with more than 1 throttle?
Mine can’t, chiefly b/c I designed it for ME. But some people are very sociable and have regular operating sessions with friends.
That’s my plan Dave. I just bought 3 more CAB-1’s. I guess there’s really no point to having a layout as large as mine if it isn’t going to be shared. Eventually, I would like to have a crew of 8 - 10 and have sessions a couple of times a month.
Dave - are you sure? Can’t you control a conventional loco with EITHER your txfrmr lever OR your DCS handheld? I can - mine is wired through the Variable IN/OUTs of the TIU. In fact, when a conventional loco is running I don’t even turn on the handheld and do it all “the old fashioned way” with the LW; but as soon as I power up the handheld I can use that if I want. Point is, with someone on the txfrmr and someone else on the remote, both can control the train…in Conventional Mode.
Or, did you mean several people operating several trains simultaneously on your tracks?
Jim,
The latter.
Elliot,
I think majority of us are anxiously awaiting your progress reports. You definitely have a special layout going. I imagine it will be your final layout.
I have three sections, an inside main line, an outside main line, and a yard. Each can be connected to either of two transformers, each of which can control two trains independently within that section. So four trains at once.
On my last layout, yes, although I never operated with another person. I had a KW and two mainlines so it was possible (if crowded). For my next layout, I will probably have a similar set-up with more room, so another person could operate with me without feeling too crowded.
Dave, I have to get the truck loaded for the last public show of the season this weekend.
After that I have that structural problem that needs my attention. Then it should be full speed ahead. Right now the goal is to have trains running by this fall, though it may be years before all the track is laid.
I just had to fork out $300 to fix the refrigerator, and I owe the IRS for the first time in 10 years. That will slow things down.[xx(][xx(][:(]
I have five main lines all on different transformers but all phased together. I can run command or qsi 2+ or 3000 on all five. 2+ and 3000 systems can be assigned an ID and work super with lionel command. I have never had enough people to run all 5 at one time but it will work. dave.
Dave,
With TMCC and DCS, you can operate as many trains simultaneously as you have handheld controllers and associated locos.
My layout is small, a 9 X 10 with two mainlines that are made up of blocks are packed with postwar accessories and trains. My layout is powered by 1 Mth ZW 4,000 and the rest are with small lionel 90watts for the assessories and what not. Another person could run one train and still have plenty to do; dropping off milkcans, loading metal with the gantry crane. Its always fun to enjoy the hobby with someone else,it keeps you to stay on track:()
Yep, with either of my layouts, more than one person can operate it. I also have two DCS controls just for that reason. In fact, several friends have been over and we have done just that. Each of us having one of the DCS remotes.
I have two CAB-1’s and can run 3 engines at a time, granddaughter one, one set and running on a mian, and one switching, more than that logistics become a problem unless I can get a dispatcher to control things. By myself I limit it to two trains and occasionally get a derailment because I forgot to through a switch because I was busy changing between engines.
Yes, DCS and TMCC. DCS remote and CAB1.
The kids at Christmas use two TMCC CAB1 and run two trains at once on the same track. Just like the real railroad, you stop for the red signals and wait for the green.
Well, yes. We each share one side of an R throttle - and run one on an inside loop and the other through most of the rest of the layout. I’m toying with using my birthday gift to myself *when I open it in May - of the Kline battery-powered set to put that one up on homemade trestles and run it as a ‘third’ train. Or just try to run it using its remote control on the same track as another track-powered train.
Like others have said, my layout is designed for me and I don’t have other people operating it, although I could very easily have others running trains if I so desired. My layout is all conventional. Each train has a different handle that controls it. If you want all the trains to run at once, all you have to do is turn each of the transformer handles and then sit back and watch the show, without touching anything. That’s how I like my layout-lots of trains and lots of track, but nothing complicated.
Relatively new here. Do you have any pictures posted of your layout and how large is it?
Thank you,
dave, i have 4 cab-1’s and the layout is designed to handle four engines (three through trains and a switcher in the yard) at the same time.
Well Tom, I’ve posted a number of photos over the last year plus, but they are all scattered throughout the forum in different topics. It’s just easier to give you a taste right here.
This is the trackplan for the first of two levels, both levels will be about the same size. The room is 38’ x 46’.
This is the most recent photo, but more work has been done since it was taken.
This shot is a little dark, but it shows most of the space.
I have three loop’s 2-72" and 1-31" all interconnected,center loop has several sideing’s and one branch to the engine service yard 1-72" loop is up and over. Started with block control now have TMCC and 1TPC 300 4 or 5 people can run trains. I can run 2 on the outer loop’s and do switching on the inside, with old and new . Get’s a little tricky with CAB 1 though. My ZW power’s TMCC loco’s on one controler ,feed’s TPC300 on the other,last2 can run standard loco’s. I like just watching train’s run, and switching