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DCC Specialties Block Watcher

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 3 posts
DCC Specialties Block Watcher
Posted by Bikeriam on Friday, December 26, 2008 1:03 PM

Hi all,i was wondering if anyone is using Dcc Specialties Block Watcher and thoughts of it.I've ordered several to start out with and try several things like Crossings and signals to see how i like them,but wondered if anyone is using them and what kind of things you might be using them for.                        Harold

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Maine
  • 188 posts
Posted by mainetrains on Friday, December 26, 2008 3:38 PM

I would love to here from anyone who has used these also. I've been searching for a simple (if such a thing exists) way to put block signals on my new layout and being numb as a pounded thumb I need something relatively simple. I have also come across a product from Railnet Solutions which looks promising but has not been released yet. I'll be running DCC but don't want anything too complicated since I'll be sure to screw it up.

 Mainetrains Banged Head

'there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear' Modeling the Hard Knox Valley Railroad in HO scale http://photos.hardknoxvalley.com/

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
  • 2,899 posts
Posted by Paul3 on Friday, December 26, 2008 8:46 PM

Signalling is the most complicated thing you can do in model railroading (without being deliberately "out there").

You need block detection, and then you need signals and signal logic.  There's just no easy way to do it.

You can try BDL168's, SE8c's, Railroad & Co.'s software, and other Digitrax methods, but it's just not for everyone.  It's probably the simplest since it's all plug-n-play with minimal programming, but there's still a lot of work to get it set up.  There's just no way around it.

Paul A. Cutler III
*******************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
*******************

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Sonoma CA
  • 77 posts
Posted by gatefive on Friday, December 26, 2008 9:40 PM
Granted all the above messages are accurate. It is a complex business and depending on where you are in the system, it might be more than you want to undertake . I had the opportunity to install the Atlas system as part of a review project for a model railroad magazine. I was pleased with the results and it was probably not much more complicated than installing some basic wiring on a DCC layout. I am sure I would enjoy working with RR& Company, but as I get more into operations I am finding that computers, sometimes are more trouble than they are worth. Also I find that running a model railroad is just, for me, is as much fun as others have with complex signal systems etc. To each his own.... this is my opinion. Dick Foster Arrow Creek and Western Reno, NV

Gate 5

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Sonoma CA
  • 77 posts
Posted by gatefive on Friday, December 26, 2008 9:40 PM
Granted all the above messages are accurate. It is a complex business and depending on where you are in the system, it might be more than you want to undertake . I had the opportunity to install the Atlas system as part of a review project for a model railroad magazine. I was pleased with the results and it was probably not much more complicated than installing some basic wiring on a DCC layout. I am sure I would enjoy working with RR& Company, but as I get more into operations I am finding that computers, sometimes are more trouble than they are worth. Also I find that running a model railroad is just, for me, is as much fun as others have with complex signal systems etc. To each his own.... this is my opinion. Dick Foster Arrow Creek and Western Reno, NV

Gate 5

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Sonoma CA
  • 77 posts
Posted by gatefive on Friday, December 26, 2008 9:40 PM
Granted all the above messages are accurate. It is a complex business and depending on where you are in the system, it might be more than you want to undertake . I had the opportunity to install the Atlas system as part of a review project for a model railroad magazine. I was pleased with the results and it was probably not much more complicated than installing some basic wiring on a DCC layout. I am sure I would enjoy working with RR& Company, but as I get more into operations I am finding that computers, sometimes are more trouble than they are worth. Also I find that running a model railroad is just, for me, is as much fun as others have with complex signal systems etc. To each his own.... this is my opinion. Dick Foster Arrow Creek and Western Reno, NV

Gate 5

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