rudywa wrote:I Love the original idea of DC operation, blocks and the like. It just charms me with the ingenuity of making it all work realistically
marknewton wrote: rudywa wrote:I Love the original idea of DC operation, blocks and the like. It just charms me with the ingenuity of making it all work realisticallyI think you've hit upon the real reason so many "old-school" DC users are hostile towards DCC. They've come to believe that the compromises and work-arounds that DC entails somehow emulate realistic operations.They don't...
...unless, Mark, it's to emulate the poor buggers in the lockout towers. Didn't they have to run here, run there, and throw switches?
Nice to hear from you again, BTW.
-Crandell
rudywa wrote:Man, this is when I go through and uncheck my e-mail me replies throughout this topic, when members become arrogant about their "my club is better than your club" and have to "dis" Atlas switch machines, this is really immature. I think that we all have what we like, we can debate features but to insist that Tortise is the only "good" switch machine out there is really out of line. Atlas has been around many many more years than tortise and does not require "major" modifications to layout or other problems of wiring and switch levers, etc. My layout is on a table-Masonite with Foam placed on a table, so tortise is just out of the question. Tortise does not apply to everything and to insist that "mine is better than yours" attitude is why I have unchecked my e-mail me replies. It is too bad that some problem children have to ruin a good discussion by this sort of behavior. Oh, and your claim that Tortise machines do not break down is an absolute falsehood, no manufacturer or machine is perfect, especially when they are so new on the market compared to Atlas. "Can't we all just get along?"
Man, this is when I go through and uncheck my e-mail me replies throughout this topic, when members become arrogant about their "my club is better than your club" and have to "dis" Atlas switch machines, this is really immature. I think that we all have what we like, we can debate features but to insist that Tortise is the only "good" switch machine out there is really out of line. Atlas has been around many many more years than tortise and does not require "major" modifications to layout or other problems of wiring and switch levers, etc. My layout is on a table-Masonite with Foam placed on a table, so tortise is just out of the question. Tortise does not apply to everything and to insist that "mine is better than yours" attitude is why I have unchecked my e-mail me replies. It is too bad that some problem children have to ruin a good discussion by this sort of behavior. Oh, and your claim that Tortise machines do not break down is an absolute falsehood, no manufacturer or machine is perfect, especially when they are so new on the market compared to Atlas.
"Can't we all just get along?"
Nobody who wants a prototypical nice looking layout uses atlas "snap" switch machines. They are more "toylike" in appearance IMHO. Don't get me wrong, I started out with atlas switch machines when I was a kid, but after many years in model railroading I grew up to use ATLAS code 83 brown switches,walthers code 83, shinohara, microengineering etc........ and used tortoise to throw them and caboose ground throws.
selector wrote:...unless, Mark, it's to emulate the poor buggers in the lockout towers. Didn't they have to run here, run there, and throw switches?Nice to hear from you again, BTW.-Crandell
Regarding DCC vs. DC -
If I had to wire my layout for DC it would be a LOT more complex, and construction would be even slower than it already is! Using DCC means I didn't have to plan out an elaborate (or even simple) block control system. All I have to worry about when it comes to that is where to put insulated rail joiners to isolate sections of the layout for future power districts.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton