Driving Conventional

Conventional all of the time for me, Arnold.

Pull the levers and make 'em go!

I love to run my prewar and post war.  But there is a spot in my roster for a couple LC+ steamers too.

Bill

Arnold: I run all my post War and PS1 conventional and enjoy just don't do it enough. Most of the time I am running for friends and they like the big steam ie: Big Boy, Y6 and A along with the J and S1 amongst the few and there are several more so my conventional time is limited. Beside currently all my Post War need to be cleaned and service before being run again and getting the turntable and whisker tracks functional has been my biggest headache.

Not me. As a smaller operator, I'd run conventional until about 5 years ago. Then switched to Lionel's Base 1L and 2 Cab1Ls. I like the constant 18 volts to the track and being able to walk around the layout with a remote in hand. 😉

I still like to run conventional. Something about hand on the transformer handle reminds me of running trains when I was a kid and had my Dad's postwar & MPC stuff

Never ran my LC+2.0/Legacy stuff conventionally but I love to run my grandpa's postwar turbine conventionally. I love how it shakes the table and rumbles and clinks along with the growl of the motor. It's a beautiful thing.

A point of information…

We do not “drive” trains here in the USA. We “run” trains here.

If I have a command-equipped train on my layout, I run it in command mode. May as well, that's why I paid for the upgrade. However, I still enjoy running my prewar conventional trains, but not from behind the transformer; instead, I use my Z4000 remote. It's the best of both worlds: the reliability of conventional operation and the freedom to control my trains from anywhere around the layout.

Three pedals, no infotainment screen, Rand McNally wedged between the center console and the passenger's seat. Let's hit the road, and find the rails.

David

@Rich Melvin posted:

A point of information…

We do not “drive” trains here in the USA. We “run” trains here.

Rich, I concede that you, who are much more of a real train and model train expert than I will ever be, are probably right about this. However, I say POETIC LICENSE trumps that. LOL.

Again. from the chorus of my model train song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), which you all can access on YouTube by plugging my name in the YouTube search box. n

Now, let's all sing along:

"Drivin' diesel, drivin' steam

Clickity clack, down the tracks, of my dreams."

OK, Arnold. You are such a prolific contributor here, I guess I’ll have to grant you that “poetic license.”

When does that license expire?  😂

@Rich Melvin posted:

A point of information…

We do not “drive” trains here in the USA. We “run” trains here.

Rich:  But you do drive airplanes!!!!!! This is from a aircraft Maintenance guy

As I remember it, we drive cars and trucks, we run locomotives, and we fly airplanes. 🤔

While I have a few TMCC-equipped locomotives and one PS-2, the majority of my roster consists of Pre-War with some modern conventional units.  As such, I’m using my Cab 1 and a Powermaster without the Command Base for conventional running: simple and straightforward.  I find the proliferation of digital (within the O gauge realm, at least) to be confusing and somewhat frustrating in terms of compatibility of control systems, etc.  (I DO have a small Maerklin HO layout that is controlled with their Central Station, which not only recognizes Maerklin’s various decoders, but also DCC-equipped locomotives from other manufacturers with no concerns.)

@NKP Muncie posted:

Three pedals, no infotainment screen, Rand McNally wedged between the center console and the passenger's seat. Let's hit the road, and find the rails.

David

No accurate multi-state weather reports, AC or cruise control either.  Up to 700 miles a day with a car ful of kids in the heat and blizzards.

I have many postwar engines.  A handful of command and lionchief with 1 PS1.   I do like the powermaster for the conventional.  Seems to be the best of both worlds for me.   Grandkids aren't shy with the Cab2 as they were with the transformer controls.  It looks like a big cell phone to them. 

I like model train operator.

Charlie

@RJT posted:

Rich:  But you do drive airplanes!!!!!! This is from a aircraft Maintenance guy

No...IFLY airplanes. A King Air 350.

Well...I used to. 

@Rich Melvin posted:

No...IFLY airplanes. A King Air 350.

Well...I used to. 

