JMRI Vs Railroad & Co.

[Capt. Brigg]

I'm using Digitrax on my new "in progress" layout and test track and want to get into computer control. I am moderately computer user literate but don't do any program code writing.  I follow the JMRI Yahoo group but haven't started reading the manual. Last week I visited a layout in Chehalis WA that uses Railroad & Co. software to computer control their club layout and it looked and worked great. I also visited the freiwald.com (Railroad & Co.) web site and was knocked over by their high prices, (JMRI is free.)  While I'm sure users of each software will swear by their system, I'm interested in learning what are the differences, other than price, and the strong points of each. Since I can only afford to invest my time in learning one or the other, can anyone compare the two to allow an informed choice?

Thanks,
Capt. Brigg
Pacific Cascade Ry. in HO

[jrbernier]

  It depends on what 'you' want to do with your layout.  By 'Computer Control' - do you want the computerto start/stop your trains and set the routes on it's own?  RR&C software will get you started if you want that.

  JMRI Panel Pro will allow you to do the same thing(you have to write all the scripts).  Most folks use it to 'wire' a signal system, with user interface options.  Panel Pro works very nice with Digitrax signal/detection items or Bruce Chubb's CMRI stuff.

  I guess it comes down to how much you want to spend and how much 'work' you want to do.

Jim

[Capt. Brigg]

Since I will usually be operating my layout by myself, I would like the computer to operate as a second user, setting signals and turnouts for a fast freight while I switch a local and stay out of the way. I enjoy wiring and build my own computers and selected Digitrax because it seems to have the most components for realistic prototype operation (block detection, signaling, turnout control, etc.), so I'm not worried about writing "commands", just not familiar with program code like JAVA script. If I need to learn JAVA I will. I just want the most for my time spent.

Capt. Brigg

[gandydancer19]

Yep.  Jim is right.

I am computer literate and it took me 40 hours to learn and be comfortable with JMRI for block detection, signals, GUI programming, and building a panel and making it all work.  There is no step by step manual for Panel Pro.  There are some clinics that are helpful.  There is no way that I could use JMRI to automate running of trains using JMRI, and I know how to program in Basic, but not in Jython or Python, or whatever it is called.  Also, JMRI is ALWAYS changing.  Once you learn one version, they decide they want to add more functionality, again with no manuals, and you have to learn more stuff if you want to keep up.

I have also been looking at RR&Co.  If you have only one DCC system to interface with the program, I think the Bronze version will be all you need to do any automated running of trains as well as signaling.  I am using NCE for control and Digitrax for block detection and signals.  I would have to use the Silver version to do any automatic running.  However, RR&Co DOES have a fairly extensive manual.  And to me, that makes a BIG difference if you want to just let trains run and watch the action.

I am still thinking if I really want to set up my layout for automation or not.  I think it would be a fun project and a good challenge.  If I do decide to do it, I am going to bite the bullet and get RR&Co.  BUT, there is one other thing that you should be aware of with automated running.  You may need a point detector at each place you want a train to stop and not over-run a block.  That means almost twice as many detectors.

If you just want to build a panel, and signal your layout, JMRI Panel Pro is the best choice.  However, if you then decide that you want to fully automate your layout and just watch trains run and to WOW visitors, then RR&Co. would be my choice.

[rrinker]

 For automating operations, RR&CO is MUCH easier. ANd I DO program (just not in Java, can't stand it. Java is not the same as JavaScript though). A firend of mine wanted to have 4 trolleys run around a loop in his one town automatically, just movign aroudn and not crashing in to one another whiel he ran traisn by jand on the main line. I made 3 attempts with JMRI to get it all defined. The biggest problem is the picky layout editor tool - make a mistake and forget delting the mistake and re-entering it, things get all messed up and you nearly have to start from scratch, or edit XML files to back off to a clean starting point. Hardly friendly. I just coul;dn;t get it to work properly. I managed to make one trolly go, but as soon as I tried to add a secotn one, it started complaining about one thing or another. Half the time things went backwards - even though I said 'est' was block 1 to 2 to 3, when I said run 'east' the trolley woudl go the other way and then stop because the blocks were activated out of order.

 In between work sessions, my friend, who is definitely no computer programmer, downloaded a trial copy of Traincontroller Bronze. The next week he showed me - 4 trolleys running on the loop all spaced out nicely and stopping so none ran into another.

 FOr more complex automation you probably need SIlver or Gold. Is it worth it? Well, depends on how much time you want to spend learnign programming vs setting up the layout properties and having it work.

                                            --Randy