two control questions

[corksean12]

I saw some mechanical levers for turnouts on page 110 of the newest MR magazine. Has anyone got any info on these? they look cool, but i dont know how well they work.I would much prefer something mechanical to something electrical, and these seem even cheaperthan the hornby ones i was going to use. 

also, with the construction stage of my shelf layout looming ahead, i was wondering if there are such things as  cheap wireless  or walkaround DCC controllers. it will only be for 2 trains and some features so it should be the cheapest one i can get.

any comments welcome!

[ARTHILL]

If you are referring to the Humpyard levers, I am a fan. I have installed 4 and when I changed my layout, I moved them, and they work wonderful. They are easier to install than Tortiose. I have not routed power with them, but they look like they would.

I think they look really nice, I put them in a small control panel.

The best part, they work, everytime.

[jrbernier]

  Wireless DCC can get expensive.  First you need to decide on which brand of DCC you are going to use. 

• Digitrax and NCE both have wireless throttles - they cost a lottle more than the 'wired' ones, but both need to talk to a wireless controller(another expense).
• Lenz has a wireless add-on that allows you to use 900 mhz wireless phones as throttles.
• EasyDCC has wireless throttles and they can be attached to to their own system, or Lenz based systems.

Jim

[wjstix]

I bought one of the Digitrax UT4 walkaround throttles and for me it works well, I think I picked it up for about $60 or so.

[Don Gibson]

I DON'T THINK there is such a thing as a 'cheap wireless'. It adds about $100 to the package.  'Cheaper' manufacturer's seemingly can't stay in business'.

TETHERED' controls are out of favor right now - with 'Newbies' buying  DC, or low-end DCC .  BEST suggestion is to 'haunt' E Bay for one.

I have a RIX unit that I can recommend. It sold new for $79. Unfortunately RIX no longer makes it.

[ARTHILL]

I have Digitrax. The IR did not work well enough to be dependible. It was free, but maybe over priced. The radio is nice, but it certainly is expensive. For me, the radio is the best toy in the train room.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I don't know of any CHEAP wireless walk-around throttles. The cheapest wired (tethered) one that I know of is made by Bachmann, for use with their DCC system (EZ Command). It has few features, 8 sound functions and can run 3 or 4 trains tops. I like the EZ Command because it lets me run my DC (analog) locos on the DCC controller.

[jamnest]

I have a Digitrax wireless system and it works great.  I have had it for over five years with no problems.  I have used UT-1, DT-100 tethered throttles; and DT-100, DT-300 and DT-400 wireless throttles.  I have sold my UT-1s andf DT-100 tethered throttles and have gone all wireless.  All future throttles will be the new UT-4r wirelles throttles as they are very easy to use.

You can usually find a used and sometimes new Digitrax command station DC-100 (Chief) or DB-150 booster/command station on Ebay for a very reasonable price.  You will also need a good power supply.  To convert to wireless you will need to buy a UP-91 radio throttle jack (only one UP-91 is needed) and wireless throttles.

You said you were constructing a shelf layout.  Most DCC systems have tethered throttles that connect to the DCC system via throttle jacks which can be placed arround the layout.  If you purchased a Digitrax system you could use tethered throttles, then upgrade the system to wireless later. Some other DCC systems can be upgraded to wireless in the same manner.

JIM

[corksean12]

I checked out the humpyard website, and they say that they need to be assembled.are they hard to put together or do they require soldering?

also , could there be a way to hook up some british semaphore signals to them? i have been trying to figure out how control all my signals from the central hub.

I will definately get them if i can, i purchased a hornby point motor the other day and everytime you switch the points all the trains lurch forward,much too annoying. they also need like 5 different wires each.