Heck, I guess lower hi tech is appropriate and fitting since I'm way beyond obsolete. 

 

Sold DCS long ago, sold Legacy recently. TMCC/Conventional reigns with backup Cab 1L.

Three comments:

 

1) Why do you have to have the newest technology?  Is is really necessary?  What does it get you?  I don't use them, but Legacy and DCS work quite well once fussed over, fitted to the layout, and with bugs worked out.  Stay with it.  

 

2)  I like to run conventional - that is very old technology, and still a lot of fun.  Nothing else like it, and it is the only universal operating system: it runs everything.

 

3) Of course, when I run Lionchief Plus, I am using the latest technology.

Yep, I agree with you there; I run conventional. I have no interest in digitization or electronics for my trains, and to be honest I find most loco-fitted sound gimmicks annoying. Couple of throttles and simple block control is all the complication I want. If my loco electronics died, I would probably bypass everything and go with a simplified e-unit and motor.

I'm not a Luddite, and to each his own; I just prefer to relax with my hobby and not deal with problems from equipment that, for me, is mostly non-user serviceable and too much like a day-job.

I agree....I recently constructed my first layout this summer...conventional...last time I played with trains before that was as a kid in my attic with my dad's stuff from the 50's and that was all I knew in the mid-late 70's as a kid and it was purely magical stuff...hands on the throttle...smell of ozone.  

 

When I recently made the choice to do this again with my young son and took the post-war lionel stuff out of storage, I intended to run conventional only...added some WBB in postwar classics..and then I caved and just added my first NYC Hudson lionchief + before Chrtistams.  I love my lionchief+ !!!! The idea and execution by
Lionel is great...especially for a toy train guy like me (I admire hi-rail and scale guys abilities but it is not my passion) as Lionchief + has both a simple affordable remote system with cruise and the classic conventional option in the same package.   I will be adding more...got my eye on the New Haven EF4 maybe for pre-order and would love to see more postwar classics in my preferred roads like a B&M gp9, a New Haven EP5, or NYC F3s... with lioncheif+.

 

I'm still using the same flip-phone I had when I first visited your layout Gary... so I guess this thread doesn't really apply...

 

Jon  

Gary,

the Luddite in me wants to know how this type of technological upgrade would enhance my experience while playing with my mechanical/windup trains?

 

Dave

 

Still trying to get built my 3 level layout. When finished someday it will have 3 separate tracks for 3 trains & a separate track for a trolley. All conventional operation.  Track 1 will only be on level 1, Track 2 will run on both levels 1 & 2 & use same section of track area for incline/decline, speed will be controlled by use of a MTH PS2 locomotive.  Track 3 will run on level 2 only and the trolley will run on level 3 only. I have been derailed from working on it lately due to rotator cuff surgery in Dec 2014 & right knee scope done 3 days ago for 2 meniscus tears in the right knee. Had left knee scoped for meniscus tears Jan 2014. Physical Therapy & doing the excercises at home have been keeping me too busy. All my curves are O-31 Realtrax or Fastrack O-36 so no need for the high tech stuff for me as it's a small layout but it's all the space I got for it.

I was in the same boat as you Jon, until Santa got me a Ipad and smart phone.  How did I live without them before.

It's possible that there's a smartphone app that gives you precise key-winding diagrams to allow the trains to stop precisely at the next station on the layout. Or you could do what the old Brits did on their clockwork timetables and just draw it on a sheet of paper.

Simplicity! Give me the buzz of the e unit and ozone from the old postwar motors! Hey, it's outdated technology, but they make me happy. Isn't that the goal of our hobby in the first place? 

Keep thee away technology!!!  After working in a tech job almost all my life I want nothing to do with it in the train room.

Even my cell phone, wife says I need one, is a 2005 Razor......too much tech.

What is this "outdated technology" nonsense. I see nothing outdated about a steady hand on the throttle and a keen eye on the track !!

What is possible today and I would bet not anymore expensive than what we have now is a Wifi module installed in every engine, operating accessory, etc etc.  Get your wifi equipped engine connected to you home network and run your trains via your smart phone, tablet, computer and what have you.  No need for operating systems and boy you have the starting of common operating standard in O gauge.

 

Well build and market it...otherwise this whole thread is a moot point.

I know people that have to have every new phone, every new this and that. I already see guys running trains with their finger on a pad screen, I'm not sure that I will ever reach that level. For now I am completely happy with a remote in my hand. And when running trains alone it's mostly by pushing those old ZW handles.

I have DCS and Legacy and both work great for me. I have run MTH trains on a tablet and phone but both aren't for me. I like the feel of buttons and when I pick up either remote they work plain and simple.   I do have an IPad and IPhone and I like both and use both frequently but to run trains I like my hand held remotes just fine! 

 But then I would have to purchase a smart phone and relocate to an area where it would work as well as commit myself to a 2 year contract with a provider. 

 Thank You, but No Thank You!

Doing it the Brit's way would negate the need for the "updated technology",

but it's way too anal for me.

 

Dave

If and when I get my train room underway my plan is to get either an old crank phone or something from the late 40s early 50s phone (think Clark Kents phone on his desk) to use in the room. I realize the crank will need upgraded innards but I'm going to keep that as simple as possible. I think it will appeal to the rooms atmosphere. I've even got an old advertising thermometer from 1940 to hang on the wall that I found in the wall of an old house we were rehabbing in Baltimore.