I knew that and that is why I made the Smart  A45 comment. No disrespect meant as an ASI there has always been along running fun tease between OPS and AW.

Hey man, there is something just inherently fun about having full control of your train where you get instantaneous feedback from the movement of the throttle. I also remember growing up I build some pretty elaborate layouts With Automatic speed control, Automatic train, stopping and all done with the relays and mechanical contacts. I do enjoy the new TMCC but sometimes it’s old school all the way.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Do you still enjoy drivin' your conventional trains from the transformer throttle? If so, tell us about it. Arnold

Looking at the number of locomotives that have had their electronics removed, I'm considering running them on straight DC in stead of putting in more electronics.

Lou N

Depends on the engine......conventional, Blue Tooth, TMCC/Legacy and DCS.

Peter

I prefer to operate my model train layout trains with conventional control but that is only part of operating the layout.  The layout required two Actionable Touch Track Diagram Control Panels to allow finding where the track switch push buttons are for a particular track switch, which is a real problem when you have 31 of them.  Add in another 50 or so switches for track sections, 2 trains on 1 track systems, lights, transformers, operating accessories, horns, whistles, etc. and one can see the need for control panels.

In additional to the two control panels are the three Lionel LW train control transformers that can allow 1, 2 or 3 transformers to control the trains.  All the transformers and switches on the two control panels makes the operator(s) feel like they are in control of everything.  Up to 5 trains can be controlled to run dozens of routes all controlled by operators giving a sense of power and satisfaction.  Very similar to operating a large oil refinery or chemical plant.

I also enjoy driving a stick shift automobile much more than an automatic transmission.

Charlie

@Rich Melvin posted:

No...IFLY airplanes. A King Air 350.

Well...I used to. 

Interesting, Rich. I too, like gunrunnerjohn, used to fly decades ago. I, along with 2 other partners, held joint ownership in a Beech A36 Bonanza and the wife and kids loved it. Ah, the memories. Those were the days.

Beech’s King Air 350 is a lot of airplane. I’m assuming that’s what’s behind you in your photo and was for company use? 🤔 Those things aren’t exactly cheap to fly.

I was a free-lance corporate pilot, flying several different King Airs for several different companies. I flew the C90A, C90B, and B200GT models, and was type-rated in the 350. Most of my King Air time is in the 350, and yes, that is a 350 in my Avatar. It is the aircraft I made my last flight in and retired on in 2019.

I hold the world Ground Speed Record in a King Air 350. 507 knots over the ground (538 mph) with a 170 knot tailwind over Dayton, Ohio back in 2018. I miss it...

@Rich Melvin posted:

I was a free-lance corporate pilot, flying several different King Airs for several different companies. I flew the C90A, C90B, and B200GT models, and was type-rated in the 350. Most of my King Air time is in the 350, and yes, that is a 350 in my Avatar. It is the aircraft I made my last flight in and retired on in 2019.

I hold the world Ground Speed Record in a King Air 350. 507 knots over the ground (538 mph) with a 170 knot tailwind over Dayton, Ohio back in 2018. I miss it...

Impressive, Rich! A free-lance corporate pilot. Wow. You must have at least 10 times the number of hours that I have. And your speed record in the 350 is amazing!

Thank you for sharing that and I miss flying as well.

At the risk of deviating from the topic at hand, I will say for the record that my logbook records 3000 hours of flight time as a commercial pilot and flight instructor - from long ago. It complemented my work as an aeronautical engineer on airplanes and helicopters.

As far as "driving conventional," I drove standard-shift cars from the time I began driving until recently, when I modernized with hybrids.

This goes along with operating two O gauge layouts conventionally.

MELGAR

Also, at the risk of deviating from this thread’s topic, I’d just like to say wow! Nice going, MELGAR. 👍

We probably have several pilots and former pilots here on the forum. Awesome!

I guess I'll be responsible for a little more "thread drift" with this post. My apologies to the OP. 

