November 20th- A Tale of Two Throttles...

Post date: Nov 23, 2014 12:18:23 AM

This evening we will tag along as Rob Robbins (No picture taken) uses two different throttles on two different trains.

WiThrottle with JMRI

The first throttle used will we the WiThrottle using JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface). The WiThrottle is available from Zemkies Unlimited at the AppStore for $ 9.95. Rob Robbins has assigned the throttle to channel 60 and will be running Train 810 from Elliott on the E-Branch to NoLaCRA Yard.

Here we see Texas, Colorado and Western unit 601 on the lead as Train 810 has left the hidden staging at Elliott and entered Eastman. The TC&W unit was a gift from Mark Eskew, a fellow modeler and friend who lives in Dallas, Texas.

Here we see Train 810 as it leaves Eastman and is crossing Black Bridge.

Train 810 is traveling through the wood on the E-Branch.

The trees are from Sweetwater Trees in Casper, Wyoming.

Train 810 is seen near a gravel road crossing on the E-Branch.

All of the towns on the E-Branch have names that start with the letter E.

The billboards are photos of actual billboards in and about Shreveport, Louisiana.

Train 810 has left Eagleton and is crossing the Sue Line mainline as it enters Maryville.

Maryville was named for my mother Mary Louise Kamm, who painted the

backdrop for the original Sue Line railroad which is downstairs and is becoming the 3rd District.

After passing through Maryville, Train 810 is seen crossing the Red River on Great Bridge.

Next, Train 810 crosses Mary Anne Bridge who was built by a great friend and modeler who lived in Wichita Falls, Texas and played football for Texas A&M when they wore leather helmets, Malcolm Vordenbaum.

Train 810 is seen entering North Park on the Sue Line mainline.

Train 810 moves off the mainline into North Park (above, left) and is aided by the North Park Switcher (above, right). For those of you who follow closely, it should be noted that A&A TransAmerica has left North Park and that Arizona Chemical has expanded its operations. Several other changes are underway in North Park.

Having completed the work at North Park, Train 810 is

traveling through the woods again and headed for Dutchman Falls.

In Dutchman Falls, named for Malcolm "The Dutchman" Vordenbaum of Wichita Falls, Texas, the motive power of Train 810 is assisted by the Dutchman Falls Switcher, Missouri Southern number 612. EMGE Grain is named for my youngest son's wife Rebecca Emge Kamm.

A load of pipe is next spotted am American Pipe

(Am Pipe) by the motive power from Train 810.

As Train 810 works in Dutchman Falls, the Doran Oil and Gas (DOG) refinery

can be seen in the background.

With the work finished in Dutchman Falls,

Train 810 awaits a permissive signal at South Sherwood.

The train crews are appreciative of the

new "relief station" at South Sherwood.

Train 810 about to cross the basqule bridge.

Train 810 about to enter Jeauxville from the north.

The motive power from Train 810 is switching cars in Jeauxville.

Jeauxville is named for my youngest son, Joseph.

Again those watching closely will note that there are changes afoot in Jeauxville.

Industries are leaving and other industries are moving in.

Watch for more changes soon.

Train 810 has a permissive to move towards NoLaCRA Yard.

The Ring HC-2 Throttle

Train 85 is a northbound freight from Crew Change to Shreveport. Sue Line locomotive 3546 is MU'ed with another unit (Norfork and Southern number 5350). The front head light is on and the Mars light is on.

The Ring Throttle by Ring Engineering is an entirely new technology

in which the HC-2 (Hand Controller- 2) connectes to the LM-2 (Locomotive Module-2) by a direct radio link.

Multiple HC-2's can talk to each other and to the Locomotive Modules. Accessory Modules are available as well. The HC-2 retails for $ 399, but can be found for about $ 299. The HC-2 interfaces to a computer and the Ring Engineering website has photos, light effects and sound effects whic can be downloaded for free. The LM-2S (with sound) sells for about $ 80 and the LM-2 (without sound) sells for about $ 50. For most locomotives, you will also need a 8 to 9 pin adapter as the LM-2 or LM-2s has a 9 pin output.

We use the EasyDCC track as a power source only for the Ring System. This allows us to operate the Ring System Locomotives and DCC equipped locomotives at the same time.