walkaround

[Anonymous]

Walk around throttles are the way to go. Model Railroader had an article on building your own walk around throttle in a mid 1980’s issue. A friend has built several of these for me and they work flawlessly. The memory feature allows one to unplug and move to a new location while the train continues to move. The train will eventually stop but this will take several to 10 minutes. In the time it takes you to move from one plug-in location to the next, the train speed appears to be constant.

The throttle consists of two parts, the transformer, reverse relay and other electronic components are in a fixed location under the layout. The hand held portion contains 5 buttons; increase speed, decrease speed, forward, reverse and emergency stop. It is lightweight and cool. All the heat generating electronics and in the transformer unit. The hand held unit is low voltage and can be wired using 4 conductor telephone wire. It turns out that you require two wiring systems, one for the walk around and another for the variable voltage wire to the track.

Its not radio control or DCC but a big step up from the stationary throttle.

I have used a train throttle as the transformer for a while but eventually went to the suggested transformer (18 volts and 2 amps). Running two Athearn diesels was just too much.

I am using several in block wiring and very happy with the results.

A great little throttle.

[Anonymous]

Hi Gil,
not certain if you got my previous reply to your question so here goes again - try the crest hobby (formerly aristo craft) basic train engineer nbr cre55480 wireless control for dc control. you hook it up to your present power pack and it gives you wireless control - good upto 100 feet and more - if thats not good enough for you there is the 300 feet train engineer walkaround engineer also available - if you just want to control (run) your train the basic unit if good enough. Check them out in walthers catalog or go on walthers web site better still check your local hobby shop maybe it will be available for you to view. The basic unit operates one engine at a time more sophisticated system can operate several locomotives - hope above will assist you make a decision - 300 ft system is nbr cre55470. Hope above will assist you make a decision re your powering problem. Keep on tracking.
Rudy Montreal Canada

[falk55]

I am wondering if is possible to have a walkaround throttle and still make use of my TECH 3,model 9500.I am not interested in dcc at this time.Also,I would like to know if there has ever been any articles on this subject.The wa should have a memory feature also.Am I barking up the wrong tree?Any help would be appreciated.
Gil.