My last flight was in April 2019. It started in Fort Myers, Florida. We flew to Key West to pick up the owner and his wife, then to Memphis to pick up his son and daughter-in-law. By the time we got back home to Youngstown, Ohio, it was about 11 pm. My family from Columbus - a three hour drive away - was there to meet me with this sign!

^{LEFT to RIGHT - Yours truly, the Lovely and Gracious Linda (my wife), grandson Matthew and granddaughter Kathryn, grandson Nathaniel, son-in-law Bob, and my daughter Carrie.}

I had just over 3,500 total flights, but I would have to look in my logbook to refresh my mind on my total time. I just don't remember.

Here's a little better shot of that 350. Big props and 1,050 hp per engine. This was taken on the ramp in Muncie, Indiana, as a strong weather front was passing through.

We enjoyed quite a sunset that night.

</thread drift off> 

NYCTA Motormen operate their trains.

I thought the airplane flies and the pilot and passengers ride in the flying airplane.

Charlie

Nice photos, Rich and an awesome comemmoration. 👍

@Rich Melvin posted:

I guess I'll be responsible for a little more "thread drift" with this post. My apologies to the OP. 

My last flight was in April 2019. It started in Fort Myers, Florida. We flew to Key West to pick up the owner and his wife, then to Memphis to pick up his son and daughter-in-law. By the time we got back home to Youngstown, Ohio, it was about 11 pm. My family from Columbus - a three hour drive away - was there to meet me with this sign!

[snip]

</thread drift off> 

@Rich Melvin, those are gorgeous photos, and that is a great story. Are you done driving planes altogether or just done driving them professionally? At what age did you start driving planes?

P.s. I drive most of my trains conventially, but I do have a couple of LC/LC+ locomotives. My drives his trains with LC/LC+, but has learned how to drive mine conventionally.

P.p.s I learned to pilot a car with a stick shift and clutch, but now I almost always run cars with automatic transmissions.

Arnold, I agree with your original post, and although I am well over-immersed in the PS2, 3 and Legacy stuff,  I do still get out the Post-war locomotive of my childhood. Two thumbs up to Arnold! It also has the added emotional and health benefit [sic] derived from OZONE!!

Now, I DO have to ask this, since a friend of mine is the Harbor Steerer in one of New England's finer seaports: Clearly, we do not "fly" ships, but do we "run" them or "drive" them??? LOL

I'd say he "Pilots" a ship, but I'm too embarrassed to ask him! That, of course with the aid of Tugboats being "Operated."

BTW: the foundation of my Project Management career was based on being a Licensed Master Poetic!

Cheers!!

@Matt_GNo27 posted:

@Rich Melvin, those are gorgeous photos, and that is a great story. Are you done driving planes altogether or just done driving them professionally? At what age did you start driving planes?

I never “drove” an aircraft, but I did “fly” a lot of them.

I got my Private Pilot license in 1983, and my commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings in 1984. In the 80s and 90s I flew a lot of different Cessna twins, mostly the 310, 414, and 421 models. In the 90s I owned a Ted Smith Aerostar Superstar 700 that was registered as N765. I started flying King Airs in the mid-90s.

The fight pictured above was the last time I was in an aircraft. I have fully retired from flying. The only thing I pilot now is our motor home.

@Rich Melvin posted:

Nice!  What year is that Mandalay?   I've been looking at various Class A to buy

@EscapeRocks posted:

Nice!  What year is that Mandalay?   I've been looking at various Class A to buy

Check your email...

@Rich Melvin posted:

The flight pictured above was the last time I was in an aircraft. I have fully retired from flying. The only thing I pilot now is our motor home.

Do you miss piloting a plane? I still miss many parts of my job and I have been retired from the transit agency for ten years this July.

@PRRMP54 posted:

Do you miss piloting a plane?

Yes... 

@Rich Melvin posted:

Check your email...

Thank you!!

Arnold D. Cribari: Boy, talk about a hijacked thread. I could be the one to blame for initially responding to Melvin's post, then too much aviation stuff.

Sorry, Arnold. 😔