Looking to use one or the other for computer control for routes and signaling. Do they both operate the same or what. I am using Digitrax with a Dcs 100 and 2 Db100's with 2 BDL 168's , 5 DS 64's with tortoise machines and 2 SE8C's.I am using about 40-50 signals. I have 2 mains that are about 400 feet in length. Any help is appreciated thanks, Jim.
I am using JMRI. However, it was not easy to learn although there is a good support group for it. Of course it is free. I am using ver 2.8 and am not likely to upgrade any time soon. I feel that the newer versions are having too many problems right now. Too much stuff being put into it as they are trying to make it a one-size-fits-all program.
RR & Co will cost you, but at least you get an instruction manual that is supposed to step you through the setup. They too have a support group, but I don't know anything about it.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I am using JMRI current production version 2.10 without problem. What is wrong with this version ?
Jack W.
2.10 has some fixes for the Simple Signalling Logic so it's probably worth updating.
I'm not too keen on all the extra stuff they keep adding - like the Operations stuff so now instead of just decoder programming and signal control, it manages your car routing and so forth as well. I already have a nice program that stores my roster and generates car cards - and stores it in a far more robust format than XML. And they've gotten into adding pictures to the rolling stock and loco rosters - again my other program does this and doesn't try to link pictures to XML files. Get the idea that I am NOT a fan of using XML as a database?
There are a lot of nice Loconet-specific tools being developed using the RR-Automation library, but that is strictly for the Windows platform since it's a .net application. Much nicer UI than JMRI though. I just wish there were American-style signals in it. I guess I'll have to delve into the API and make my own.
Don't get me wrong, I still liek JMRI for creating dispatcher panels and managing signals. I rarely use DecoderPro for my own locos since they only have simple settings - an address and basic RUle 17 lighting. Using the same brand decoders in all the locos means I pretty much have the required settings memorized. I don't use any fancy effects or ditch lights. My beef is more with Java, I just don't like it. Great concept, same code runs on any platform, but flawed in execution. Especially where programs that have a user interface are concerned - it's least common demoninator. Those cool features for Windows, can't use them. Awesome MacOS features? Nope. Nifty Linux GUI tricks? Not in a Java program. And not all Java programs work witht he same version of Java, which gets to be a real pain in the technical worls where the Cisco management trools need one version, Citrix's tools need another, and the firewall appliance needs a third version. You cna make it work, but it's just as tricky and as much a pain as any other application where you need to run two or more versions of the same program on one computer. Not fun.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I am R&Co TrainController V.7 Gold user. TCGold is pro stuff. Expensive, but it is just great. It does have a 350 pages manual, but it is very user friendly and it took me more learning about wiring and detection hardware than learning the software. You may download a free demo version, which is complete, it just disconnects from the layout every 15 min. but it does have a simulator. I tried JMRi but TC is just way beyond. This software is desgined for full computer contol. The bronze version, tho limited, is a good starting point and isn't that expensive. The support group is just great.
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/
Here you can see TCGold calibrating the loco's speed with the speed steps, that way every loco will go the same real speed (Km/h) with each speed step. It also helps the software "know" what distance a loco travel and can stop the train were you progam it with pinpoint accuracy!:550:0]
I was thinking about the Bronze version to try it out and get used to it , you can always upgrade to the higher end ones. Was just wondering if it was worth it, I'm not into to much realism with the trains. I just want to operate my signals and track detection, I will be the only operator most of the time so I thought that would be the best way to go. Wiring is no problem for me its just remembering all the info to operate it , it will have a dedicated computer to operate everything. There is a fellow on U-Tube showing the basics of the program to get started and that just got me wondering about buying it . It's nice to know there is a support group so that will be a plus.
I just read up on TC Bronze because I was thinking about the automation available. However, I am using NCE for my main DCC system which controls the trains, and I also have a stand-alone LocoNet for my signals and block detection. The Bronze version can't be used to automate my system because it has a restriction on how it controls two different systems.
I also read up on the Silver and Gold versions, and the Silver looks like it would work OK, but I am not ready to put that much money in the pot for it.
Anyway, I don't think I would use the fully automation much. It would be more of a challenge for me to set up rather that just watch things run.
JMRI does support multipe interfaces on a single computer, so you might want to start there. There is a feature similar to Train Tracking so you can know where your trains are based on a known starting point. WHen it comes to signals and detection I'd say JMRI can do everythign Traincontroller Gold can do, just that some of the more advanced things are probably easier in Traincontroller.
TCBronze does support multiple digital units. I just upgraded to gold and used bronze for a time. I use NCE for DCC and CTI Electronics for signaling. Both ran fine. Of course using TC for only detection and signaling is like using a Ferrari for a 30m/h road.