computerized layouts?

[Anonymous]

Hello; I have been out of model railroading for a few years; still have a fairly large HO layout that needs to be repaired; are there any ways these days to run a layout from ones computer; I assume thereis; any suggestions? Thanks[:D]

[dinwitty]

theres something called the CMR/I system by Bruce Chubb, he has a book on it and was a series of MR articles on it.

There are some custom DCC pages on the net, you can search them easy on google.

Someone makes a Realistic Diesel loco throttle setup which was made to work with Microsoft Train Simulator but I think they adapted it for DCC operation as well.
There are plenty of possibilities out there, start your research.

I don't have any direct links at the moment.

[Big_Boy_4005]

The simple answer is yes, it is possible. I am currently working to do just that, using the previously mentioned CMRI, and Lionel's version of command control called TMCC. I think that the DCC systems are capable of receiving commands from a computer.

What level of control do you want the computer to have? In my case I plan to have it act as dispatcher / traffic cop on my mainline, and also run some of the through trains to simulate additional traffic.

Software is the key. There is a company called KAM Industries that makes a software package that sounds pretty interesting.

[aluesch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hoboman

are there any ways these days to run a layout from ones computer; I assume thereis; any suggestions? Thanks[:D]

Yes there is. ZIMO-DCC and STP software is one solution. Actually, Model Railroader Magazine just finished a product review on this: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/646frhoi.asp

You can also get more info on our: http.//www.mrsonline.net
or ZIMO's web site: http://w3.zimo.at/web2003/index2E.htm

Regards,
Art

Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/

[Anonymous]

Thanks ...this is all good information; I was thinking that software is the key; I have a really great movie editing program, and I will make videos, and edit model train movies, and mount monitors near the layout, and I want to control the entire board from my computer by clicking on a mockup layout for dispatch; I am dreaming big here, but my kids are grown now, and they left behind all these trains, and layout, and now it is time for Mom&Dad to have some fun LOL[:D]

[Anonymous]

Oh man!!! I just went and looked at that ZIMO system...I think that is probably the only way to go for me ...I am impressed...Thanks again![:D]

[Anonymous]

i look forward to doing something similar someday when I get "out of the armchair"

[challenger3802]

I saw recently at an exhibition a computerized layout which controlled all the signals, turnouts and relayed train information to a monitor (for display to the public). It worked great on it's own until a train stalled over a turnout, when the computer tried to change that turnout for the next train, the first train was still travelling over it, you can guess the level of chaos which occurred!

Computers are great for operating layouts, just don't forget the human input.

Ian

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by challenger3802

I saw recently at an exhibition a computerized layout which controlled all the signals, turnouts and relayed train information to a monitor (for display to the public). It worked great on it's own until a train stalled over a turnout, when the computer tried to change that turnout for the next train, the first train was still travelling over it, you can guess the level of chaos which occurred!

Computers are great for operating layouts, just don't forget the human input.

Ian

Very interesting. This type of error is a combination of hardware and software. In that case, the computer did not have the proper information. It should have been able to detect that the turnout was occupied, and never have thrown it under the train. Just because it is possible to connect a computer to a train layout, does not make it a foolproof.

What should have happened is that the block occupancy should have overridden the turnout throwing when the train stalled, and in turn, shut down other trains as a result of a "traffic jam". Once the human cleared the fault, normal operation should have resumed.

This is some tricky business. Lots of things to think about when designing for computer operation.

[dinwitty]

I won't be computerizing as I like to get up close to the layout and run up close to the train. Why a shelf style layout I plan. If I want to sit back and relax to run a train theirs MSTS or Trainz

[Anonymous]

I too like the hands on "up close" part of railroading; so I won't totally computerize either, but I want both, so I can employ some high tech; I can wait until the computer screws up then I can pick up all the trains, and start over. After I go to computer, I may come back; I just want to try it. Do we ever finish any of this anyway? It seems that it is all ever evolving; the railroading friends I have agree that one can never completely be satisfied with a layout without changing something.

