What does one do when you take over a slower or stopped loco when running a much faster loco in DCC? Picture this scenario: Train 123 is the mainline consist that you are controlling with your throttle. It's running at 60 MPH scale speed. You also have a small switcher in the yard that is stopped. The yard is crowded so there's not much room for high speed antics. Remember, your throttle is controlling Train 123. Now you want to do some yard work. As soon as you switch to the switcher it will try to assume the speed of Train 123. Since there isn't much room in the yard, the switcher takes off crashing into everything until you can grab the knob and turn down the speed. How does one handle this situation? I can see some "solutions": A) Slow Train 123 down to yard speed or stop it altogether before switching. This is so unprototypical. B) Switch to the switcher and quickly turn down the speed knob. Now this becomes a game of reflex and reaction timing. This can't be fun at all. C) Spend $65 to get a UT4 throttle (I have a Zephyr) and use that throttle for slow stuff. Now you have two throttles, one for similar high speed trains and the other for similar low speed trains. Now when you switch there's not much speed differential. Are there better solutions? What do people do in these typical circumstances?
I'll take a stab at your question... I am not sure about the Zephyr setup, but I run a Super Chief with DT300R throttles. Each throttle can control two different locos or consists independently. If I want to get a third, I have two choices: either stop one that I am running or leave it go; when you attempt to get another loco, the original one will maintain its speed and your new loco will start out at zero throttle until you increase its speed. Harold
There is the fallacy. The loco speed is associated with the address, not the throttle. If you select the switcher address on your throttle, Train 123 will continue at the speed you had set for it. You can do your switching then get back to 123 for adjustments as needed. It's kinda like the meastro cueing the tubas while the clarinets play on. Doug
Doug, that is true IF you have an electronic throttle. With a mechanical potentiometer like on the Zephyr, the switched TO train will take the speed of where the potentiometer is set at. I think you must have misread my post. For example, Train 123 is at 60 MPH scale speed. This translate into a certain position of the knob on the Zephyr. Then you switch to Train 456. The knob is still where it was as left off from Train 123. Train 123 is still going at 60 MPH and there's no problem with that. The problem is that since the knob is still where it was from Train 123, once switched to Train 456, it too will accelerate to 60 MPH.
With my NCE power-pro, it uses a digital encoder and displays the current speed on the LCD panel; so no threat of "startled jackrabbit" or "screaming halt" from changing engines. But also no paint mark on the dial to visually say 1% speed, 50% speed or 100% speed. But I'm digitally minded, so I prefer this. From what I've heard, the controllers using mechanical pots range the spectrum from "instantly switch new engine to current controller speed" (bad) to "only switch new engine to current controller value when user turns the speed dial". (tolerable) I've heard stories of people getting very good at judging how fast a given train is going, and after aquiring that train, moving the speed dial to about the right place with next to no visible change in speed. For mechanical pots, you can either read the manufacturers docs vewwy carefully; or find a friend / store with one set up and.. experiment. Personally, either option would drive me in short order, so I'm happy with my NCE rig.
MK, I don't have DCC so i'm interested in the responses here, this question comes to mind: Is there a way to disengage control from your fast moving train, which would then let you shut off the throttle before you take control of the switcher?
Martyn, a few people have given me some pretty neat solutions on another forum. Obviously the way to go is with a digital throttle so when you switch, the speed of the switched TO train will not move until the knob is moved as described by ATSF Admirer. However, if you don't have the funds for an electronic throttle or are just starting out, what to do? Here's the solution for the Zephyr but can be applied to any mechanically controlled speed DCC system: Givens: Train A, running at 60 MPH scale mile (or whatever speed greater than 0 MPH). Train B, stopped switcher in a very very crowded yard. Currently the console is controlling Train A and you want to switch to Train B. To switch: 1. Hit Loco and type in the address of Train B. With the Zephyr, at this point you don't have control of Train B yet. 2. Turn throttle knob down to zero. 3. Hit Loco to activate Train B. 4. Viola, Train B does NOT take off like a rocket. Now to go the other way is a bit tricky as you will have to approximately the position of the dial for the 60 MPH Train A. However, if you miss, most likely it'll slow or speed up just a hair as you will be close. If you underestimate, it'll slow down. Slowing down never damage anything.
