk around throttles. Built several myself. Very little investment and very little technical knowledge required. You might be surprised at well these work!
Old Fat Robert
I'll second both Wayne and Dave's suggestions. I've used them both before converting to DCC. Both the CM20 and the Crest work well. The Crest would also elminate the need for the control network the CM20 requires.
So you're laying out a pretty good chunk of change to purchase a legacy network. There's really no cheap solutions if you want walkaround. However, if you were reluctant to go DCC solely due to costs, that may be less a factor than you believe it be.
When I sold my DC gear, both the CM20s and Crest I had brought good money. It'll be hard to find either cheap, but they're worth it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Now, there is some talk about an eventual Radio Control system for running trains. If this ever happens we will need to wait and see. However, I wonder if R/C would be any better/different than DCC? Certainly a signal in the tracks would be less prone to interference than one in the air.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I would go with the 45 dollar throttle Wayne referenced.
Jim
Soo Line fan I would go with the 45 dollar throttle Wayne referenced.
I second that.
I built my own version about twenty five years ago from a MRR magazine article and modified it to use PWM. Great throttle.
You will like using PWM.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
brakeman618I am interested to know if there is a DC walk around throttle or some such that is available commercially.
Brakeman618,
I second Doctorwayne on Ken Stapleton's 821 walkaround with memory. I just installed one and couldn't be happier. I plan to eventually replace all my MRC's with his throttles. Also, he is very helpful and responsive to questions. The cost won't break the bank either.
Tim
LIONS do not use walk-around throttles. Tangle up cords in tail, him fall over.
A good walk-awound throttle will cost just as much as DCC. A good DC power pack will cost almost as much as DCC.
A walk-around throttle is like a dog on a leash. Round and round the tree he goes, and he stops when he runs out of cord. Dogs are dumb.
LION solved this problem by getting rid of the throttles. No throttles, no reversing switches. You just put a little plastic person in the cab and let him run the train. LION can walk around all him wants, him can look at all of the trains running around the layout. Horay for Analog Automation!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I am also of the opinion that you'd might as well go with DCC from the beginning. If not, you are going to end up spending money on something you will eventually need to sell, probably at a loss, and that will just delay the conversion.
Properly wiring for DC involves some steps that you can forget with DCC, so there is more time and effort that once again you will be getting rid of once you install a DCC system.
I started out thinking the same way you did, about 9 years ago. I proceeded in a professional, workmanlike manner. A small financial windfall, some sort of "achievment award" from work as I recall, allowed me to advance my schedule and buy a DCC system and a couple of basic decoders. I didn't even have a full loop of track yet, but there I was, throttle in hand, feeling like I was 8 years old again.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
brakeman618I am interested to know if there is a DC walk around throttle or some such that is available commercially. I have 2 modules with a fold up connection between both and have found out that my Railpower 1300 doesn't provide walk around capabilities. I can't justify financially switching to DCC yet. Any advice would be appreciated.
It sounds as if your layout isn't all that large, so DC wiring for it is as simple as two wires from the circuit board. As long as your track is soldered together at the railjoiners, there's no need for a bus wire or other feeders. While my odd-shaped layout room made multiple plug-in jacks a necessity, I use a 30' telephone cord, which is plenty long enough if your layout's length is under thirty linear feet, and if it's an around the room set-up with no peninsulas jutting into the floor area, the 30' cord will let you cover a good size area with only one jack....You could even hardwire it, if you wished. So your cost is one throttle and one power supply - lots of used ones around from guys who have converted to DCC. I have, in the past, used a transformer from an oil furnace to power a throttle. The cost was zero, but it does have to be in an approved box, fused and properly ground.
There's also the possibility that your Railpower 1300 will provide enough power for the pwm throttle which I mentioned. Use the AC terminals, and if the pack is used for nothing else, it may be strong enough. Check its rated output against the specs for the throttle.