This is the throttle that I'm planning on getting a couple of once I have the money saved up for it. Two wires hook up to the AC output on the transformer and the other two wires go to the track. I've got all the wiring changes planned out so that once that's done, I'll be able to just plug them in.
I was planning on getting it sooner, but car maintenance issues came up all at once this month as well as other expenses. Isn't that always the way?
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
Hi!
I was DC for many years until switching to DCC last January. You will find that a lot of folks have strong opinions for both, and its a decision you need to make assuming you are serious about the hobby.
My last layout, HO 11x15 two level built in 1993, used two MRC Controlmaster 20s, each with two handheld throttles. The Controlmaster 20 has a full 5 amps of power, and the handhelds are very user friendly. The CM20 runs about $150 or so. I could easily run two trains at a time, and often they were two ABBA consists with all units powered. The CM 20 has a "telephone" cord that stretches quite far, and you can always wire in another outlet so you can move the handheld from one to the other. I bought extra handhelds so I just had to pick them up, and not move them.
I am in the middle of rebuilding the layout, and have converted to DCC. The lower level is functional and I love the ability to control the locos individually, not to mention the sound too! However, DCC in my case wasn't cheap, and I've spent just over $1400 and will probably spend another $5-600 for decoders for several more locos. Of course your situation could be a lot less expensive, but DCC is definitely more expensive than DC.
Kalmbach (the owners of this Forum) put out a lot of "how to" books for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced model railroader. Your local hobbyshop should have a plethora of them and they can advise you what is best for you. Offhand, I would definitely get the "N Scale Primer".
For what its worth, model railroading can be a lifelong hobby and you can spend as much time/effort/money on it as you want. I'm 65, and been playing with trains since I was 10, and I still get the same kick out of it as I did those Lionel trains many years ago.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
For a guy that wants to save money on a reference library, I strongly recommend becoming proficient in search. A simple "DC throttles" on Google search found the following link as the 5th result - http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/156214/1723302.aspx where question #1 was discussed.
Some more looking through the results for DC throttles will show you that your existing power pack becomes a power supply for the new throttle. As in DCC, a walk-around throttle has to have a way to link back to the track. That can be as simple as a 4 wire tether that must remain connected or the train stops. Or as complex as wireless throttles. Or something in between where you have multiple jacks to plug into, and the throttle has a memory to keep the train going while you unplug/plug.
DC throttles are fairly simple to build (easier than building your own turnouts like you had earlier mentioned you wanted to try), so building from an Internet published circuit should not be out of the question if you are looking to save money.
One recommended resource is the book our host sells on the subject (see http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12207.html). The advantage of owning such a book is that the many diagrams and explanations are always at hand without having to do an Internet search each time you have a question. There are good diagrams and good explanations on the web, but not all in one place. For DC wiring, the basics haven't changed in decades so a used book on the subject will also work well. If you use Atlas turnouts and electrical switches, Atlas has a cheap book on wiring (see their web site) that makes using their products very simple.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I've decided to go with N scale which shot the possibility of sound out the window and once again brought up the discussion of DC or DCC. The layout (undetermined size right now) will be big enough to use walk around throttles, but will only have at most 2 trains running running through the same scene.
1. Is there a good source for pre-made DC walk around throttles that will work with my Railpower 1400 (non-pulse control) DC power pack?
2. How would I wire the track/power pack for walk around throttle control?
3. Is there a book published out there that talks about all these things and DC control/wiring in general?
After I have a track plan I will repost again on this thread about wiring for block control and number of blocks and such.