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.