Walk-around controls

[doctorwayne]

I recall those Marnostats, Fred, but never used one. They had ads in MR for many years, and I saw a couple for sale in my LHS not too long ago, in their "used" department.
This throttle is one of two given to me by a friend many years ago. I'm not sure if it was intended to be a walk-around type, but that's how I use it.


One of these days, I'll get around to adding straps to them so that they can be carried like a camera. The independent brake function, once mastered, make these among my favourites for operating a train. Their main drawback is the inability to provide sufficient power for heavy trains with multiple locos.
For ease of one-handed operation, I also have a couple of Intrakit walk-around controllers, which use a push button for the throttle and another for the brake, plus a direction control switch - all much easier and accurate than the rotating-knob type. Their shortcoming is the same as that of the one shown.

Wayne

[nachoman]

"panic switch"

[doctorwayne]

"panic switch"

I never really thought about it until your remark, but you're right: somehow "Panic" and "England" on the same faceplate seems somehow wrong.

Of course, if you forget how to use the brake feature, simply closing the throttle will not stop the train immediately, as there's a momentum feature that allows it to continue on, sometimes for quite some distance, depending on speed.

Wayne