 

Jerry

 

 

While I like my Android tablet for surfing the interwebs from the comfort of my recliner, I would not want to replace my conventional transformers with it for running my trains. Part of what got me interested in 3 rail O gauge trains was the ancient technology. Mechanical E-units, air whistles, open frame motors, bulky transformers, and not a chip or board anywhere. Just the pure joy of running electric trains. If the latest technology turns you on, go for it, but don't wait for me to jump in with you! LOL. 

The more complicated it gets to run something the more aggravated I get and it is not fun anymore. Lately I've had a lot less fun..............

When we had a layout we were pleased as punch with a legacy and DCS.

Everybody wants to run their entire lives in IPads and smartphones.

i'm no Luddite, but . . .

You cannot fart on an IPhone.

 

 

 

I am 80 years old and running my trains with KW's,  ZW's, SP and DP switches and push buttons just the way I dreamed of in the late 40's and early 50's as I stood and watched the department store layouts at Christmas, knowing my family could not afford a train set.

 

To me memories are much more important than modern technology.

 

And I love it!!!!!

 

Jim Lawson

Because we can

i run my technology from 1950.  from transformer to track to train.

I have no interest in running my trains from my iPhone or iPad. I have mild interest in Lionel's LCS using an iPad in a fixed position to operate a yard, but not enough interest to rip up my yard to install sensor track and the hardware to command control the switches. 

 

The CAB-2 is fine for me (and my granddaughter) to control trains. My switches are operated from classic control panels. 

 

As as others have said; it works and works well. I have no need for anything new. 

Hi Gary from Gary

    I read your posting two times, but I am a Toy Train Layout and the photo shows what I am using now. For the short term, I have four large main lines,  I will have one controller for each main line if I ad one more LionChief Plus.  I find it very confusing to run four engines on the MTH / DCS at the same time. I will look into what is next, but I think one controller for each locomotive is the way I want to go.  If I have guest in the train room, they all get a hands on experience. Not all sharing my smart phone.

This thread confirms that Bachmann's decision to go HO first was a wise decision.....

 

If you really wanted to use retro technology then hook up some wet cell batteries and use a rheostat. A transformer would be a quantum leap in operating technology.

Hi Jack,

 

     I can't wait for the Bluetooth; I am all for it.  For whatever reason, the Bluetooth is ruffling a few feathers.  I think Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell felt a similar resistance.

 

Take care, Joe.

"Bachmman has it right, a bluetooth receiver in every engine connected straight to your tablet, or smart phone."

 

The problem there is touch screen technology. Moving your finger along a glass screen is a very different tactile feel than moving a knob of some sort... And for that matter, not "railroady".

 

Integrating modern technology into an O gauge train control device is a fine idea, but the control system should be some form of "hands on".

 

 

Young people are very comfortable using a touchscreen.  In fact, they prefer it to push-buttons and knobs.  

 

Take care, Joe

Hmmm...

No one wants to control trains from their ipad or phone but none of you are viewing this forum on a mono-chromatic screen or typing your replies into a Apple IIe. 

 

If you havent been following the technology folks are putting into their homemade robots and drones, the same hardware will fit into O gauge trains. 

The hardware is not expensive, under $100. Its the hours of programming thats expensive. 

For the DIY type of person, those hours are free. 

I constantly read threads on this forum bemoaning the fact that young people would rather spend time on their smart devices than getting involved with model railroading. What better way to get them involved and make model trains a contemporary toy again ?!?

Just a little info. The bachman bluetooth system uses DCC to operate the train. DCC has been around for years. It will not be installing just Bluetooth to run your engine

The Bachmann EZ-app is not DCC. It uses a program developed specifically to utilize a Bluetooth signal from a smart device to run the locomotive. It has nothing to do with DCC.   

I'm happy with my trains now, I run tmcc/legacy. I'm having fun and not looking to install the newest thing but technology moves on. Everything improves with time or at least it should. 

 

If wifi or blue tooth become the next big thing does not mean I have to jump into it. Once it works it self out I'll look into it to see if it for me. 

 

Have fun, don't sweat the things you can't control.

 

"Why are we running our trains with outdated technology?"

 

  Because toy trains are an oldschool product?  Makes perfect sense that some folks running a 1937 loco would want to use matching control technology. There's always some not happy with the status quo and they'll eventually get new products to please them but I wouldn't worry about it or consider it the mainstream O gauge  focus. I think a lot of hobbyists are quite happy with their childhood trains and power systems? To me the question is kinda like equestrians wondering why they don't market robotic leg replacements to make their horses faster? ....DaveB

I agree with what Dave wrote above.  I think, that unlike TVs or computers where one throws away old outdated equipment, any new technology would have to be backward compatible. No one throws away older trains. This kind of locks the technology in so to speak because no one will want to retrofit their entire locomotive fleet.

 

I've often read that the O gauge users of Command Control be it TMCC, Legacy, or DCS are in the minority. I believe around 30-35%. While I understand what Gary is saying the problem is I don't think it is worth it for Lionel or MTH to invest a lot of money into R&D for something that less than half of the folks in one of smallest gauges (population wise as compared to HO and N) might want. And reading the above comments you can see that even some of the Command Control guys are happy with what they have.

Now that's interesting, I thought it would be the other way around.....

quote:

Now that's interesting, I thought it would be the other way around

 

Consider how many traditionally controlled trains are still out there. Lionel trains with knuckle couplers have been on the market since 1945, with a very good survival rate. A lot of folks get started using their families heirloom trains. For Most folks an 8 by 12 layout would be considered large.

 

I like to think of model railroading and train collecting as being a wide, inclusive hobby. There is lots of room to enjoy the hobby many different ways.