I think you know what I mean by a computerized layout. Nowadays, it seems that everything has a computer chip built into it from my automobile to my toaster oven to the decoder in my locomotive. So, I am not anit-computer. But, why do I need to use a laptop computer or a tablet or a smart phone to run my layout? Answer: I don’t.
Rich
[quote user=“rrinker”]
Honestly, I think those Euro throttles that use a picture of the loco are more distracting than helpful, and more limited for north american modelers. I have a half dozen RS-3s - how big a screen do I need to have a picture big enough to read the road number on each one so I know which one I am selecting? That’s the only differentiating factor - they are all in the same paint scheme for the same road name. That option came about because it’s pretty much not possible to use the cab number for the DCC address in europe, european locos either do not have cab numbers or the numbers are 5 and 6 digits long. Most US railroad don;t go over 4 digits, so cab numbers can be directly used as the address. Typing in no more than 4 digits is FAR faster than scrollign through a bunch of pictures to find the loco I want. This is one of my examples of technology for technology’s sake - it doesn’t help me do anything easier or faster, in fact it makes a simple task MORE difficult. Not sure why modelers of north american prototypes would want something like that. It’s similar to the recall stacks - great, your DCC system is better than mine because it has 16 recalls? How so? I press a maximum of 6 buttons to select ANY loco I own, recall stack or not. Loco, up to 4 numbers, and enter. Fewer if the loco address is less than 1000. To select a loco from 16 in a recall stack, you can have to press up to 18 buttons - recall, the scroll button or thumb the wheel or whatever up to 16 times, if the loco is the last one in the stack, and enter to select it. I say again, how is this better? I look at my loco, I see that it is cab number 865, so to run it on my DCC system I select 865. Not a picture of a Trainmaster. Not scroll through 16 locos in my recall stack only to find it wasn’t one of my last 16 locos I ran. It says 865 on the side of the loco, I hit 865. Done.
I don;t think it’s a lack of fancy electronics that keeps young people away from tra
Rich
I think that it comes down to “need” vs “want”. You don’t need a computer to run your trains but on the other hand you might want to. Neither is wrong and there is no reason to worry if you are in either camp. That to me is the beauty of this hobby- we have a lot of choices that we can enjoy.
Joe
Well, let me give you an example of why I use a computer/smartphone/tablet.
I’m not trying to change your mind, just giving you an example of MY “purpose of using a laptop (actually I use a desktop machine), tablet or smart phone to operate my layout”.
First, the computer: It’s old hardware that was laying around, not being used for anything else. So it was basically free. JMRI, LocoNet Chcker, LibreOffice, and Firefox (the programs I use most often on that machine) are also free. And I have a wireless router in my home for other uses, so no added expense there.
Then the smartphone: Got a Samsung Galaxy Blaze for $15, which was it’s trade-in value when a 20-something upgraded. It’s in perfect condition, just no cell service. Works great with JMRI/Engine Driver (both also free) using the above-mentioned PC and WiFi router. The phone has a rocker-style volume control that ED uses for speed control, so I don’t have to look at the screen.
So for a wireless throttle, I paid $15 and a little time to download and install a couple apps. Price if I wanted to upgrade to a single wireless throttle from my DCC manufacturer: About $330 for a wireless throttle and a radio receiver.
Now, on to the tablet: Paid about $50 or so (I don’t really remember) for a 7" Android tablet, and another $10 for a headrest mount for it that I was easily able to convert to a fascia mounting. Then a little time to create a JMRI panel for the yard throat. Again, works great with the old PC and WiFi.
So for a
nothing except…
I have Loksound, Lentz, Digitrax, QSI (V1, 2, 3, 4), Sountraxx LC, and Tsunami all with different button mappings. I wrote an app that clearly has buttons that say, “Bell, Whistle, Short Whistle, Coupler, Brake, water load, startup / shutdown, add consist front, add consist middle, and add consist helper” which makes remembering the exact mappings and CVs unecessary.
