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[edit] Definition

A throttle (or Cab if referring the analog) is a way to control the locomotives and other aspects of the layout (turnouts, animation, lighted passenger cars, etc).

There are many types of throttles available, with some features overlapping various types. The range of throttle types ranges from stationary, tethered (throttle connected via wires), memory walk-around, and tetherless - no wires - uses infrared and radio. Each of these can be anything from full-featured to simple basic throttles, but not necessarily with all the other options. Lets break this down.

[edit] Stationary

Lets use the MRC Command 2000 type command station for this example. This is a stationary unit with three throttles. If you're going to have others run trains with you, everyone will have to crowd around the base unit. It should be noted that with this system, you purchase up to two walk-around throttles. MRC's Command 2000 walk-arounds have two throttles each; however because of the architecture, both throttles on both walk-arounds control the same trains.

[edit] Tethered

A tethered throttle is like the Digitrax Big Boy master DT200, DT300, or DT400 throttles. It's on a seven-foot cord and must remain plugged in while trains are running. Most manufacturers won't tell you a throttle must stay plugged in. If they don't say "all walk-around", or something to that effect, you can expect at least one throttle to not be walk-around.

[edit] Memory walk-around

A memory walk-around must be plugged in to actually control the trains. However, you can unplug it to move the throttle to another location and plug it back in. During the time the throttle is unplugged, the train continues to run at the same speed and direction it was running when the throttle was unplugged. Be sure to check your system specifications before buying a DCC system if you want all your throttles to be "memory" walk-around.

• All of Digitrax's systems support this except for the Zephyr throttle.
• Digitrax's infrared throttles can also be used as a memory walk-around if you take them to a friend's layout that doesn't have an infrared system. Digitrax's radio throttles are both infrared and memory walk-around, they are the most versatile and will operate under any circumstance.

[edit] Tetherless

Tetherless, or wireless, throttles come in communicate either by radio or infrared. Each of these has two communication types: simplex and duplex. Simplex has one-way radio control. This means that there is only one way communication from the throttle to the DCC system. However, the throttle cannot receive any information back from the DCC system, or command station. The result is, that the throttle must be connected to the layout when selecting a locomotive since this action requires two way communication.

An example of why you need duplex communication to acquire a locomotive: Let's say the yard hostler has put a train together and leaves the loco running at 5% throttle for you to acquire and take out. The only way your throttle will know the locomotive is already running forward at 5% throttle is if it can get that information from the command station at the time you select it. This process requires two way communication. Once selected, only one way communication is required for you to control it.

Duplex (bi-directional) radio allows you to perform these functions without having to connect your throttle to the layout.

• Digitrax infrared and radio throttles are currently all simplex - that is they must be plugged into to acquire a new locomotive.
• Please list other wireless systems here that are simplex/duplex and if they are infrared and/or radio.

An infrared throttle works almost like a simplex radio throttle - the main difference being reception. Because it uses light signals, it won't have the range of the radio throttle. Also, you cannot use an infrared throttle outdoors as the light signals cannot compete with the sun. Also, depending on the layout of the room, your system may require more receivers in rooms that are not conducive to bouncing light signals around.

[edit] Computer

Computers can also act as throttles, controlling trains around your layout so that you can spend your time doing other things. Please see Connecting your computer to DCC for more details.

[edit] Misc

Some throttles have the capability of controlling more than one train at a time. Some throttles have more than one knob, or another method, which allows easy control more than one train at a time.

Some throttles have displays, some don't. However, those that don't usually have a way to tell what's going on with the train. With some throttles, there are wheels atop the throttle which lets you know which train you're controlling. You can tell the speed by simply looking at the knob.

Some throttles have one or more knobs for train control, some have buttons for train control, and some have knob(s) and buttons for train control.

[edit] Connecting throttles

Throttles are connected together using a throttle network. Please see the Throttle Network article for more information.

[edit] Hints

We need some people with experience on the systems to write these hints, especially the non-Digitrax stuff!

Here are links to each manufactuers "hints" page.

• EasyDCC Throttle Hints - EasyDCC specific throttle hints

• Digitrax Throttle Hints - Hints for specific Digitrax Throttles
  • DT100/DT100R
  • DT200
  • DT300/DT300R
  • DT400/DT400R
  • UT1
  • UT2
  • UT4/UT4R

• Lenz Thottle Hints - Lenz specific throttle hints

• NCE Throttle Hints - NCE specific throttle hints

[edit] See Also

• Throttle Network - How throttles are connected to a DCC system.
• Category