If you had no budget to worry about and wanted the best Operational software what would you buy?
MUST BE ON THE MARKET FOR MODEL TRAINS TODAY! Got the point about just hiring someone.
For operstions planning
For CTC operations
For Dispatcher operations
My guess so far is:
Rail-ops, Pamrl Pro and Decoder pro.
The design criteria is:
You can not see your trains due to size of area, you have manual switching in some areas and you are running on a time table. The operations can handle about 11 trains at one time.
Digitrax DCC for control, about 45 engines for power and 250 freights cars and 100 passenger cars.
You have two complete railroads with a live junctions and 2 live interchanges. You also interface with a 3rd railroad as far as continueing their service across your tracks. Now figure 15 industries across 8 towns. your operations is based on time and train orders with a little automation at the junctions which are live diamonds. YOu also have a coal mine with a marshling yard (2) stub yards and (2) enigine service facilities.
I don’t know that anyone makes one program that does it all - car cards, switchlists, waybills, AND controls the layout and acts like a dispatcher panel.
Which is why I still have the project to update Dave Husman’s Access car card and inventory program so I can include the loco definitions from JMRI right with the inventory info. Among other things.
Yeah, that’s be my approach, the best in each category. They don’t HAVE to talk to each other, my little plan is just because I can, or something like that. Dave’s database has more info than the JMRI rosters. Now, I could add what I want to the JMRI program but a) I can not STAND Java and all the compromises you have to make, and b) I think XML is one of the worst ideas in years. It’s ok for config files and such, but to use it like a database? This is 3 steps backwards. I might as well go back to writing BASIC programs that do PRINT # and INPUT # from text files. [soapbox]
AGREE, could use Fortran IV or Cobault with a keypunch system!!!
I am going to buy the Pro version of Rail-ops since the club people think it is the best. The Panel Pro is still up in the air for me. Decoder pro is the answer for tracking DCC programing. Going to look at that other program you told me about for the routing. $295.00 is a little rough but if it works OK. The only thing I have against Panel Pro is it is unstable as heck when you add to much information. Have tons of trouble getting it to accept the schematic for phase I.
Belive it or not 98% of the track si in with 95% of the Tortoise-in. Went with DS52’s for all routing turnouts and DPDT with Bicolor led (thanks again) for others with all the engine terminal tracks on ground throws. Wiring up the 1-8 on the Tortoise then will come back for the frogs and signals.
Look likes phase II will be designed and built. Going to run it from Nanticoke (PRR) to ? have aquired another 850 sq ft of right-a-way [:)]
You’re really going for the title of biggest home layout, aren’t you? [:D] Sounds good, I’ll have to figure a way to get down that way sometime. Note sure why PanelPro would get unstable, plenty of people have some large layouts controlled with it. I know you have some hefty computers, should handle it with no problems. RAM is the most important for Java apps. Maybe your background graphic came out too large? I mean in byte count, you can have 128x160 images that are a meg and 1280x1024 images that are 35K depending on how they were created. Do you have the block detection in yet? I need to learn the scripting anyway, I could help with that. The only thing I have to work with right now is some NCE Switch-Its, I should finish assembling the LocoIO board I have and start playing some more.
The deal is that IF this keeps running as smooth as it is we will work on the addition. So far so good, Murphy has been quiet. The pamel pro deal is operator error on my part. Started a NEW panel and taking it a LOT slower approach with this one.
The LARGEST RAILROAD that does NOT WORK is NOT what I want. The more I lean towards a prototype the better it is getting. Changed a few town names to fit into the swing of things. Main town (1) is now Ashley with the other Terminous being Nanticoke. These fit into the Balckdiamond to Tidewater map of that area.
The thought of a 3rd 130 ft Walthers Turntable with all the support is interesting but may just be plain dumb. IF we go with phase 2 that is another 900 ft of track and 265 turnouts. Not to mention (6) more boosters abd (6) more PSfour’s. There would be (1) PSrev for a wye but have that as a spare.
Took off this year to build this. Avereag is about 60 hours per week on my part and another 20 hours of help. May go ahead and take off next year to get this one bullet proof before thinking of phase 2.
Would be neat to make a 14 scale mile run from Ashley to Phillpsburg or ?. We will run a 4-1 clock on this. I am 99% steam BUT want to add GG!'s under wire, that is the reason for phase 2.
This forum is so quit it is ALMOST a private forum.
Oh yes we do have a guest room or you can stay at the guest house.
There’s no doubt my layout is smaller, but I’ve built a couple of fairly complex panels in Panel Pro and never had stability problems. What exactly do you mean by “getting it to accept the schematic”? To my way of thinking, Panel Pro “accepts” various elements (images, sensors, signals, turnouts, etc) and combines them to create the schematic, so I’m curious to know what you’re having problems with.
They are on file in my Yahoo Group LEATHERIQUE it is free of course. Information on my layout, cars and other things. Scnerey is at 0%, plywood central is the rule. Turntable (1) has the pit in and feed tracls located. Turntable (2) has the whole cut, trial fit and will be in by Tuesday of next week. The project now is putting in DS52’s and wiring Tortoise’s.
Was hoping to have all the software and layout computer with it’s display up by now but have not locked into the best package for the computer and monitor’s. Original plans show (4) 21" LCD’s one at each major panel mounted overhead with (2) 21" at the dispatchers desk. The closed Circuit TV system is another problem. Want color PTZ (pan, tilt,zoom) wireless cameras, NO GOOD radio interference from the l;ayout and house causes a bad signal. Returning them for wired.
IF Murphy stays home we should be ready to run an operating session on the Plywood Central by Labor Day.