I have a macro that allows me to input the tonnage I have hooked up. Based on the tractive effort I can calculate how fast I can accelerate (CV3). I can also adjust the brakes (CV4). This allows a simulation of how a real train works. I then apply the brakes. And I have an emergency stop button which reprograms CV4 to 0 then sets speed to 0. (And in some cases the consist decel CV (QSI))
I need to program in quick set buttons…light, medium, heavy, and Allegheny H-8 loads. 
[quote user=“richhotrain”]
…So, once again, I ask, what’s wrong with a handheld DCC throttle or a DC power pack to run trains?
[quote]
Nothin’ at all, rich, just as there’s nothin’ wrong with any of those new-fangled methods, either.
I’m pondering a move to dead rail, but my version puts house current directly to the rails. Anyone who looks with their hands rather than their eyes will make the connection immediately. [:-^][swg]
Wayne (still trying to figure out DC)
To be totally honest with you, I love electronics. I run my layout in DCC. I have divided my layout into 7 power districts, each controlled by a PSX circuit breaker or PSX-AR auto-reversing circuit breaker. I have two RRampMeters, one for each of two boosters.
But all of these electronic gizmos provide me with some element of control or critical information. I just come up short when it comes to thinking how smart phones and tablets can help me run my layout any better than I already do.
Rich
Well, now you’ve started it!! Now I see why sometimes these threads go into a negative sprial that gets totally negative, with type A males going at it, ending up (rightfully) getting blocked by Steve. I like brussel sprouts, so there! And limas beans are good too, so take that! [;)]
EDIT: I forgot the best…liver & onions.
All in fun,
Rich, the short answer to your question is: absolutely nothing. It is your railroad/hobby time and how you choose to use it is your choice . There are many world class layouts operating with DC tethered throttles and there probbly always will be. That being said, this is a discussion forum and those who enjoy that phase of the hobby should be free to discuss topics including dcc wireless control of their layouts. For me, wireless control is a better option than tethered throttles. But I am always open to talking about other avenues.
Paul:
You are wrong. Liver and bacon is better.
Dave
Two decades ago, the question would have been: Do we need anything but DC to control model trains? Today the answer is obvious. While many of us are still happy with DC, others feel they have more fun with DCC.
Let us have fun with whichever technology that pleases us.
An Amish market just opened up around here. I understand that they have chocolate covered bacon. I think I’d like that better.
YUCK!!! LOL.
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
i make the mistake of thinking i’m behind the times when i’m not doing what everyone else seems to be doing because of all the media/forum attention.
Not everyone participates in all aspects of any hobby (e.g. handlaid track/turnouts, scenery, weathering, wiring, power control, signals, automation, scratch built locomotives, structures, bridges, home built DCC system, …).
DIY is not necessarily cheaper when considering time, but can be very satisfying.
i fly sailplanes. nothing more basic. stick and rudder. no motor. But some pilots want the “glass cockput”, the computerize instrument panel.
I bet every hobby from cooking to gardening has a techie side to it.
Good points, greg. [Y]
Rich
After the brussels sprouts and the liver and onions,Don’t forget to take your cod liver oil
Im going to go with an overlay system that provides signaling independent of the DCC system, touch screen consisting, and touch screen turnout control. As far as locomotion, one of the few things I hate, and I mean hate, is touch screen sliding throttle control. I will take my NCE knob over a smart phone any day. What does a phone tell me that an NCE Procab doesn’t? Besides, don’t you get into trouble on real railroads for playing games on your phone while you drive your train?
For one you can label each function button to your liking.
I use my iPod as an universal throttle when operating on a Digitrax or NCE layout.
Don’t know about i-Things and WiThrottle, but the Android phone I use as a throttle with Engine Driver has a physical rocker-type volume control that can be used for speed control. The on-screen slider is still there, but you don’t have to use it (I don’t).
A NCE throttle can’t report your estimated running scale speed.
(I’m still working the kinks out of that)