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Workaround Throttles
If your layout is small, or only needs one or two power packs to operate, a fixed operating location is fine. Many hobbyist now desire several operators who wish to move around the layout with their train.
The solution for them is a Walkaround Throttle. A workaround throttle is a handheld unit and available for DC or DCC. They have all the same controls as a fixed throttle. These throttles come in two types, wired or wireless. A wired unit has a lead, similar to a telephone cord, and attaches to the layout a one or more points. A wireless unit uses radio control and needs no lead. While two or three operators may use a wired unit, the more operators wired units in use can cause a tangle of wires. Therefore most people prefer to use the wireless type.
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4 Responses to Workaround Throttles
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Hi I’am building a 5×9 with a side that will be 2×8 what type of power unit would be good and able to run 3 trains and switch’s. 2 in the main line and one in the yard. new at this and don’t want to get something that will not have the power and have to turn around and get a bigger one.
thanks
curtis
It is easy to buy the first thing that comes along but you sure want to cover some expansion in the future. I myself have the Digitrax BD 150 and there are a lot of other brands to choose from too. I have friends that are using several other brands with great success But for instance My Nephew purchased the Digitrax Zephyr unit which still uses the dial throttle on it. It can also add extra throttles as well. Once you start using a DCC System you will want to add more capability. For instance I now add multiple engines in one consist. Even tonight I have 4 engines consisted in one train pulling a train nearly 25 feet long while working 2 other trains on the main and something working in the yard not to mention several engines sitting there powered and ready to go. I know that many times your switches are close by and can be manually operated. but enroute switches you may want to be add later to change routes a head of your train without racing to your switch to change it. Many folks will tell you that some systems are to difficult to learn but all have their little things they have to learn and I won’t say the system I picked hasn’t been difficult at times but once you learn it it will work for you. Where you might now run two separate tracks you would now be able to link all your tracks together without power interference between tracks when set up right. I currently have 12 engines powered up on the layout and seven of them pulling 2 trains. My goal is to be able to run my trains and let my guests get up close while I stay in the background and talk to my guests. Happy Railroading Newman
I failed to tell you that the plug in throttles I have purchased can be moved from plug to plug by keeping a battery in them when in use so I don’t loose control when I plug back in elsewhere around the layout. These throttles are capable of sending the signal wireless too. I would only have to plug in to acquire the engines. Although they are not radio throttles with everything, they will work fine for my layout. All I have to do before I go wireless is get the plug-in unit receiver that handle them by remote. But I can run tethered and move from plug to plug right now. This also makes it easy to go to a friends house and take your throttle along Providing they are on the same system. Even if they do not have the remote plug-in receivers you can still plug in tethered and move from plug to plug depending on the size of the layout.
One thing I do recommend when traveling to someone else’s layout whether they run the same system or not, Make sure all engines are not in consist mode where you run 2 or 3 engines together before leaving the system you last are using. Break the consists and dispatch the engines off the layouts system before leaving to go somewhere else because the system that you are moving to even if you are going back to your home layout will not recognize the consist. It is true that from one brand of DCC System to another the new system you are going to will not like the commands from the previous system used. That is why you have to break the consists and dispatch the engines
I have done that where I did not get the consist broke and I get home and find they will not move. A complete reset was in order on the engine to save a trip back to my friends house to break the consist that it commanded. Hope this helps
Newman
I have a friend who started with the Digitrax Zephyr and it ran a 9′ X 15′ layout with 6 to 8 trains on it no problem. then we built his expansion and he bought a BD150 and several plug in jacks and now you can sit in the kitchen and play engineer blind while your conductor gives radio instructions (yelling out loud)!!! The radio system works wonders! and at the same time there are 2 other operators in the bedroom working the yard on a tether.
So you can see how expandable the DCC control systems are!
My MRC system started out as Prodigy Express system. To which I have added a Prodigy Advanced2 then a power booster to.
so I would suggest you figure out what your budget is and then start shopping!
Are you part of a model train club? you can usually get a deal through them or the train shop they deal with. and it never hurts to have the same system as your club……
Remember all the time you spend away from your trains is just wasted!!!
Les