Anybody out there have this video?

I watched the preview

It looks like it is a neat video.  Unfortunately since I retired my budget is very tight.

Loving it

I wasn't paying attention when it became available. I just downloaded it and am about half way through. What a treat! Quite an unusual style of presentation: clear, unhurried, and professional without being edited excessively. You're watching a fellow model railroader (albeit an exceptionally accomplished one) tell a very highly textured story that he is playing out on his extraordinary layout, with a balance of emphasis on operations, modeling, and photo-freelance background detail. Elements of the 1:1 world are woven in as part of the context of the story ("oops, forgot to throw that switch") just enough to remind us that we're looking at a model being operated by a human. I find that feels like the interactions I have at the most enjoyable operating sessions, or when operating alone. 

Highly recommended. 

Jeff Allen

Still waiting...

Call me old fashioned but I prefer a hard copy over digital so although I preordered it months ago, I have to wait one more day (according to the USPS) before my DVD arrives. I'm sure there's quite a few others in a similar situation. 

Downloaded it and extracted

Downloaded it and extracted the files to a flash drive so I could plug it into my Roku. It looks great on the big TV.

gs

Excellent

Bought and downloaded last week.

Watched over a couple of evenings. Excellent videos, a nice mixture of prototypical switching and real life in HO scale. I particularly liked the informal atmosphere, no editing out all the little things we get wrong from time to time, like forgetting to throw a turnout. I would recommend it.

It would have been nice to see how the section shown fits in with the rest of the layout, but I guess that'll come in a further video later!

John

Brakes on the Allagash

I'm fascinated to discover that Mike C's "it doesn't have to be perfect" perspective extends to things like not stopping a train to "normalize" a switch after passing it (just restore the switch without stopping the train) - a practical compromise over strictly prototypical practices that illustrates how flexible we can be without undoing the pleasure of the experience we're having. 

I perceive that same habit of flexibility allows him to be comfortable with the very unprototypical button-pushing associated with using Drive Hold to simulate the variance between engine revs and train speed when rendering the effects of varying load and grade. Heck, we're just happy to have such great sounds. 

Similarly, Mike says he "sometimes" uses the brake function on his LokSound decoders, though it appears that most of the time he relies on automatic brake squeal sounds and relatively low deceleration settings on his CVs, along with Drive Hold. At one point, his locomotive wouldn't start moving and it turned out he had the brakes engaged, which he couldn't tell by looking at the buttons on his throttle. He shrugged that off as "you lose track of which buttons are on or off, you do it by feel sometimes, that's ok." 

After working with a couple of ProtoThrottles since August, I find this last compromise somewhat jarring. We're poised on the cusp of a really significant shift from the button-pushing paradigm to a control philosophy that clears away a very big chunk of 1:1 intrusion into our experience of running trains. I would love to get Mike's take on running this same job with an 8-notch control stand throttle with a levered brake handle! 

Of course it will take some time for this shift to permeate the hobby and I know there are many folks (maybe Mike is among them) who are content enough with the traditional throttles, but to my eyes and ears the job he runs in this video is precisely the environment where the ProtoThrottle (and follow-on competitors?) really shines. 

Mike's laid back, flexible approach helps me breath easier as I enjoy the journey of technological evolution in this very engaging hobby. 

Jeff Allen

Jeff

Mike has mentioned in another thread that he didn't really "get" the ProtoThrottle.  Not that he pans it, it just isn't something he thought would make his operations better.  I assume someone has put one in his hands at some point.

Running a train and

Running a train and operations are two different things.  If you want to run the train, the Proto Throttle is ok.  With operations you are not running the train. You are the conductor running the operation.

I look at it this way in NAVY terms

You have the Captain, He runs the ship makes all the decisions etc. but he does not operate the ship.  He does not have Physical control of the ship,  it is not needed for his position.  But he absolutely controls the ship.

You have the Helmsman, He Drives and steers the ship but he does not run the ship.  He has the Actual Physical controls and is in control of the ship

When we operate we are the Captain giving our orders on what is needed to run the operation.  We are not the lowly Helmsman running the ship or the engineer inside the Cab following orders and interpreting the instructions from the Command Staff or the Conductor.

So lots of us are fine using the knob throttle in that way as we have a grand global view on what is going on not a short sighted focused view from inside the cab.

ops vs. running the train

That makes sense. But in Mike's video he's clearly very interested in the train running aspects too and seems to enjoy getting realistic behavior, both sound and motion, as part of the whole experience of running the operation. 

I think of it this way: if prototypical controls had been developed as an overlay to the early CV-based decoder/throttle equipment, it would seem completely natural. Nobody would be hankering for the kind of controls we currently use. But we're used to them now. 

Jeff Allen

Mike's a railfan

In the conversations I've had with Mike Confalone, I can tell you he's a railfan first and foremost.

The Layout Design SIG has explored what kind of operator people are and they define two basic types: railfans and engineers (the guy at the loco controls).

Railfans see themselves on the ground watching the train run and are more interested in the overall effect and simulating watching the trains run. With switching, they're most interested in watching the switching operation and the richer the sensory experience the better.

Engineers see themselves in the cab operating the train, and are most interested in duplicating the same thoughts the real engineer makes. With switching, the considerations of dealing with momentum and braking just as a real engineer does makes the experience the most satisfying.

Assuming Mike is mostly a railfan, which I think he is, then drive hold and features like that are great because they make the railfan experience richer (the sounds are more correct). The fact you need to do funky throttle gyrations to get this behavior doesn't matter -- it's the result that matters, not the means.

Those who are more of an engineer love the ProtoThrottle because they want to more correctly model the *means* of getting the train to behave the way it's supposed to behave. Getting simulated cab controls is wonderful because that puts them in the cab right where they want to be! I'm an engineer, through and through.

