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Guys,

As you know, many of the mid grade to lower end transformers have a throttle consisting of a round dial facing the user, with an offset (eccentric) upright short handle, which is affixed to the side of the dial with a loose bolt.  Apparently, the intended operation is that the user grasp the short upright handle, and use it to rotate the dial in one direction or the other.

I have had these types of throttles on every transformer I've ever owned, even going back to the copper faced MRC "ThrottlePacks" I used for HO in the mid-1960s

But, for some reason, I have never operated the throttle by grabbing that little upright handle. My eyes are on the moving train, and my hand just naturally sits on top of the dial, and I rotate it by turning the dial itself right or left (like I am twirling a hockey puck). If you try to use the short handle, your wrist is unnaturally bent down at an awkward angle.

Anybody else do this?  Why even bother with the little handle?

Mannyrock

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Mannyrock you are so right. I have often wondered about this same thing.

I also do not use the little "knob", as it does not give me the accurate slow down or speed up calibration I need, especially with some loco's that don't have any coasting ability.

I don't know why the more modern transformers have this silly little side handle, my older Buco transformers (1950's) only have a single knob attached to the shaft, and are so much easier to use.

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Peter......Buco Australia

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