I can run 2 trains with the Digitrax dual controller walk round since I have a LONG stretch out 25 ft as a mainline and run the 2nd train around 4 x 8 loop loops. Cobalt IP switches programmed on dual controller and marked on small signs at each switch location. Then ground signals (green/red) are set in series and try to run 2 trains only clockwise.
3rd train run by UT6D by grandson or guest.
Could run a 4th train from Zephyr Express command station , if I wished by a 4the person.
OK, so you mean potentially as many as 4 trains operating, with you running 2 on loops, then a third on a UT6D and the fourth on the Zephyr Express, totaling 3 operators? Gotcha. I've got a similar amount of operator capacity; in addition to the dual-control DT602D, I've got a couple of UT4Ds and a tethered UT4 with enough cable to go anywhere on the layout, and 2 stations to plug it into at different parts of the room. Although I also recently bought a UT6D and like that a lot--it's handy and compact like the UT4D, plus I don't have to re-acquire the loco every time I start up the layout (and insert & remove the battery every time--I know there's a hack to add a power switch to the UT4D but I haven't implemented it yet). It also seems to have better battery life than the 602D.
I have 60 feet of mainline and about 64 square feet of layout in a 9.5x23 around-the-room space, just recently expanded into a loop, but am not sure I would be able to manage 4 separate trains operating at once; the layout was designed for 2 crews working at opposite ends of the layout. All my turnouts are manually controlled, either via Caboose ground throws, mechanical operating rods under the layout, or direct operation of the points with an uncoupling tool; my layout is very switching-oriented but I enjoy having a loop now, both to test and break in new equipment and identify problem areas and also just for the simple fun of letting trains run while I'm working on something else. I currently don't use signals.
I also have a panel project in the future: I'm planning to add a wye and a staging yard/branch line, and am considering powered turnouts for the wye and 3-4 track staging yard to make it easier to bring trains on and off the main layout (the wye allows trains to enter the layout going either direction, and also allows turning of trains since I don't have any reverse loops or wyes currently: the layout diagram, with staging yard, will look like a backwards "9" with the wye where the tail hits the loop.) I'm considering adding the control panel to allow route selection through the wye and staging yard track selection from within the loop (to avoid having to duck under the lift-out section and enter the staging yard area to throw switches). So I can select a yard track, and either northbound/southbound/loop on the wye, with two button pushes. I have a few Peco twin-coil turnout motors and haven't decided to operate the switches traditionally (using diode matrix to select routes) or via DCC yet. One other stupid panel trick I kind of want to implement is to mount it under the layout deck on a swinging arm that will allow me to swing the panel over and operate it from the layout side or the staging yard side. Alternately, if I just use DCC and a reversing section, I can program some multiple wye/yard routes and use those via the throttle, but there's a part of me that likes the simplicity of a pushbutton.
Those Pro panels would certainly add a level to your layout. whether you want, or need one, would be your call.
