What would you like to see....

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see all new HO locomotives come DCC/decoder installed/sound ready.

[BRJN]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Independent, automated car uncoupling.

How about a gadget that I can point at the couplers I want to let go, and they will. The other couplers in the train will stay hooked up. Something like a laser pen with a magnet (or whatever) in it. On/off button rather than 'always on' that uncouples the whole train when I sweep it past everything else.

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bikerdad

IronRooster,

Why would you want a remote controller keyed to a single locomotive? Aside from the obvious drawback (what if you're at a club run and you have the same loco as somebody else?), there's the old "horde of remotes" problem, which is why manufacturers of consumer electronics have come up with learning remotes and universal remotes.

2 way communication between the locos and the control. "network" connections between passenger car sets that allow a single decoder to control the lighting for the entire set.

My idea is to get away from the endless programming & learning how this remote works and making this controller have to work with that locomotive. I have one of those universal remotes - even after a careful reading of the instructions several times I can't get the blankety blank thing to start a dvd. You make the thing for a coded transmission (like remote phones and garage door openers use) with each remote/locomotive pair having a unique code (the first few numbers could be unique to each manufacturer) The remote has only three controls - throttle, bell, whistle (or horn). Anything else required is handled automatically. Simplification and works right out of the box is what I'm looking for here.

Paul

[Virginian]

I just wanna see my BLI 'J'.
I might consider some type of different control than DC if they ever move out of the stone age.

[Anonymous]

Ultra powerful motors. A unit the size of an average HO but with the torqe of a typical O scale motor. That way manufatures can make locos super heavy. Much more weight plus a super motor that can handle it without buring out. The result, eqivilant prototype tractive force.

[Anonymous]

Moving people in HO guage

[tatans]

Must agree with with ironrooster: ONE hand-held control, no wires, no programming, all equipment compatible, everything done on the handset, some sort of standard to be followed, AND 65 years later still no realistic looking couplers and how about a simplified coupling/uncoupling system, HEY it's 2005!!!!! Does anyone remember the old Lionel couplers!!!perfect!!!) more stuff made in North America.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rripperger

....in the next generation of models?

I ask this question because our discussion in the "prices" thread made me think for a moment on how far the "state of the art" had advanced since my parents gave me my first HO scale set in 1976. I would never have imagined onboard sound in BLI quality, or television camera transmission from a model engine cab.

So what sort of features can we only imagine, but would love to have? Here are some of my pet crazy ideas (note to any potential manufacturers who are reading this: I SURRENDER ALL COPYRIGHT ON THESE IDEAS.......SO KNOCK YOURSELVES OUT)

- Realistic black smoke, and steam emitted from some obvious places: cylinders on starting, boiler blowdown, safety valves, and whistles

- Realistic braking action, perhaps controlled by locomotives (independent brake) and cabooses (train brake, for realistic slack action) - perhaps with a brakestand that would allow you to make realistic application decisions (you may laugh at this, but there was an MR article on how to do it in the 1960s)

- Out-of-the-box DCC helper control for steam locomotives (no programming required)

- More realistic DC and DCC locomotive control: if we can already get momentum control and braking on a DCC throttle, then why not a slight "rollback" on a grade as the throttle is opened?

- A ready-for-programming computer interlocking interface system, that could plug in existing signals and switch machines

- A CTC machine similar to the above, that allowed you to plug components into an existing control board

- changeable marker and classification lights (my PSC 4-8-0 has classification lamps, but they're always green: so I can run it only scheduled trains, and only if there's a subsequent section!)

You don't have to wait, as all of that is available today.

Just model in one to one scale.

[SpaceMouse]

Independent, automated car uncoupling.

Lazer tracing of CAD layout designs onto benchwork.

Trains that never derail.

3 hour work week.

[MidlandPacific]

QUOTE: Uh! I'll skip the black smoke if you don't mind - my basement is murky enough.

Of course it would be nontoxic, and would discolor only plastics, cardstock, and wood, providing a nice layer of steam-era grime to your layout. It would come out of clothing with a quick rinse.

And it wouldn't interfere with electrical contact!

[Bikerdad]

IronRooster,

Why would you want a remote controller keyed to a single locomotive? Aside from the obvious drawback (what if you're at a club run and you have the same loco as somebody else?), there's the old "horde of remotes" problem, which is why manufacturers of consumer electronics have come up with learning remotes and universal remotes.

2 way communication between the locos and the control. "network" connections between passenger car sets that allow a single decoder to control the lighting for the entire set.

[IRONROOSTER]

Uh! I'll skip the black smoke if you don't mind - my basement is murky enough.[:D]

I think a really good improvement is DCC operated through the air waves. You buy your loco, it comes with the remote controller keyed to it. Turn on the power to the track, put the loco on the tracks, crank the throttle and it goes. Add a button for the whistle and the bell and your done.
Enjoy
Paul

[MidlandPacific]

Well, I predict that your wish has considerably better odds of fulfillment.

BTW, I used your diagram for wiring up my first Tortoise - I used the DC/DPDT option, because I had some DPDT switches but no spare power sources, and I was pretty pleased with the result. I think the rigid hold on the switch points improved the electrical contact; still have some stalling problems, but it's definitely an improvement.

[cwclark]

all i'm waiting for is the MP15AC switcher that Athearn Genesis says they are going to put out in late 05...chuck

[MidlandPacific]

....in the next generation of models?

I ask this question because our discussion in the "prices" thread made me think for a moment on how far the "state of the art" had advanced since my parents gave me my first HO scale set in 1976. I would never have imagined onboard sound in BLI quality, or television camera transmission from a model engine cab.

So what sort of features can we only imagine, but would love to have? Here are some of my pet crazy ideas (note to any potential manufacturers who are reading this: I SURRENDER ALL COPYRIGHT ON THESE IDEAS.......SO KNOCK YOURSELVES OUT)

- Realistic black smoke, and steam emitted from some obvious places: cylinders on starting, boiler blowdown, safety valves, and whistles

- Realistic braking action, perhaps controlled by locomotives (independent brake) and cabooses (train brake, for realistic slack action) - perhaps with a brakestand that would allow you to make realistic application decisions (you may laugh at this, but there was an MR article on how to do it in the 1960s)

- Out-of-the-box DCC helper control for steam locomotives (no programming required)

- More realistic DC and DCC locomotive control: if we can already get momentum control and braking on a DCC throttle, then why not a slight "rollback" on a grade as the throttle is opened?

- A ready-for-programming computer interlocking interface system, that could plug in existing signals and switch machines

- A CTC machine similar to the above, that allowed you to plug components into an existing control board

- changeable marker and classification lights (my PSC 4-8-0 has classification lamps, but they're always green: so I can run it only scheduled trains, and only if there's a subsequent section!)