Question on several trains on one layout

As far as my own experience goes, I can't agree. I have replaced EasyDCC with an NCE system, and while their documentation is certainly rather tersely written, I had no trouble getting started. I'm in no way a techie, nor particularly computer literate. I just took everthing slowly, and followed the instructions. :-)

Yes, I'm happy to do that too. If all else fails, I just reset the CVs to the factory defaults, and start over. Like you, perhaps I have become accustomed to badly written manuals, and have learned to read between the lines.

Absolutely. And contrary to the assertions of the amateur EEs, installations in most locos aren't difficult or time-consuming. My first sound decoder install was in an Atlas RS3. Again, I followed the instructions, and had the job finished and running in about 45 minutes, including coffee and a smoke!

All the best,

Mark.

On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 07:07:35 UTC, "Peter W." wrote: 2000

The modular group I am associated with faced the same situation. We finally decided to do what we liked which was local switching and transfer runs between towns (local switching areas). We did not (and still do not) draw crowds. We do draw a few people who are interested in operation and people who discover that there is something else beside circling the Christmas tree. These people watch for hours and ask a lot of interesting questions.

On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 04:50:23 UTC, Larry Blanchard wrote: 2000

I dropped it long ago. Do what you wish.

That all depends on how many operators you have. You think in terms of a single operator, many of us think in terms of multiple operators. The big layout I ran on would have 15 to 20 operators while the modular group typically has one operator per local switching area and one or two floaters who handle staging and transfer runs.

My very first decoder install took about an hour. Now I can do one in about seven minutes if I don't have to modify the mechanicals of the loco. If it's a true plug-N-play such as a Stewart F-3, it takes about two seconds, not including taking the body shell off and putting it back on. Doing that bit extends the time considerably, up to almost a full minute.

CH

If we used that as the only definition, then each of us would be a Luddite in some context. It will do, I suppose, for some situations, but generally I think it still means one who is unwilling to adopt new ways of doing things. It is not necessary for one to know, or even want to know, all things. There are a great many things in which I have no interest whatever nor any desire to expand my knowledge in that area. Not because I oppose it in any way, but simply because I am not interested. In recent years, the term Luddite or neo-Luddite has become more or less synonymous with anyone who opposes the advance of technology. I think our use of the term here is somewhat loosely connected in this vein.

CH

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 09:03:26 +1300, "Greg.P." wrote:

I believe I'm already aboard......... Can't say that that was my original intent, but here I am anyway.

I don't depend on the DCC Cartel for anything. I'm safe.

some degree of

Wait a second, we are talking about two different things. When I said N.A. operating philosophy I meant using a rulebook that is based on the "Consolidated North American Code" to serve as the instrument to operate the trains over the layout. Whereas you operate in German style, as does a friend of mine here. The Gotthard Line. German rules, German equipment, etc. I didn't mean there was a philosophy that precluded operators in staging areas or automation thereof. Not at all. In fact, we most certainly DO operate six of our group of layouts that way. That is, very similarly to the way you describe your doing it. The major difference is that it is totally DCC with no provision for DC block running. The loks cannot be controlled by the computer, but must have an operator with a handheld to drive them. The turnouts can be controlled by a computer, and on four of the six they are. On three of the six, the entire railroad is CTC with signals and turnouts controlled by a computer from a dispatcher's station. Here though, it ends. The train driver is totally responsible to operate his train properly as there is no way for the dispatcher to control the operation of the lok and its train in any way. He cannot control the power to the tracks under the trains. There are penalties for rules violations and they rarely happen. We have a pretty intense operating group. There is a lot of motivation to execute flawless operating sessions on our meeting nights. Sometimes we actually manage to do it.

Flynn uses good bait on his fishing trips.

CH>

Understood and previously noted.

That is all well and good if that is your interest. I am not interested, but then I may be interested in other things in which you are not. There is nothing wrong with that. The only ones who are wrong are the ones saying that if we are not interested in electrical engineering, then we must be stupid or ignorant. I am neither stupid nor ignorant, I simply do not enjoy it even a little bit.

Sorry, but I really do not care about the huge gulf between DC and DCC. That is for those such as yourself who find it interesting to explore. Enjoy.

CH

Sure, then you can entertain all the Gomez Addams' of the world.

I must be needing to update my meds, as I once again find myself agreeing with G.P. I will be more blunt and somewhat ruder than he by saying who cares if the harrassed mother with three sticky children gets bored and turns away? She is never a candidate for the hobby in the first place, nor are the three larva. Someday, maybe, but not now. I think it is a mistake to operate the layout for the Gomez Addams crowd. There is no future in it other than to attract a potentially few marginally interested individuals to a few meetings. Running in a brainless manner will attract a crowd, but it will drive away the very people who would otherwise be a benefit to the group. Of course, with some of the modular groups I know of, it won't apply, since the membership is almost totally Gomez Addams' anyway.

CH

Are you saying that it wouldn't take any longer on a Cary Pittsburg conversion for the Tyco/Mantua General? That's as big as I'm going to run.

And Cap, it isn't DCC that I object to, it's the continual statement that you can have independent control while remaining constantly ignorant. If that's your selling point, you don't have one. Touting ignorance as the strong point is why CNC machine operators get less than half the money that a toolmaker does.

Greybeard

control of

Just the one for all but one operating session per month!

I have a wife - I can operate when her favourite TV programmes are on, but operating nights

I have two shunting areas, suburban passenger traffic for two and up to ten trains m/l running plus dispatchers etc etc. It's either one night per month of operations or me and the computer.

Sure, but I've been accused of being a Luddite for rejecting DCC and it's simplicity in favour of the complexity of analogue wiring.

Sure, but I've designed my own computer interface, and taken analogue to a level where, in my opinion it works better than DCC.

I'm just an innocent passer by - how did I get in this speakeasy???

some degree of

Staging yards in model form don't equate to any (well almost) prototype operating rules intentionally.

I studied German history - I'll accept the Gotthard as "German". :-)

On my layout, driver/operator control ends at the final block before the staging yard. Beyond that point operation is _not_ realistic and is also hidden, so the computer takes over. I suppose I could somehow simulate operator control, but why bother when the train is invisible and is supposedly moving on to some distant location.

That's one of the great things about model railways, there are a large number of diverse interests not just over the hobby but even in building a layout. Most can be entered into to whatever degree you wish or can be avoided by throwing large wads of money at a retailer.

Well, I've only grumbled at those saying "DCC is the answer" without examining the question properly.

The hobby has managed to keep my interest for 45 years, sometimes scratch building, electronics, scenery, track planning, signalling, history ...

Regards. Greg.P.

LOL - there's a lot of them!

In around 20 layouts at our annual MR show, there has been _about_ 18 roundy-roundy and two operating layouts for the last 20 years!

Both.

To be economically viable, a show has to attract modelers and family types looking for entertainment. And that attracts vendors, which attracts people, which...

I don't sell anything that a person without a layout can use. Family types are of no use to me, from a sales standpoint. But, I realize that for there to be shows, there has to be people coming in the door.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin"

Ever occur to you that mother's husband just MIGHT be in Iraq putting his a** on the line?

A lot of the train shows I'm at are in the southeast, where there are a lot of military bases. Since the Gulf wars, I've noticed a higher percentage of that group at shows - usually on Sunday.

Cut 'em some slack, OK?

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin"

I think Greybeard wrote the original post, not Mark.

Graybeard's problem, of course, is that first he has to make a USB cable from the wiring inside a 1950's Tyco transformer.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin"