The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[Bendtracker1]

The thing I liked most about the PT was my friend had CV4 set to full momentum. 
Once you knocked the throttle back to idle the unit would just keep moving and you HAD to use the brake to stop and not just turn the knob back to 0.

[davefoxx]

I watched this last night ant was like "whoa, that dude weathered his throttle".

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I love it!

That's awesome!  Noting how he operated the lights with the ProtoThrottle and thinking about my GP40-2 with the GyraLight, I'll be able to turn on the front headlight (dim), then the front headlight (high), and then the front headlight (high) with GyraLight.  Excellent!  All with a rotary knob and not searching for a touchscreen icon!  I'm also going to ramp up the momentum.  I use some momentum now, but I like the coasting while notched down to idle and the use of the brake to stop.  This will be fun!

DFF

[davefoxx]

The thing I liked most about the PT was my friend had CV4 set to full momentum. 
Once you knocked the throttle back to idle the unit would just keep moving and you HAD to use the brake to stop and not just turn the knob back to 0.

That's where I'll start, although one video last night set momentum to 235 out of 255.  Probably doesn't make that much difference at that point.

DFF

[Steveruger45]

@Steveruger45,

I love the ESU CabControl system, which works great with my layout and my fleet of locomotives with sound.  Period.  I would not consider any other DCC system at present, and I've owned Digitrax and NCE systems.  It's not so much that I dislike anything about the ESU throttle; in fact, I love that I have easy access to dozens of functions and can configure the side buttons for convenience.  On my NCE system, for example, it was a pain in the a$$ to get to any function above F9 or so, and there was no indicator for any functions above F6.  Just have to guess at whether they're on or off, I suppose.  I also like that ESU allows for upgrades to the software in the existing hardware, so if any improvements come along, you're not left behind.

What I like about the ProtoThrottle is that it will (hopefully) add even more realism.  I like trying the idea of using the throttle, brake, and reverser like the prototype.  The videos online even show people running consists with the ProtoThrottle, so we'll see how well that works out.  i don't mind if operations are slowed down by the use of the ProtoThrottle.  In fact, that's one thing I like about Sergent Engineering couplers.  I have to stop (like the prototype) and ensure that the couplers are lined up and at least one knuckle is open (like the prototype).

DFF

Thanks Dave
My considerations include to eventually get a protothrottle
But I think I need to upgrade the power and control system first before that investment.
So initial consideration is do I get
1. A smart booster or
2. Get the esu cab control but I am concerned on the size of the touch screen appearing way too small to use

I have trouble using an iPhone 8 Plus sized screen

[peteski]

On my NCE system, for example, it was a pain in the a$$ to get to any function above F9 or so, and there was no indicator for any functions above F6.  Just have to guess at whether they're on or off, I suppose. 

There is a way to show the status off all the functions, but it takes couple of  keystrokes.  But it is much easier if you can see all of them on the main screen.

[davefoxx]

P.S.  Oh, and I am also disappointed with ESU, because they were going to replace a V4.0 decoder under warranty a few months ago.  They asked me to wait for the V5.0s to come out, but, months later, I still have not received the replacement decoder or received a response to additional emails. 

UPDATE: The replacement V5.0 decoder arrived in the mailbox today.  It took more than four months to get (despite being told that the warranty decoders would ship before the retail decoders).  But, I understand the the V5.0 rollout may not have gone as planned for ESU, so it's all good now.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Well, I've got horns on my locomotives, so I might as well give them something to do . . .

I roughed out most of this road crossing this morning.  I started with 0.080" black styrene several weeks ago, figuring that was slightly less than the Code 83 rail I have, but it's not nearly enough to get the road surface below the top of the rail.  This week, I bought some 0.060" black styrene and spent this morning cutting in this road crossing.  It's not yet glued down, and it still needs paint, ballast, and road markings.  But, it's progress!



Because I'm a glutton for punishment, all of my road crossings on the layout seem to be this complicated.  Couldn't just cross at a single track, could you?    And, the installation of this crossing was stymied by two feeders and a track joint.  D'oh!  Poor planning, as usual.  On the bright side, the two feeders are invisible now.

DFF

[Point353]

I roughed out most of this road crossing this morning.  I started with 0.080" black styrene several weeks ago, figuring that was slightly less than the Code 83 rail I have, but it's not nearly enough to get the road surface below the top of the rail.  This week, I bought some 0.060" black styrene and spent this morning cutting in this road crossing.
 


Because I'm a glutton for punishment, all of my road crossings on the layout seem to be this complicated.  Couldn't just cross at a single track, could you?   

If you're really a glutton for punishment, have you considered adding wood planks on either side of the rails?

[davefoxx]

I've done that before, but I was too lazy.  It's tough enough cutting spikes from the track and getting the "asphalt" to snug up to the rails.  It's takes even more precision to fit the ties to the rails and the asphalt to the ties.  Looks good, though.  But, as stated, I'm lazy when it comes to modeling.

DFF

[davefoxx]

The worst is behind me on this crossing.  Just need to ensure final fitment and glue the pieces down before paint, ballast, and road markings.



DFF

[DKS]

But, as stated, I'm lazy when it comes to modeling.

Yeah, and I'm the King of England...

[davefoxx]

Yeah, and I'm the King of England...

Well, around these parts, you are sort of royalty to many of us.   

DFF

[CRL]

Well, around these parts, you are sort of royalty to many of us.   

DFF

Hopefully without the inbreeding. 

[davefoxx]

According to the USPS tracking, the ProtoThrottle is waiting for me at home.  Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Oh boy!  I can't wait to fire that sucker up.

I watched a video last night on remapping functions via a LokProgrammer to make the lighting and throttle effects of an ESU decoder work well with the ProtoThrottle, as well as configuring the ProtoThrottle buttons for my preferred use.  I'm going to start with my recently patched Seaboard System GP40-2 that has a Gyra Light.  Interestingly, I will returning off directional lights, so to control the lights independently from the throttle.  This will be the first locomotive that I have owned in almost twenty years to run without directional headlights, but that will be more prototypical.  I also plan to max out the momentum and practice using the brake to control speed and stop.  Again, more prototypical.

I have no idea how locomotives are consisted, but I see them running multiple units together in videos.   We'll figure it out and report back

Stay tuned,
DFF

[nuno81291]

Going to need some slow switching video action when you get it up and running. I’m totally sold on it when I have the layout ready but all the action I see is drool worthy. Christmas in July!!