While this one doesn’t have the prototypical appearance of the one under discussion (I know of a modeller who built a full-size simulation of a prototypical control stand, and uses it to control his trains), it’s a very nicely-engineered way of controlling DC-powered trains. A friend gave me two of these…
You can set the throttle to whatever position you wish, and the train will start, and then gain speed at a realistic rate, reaching whatever speed you’ve pre-selected. If you wish to slow, no need to touch the throttle, but a simple application of the brakes will do the trick…when the handle is returned to “OFF”, the train will gradually return to its original speed setting.
If you wish to stop, apply the brake until that occurs, and when you wish to procede, release the brakes, and the train will gradually return to its original setting. You can, of course, use the throttle for speed control, too.
This controller is best used for running through trains, rather than switching activities, in my opinion. I’m not normally a fan of momentum effects, but these are the best I’ve seen in DC.
My thought was to put it on a neck-strap, much like those used in remote-controlled ground switching operations, but the throttle does not have enough “oomph” to run multiple locomotives or to power heavy trains, especially on the many grades on my layout.
Every once in a while, though, I’ll plug it in and enjoy just running a train.
I wouldn’t expect much interest in thd Proto Throttle here in this crowd so I’m not surprised at all the negative comments here. Personally I’d like to try it out when I get a layout up and running. These are probably not a mass produced hence the higher cost.
{I see the forum software is up to its usual tricks. Click the tinyurl link, please.}
Of course, in that thread some of the responses were “why don’t you like your Digitrax throttles? They’re just fine” but that wasn’t exactly my intention. Like the ProtoThrottle, my intent was to use it along with an OEM throttle during operations.
I like the idea of realistic controls especially for switching moves. No, it wouldn’t be my primary throttle but it would be one of those “fun-to-have” luxuries.
I’m not one of those “early adopter” types. I thought I’d give the first version some time and see if a second or third run comes along. I’d probably get one at that time.
Very well put, it does have niche appeal. I hope it has enough appeal to keep the development going. The guys behind it are awesome people, it was a pleasure to spend some time with them at the NMRA.
i think the price of a proto throttle pays for several interesting features:
it replaces the simple minded speed controller with separate throttle and brake controls (imagine if you took you foot off the gas pedal on your car caused it to come to a screeching halt)
it has unique buttons instead of similar looking buttons for direction, brake, sounds and lights
it obviously has prototypical looking controls
it’s wireless
there’s no reason common DCC controllers couldn’t separate throttle and brake for controlling speed, but would need to be redesigned (maybe a DIYer)
but common DCC controllers need a numeric keypad as well as select/enter buttons for setting loco address which somewhat forces reusing buttons for different purposes.
i think it would be nicer to have a locomotive controller that looks less like a TV remote and more like something used on a RR but not for $600.
As long as their sale price covers the cost of the materials, assembly, packaging, and some profit to the company, they should have no problem sticking around.
It clearly isn’t for everyone, but this interests me a whole lot more than some fancy touch screen LCD device. With no layout currently, I’m not going to buy one tomorrow, but I do want to get one eventually.
In a word, yes! I think these are really clever and I am considering building my next layout to accomodate diesels just so I can get one. Having operated a real diesel. I can see how much more realistic operations would be with one of these throttles.
I think if I was building a small switching layout with only a first generation EMD diesel for motive power, like Model Railroader’s Tar Branch project layout, this would be ideal. It really looks like the control stand from an early diesel.
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What do I know, I still use an MRC Control Master XI for my trains!
The throttle and reverser resemble what you’d get on a real AAR control stand, but where are the automatic and independent brakes? Not to mention the dynamic handle… [8D]
It looks nifty in a pic, but might be a drag to carry around with you around the layout.
I prefer using the touchpad on my Samsung Galaxy player running the Roco z21 app. It has all the function buttons with icons, a pic of whatever loco you’ve got onscreen, and it’s fully customizable.
Shortly after the National Train Show opened at KC, I stopped at the Spring Creek Model Trains booth and played with the ProtoThrottle for about five minutes.
Based on the couple of times that I actually had my hand on a real diesel’s throttle, it just felt right, so I bought one.
Some things that one needs to know when considering buying one:
This is not something that’s a good starting-out point for a beginner. There are too many aspects of this that can turn into rabbit holes. If you are not comfortable with decoder programming, this is not for you. At least not yet.
The throttle is very dependent upon working with decoders that support a certain set of functions, particularly having separate brake control. For this reason, Soundtraxx, LokSound and WOWSound decoders are really the ones that work best with the ProtoThrottle, and as far as I’m concerned are the only ones worth considering if you are going to use the ProtoThrottle.
If you are going to use it with more than one locomotive, it really helps if you only use one brand of decoder. The ProtoThrottle can be configured to support a number of different function mappings for different decoders, but compared to the simplicity of having a uniform set of functions defined across one’s fleet, it is a hassle to do that. This helped push me to deciding upon LokSound and LokPilot decoders as my new personal standard, going forward.
There is going to be some amount of decoder programming required to make a locomotive
I thought it was fantastic. It’s a bit beyond my budget, but if I could, I’d get a batch of them.
I am a serious operations fan, and like to “zoom in” on the role of individual crewmen. If you hate the ideas of track switches with locks, or derails that have to be unlocked and cleared, you’d probably hate this. If you like that sort of thing, you’d love this.
I like it, just on general principles and appearance. The price isn’t THAT much in an era of $300 locos, although I’m not in position to run out and get one. I’d certainly test drive one if I got a chance.
While this particular throttle is too pricey for me and tries to be authentic over ergonomic, IMO, I like the idea of different functions having differently shaped knobs.
The problem with DCC throttles is that all of the F buttons are the same, requiring some memorization and difficulty to operate just by feel. Having things like the directional controls, headlights, bell, horn or whistle knobs different from each other would be progress.
Agreed, and judging by some people laughing and scoffing at this cool throttle, it appears to be a case of "pearls before … " in some cases.
I don’t care for a touch screen device, especially for critical controls like speed.
The very bad thing about using a smart phone with an app is you have to take your eye’s off the train to see where you should position your finger to the right spot on the screen to control speed or whatever. It’s too easy to make false moves using touch screens - I know this from other experiences on my smart phone.
Same as you, since I tore down my last layout a year ago and won’t have one for some months, I will hold off until later; I also want to get one eventually.
Thanks, details matter. When people throw out a number with no explanation, it can be misleading. For other DCC systems, people usually quote just the throttle price because they may not need a receiver if they are operating at a club or are buying a 2nd throttle etc.
Anyway, for all the naysayers, ISE is sold out of the Proto Throttles so it looks like people are voting with their wallets and they are definitely serving a clientel.
I think that’s the second sellout, too. I really do want one, but it’s utterly useless to run back and forth on a piece of flex track clip leaded to my DCC system. I need a magic wand to wave that turns my mess of a basement into a nicely finished space with properly insulated walls and nice clean ceiling tiles to repalce the ugly paneling with no insulation and the dirty (and half removed - I got started, at least) ceiling tiles.
Same here. It looks like they are expected to be restocked around November.
I’m in a similar situation - basement needs finished before layout starts going up. I’m hoping to get the wall outlets done mid-late Sept and then get someone in to put in the drywall in Oct. Planning on a drop ceiling with square LED ceiling lights.
I was lucky in my last home, I had a finished basement room there and all I needed was to patch the wall in some places and paint the wall sky blue.
Probably be mid to late next year before I’m thinking about getting one of those Throttles.
