opinions on remote operation

[gregc]

some layouts are having remote operating sessions (yes it's technically feasible and ecomonical)

loco control can be accomplished using phones connected to a JMRI server connected to the layout

there are several possibilities for operators monitoring their trains as well as signals thru some web interface with varying bandwidth (guesstimates):

1. selectable cameras could make sections of the layout and signals viewable but requires higher bandwidth for each camera
2. track diagrams showing block occupancy and signals using compressed bitmaps (.gif, .png) refreshed automatically every few seconds requires less bandwidth 
3. track diagrams showing block occupancy and signals using vector graphics (.svg) requires lower bandwidth 
4. a single table showing each signal and occupancy of two preceding blocks requires the least bandwidth
5. other possibilities?

ignoring various problems such as derailments, unintentional uncoupling, ....

i wonder what most operators would think of controlling a train using just track diagrams (2-4 above) without and video?

would anyone be interested in a virtual layout like some of the high gamers?   (no worries about derailments)

[rrinker]

 I don't know that I'd want to run a train remotely, even with video. Without, almost certainly not. It's not realistic and there's not much fun in it that I see.

 Now DISPATCHING - doing that remotely while the operators are physically present at the layout runnign the trains, makes a lot more sense. In fact it could be argued this is MORE realistic than sitting at a desk in the layout room doing the dispatching.

 A massive multiplayer virtual railroad - could go either way. Running in a realistic mode, I don't know you'd find too many people, even died in the wool model operators, who would want to sit there 5 hours for their train to run the length of a 40 mile branch line. And with multiple people all in game, running on different sections, you couldn't just use the time zoom feature you do when playing such a game alone. 

                                    --Randy