Re: 100% mannual

["Steve Wise" <swise@aoot.com>]

> I for simplicity.  By manual this is what I mean.  Have the three yard
tracks
> powered by one RW.  Using a rotary switch or a four position toggle switch
> (if there is such a thing) with power on positions for yard track one, two
> and three and an off position would mean power could only go to one yard
> track at a time or all off.  Manual would also mean that we use the
rheostat
> control on the RW to control the siding power.
>
> On some HO club layouts I've seen the use of a controller on a coiled cord
> and the rotary switch to control the power on a section of track.  I guess
> this type of control may be considered 'going backwards' but keeping
> everything easily and simple to understand and operate is of prime
importance
> for the enjoyment of running on the layout.

There's no reason we can't use the Cab-1 for the throttle in your proposal.
No need to have an additional corded throttle controller...

EG:

We could make TR5 be the "sidings" power.  We have a single RW with
PowerMaster hooked up to a 4 position rotary switch just like you said.  The
rotary switch could be mounted somewhere on the sidings (or a panel that
attaches to the sidings)   This panel can have a simple schematic so that it
is plainly obvious which siding is getting power.

So you set the switch to your siding, hit TR5 on the Cab-1 and throttle up
power or hit boost in command mode.

I actually like this idea.  It greatly simplifies things in my opinion,
still allows for command control and cab-1 for throttle/whistle/horn/etc,
and won't cost much to implement.