train software

[Trackman23]

ive tried jrmi software but am curious about the train controller software by railroad and co. what are your thoughts on this software? do you recommend over jrmi?

[Anonymous]

My thoughts on this software? Very simple - nothing, nada, no thoughts at all! Why? My own layout will be so small, anything other than a regular DC powerpack is an overkill!

Train Control is a powerful software which is designed to run huge ( like Miniatur Wunderland) layouts with very few people in charge of operation. It is not intended for the home layout where you operate a train or two in prototypical fashion.

Is your layout that big?

[Trackman23]

no, i have a small to medium sized layout.

[jrbernier]

  RR&Co software is very nice - Easier setup than JMRI.  That said, JMRI is a better solution with lots of growth in it.  The question you really need to ask is 'what are you planning to use computer aided software for'?  You need more than just the software if you are going to automate train operation...

Jim

[dinwitty]

JMRI will interface to Digitrax systems and more, you can do signaling, control your trians etc and its free. Other softwares will get pricey, if your ready to pay. Despite so they say easy setup, these softwares still have a learning curve and you will have plenty of learning to do, JMRI or otherwise. The TCS systems have signaling, but they have their own base signaling concepts that you don't have control over. I have JMRI and I am using it to control single 3 color target signals on my layout now on a yard lead, multi head, and I can set up the signal aspects any way I need. You may need to know and understand some signaling logic, but how far you want to go with it is up to you. You can do very simple signaling or complex situations. I havent tried their train controls yet, thats not my goal of letting trains run themselves, my concept is hands on running, you run one train only while others run their trains. Usually there is an interface between the computer and the DCC system, check your manufacturer. I am into their dispatcher control panels you can build, pretty effective.

[caldreamer]

You might want to consider MMRM (Modfel Railroad Manager) by Tom Stack.  I helped him develop the software and it is pretty good.  The link is:

http://www.modelrailroadmanager.com/MRRM_index.htm

[Trackman23]

i plan on signaling and decoder programming.