[robengland]

you need to check out JMRI, which is free. jmri.sourceforge.net
I have JMRI running on an old PC to create a CTC panel driving Digitrax DS54s to control turnouts.
Soon I'll set it up so i can control power in my staging yard using mouse clicks too.
One day I'll use it to do some automated control of locos too, just because I can [:)]

[rlbeetle]

I went to JMRI and downloaded DecoderPro for setting up decoders, but I did not see any other downloads. PanelPro looks interesting but I did not see a download link for it.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

http://www.cti-electronics.com/index.htm

I was looking into this company for a while (then I realized that I'm nowhere NEAR ready to do this). They seemed like they were pretty good with what they could do. The best part was that it could be used with either DC or DCC layouts. It works with DC blocks and says "The PC can also automatically slow or stop a train based on the presence of traffic in the blocks ahead. The entire operation is automatic, and completely transparent to the user." So it would have stopped that switch accident from happening.

Before you buy anything, you should definitely look into CTI.

Let us know what you go with and how you like it. Someday I'll like to go computerized.

[Anonymous]

Lenz offer an interface to go between a PC and their DCC systems - it should work on anything supporting their X-Bus protocol and can be combined with sensors, etc to create a fully automated layout (though by this stage the control gear may have cost more than the rest of the layout put together...). There's information on it here: www.mackaymodels.co.uk/LenzDigital.htm#THE%20LI101F which should be useful in deciding if it's what you want - that site also has other useful information on Lenz capabilities (have just today gone over to DCC with a Lenz Compact and I'm already looking at the gadget they offer to turn an old cordless phone into a wireless throttle...). Hope this is of help!

[DigitalGriffin]

There are multiple products available to work with the Lenz system through a computer. You might want to give their website a look see...
(http://www.lenz.com/products/xpressnet/software.htm)

I'm working on a similar project now. I'm using Lenz LI101F to simplify my train operations. The protocol is a little "odd" when it comes to reading feedback devices (ie: Turnout positions, aux decoders etc...) But it seems to work well.

I grabbed a WIRELESS game pad controller from logitech (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2225,CONTENTID=9069) and I use the left thumb up/down to adjust speed. The left thumb left/right to select train/consist/double header. The buttons select functions like horns, bells, whistles, etc... Seitek also has a nice wireless that would work well.

[robengland]

Hey rlbeetle

PanelPro and DecoderPro are all on the one download of JMRI 1.5.6 (or 1.4 if you prefer to stick with "production" code)
Do a Google for the clinic notes about how to use it. It's a bit obscure to start with but once you get it, its great.

All the tools are on the one download. Try creating a new throttle and run trains from Windows!

To do CTC:
Build a track schematic using your favourite graphics tool (I used PowerPoint!!). Save it as a .gif
Then on the DecoderPro tools menu go to the Turnout Table. If you have been running JMRI connected to LocoNet for a while, then your stationary decoders (DS54s or whatever) will already be in the table. Else you have to add them.
The go to Panel/New (I think that's right - I don't have it in front of me). Load your schematic gif and add turnouts using the panel editor. Pick what icon to use before adding them. Give them the same name as the entries in the table.
A hidden secret is that you move icons around by RIGHT click and drag.
ANother hidden secret is that the display does not refresh properly, so if you add, move or delete something this may not show. If in doubt minimise the panel window then get it back again, or wave another window over it.
A THIRD secret is that if you want to change the background gif you first have to delete the one that is there by right-clicking on it.

Then click on your turnouts and watch them change [:)]

[aluesch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by challenger3802

I saw recently at an exhibition a computerized layout which controlled all the signals, turnouts and relayed train information to a monitor (for display to the public). It worked great on it's own until a train stalled over a turnout, when the computer tried to change that turnout for the next train, the first train was still travelling over it, you can guess the level of chaos which occurred!

Computers are great for operating layouts, just don't forget the human input.

Ian

A good software would have several safety features to ensure that no train can enter a route that is already reserved for another train. If the loco stalls for whatever reason, the route should still be locked until the train intended for the route clears every track section that is part of that route.
I can't comment on other software and DCC systems but in ZIMO/STP' case every loco and car sitting on the track is recognized by the system. It will also recognize true turnout positions and either throw the switch in the right position, even if someone moves the switch manually in the wrong position, or if this is not possible, will not allow a train to move into that block.
In this case the system/software would have recognized that one or more sections of this route were still occupied and the turnout(s) would have remained locked as well so no other route could have been set by the PC.

Regards,
Art
Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/