| Modifying
MRC Walkarounds An easy modification of your MRC Command
2000 Walkaround throttles will allow them to be used in pairs without interfering
with one another
Modifying the Command Station
Some simple changes to the command station allow you to use two additional
walkaround throttles.
Building Tethered Walkarounds
Use two of these with your modified command station to move throttles two
and three elsewhere on your layout. Optional extended low speed control
is ideal for switching.
Building Memory Walkarounds
Use two of these with your command station, modified or not, to replace
the memory walkarounds supplied by MRC.
Cords and Cables
Some guidance on extension cords and installing throttle stations.
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Model Rectifier Corporation's Command 2000 is a low cost, entry level
digital command control system. With it, you can simultaneously operate
up to five independent trains, each with its own throttle. Manufacturer's
hype that the system is capable of operating ten trains fails to mention
that at any given time, five of those trains will not be connected to a
throttle and therefore are not contollable by you. Further, they
do not explain that it is virtually impossible for you and four of your
friends to each operate a train simultaneously and independently.
Used as designed by MRC, one person can use one walkaround controller to
run two trains while two other people, crowded shoulder to shoulder at
the command station, can run three more trains between them. The
walkaround control can be moved from jack to jack around the layout without
stopping the trains it controls, allowing the user to follow his train(s)
over the whole layout. However, the operator(s) at the command station
can run trains only within sight of their fixed controls. These limitations
severely restrict the usefulness of the Command 2000 and reduce operating
session to little more than mindlessly running trains around in circles.
MRC insists on retaining these serious limitatioins. Examination
of a Command 2000 showed that some easy, inexpensive modifications would
allow five users to each have an independent throttle, allowing operating
sessions with up to five people. When approached with these ideas,
they said that they are producing what their customers want. It was
not what this customer wanted.
My home HO layout is designed to simultaneously run two through trains
from hidden yard to hidden yard, one is each direction. The trains
pick up and drop off cars in four towns between the hidden yards.
Switchers in three of these towns distribute and collect the cars.
Operating sessions require a minimum of five people and, of course, five
controllers. The Command 2000 system was attractive in terms of price,
and after making the modifications I suggested to MRC, it allows five of
us to each run a train simultaneously and independently. One person
operates a switcher from a fixed location (the command station), two of
us operate switchers in other towns by means of tethered walkaround throttles
(throttles that can be moved but not unplugged) and two of us operate through
trains with memory walkaround throttles (MRC walkarounds, or similar home
built units.) These modifications have worked well for me for over
two years. |