Mike has a rich history as a railfan, and I'm sure what he's after is to recreate those warm railfanning memories from days gone by in his basement. Having to fiddle with a ProtoThrottle is a distraction since it's just a more complicated way to get the rich sensory experience the railfan seeks.

Confalone is indeed a railfan!

Couldn't have said it better myself Joe. I published a magazine for 17 years (Railroad Explorer) and published a bunch of books as well. So yes, I'm a railfan more than an engineer when I operate. 

I don't necessarily picture myself in the cab. I let my imagination fill in the gaps with regard to the throttle. For me, it is very important that the locomotive "act" the way it should. And I've spent enough time trackside paying attention to those small details. But like Joe said, I don't care what buttons I push, and what the buttons look like. For me, it's not important. For those who do care, that's awesome and I'm glad there is a product out there that fills that need.It's all personal preference - there is no right or wrong. 

I don't want this to turn into a ProThrottle pros/cons discussion. I think the ProThrottle is a great concept, but it doesn't do anything to enhance my personal "trackside experience." Different strokes for different folks. 

To be 100% honest, as a railfan I feel strongly that what we are all missing in a very big way is the non-locomotive sound experience. Until somebody (LokSound please) comes up with a robust ambient sound system, we are missing 50% of the trackside sound experience. if you have spent any time trackside, you know that it's not just EMD 567 or Alco 251 prime movers hammering away, it's flange squeel, rail pop and a host of other atmospheric sounds that complete the audio experience. To me, I'd rather see somebody get busy and this done vs. more bells and whistles on the throttle side of the equation. We need much more than just prime mover, bell and horn. 

I know Soundtraxx did this with Soundcar, but it falls short in many ways. The system needs to be stationary, like in a yard or industrial setting, not running around in boxcars. Just my opinion.

Mike Confalone

Thanks Mike

I understand the compelling power of trackside audio: I use Broadway Limited's Paragon 3 subwoofer system to lure unsuspecting teenagers into the web of model railroading fascination.

Thanks Mike, for a really satisfying video. Keep 'em coming! 

Jeff Allen

Already exists...

Awaiting arrival of DVD

I ordered the DVD as well and can’t wait until it shows up so that I can see more of the Allagash upmclose and personal. I have always appreciated Mike’s approach to modeling and operations. Such an inspiration. 

Tim Garland

PS. Mike - if you ever need me to bring my ProtoThrottle up and run the locomotive for you while you perform the Conductor duties which allow you to have that railfan experience you long for, count me in.

I am awaiting this one also.

I am awaiting this one also. I have quite a few of Mike's videos and all have exceeded my expectations. By far the BEST model railroad videos anywhere to be found.

Mike's RR Explorer was an awesome mag as well, sorry it is gone.

Tim your Seaboard Central updates leave me wanting more. I always look forward to them and appreciate the effort you put into them.

Fantasonics Sound

Mike,

I think you might want to check out https://www.fantasonics.com/store/store.html if they don't already have what you are interested in, they can make it for you. I did a First Look on them some time ago - https://forum.mrhmag.com/magazine-feedback-was-ezines-891776

Excellent!

Finally got my copy and watched it immediately. I must say I always look forward to new stuff from Mike and this did not disappoint. And the White mountain could be its own layout for someone who doesn't have the space that Mike does. I would have liked to see where the cement hopper went and pellet hopper came from though even unscenicked. If my track plan is correct, isn't that area with the switchback that Neil stalls on in the ops live video?

Coupler slack

Video is great, as many others have commented. Informal nature is nice. Not every video needs to be done the same way. I like this approach as it feels like I am at the session.

The sound I'd really like to see (hear) is one tied directly to the locomotive movement, and that is coupler slack and the associated bang you get when pulling out a train. Some of this depends on number of cars, loco speed, and a need for the sound to be away from the loco. Would be cool to have 2 speakers used within a yard area and have the sound pan appropriately to suggest that "traveling" banging as the train is pulled tight.

Mike McNamara

Delran, NJ

Coupler slack - gunk-unk-unk-unk-unk-unk-unk.....

Got my digital download!!

A few days ago I purchased the digital download version, It went quickly, the quality is superb. And as usual, Mike is a great teacher!!  Excellent work!!!

Missed my calling- should have been a professor!

Thanks for the nice words. Seems folks like the way I teach, whether it's operations, weathering or scenery. I can't think of a more meaningful compliment. What I want more than anything when I do these instructional videos is for ordinary folks like me to be able to take something away from it and apply those lessons learned to their own model railroad. 

Modeling knowledge should never be proprietary, always shared! I'll continue to share what I learn along the way.

Mike Confalone

Still waiting for my copy. I

Still waiting for my copy. I am getting jealous Seriously though I am grateful to Mike for all he has accomplished and shared with every one.

Jeff

Got mine. Yay!

My DVD finally arrived today and boy howdy is it a good one. Mike did an excellent job explaining his moves and giving us a tour of parts of his outstanding railroad. I enjoyed following the local as it went about its chores. I really hope Mike continues to make more of these kinds of videos along with his videos on scenery and weathering.

A couple of things. I have an Athearn Genesis GP38-2 that has a current keeper installed and it still gives me fits unless the wheels have been cleaned prior to an ops session. I really wish Athearn would address the issue of electrical pickup on their locomotives.

The second thing is for Mike. Have you changed or added anything to the operation of this branch now that the Oxford County is in operation. One thing I thought you might want to consider that could make switching at Andover a little easier is spotting inbound cars for the Oxford County on the long Andover Wood products lead track. Then the passing siding could be used for out bound cars from the short line and the local industries. Just my two cents worth.

Again, really enjoyed watching your amazingly realistic railroad!

Tim Garland