Advice on throttles...

[tillsbury]

Hi guys.  It's about time I sorted myself out a shelf layout near my desk where trains happen.  Trouble is, the layout is in the train room a long way away (outside, indeed).  So I need another controller to work in here, for testing purposes etc.  I have a Radio Super Chief on the layout, which is great.  I would also like another controller for that, a simple one for visitors/kids.  Something like the UT4R, probably, which isn't perfect but at least is small and cheap.  I see that the Digitrax website says that the UT300R's are discontinued... that's a great shame - can you still get them?

Anyway, the quesion is should I get a Zephyr (for the shelf/testing area) and then another controller like a UT4 or a 300R (if I can find one), or should I get something else, say an Empire Builder which comes with a controller I can use on the main layout?  Or, if I can't sensibly sort out a 'free' extra controller just get a UT4R and then something perhaps completely different for the testing?  I only really need to set addresses and make the trains work enough to test them on the shelf -- no need for consisting or anything even remotely complex...

Cheers

Charles

[Denver Road Doug]

That's a tough one...

I would be inclined to buy the Zephyr and then whatever throttle you want, if you need an additional one.  (the Zephyr does include a throttle built in)  Then you could get another "R" throttle since you already have radio capability on the layout.  The UT4R would probably be OK for what you want, and the Zephyr/UT4R combo wouldn't break the bank.

Otherwise, the only other thing that would make sense to me would be another Chief Radio....I wouldn't buy an Empire Builder period and I wouldn't buy a non-radio throttle.  The Chief would be worth the extra bucks for CV readback vs. the EB, and more importantly the ability to have a backup unit in case your layout Chief goes down.

Of course, if you are OK with used equipment that might be the best option.  Get your 300R and whatever command station.

Anyway, my two cents...

[TiVoPrince]

UT4R
for the layout and visitors.  Add a UP5 and wire it up so you can plug in and use the advanced throttle reliably at the bench for programming.  The cost of a UR91 for the workroom seems impractical from an operational standpoint and reliability during programming trumps all else, at least in my feeble mind.

Perhaps that loco-net could also make a dispatching centre of your railway on operation nights...

[Roger Holmes]

My life (at least my model railroading life) is so much easier now that I bought a Zephyr for my workbench.  My workbench is in a converted bedroom on the second floor and my layout is in the basement with a radio Super Chief.  I was forever running up and down the stairs tweaking installations.  Main selling point is that you can read back CV's on the Zephyr.  I have a programming track and test track on the workbench.

Only downside is that I've gain 15# from lack of excercise :

[Denver Road Doug]

Roger, you just gave me a good idea...maybe you should power your Zephyr from an exercise bike!

Then it could be "World's Greatest Hobby/Exercise"!!!   ;D

[Mark5]

oooh, I thought this was about DC throttles.

[Roger Holmes]

Thanks, Doug.  I'd probably lose 10 of those pounds just moving the boxes covering the exercise bike :-[

[asciibaron]

fear not NandW...

this is what i use on my HO switching lsyout -powered by a cheap toy train power pack AC out.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM

good and cheap.

-steve

[tillsbury]

thanks all...  I will probably go for the Zephyr and UT4R then...  I suppose the main question was whether there was an alternative to the Zephyr for a cheap controller but there's only so far you want to go downmarket.  Another super chief sounds a bit overkill, and the UT400R throttle although great to use is a bit much for visitors and three-year-olds!

Charles