Odyssey Speed Control On or Off - Why?

Probably for TMCC backwards compatability. There was TMCC before there was Odyssey, so it enables you to run old engines with new ones by turning it off.

I would like to remove the switch; since Legacy, I can't think of a time I turn off the switch.  I think it is there for historical reasons; but maybe the conventional operators will feel more "connected" to the loco operation with the switch off...?

Only time I've ever turned off the oddysey switch is on first gen Speed Control engines that had the Lurch...

I know I've never even considered turning off the Odyssey switch on my Legacy stuff, that's a feature I find mandatory.   I've added cruise to anything I can, since at the club we get multiple consist's running on a single track, not having cruise would make that difficult to impossible with one operator!

Another point...

When doing repairs I've also turned off the cruise switch to check for a behavior difference, but not for general running.

I might be in the minority here.  But if the loco is geared correctly, has a torquey motor, and reasonable, consistent coasting action, I actually like the feel of conventional control.

If it's possible Jon, what I would like to do is turn Cruise off and on remotely from the Cab2. Off for "manual" switching operations and jockeying the loco, and "On" for show running, or running on graded loops etc. unattended.

I really think it comes down to actively "running" a train vs. turning it on and letting it run.  Also the size of the layout, how good the track and electrical work is, presence of grades, etc.  Traditional postwar steam suffers from a LOT of speed variation.  That's where some type of cruise control would have the most benefit.  But modern, can-motored locos geared for modest speeds fare pretty well on their own. My $.02, thanks for asking! 

The Odyssey on/off switch was added in response to users who objected to the original Odyssey's habit of "hunting and searching" while running. It was a rather jerky version of speed control.

It was also there for compatibility when MU-ing with other TMCC locos.

I may be wrong here and not understanding how you are using engine. For fast response time while jockeying I just hit the momentum button, the low setting. Throttle action is instant it seems. If I'm running several trains on same track I usually use a momentum setting of 5. If only running a train or two I enjoy on high momentum. Again I may be misunderstanding what your doing. 

So it seems like there are a few reasons one might switch off OSC, one of which is out of date (and maybe the original reason).

• Erratic performance on original Odyssey (doesn't sound like it's needed in Odyssey 2.
• A like for the old style "feel".
• MU'ing with TMCC engines.  I thought when you did this the MU took on the characteristics of TMCC so wouldn't the speed control be negated?

I was hoping Mikado might chime in with a comment.  Are we missimg something?

I can tell you the real answer.  First I bought the first 2 Lionel Lionmaster Series of steam loco's.  They had no on/off switch.  I am a conventional operator.  They would not run properly in conventional.  After sending my Challenger back to Lionel 3 times only to have the same problems, jerky running, lights coming on and off, etc.  I had a long disscusion with Mr. Z of Lionel at a York show.  He finally admitted to me that even though Lionel said they would operate in conventional as well as command(mine ran perfectly in command) they were really designed to operate at 18 volts in the command mode.  Aftter many attemps to fix my 3 loco's it was decided that the only way I was ever going to be happy was to turn off the Oydesey speed control.  Only problem was that the board that deals with this could not be turned off with the Cab 1.  Having no on/off switch either the only recourse was to replace that board with one that could be addressed with the Cab 1.  That's what we did and now I can turn off the Oydesey system or turn it on with the Cab 1.  Starting with the 4th edition of the Lion Master locos Lionel added a on/off switch.  Now there have been many improvments to the Oydesey system so it might not be needed.  I wish I could remember the year all this went down but it was as I stated during the time when the LIon Master series first started, with the UP Challenger, then the PRR T-1.

Paul Edgar

I have a lot of Odyssey engines and never had the lurch and since using the Legacy system to control them they even work better.  The only issue I have had was the exploding magnet.  

The only GOOD reason to have speed control of any kind is to handle grades. I prefer to keep that annoing thing turned off. When I turn that big red knob I want the engine to move and not sit there and think about it. Sure you can adjust this and that and keep playing around but I would rather it did what I told it to when I tell it to. If I want a train to start and stop slowly or change speed slowly I just move that knob slowly.

Does a real engine have speed control or does the engineer need to adjust the throtle?

Al

I run all conventional, but will occasionally pick up a locomotive with modern electronics if I can get it used or very cheap--most recently, a Chessie Alco S-4 (6-28548).  With the Odyssey switch ON it runs noticably slower, even with full voltage to the track.  I figure Odyssey wasn't REALLY designed to be used under conventional, and a lot of what I've read from more experienced runners seems to confirm that.  That switch is always in the OFF position for me.

I applaud Lionel trying to make products backward compatible, as it shows a genuine care for those who have previously invested.  However, I wish I had the option of buying a "conventional version" of new products.  I understand why that's not a reality from a business standpoint, but it would certainly motivate me to buy new power from current catalogs rather than 20-30 year old stuff from the internet and train shows.

The reason that Odyssey seems to run slower for the same throttle settings is because it does.  The reasoning is pretty simple.  If they ran wide open for a given throttle setting, there's be no reserve power to maintain the set speed for hills or curves.  To make that happen, hold some power in reserve until it's needed in conventional mode.  In command mode, since you always have maximum power on the tracks, that's not necessary.

You apparently don't run Legacy, because when I turn the red knob, I get immediate movement, there is no delay.  There is some delay with some cruise control versions, TAS EOB comes to mind, as does the K-Line cruise on a couple of my engines.