PT

Looking forward to operating one at the Amherst Show this coming weekend. ---  Ken 

Stop by the MRH booth

Thanks, Ken.

Joe and the folks from MRH will have a ProtoThrottle for you to try at their booth on the TOMA layout. 

Unfortunately, we will not be at this year’s Amherst Show, but we hope to make it to next year’s.

I think

it was mentioned previously, but I assume there will also be a recommended setup for the different types of decoders to maximize the realism of the PT?

@ Dave

I believe decoder setup will happen quite quickly once we release the throttle and modelers start using it. 

We may start a forum for PT users to exchange comments including setups and perhaps any other programming enhancements that might be developed. Since the throttle is being developed open source, we are very excited to see what other modelers develop to make the throttle even better.

ProtoThrottle intro video

Here is the video that will be on our website soon as well. http://www.protothrottle.com

Great video, great product, I

Great video, great product, I expect this to boost sales of NCE systems as well as esu and digitrax since they already have a quickly useable interface, CVP it looks like you missed a great chance to leap ahead. Granted you can get connected with JMRI a computer and WiFi but you just added a lot of cost to your inclusion. It will likely result in exclusion.

ProtoThrottle operations video

Below is another video that Tom Klimoski and Tim Garland shot on Tim’s layout. 

This time they show a short, realistic ops approach using the ProtoThrottle. They also have conductor Nathan Hannon on hand to work in tandem with Tim at the controls. Enjoy!

Operations video...

The operations video is not just a demo of the PT, but also a great example of prototype operations for people that have never done it. That's one of the best "intro to ops" videos I've ever seen. Nice job. 

Randy

Thanks Randy

Thanks for the compliments Randy. Even though both Nathan and I can spend a lot of hours switching cars back and forth on the prototype and it definitely is work, operating a model railroad is completely different. It is both relaxing and provides enjoyment at the same time. Nathan commented he can't wait to come back over again for another operating session.

One of the things I find most rewarding about the hobby is trying to simulate what I see in real life, be it scenery or weathering rolling stock. To me realistic operations gives the same sense of satisfaction.

Tim Garland

Brake value

Thank you Tim and Tom for the great videos. I have just watched the first intro video and have a couple of questions to Tim.

You said you use the following values
​
CV3 = 125

CV4 = 255

But what CVs and CV values do you use for the braking function in your Loksound decoders?

Have you set the decoders so you also get a braking sound/squel?
If so, what are the values for that?

Although I probably not will get my hands on the PT as I live in Europe, setting the decoders to these values might slow down operation and make it more prototypical as others have noted on this forum.
Just wondering how my ops crew will like the long acceleration and coasting and braking.....

Nice layout and thank you for sharing!

That was brilliant...

Thanks Scott for firstly posting this, and secondly thanks to Tom & Tim for making such a great video.

Not only does it make me want a ProtoThrottle even more but it was a fantastic insight into how a real engineer & conductor work together in the real world.  Great to hear the operating talk and method behind switching a yard & layout!

Brilliant work guys and a great operations resource as a bonus!

Jas...

Great video!

That was really a fun video to watch Tim.  It felt just like railfanning my prototype with the scanner on.  Exactly the kind of pace, crew interaction, etc. that I strive for as well, and the video was very well-edited, keeping the viewer engaged.

Did I miss where you talked about bumping your CV3 value up further?  I like the smooth starts!

So from the earlier discussion, I got the impression that Nathan was a co-worker, but not (yet!) a modeler.  With him asking about coming back again, either I misunderstood or you've made a new convert to the hobby.

Look and felt like I was back

The newest video is a great

The newest video is a great look at operating the layout. The main focus was switching cars in the video but it is also easy to see how it would be to operate the train over the road allowing for grades, speed reductions, etc. A huge leap forward!

Lokprgrammer

Hi KnuT,

The locomotives were programmed with the LokProgrammer. I can't remember the actual brake values but LokSound decoders are designed to produce the brake squeal right before the movement is stopped. There is a new function on the Programmer now called dynamic braking that lets you adjust the value of the brake. Michael Petersen knows more about how this works with the PT and would be the go to guy on that.

Thanks!

Tim

Joe A

Hello there Joe A!

I have CV3 set at 125. And then I adjusted the PT notch values so I could simulate the increase in RPMs between each notch. Works like a charm now.

Nathan is indeed a model railroader and has a collection of rolling stock and locomotives but no layout. He was a member of a modular club but spends most of his free time now with his family. He has agreed to be one of my regular operators though and appreciates how the SC operates in a realistic manner.

Tim

Craig

Craig,

Keep your outdoor layout and build a small HO scale switching layout on shelving aka the Lance Mindheim technique. The PT is perfect for switching.

Tim

ESU Braking

The ESU LokProgrammer software version 4.6.2 comes with a new firmware release that adds CV179.  This CV lets you control the amount of deceleration when the brake is applied, instead of the fixed "1/2 CV4" amount of before.  It's not changeable in real time, but does let you customize the braking force a bit more on these decoders.

Michael

Great video!

As an ops newbie, this was really great to watch and figure out how it's done.  I'm sure I will watch it many times to slowly piece it altogether.  Great job to all, and now I can't wait to get my PT (though I'd better finish the first few modules first!)

Proto throttle

Scott got to play with the throttle early Saturday morning at the show. Enjoyed my time with it. Will be looking forward to getting mine and using it on the Buffalo Line this summer. ----   Ken McCorry

Clunky Software

Sorry fellas, I don't mean to be negative, but the LCD interface MUST have a keypad as suggested by others. Diving through menus using a few buttons is very "yesterday". Menu navigation just to set a loco address is not acceptable, especially with all of the emerging intuitive interfaces on modern DCC throttles. A keypad will fit on the case. The case is large enough.

Yes, I fully intend to purchase a ProtoThrottle. But let's face it, widespread adoption by model railroaders will require accommodating easy to find top-level keys. Modern decoders are approaching 28 or more functions (due to logic coding). To preserve the realistic "cab console" feel maybe use a plug in "child" keypad peripheral that gets unplugged after programming...who knows.

Regardless, hats off for ISE's great work.

Keypad

Chris -

Thank you for your thoughts on a keypad.  We made a very conscious decision early on to eliminate the keypad to maintain the mechanical control stand feel.  I understand what you're saying about usability, but most of the time you're not using the menus, so cluttering the faceplate (and adding more to the cost) were not deemed sufficient tradeoffs.

However, I'll let those who have been using the ProtoThrottle in real operating conditions comment on its usability.

Michael

Thank you!

Thank you for your answers, Tim and Michael!
Seems like there is a way to get a more responsive brake on my LokSound decoders.

I have now watched the second video. This was great! Thank you Tim and Nathan for sharing and teaching us how to operate 
 

Keypad

While I agree a keypad would make it easier to program the unit itself and select locos, I think what it would take away from what it is trying to accomplish would be too much.  The main focus of the PT is realistic operation and from the videos and comments, it has captured that very well.  Even if there are 28 functions on modern decoders, how many people use them all, and how do they add to running like the prototype?  The only compromise I see is the drive hold button for ESU decoders.  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually going to say "I really like the PT, but without a keypad, I'm not buying it."  Further, though, it is open source and some clever person could add that functionality to it.