I’m curious about the DCC operation of my track. I’ve read several primers and understand the basics however I have several questions…
Let’s say I want to build a switch yard that has several engines in it. Can DCC
Slow down a engine when it reaches a certain point on a track? Then have it stop on a track?
Have a DCC switch tracks on a side out?
Have a 2nd engine wait to get on the same line till the 1st engine & cars pass? (Like loading/unloading in a yard house)
Since DCC is a one way system, I’m guessing this would be computer controlled signal logic using a MUX/transistor setup with some form of track blocking. But how do we get the two to integrate together? ?Does Digitrax support the use of signal blocks?
Also I want to learn about isolaters for reverse loops.
As I’m new to track blocking, reverse loops, and computer DCC, any references online you could point me to would be greatly appreciated.
DCC by itself won’t slow and stop an engine. You have to have some sort of automatic control (computer or otherwise) to do that.
I am unfamiliar with the terms you use in question two.
I also don’t know what you are asking in question 3. Are you saying that you want to have one train wait in a siding and then when a train passes have the train in the siding leave?
Once again, the issue is not whether DCC can do this its can you build an automated system to do it. DCC is NOT a railroad automation device. It is a method of controling multiple engines on the same track or multiple devices on the same bus. In and of itself DCC does not initiate the movements. Something else has to tell the DCC system what commands to send to the engines or devices. That can either be a manual throttle or some form of computer interface. What you are really asking for is the computer interface to control the actions.
! as was stated above dcc can not at this time indepdently control your train without input into the throttle.@ if your asking can you control your turnouts using dcc there are several manf. who make staionary decoers so it is possible to control turnouts but again you will have to program address and then input the movement of the turnout with the throttle.As for reversing I suggest you check out either www.loys toys.com digitrax dealer offers alot of info on web site,Or Tonys train exchange.com has alot of info on web site and has several dcc products such as ramp meter/ power reverser.I use tonys power reverser on my layout they were easy to install and work perfectly.As far as having one train waiting while another does something else,with decoder equipped engines you can have 10 waiting and 10 switching or as many as your power supply,track and throttle can handle.I may be wrong on this but I think digitrax has its own line of signals since some decoders are transponding there may very well be automated block control now or in the near future,again I would check out digitrax web site to see what info is there.The era I model doesn’t have ctc just a train order and a stopwatch so i am sure someone else will reply with more or better info.I hope that this was usefull to you though.
For all Digitrax enquiries I’ve found a guy in Vancouver who specialises to a greater extent than Tony’s Train Exchange. He’s got a working layout in the shop and bucket loads of info on them. Address is http://www.central-hobbies.com/ and email Centralhobbies@telus.net
Yes, if you use signalling/block detection and the section ahead of the train is occupied.
I’m assuming you mean switch a turnout here, yes you can with DCC, but that can get expensive buying a stationary decoder for every Tortoise machine. there’s no sense in controlling turnouts via your DCC system unless you also use a computer program to operate the entire layout.
this is the same as the first question. Using signalling na d block detectors, you can have TRain A wait till Train B has past before it moves again. This will require that all rolling stock have at leat one set of wheels resaistered to show the Block occupied.
All the upper level systems support block detection, there’s even computerprograms out thetre that will allow you to program your Decoders as well as programs out there that will allow to you program Operations, then run all the trains according to your specifications without your interaction.
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Also I want to learn about isolaters for reverse loops.
As I’m new to track blocking, reverse loops, and computer DCC, any references online you could point me to would be greatly appreciated.
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just need to make the reversing section long enough to hold the longest train
Yes, and Zimo costs as much as a more pedestrian system plus a cheap computer, a combination that can do a HECKUVA lot more than a Zimo. You can’t play SimCity 3000 on a Zimo, you can’t Photoshop mustaches onto Aunt Gertrude (or Photoshop mustaches OFF of Auntie either), you can’t write term papers, track your stock portfolio, etc.
Apples and oranges. Zimo is a powerful, focused system, but not cheap. Other options aren’t as expensive initially, can be more challenging to set up, can be as powerful, and are more flexible. Either path can get you were you want to go…
I respectfully disagree.
How many systems do you know that can run a layout in automated mode (with or without PC!) and leave the operator in full control of any train at any time by just pressing one key at the cab. If the engineer wants to be in control of his/her train at all times, then this is a must have feature. Most other systems I know of don’t have that capability. In fact with most other systems you won’t even have access to any loco functions, let alone taking command of the loco(s), once they are in a low speed or stop section until the DCC signal is restored again (after the signal turns green)!
This being a major drawback in prototypical model railroading when automated operations are combined with manual operations, I fail to see how other systems can be as powerful and more flexible.
This is just one of many things that sets ZIMO apart from other DCC systems, besides the price……[;)]
Disclaimer: The above does not imply that other systems are no good. Merely pointing out the many outstanding and often exclusive ZIMO features.
Computer programs can do this, and more. There is a fully automated layout in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It can detect trainwrecks, and will just bypass them by a different route instead of shutting down all operations. I don’t know what it takes to do all of this though, you’d have to find a Digitrax expert to answer most of these.
Without a computer, yes, only Zimo can do that. With a computer though, any DCC system that supports a computer conenction can do those things, and you don’t need to implement ‘stopping sections’ to do it. With transponding or bi-dir the computer will ‘know’ which loco is in which block. It will also know that loco 1234 is approaching a yellow signal, and can issue loco control command directly to 1234 and tell it to slow down.
Zimo is pretty nifty, to be sure. But what’s really different about it is that they’ve crammed a far more powerful computer into the command station than any other DCC system. And manage to hide most of the ‘computer-like’ aspects of it behind their user interface. Naturally, this has an affect on the price [:)]
I’m not disputing that the Zimo is a more powerful DCC system than any of the “common” ones available in America. I’m simply pointing out that the same functionality can be achieved (with more work) using a cheap PC and a less expensive DCC system. In exchange for working harder to set up the DCC system using a PC, you also get all the additional capability that the PC offers, and Zimo doesn’t. Mind you, if it were me and I had the bucks to choose, I probably WOULD pick Zimo, simply because computers are what I do for a living, and I have little interest in working with a computer at my hobby.