Does Anyone Run Conventional?

I do, but only when I have to!

I have lots of PS2 and PS3, but I only run conventional.

 

I had that MTH remote control, but it never worked right and I chucked it in the garbage.

 

Conventional is enough for me.

I do to when I want to run my PS-1 , early Weaver and Williams engines,,,,,,,,,Paul

I currently run scale engines on a conventional layout.  Current layout is 11'x17' gargraves track with ross switches.

 

As 7 of my 12 engines have TMCC (Atlas, 3rd Rail, and Weaver) I am considering adding TMCC (or Legacy) to the rebuild of my layout.  I'm thinking there is a 50-50 chance I might add command, but have not yet decided if it's worthwhile for me to do so.

 

Jim

I have one loop conventional about 43 feet around, A WBB engine pulling 23 cars.

 

Brent

Strictly conventional, none of my engines have any of the modern electronics except the solid state e-units and whistles and bells. Its simple, it works, dirty track doesn't seem to be a problem and I'm happy with it.

Scotie

I still run conventional. 

i do also though have some of the above mentioned super upped engines with r/c.

 

Have a room totally dedicated to my smaller layout from which I can run those babies should the passion hit me.

 

Conventional seems never to break and like my dog...Always ready to GO !

Absolutely conventional operation, hands- on, manual switching! Cruise control and smoke are great features, sounds drive me nuts after a while. Virtually no breakdowns or gremlins. If you follow the forums, everyone complains about command this or dcs that. I just run'em and enjoy'em!

I don't run conventional, but I think you will be surprised at the number of folks here that do. I would say there are a lot of them and many are conventional only.

We run all conventional and most of our engines are MTH PS-2 with a few 3s, One Lionel that is newer and had to add a battery in it to keep sounds constant.  I found it was easy for my son and I to run and it keeps you at the helm when running them.  All our sidings are on block sections so you park one engine, turn that block off then turn another block section on and you are ready to roll with a new engine.  Nick   

I still do,but only at Conventions!

 

Mike Maurice

I've had TMCC (I think I have a practically brand new command base and CAB-1 sitting in the box) and also some PS2/3 locos. However, as my interest has turned towards building a postwar-style layout I run just about all conventional these days.

 

Love my PW ZW!   

Conventional only! I can't afford the fancy items, so I buy used PW and MPC era stuff. I've learned how to service them, and have 60+ year old engines running like a dream. Tube track too.

 

For my meager 9'x11' layout, two Type V transformers is enough.

I run conventional only current with two loops running independently on 

MTH z1000 transformers. I love to upgrade to a MTHz4000 but at 500.00

Canadian not going to happen. THerefore this winter I will be cleaning 

out under the layout and adding bus bars for accessory power and running

them off a z500 and running the trains on the z1000's only 

I have a small dog bone layout that I run my Polar Express passenger train  conventionally and another small oval that I run my "Peanuts" passenger set in convention also. Everything else is command control.

I run conventional and TMCC/Legacy.

 

When I run conventional, I use a TPC and run the locos with a CAB-1 or a CAB-1L. No transformer handles on either my home layout or most of the ones at the mall.

I run both. I have three main loop which can be electrically isolated or electrically common. I can run TMCC or conventional on one or two or all three or any combination.

They'll take my ZW when they pry it from my cold dead fingers!

 

Jerry

I run conventional, traditional, electro-mechanical, old school trains and only such trains.

 

No chips, no boards, no errors. LOL

 

I run conventional.  While I own Legacy and DCS systems, I mainly run my locomotives conventionally.

I run conventional only.  When I put my layout together out in the garage, I figured it was a temporary setup...someday in the near future we'd move to a bigger house with a large basement or train room.  So why should I invest in an elaborate track plan and and expensive remote control system?  Well, here it is eight years later....and still running conventional out in the garage!  

 

- Mike

I run nine trains, all conventional, and three trains as Lionel-Plus, radio controlled.

 

Only run conventional, as others have said after a while the sounds run together an to me become annoying to me.  For those that like it (the bells and whistles) this has got to be the best time to be in our wonderful hobby.

Yep when I'm alone. More relaxing. Lionel remotes are the thing when there is company, I can  keep an eye on the  trains and chat. Although Legacy does run better with remotes.

Sure.  You just don't hear as much about it on the forum because we don't have the troubles and questions about it.

I go both ways but you'll catch me running DCS most of the time.

I run 100% conventional.  I really like it that way, and so does my wallet.

Roger,

IMHO Keep it conventional, you'll be much happier. The trains are cheaper plus you don't have to worry about electronics.

Yes I run only conventional.  

 

Why?  I like it that way. My RR - my rules.

 

BaltimoreTrainWorks, I totally agree! ZW's forever. conventional here in Temecula wine country.

Jerry, my Mom's childhood areas were Chestertown and Betterton, do these little towns still exist? She was a graduate of Washington College 39'!

 

 

Conventional layouts can also be made to be quite complex, as I'm sure you probably know. Some pretty neat things can be done with just relays and timers and things, such as forum member Dale H has posted here many times. I don't run conventional, but along with my command control I do find that sort of thing being done conventionally very fascinating. Maybe I will attempt something like that someday, it does sound like fun.

I only run conventional for both my Postwar and modern engines on three separate loops of track. On one loop I run my postwar engines with an old ZW and my modern engines with a MTH Z1000 on another loop.  For my MTH subways, I run with another MTH Z1000 and a third separate subways only loop of track. All my MTH subways are either PS2 or PS3 which I also run conventionally. The subways are almost always run in conventional "auto mode" which lets me run them automatically.

I also have many PS 2 and 3 locomotives. I used to use the DCS remote until it went south on me a a couple of attempts to have MTH fix it failed. I now run everything in conventional and I love it but eventually I will invest in a Legacy system so I can run more than 1 train but there is nothing wrong with conventional at all.

I have TMCC but more and more I find myself running conventional either with the Cab 1 or trusty PW ZW. fewer commands and buttons for the old brain to remember. In conventional I can still get cruise control with my PS2 and Odyssey engines. I don't care about the lost functions that come with running conventional

Conventional....electronics works for TV's. cell phones, autos, washers and dryers,

etc.  Wonder why it doesn't for model trains?  Autos, such as off-road SUV's, seem

able to handle a few bumps, knocks, and rough handling.

I do currently.  I'll be building a shelf layout in the bedroom, that'll be conventional.  When I get around to building the main layout int he back room, that'll be made to run Legacy and/or conventional

On my  25x25 "dream layout" on which I am slowly working, the upper level will be conventional only.  The lower level which is longer and 0-72 minimum radius, will be TMCC only.  I have 4 TMCC engines and over twice as many pre-war  and PS-1 and PS-2 engines that I will run conventional.  I plan to gradually convert some of those to TMCC so they can run on the lower level as well.  I'd love to run the near mint 1951  2343 ABA warbonnet "growler" on the long wide radius in TMCC.  Debating whether to convert with ERR or just look for a TMCC ATSF A or B unit with more quiet can motors. That way I could also likely run a longer consist.

 

I wanted to keep my wiring simple and the cost down so I chose to stay away from using TPC's to run both conv. and TMCC on the same routes.  I did that on my "carpet central" when TMCC first came out.  I have plenty of room now and can run to my satisfaction and keep them separate.

I run both legacy and conventional. I had the legacy set a full year before I used it.  The 90 page manual seemed overwhelming and for my small layout it was overkill.  However, it does bring out the best in legacy engines.  I run conventional when running conventional engines.