A layout is more than a trackplan or a bunch of construction techniques. As I shared in the previous post, it’s a story and the way all the pieces of the puzzle fit together to influence our experience of that story.

I had the chance to see and use the new ProtoThrottle from Iowa Scaled Engineering at the Collinsville (IL) RPM Meet last weekend. If you haven’t already, you will be hearing and reading a lot about this product and I’ll leave the reviews of the technical details and setup to others. This is not intended to be a full review rather, in this post; I want to share how it impacted my thinking about layout design and operations.

You Have To Think
As model railroaders, we are used to twisting a knob and flipping a toggle switch to manipulate the train. The results were immediate and after a time become mindless to a large degree. When the early transistorized controllers and later, DCC, arrived with features like simulated inertia, operating a train took on a different dimension. Modelers had to anticipate and prepare for what was going to happen next, rather than just react on a whim.

The ProtoThrottle takes this to a new level. As one of the developers, Scott Thornton said: “It turns model railroaders into railroad modelers because they have to slow down.” After my own experience, I completely agree

Michael Petersen, one of the founding partners of Iowa Scaled Engineering, gave me a quick rundown of the various controls and it was time to run. My sound equipped diesel had a satisfying amount of momentum programmed in the decoder and my initial foray was simply running up and down the stub ended spur track it sat on, just to get a feel for things.

With separate controls for speed, braking and reverser, it didn’t take long for the brain cells to wake up and start smelling the coffee. At first it was counterintuitive and reminded me of learning to drive a stick shift for the first time. You have to manipulate several levers in sequence or simultaneously to have the loco do what you want it to but after a short time, you get the hang of it. That’s when the fun begins.

The story I have tried to tell with almost every layout I’ve built is one of slow deliberate train movements that convey the ponderous mass of full-size equipment. I could sense immediately how this throttle would put that story on steroids. The guys had a simple demonstration layout that allowed one to make a variety of common train movements. Once I was familiar with the controls and the operating characteristics of the loco, I wanted to see what coupling up to a cut of cars would be like. With separate throttle and brake functions to consider, my approach involved judging the distance and then backing off on the throttle and applying the brake while closing the gap. I was so intent on making a soft couple that I forgot to move the reverser after the pin dropped, so instead of pulling the cars, I kept shoving them backward. (I almost heard dad’s voice in my head. Use the clutch son. NO, second gear!) It reemphasized for me the difference between running a toy and what’s required to safely run a multi-ton locomotive. My inexperience created a few more laughable boo-boos such as nearly sideswiping a hopper car that was left too close to a turnout. Fortunately, the brakes work really well! Whew, that was close.

In the all-too brief time I used the ProtoThrottle, it gave me a better understanding of what running a full-sized locomotive must be like and why railroads prefer a simple track arrangement. When I asked Scott Thornton how, in the early design stages, he envisioned people using the throttle he said it was designed for walk around from the start. Scott’s motivation was to have a more realistic experience of running the train and he approached Michael and his partner Nathan Holmes about developing the prototype. From those initial conversations and after 27 months of development time, modelers now have a product that will likely impact the way we design and operate our layouts.

There’s More To Product Design Than Knobs and Buttons
In the tech world, user experience (UX) is a big deal. It’s less about what the technology itself can do and more about what the technology allows you to do. Design is also a prime consideration. What is it like to use this device? Is it easy to hold? Are the buttons too big or too small? Are they easy to find with a simple intuitive hand motion? Tech companies spend millions to answer these questions and many others. My user experience was largely positive. I found the control levers simple to access and use without having to constantly look at what I was doing. The positive detents of the throttle lever provided a satisfying feedback. Because it was my first look at the unit, I didn’t play much with the other function buttons except for ringing the bell.

I did however find the bulkiness of the case a bit tiring to hold for an extended period. As Scott explained, at this stage the overall size is dictated by the internal components especially the battery pack. The unit is designed to use with a lanyard and many will use it that way. I suggest also that this is where layout design and operating styles will play a large role. On a small layout featuring a single scene, the unit could be slotted into a custom holder attached to the fascia. I’ve no doubt that future versions of the throttle will address any design and usability issues based on user feedback and the never ending advances in digital components.

As enthusiastic as I am about the product (and I’m not alone judging by the comments I heard at the show) I can foresee that impatient operators might find it frustrating. The run and gun mentality is well entrenched in a lot of people who just want to go and stop on a dime. Whether this product is suitable is for the individual to determine for him or herself.

Currently, I don’t have a layout. Since dismantling the Indiana and Whitewater, I’ve been thinking about the best way to pursue my interests. I’m leaning toward a modest single scene of 8-12 feet in length focused on that story of deliberate train movements. After last weekend, that design slowly began to revolve around the operating potential this throttle offers*.

Regards,
Mike

*As with any product, mentioned in a post, I do so because I believe in it or use it personally. I have no connection with any manufacturer profiled here and there are no affiliate links or other monetary arrangements, unless specifically noted.

Links:
My friend Trevor Marshall has purchased a ProtoThrottle and shares his impressions and the setup on his layout in these posts on his own blog.

ProtoThrottle Has Landed

ProtoThrottle: A Game Changer

ProtoThrottle Progress

The ProtoThrottle Site: www.protothrottle.com

Iowa Scaled Engineering site: www.iascaled.com