SOme layouts are equipped w/multiple throttles, both conventional and command control. Others have just one and require taking turns. Are you the lone engineer and do you wish you could have operating sessions with your friends.
If you conduct operating sessions are there downsides such as having fights over who controls which train or who is dispatching?
Dave Vergun
CEO/CFO/Union President/EPA Director/& all around deity of my little world. Since I’m the only team member of any OPS session, one control panel is no problem at all.
Considering the fact that my current layout is the first that’s been designed for multiple operators, I haven’t reached this point yet. My last three layouts were small, so I was God Emperor of all I oversaw.
I fully expect there to be some small issues with operating my new layout, but nothing that can’t be ironed out in a friendly manner. All my operators will be longtime friends or family, and we play nicely together!
When i operate my small layout only needs one operator but i can do 2 operators. We take turns being the engineer of 2 trains(I’m using digitrax DCC and i only have 1 throttle i put on on each side of the throttle) And the other person is the Dispatcher/Brakemen. At the moment i have industries to switch but don’t have enough crs[:(] I’m in the precess of getting 4 more cars then i’ll have enough but now i need $$$$
I have 3 DCC throttles but no one else to operate with, except the grandkids when they visit, and they are still pretty low on the “operations learning curve”. [:)]
Since I “can’t walk and chew gum” I have some trouble running more than one train at a time.[:O]
I am the soul, I mean sole operator of my layout, especially since it’s not finished. If I get the money for another DCC throttle, then my Dad can run stuff with me though it might get crowded since it’s only a 10x10 layout.
Reed
Right now it’s just me, but soon the layout should accomodate two and perhaps three crews for a session. I have one wireless EasyDCC cab and need to add two more. At $159.00 each I hesitate each time I start to order. I need to add my extension on the layout and get the car card/waybill system installed and we’ll be ready to go. Lottery tickets, anyone?
Ed
I’m CEO, Head of Maintenance, Engineer, Brakeman & Conductor.
I’m the GO-TO Guy.
I’m the guy who takes all the grief from the shareholder & CFO AKA the Wife as “I’m spending too much money”
I’m setting my layout with dual cabs. I’m setting it up for either single or dual throttles in case a friend decides to stop by.
I’m not running DCC, at least not on this layout.
Can’t afford to!!!
I have to fini***his layout first then start saving for it!
Gordon
My tabletop layout is setup in such a way that only one person would be able to operate it anyway, regardless of how I wired it. Some tabletops can accomodate more than one train, depending on how it’s designed, but not this one.
But even if I had unlimited space and funds, I would have kept my layout to a size where only one person can operate it, otherwise it would have been much more of a project than I wanted.
—jps
Yeah, I am Operater / Owner of the East Coast Railways.
One main panel of DC is all there is to run the 3 mainlines
I have set up. I live out in country and not many come around here.
So, for now, I am the man of all trades.
Yes,my current HO industrial switching layout can use a 2 man crew.A engineer and conductor…I prefer to run this layout solo but will invite a friend over for operation.He will be the engineer and I will be the conductor then we will switch parts [:D].Sadly even with DCC 2 train operation is not possible…[:(]
The good news is I am building a N scale industrial switching layout that I will be able to run 2 different switch crews or can operate solo.[:D] This layout will be DC insted of DCC.
I recently installed a Digitrax Zephyr and have been using the Jump ports to connect my MRC dual DC controller. The Jump ports allow the 2 MRC throttles to control 2 more DCC locomotives. I have 2 young sons and so we all can opperate trains at the same time. The reality is that they both run trains and i run about the layout room checking switches and acting as a human signalling system to stop head on meets on the single track portions of the layout.
When I get the yard ladder installed, it will be feasible to have one of us switching the yard and 2 out on the main.
Since my home layout isn’t built yet, I don’t know what title I hold. Right now I’m putting bids in to the CEO (wife) for land ( a room) to build in. [banghead][%-)][(-D]
Hi Folks,
I’ve got a fairly complex layout with a double-track mainline, plenty of staging, a double-ended yard and 6 throttles for that many operators. While I’m thje CEO, CFO and Chief Design Engineer, my problem is finding 5 other guys to operate. Right now, one buddy comes over once a week but as you know, so many guys these days are busy watching garbage on television or playing with video games. Or, worse yet, complaining their wives won’t let them out of the house.
I’m in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Are any of you guys local and interested in coming over to my house for operating the layout?
Have a nice day!
Mondo
I am the sole ceo and all under managment. I’m alsoo the sole construction worker. As soon as it’s up and running I’ll probably have operating sessions. I’ve never set one up so I’m going to have to play around and read up to get a good and prototypical session going.
Andrew Miller