Post by LiveSteamer on May 7, 2007 18:27:50 GMT -5
The majority of the methods that are in use to control model trains fall into two general categories. These are called cab control and command control.
Cab Control is the most common system and conceptually the most simple even though there are incredibly complex implementations out there. Your typical starter set with a power pack and a circle of track is cab control in its least complicated form.
Cab control simply means that one or more power packs of some kind are used to control one or more sections of track. All the engines on a particular section of track are controlled together by the power pack, or cab, that is currently connected to that section. Often an elaborate switching system is wired to sequentially route power to sections of track such that an individual train remains controlled by a single power pack as it traverses many sections of track.
Cab control has the advantage of simplicity and low cost. No fancy electronics are necessary to make it work. No modifications to locomotives are required. Troubleshooting is relatively easy.
Cab control has two serious disadvantages. One is that different trains on a single section of track respond to the same commands. This severely limits operational flexibility. The second is that the methods that are used to switch control between track sections usually require a lot of manual intervention in the form of flipping switches. This can get to be a real drag and can seriously detract from the enjoyment of running trains.
Command Control gets around these two problems through circuitry that allows engine control commands to be sent directly to an engine (or group of engines in an MU consist) independently of all other engines. There are many implementations of command control, many involve direct radio control of a track powered, live steam, or battery powered locomotives. Others transmit commands to a locomotive via the track itself in one of several different formats. Command control allows each locomotive to be run all over a layout without worrying about flipping cab switches. Individual trains can run at different speeds or even different directions anywhere on the layout without regard to other trains (cornfield meets notwithstanding).
One common feature of command control is that each engine carries some form of command receiver that controls the motor (or throttle in the case of live steam) of a locomotive in response to commands directed to that particular locomotive. This adds a level of electronics complexity not usually found in cab control.
Cab Control is the most common system and conceptually the most simple even though there are incredibly complex implementations out there. Your typical starter set with a power pack and a circle of track is cab control in its least complicated form.
Cab control simply means that one or more power packs of some kind are used to control one or more sections of track. All the engines on a particular section of track are controlled together by the power pack, or cab, that is currently connected to that section. Often an elaborate switching system is wired to sequentially route power to sections of track such that an individual train remains controlled by a single power pack as it traverses many sections of track.
Cab control has the advantage of simplicity and low cost. No fancy electronics are necessary to make it work. No modifications to locomotives are required. Troubleshooting is relatively easy.
Cab control has two serious disadvantages. One is that different trains on a single section of track respond to the same commands. This severely limits operational flexibility. The second is that the methods that are used to switch control between track sections usually require a lot of manual intervention in the form of flipping switches. This can get to be a real drag and can seriously detract from the enjoyment of running trains.
Command Control gets around these two problems through circuitry that allows engine control commands to be sent directly to an engine (or group of engines in an MU consist) independently of all other engines. There are many implementations of command control, many involve direct radio control of a track powered, live steam, or battery powered locomotives. Others transmit commands to a locomotive via the track itself in one of several different formats. Command control allows each locomotive to be run all over a layout without worrying about flipping cab switches. Individual trains can run at different speeds or even different directions anywhere on the layout without regard to other trains (cornfield meets notwithstanding).
One common feature of command control is that each engine carries some form of command receiver that controls the motor (or throttle in the case of live steam) of a locomotive in response to commands directed to that particular locomotive. This adds a level of electronics complexity not usually found in cab control.
BNSF Forever!!