Matt & Kathleen Brennan wrote in message news:...
As with so many of the others who have written, I don't believe this either-or trichotomy (sic) is completely valid. My present approach is as follows: It is NOT by any means recommended procedure--just how I do it. Oh, for the record, I model in HO scale using traditional DC control. By traditional I mean standard Linn Wescott dual cab control superimposed on the much older section control system. My cabs enable two operators to independently function over ALMOST the entire system (vide infra). There are five sections--high concentrations of turnouts representative of yards, industries, terminals,etc. (Each of the sections consists of from four to twelve individual blocks.) Any of these sections can be removed from the cab system for control by an independent operator. Theoretically five slim people can each handle a section while the system-wide cabs lie idle. Because of my particular layout design, the dual cab system can still work nicely with up to three of the sections removed. How do I actually operate for the most part? From my central cab area I will bring in a train from either of my staging areas. After an appropriate number of runs the train can return to a staging area. This is standard ops for long (>10 car) consists. Shorter freight trains can be taken to any yard for breakdown or proceed to individual industries. Passenger units frequently end up in a fairly large terminal. I now abandon my central area-go to the appropriate section--do the requisite switching moves--and when done reverse the process by returning to cab control. One can, of course, quite truthfully argue that these operations could have been carried out from the centralized location. But, I enjoy doing them up-close. In the above I believe there is a succesful integration of A, B and C and I'm very glad not to have had to make a choice among them. BTW, let me clarify the "almost" utilized above. There are three blocks which can be operated only from their appropriate sections. Two of these are turntables operated by 0-5-0 units. My proximate presence is necessary for proper track alignment. The last is a car ferry interchange. You can bet I'm right next to the darned thing before I begin pushing cars over the edge of the table.
The layout above was begun in 1995. It pretty much resembles its parent. At my age, next time is not very likely. Still, I've had a lot of fun with this methodology and-----
Matt, please allow me to say that IMHO you have a real talent for originating super threads. I'm equally appreciative of the other fine messages herein posted. Thank you. Jerry