A control system for a top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail and an independently moveable bottom rail and middle rail. A shade material extends between the middle rail and the bottom rail and control systems are provided at opposite ends of the head rail for operating the middle rail independently of the bottom rail. Each control system includes lift spools associated with lift cords that are secured to the bottom rail or middle rail with the lift spools being seated in cradles and rotated by a drive shaft connected to manually operated control elements. Each drive shaft is operatively connected to a braking system in the form of a two-way clutch so the drive shafts can be rotated in either direction to raise or lower a bottom or middle rail, but locked in any selected position.