Total Computer Control

[bobgrosh]

Hi Bill (Bluebonnet- 71)
Automation and Total Computer Control for most users brings up visions of automated displays where a single human operator would most likely be throwing a monkey wrench in the computer and cause a major malfunction.

It sounds like you are really looking for something like a helper module or enforcer module.

Helpers and enforcers are unobtrusive. If you have one connected to your layout, you would be able to run normally without turning them on.

They would usually be connected to the command station or throttle buss on a DCC system. Feedback would be from a detection system or an over the rail feedback like Digitrax's Transponding.

A helper might sound a cab alarm if you violate a signal or speed limit. An enforcer would slow or stop your train under the same conditions.

Helpers and enforcers have not made it to the market place yet. There are a number of people experimenting with them. Digitrax's web site has a brief mention of what an enforcer does in their transponding FAQ.

One advantage of using helper / enforcer modules is that they can be made so that there is no configuring to do. Just plug the module into the DCC system and run a loco around the track and the module will "learn" the layout. You can teach it the positions of turnouts and signals and the speed limit you want enforced by operating the locos while in "learn" mode. They can be hardware modules or take the form of software on a PC to add additional display options.

These helper/enforcer application could (for example) add:

• One button operation of turnouts, always operating the turnout immediately ahead of the train.
• Operation of signals and crossing gates without any detection circuitry
  
• Enforcing speed limits.
• Anti collision (release a loco and it will not hit any other train)
• auto station stops. (one button for each stop. release loco and it will continue to the station.
• Auto dispatch of new loco addresses. (Set loco on track and press "LOCO" twice on a utility throttle. Run without knowing address.)
• Remembering light and sound actions and where to do them.

Of course there is no word on when all these things will come about as commercial products, but if you like to experiment with your own software they can be fun. I've been playing with helpers and enforcers for a couple of years. The ones I've got working so far are a joy to use. With an anti-collision enforce it's easy to start as many trains as you want and just let them run. Combined with a station stop helper, it makes the railroad look like it is automated, but you are in full control of any train you want.

B0B

[Anonymous]

If any one comes up with this please let us know, this could be much fun in the long haul. I have about about 400 feet of main line with dual sidings on both sides. 2 passenger trains and 1 freight train and the freight train must go onto a siding.Set one freight train out and set one freight on the mainline, hot shot freight and drag freight, there are many possibilities.

mikadousrp

[johnbruce]

I guess I have been a computer nerd for over 30 years and have come to Garden Railways in the last 3 years.

My setup is LGB MTS which is fine but I have some "beefs"! I have managed to automate most of the layout using analogue techniques because it is cheaper and i have a facility to go into manual control. When I looked at the computer interfaces, particularly the breaking unit and loco readout modules it suddenly started to look very expensive.

The PC control and software is very good but is not readily tailorable to a mixture of analogue and digital control.

Ideally the PC should be able to operate via a wireless link so I could walk round with a small laptop or, better still, a CE device.

My final point is that the quality of books and articles on this subject is way behind the technology. I suspect the reason being lack of demand.

Bottom line - I'm sticking to my LGB handheld wireless controls with my own implementation of analogue automation.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by reilleyem

DCC supports total computer control. It's complicated...but that's half the fun. To learn about this you need to buy a book on DCC...but not from a manufacturer of DCC...you'll need to understand the concept behind DCC and the manufactures only provide "their" concept. DCC Made Easy is a good book...about $10...but there is a more complete book that really has the details for about $30...just can't remember it's title.

Bingo!!! I am still in the planning stages of a computer controlled railroad (indoor not garden, sorry). While running the trains is half the fun, teaching a computer to do it correctly may be the other half. I don't want my computer to take over all of the train running. I want the computer to function as if it was one or a group of other people, based on what I tell it to do. It should blend in, not stick out.

There are 2 parts to doing this kind of thing. First you have to have trains that the computer can control. DCC works just fine for that. Second you have to be able to describe your track plan to the computer, in terms that it can understand, then have a detection system tied to the computer, so it knows where the trains are.

In theory, very simple. In practice, a very good challenge.[:)]

[Anonymous]

DCC supports total computer control. It's complicated...but that's half the fun. To learn about this you need to buy a book on DCC...but not from a manufacturer of DCC...you'll need to understand the concept behind DCC and the manufactures only provide "their" concept. DCC Made Easy is a good book...about $10...but there is a more complete book that really has the details for about $30...just can't remember it's title.

[Anonymous]

[#ditto]

[Anonymous]

Think I am in love....

Thanks Art!

[aluesch]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

That would be taking all the fun out of running model trains. Some rail museums use computer control for their layouts, since they must run continually and unattended, but I would get no joy out of watching my trains just run around and around without my involvement -- that would be akin to TV shows that require no conscious effort on the part of the audience.

Yes...yes yes...So does that mean that your track lets passanger trains trough (green light) and stops the non passanger ones on the red signal? While sending the steel and lumber locos to respective towns all the while one circles the loop....oh [censored] where is the lights...did every one not make them on there track?
Now that is only 5 locos on the track running.
While you may not get joy out of yours I would get joy out of with mine.

[cacole]

That would be taking all the fun out of running model trains. Some rail museums use computer control for their layouts, since they must run continually and unattended, but I would get no joy out of watching my trains just run around and around without my involvement -- that would be akin to TV shows that require no conscious effort on the part of the audience.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone seen, worked with or got to dabble in total computer control?