Feels almost like I’m committing a crime, running a STEAM engine with a computer!
I’ve downloaded Decoder Pro and while playing around with it and a steam engine it struck me that something so modern such as the computer just didn’t feel right running something as ‘unmodern’ as a 2-8-0 Consolidated… 
But the engine didn’t seem to mind, it just goes on its merry way…
Jarrell
Now if you could create a GUI like a Microsoft Train Simulator cabview, we’d really have something! The throttle slider replaced with a bitmap of the regulator, whistle function key with a cord, etc.
More power to you if your a computer guru, but to me, model railroads operated by computer just take the fun and the human element away from the hobby. I do use Decoderpro for programming my locomotives, but that’s as far as a computer is gonna get to my layout. To me having a Digitrax DT400R throttle in one hand and a shish-K-bob stick in the other hand is the only way to go. I do use train detection circuits for signalling targets but hooking up the HP to run the entire railroad is as you say “sacreligious.” Human engineers control most over the road locomotives and human brakemen still pull pins, set brakes, and connect air hoses and I believe it should stay that way…chuck
Yep, I’d like to have a GUI like that!
Jarrell
Chuck, I’m still learning Decoder Pro (the REAL reason for it all)… haven’t had a lot of success yet but it’s only been a day. Did you find it easy? Any tips or suggestions?
Jarrell
And why is that? Running steam with digital? Used to do it by hand now by computer.
KEWL. Now I see a little bit. But why does it have to be a compaq? lol. I build my own.
I recall dimly a History Show on BNSF where thier trains apparently are responding to signals using computers at the dispatcher office. Very close to remote control in real life.
I think sooner or later I will run a choo choo off this machine but will need to get some rollers first before I do.
Is this sacreligious? Only if you consider Model Railroading to be a religion…
All the automatic speed control and train stop systems used by the prototype could be considered to be dispersed effector analog computers - and they would definitely override the on-board engineer. The ones that still exist have long since been converted to digital systems and centralized.
BART has been computer controlled from the start. The cab rider (I can hardly define the position as ‘engineer’) is only there to deal with computer failure (and to reassure passengers who were uncomfortable when the cab was empty.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
If you really want the feel of running a train, get one of those old Lionel, or American flyer transformers with all the handles and buttons.[:D]
I spent alot of time on our Washington DC Metro Subway to avoid parking fees, traffic and general big city risks with my older car at the time. I have always suspected that the subway train was under computer control… the train seems to be precisely driven. Those of you who are truck drivers or other masters of heavy vehicles understand what I mean. More computer controlled than Human controlled.
Personally I dont have a problem with it, Airlines do it all the time with thier auto systems. It is possible to input numbers into a large object with wings at point a and say “Mush” and it will go to point B.
I can only imagine the amazement of our older folks who have seen times from Gas Lamps in the street to the wonders of today.
Shoot, after awhile you can skip all that messy building stuff and just operate the computer.
I wonder if the NMRA has a virtual MMR for this?[(-D]
Enjoy
Paul
I dunno about that being sacreligious. At one point a Consolidation was the pinnacle of rail technology… and your computer is going to be a paperweight sooner or later… so everything has its time in the spotlight.
This is already possible. Many people have some fantastic virtual railroads.
As for running the “steam” locomotive with the computer, it seems it is no more an issue than the fact that is isn’t a really a steam locomotive at all. It is just an electric train engine that was made to look like a steam locomotive.
Yes, it is, turn in your slide rule and prepare to be virtually disiplined …[}:)]
[:-^]
so what you’re saying is… we need to light fires in them and fill them up with water?
kinda reminds me of the AF ads “and mom, the smoke won’t harm your drapes!” or something like that… well, except the coal smoke might actually ruin the drapes… oh well, we all have to make sacrifices [;)]
The amount of things you can do with decoderpro is going to be dictated by the type of decoder you have in your locomotive. If you have a decoder that has only two functions then decoderpro won’t do much. If you have say a sound decoder with 6 functions then the sky’s the limit. Decoderpro is only as advanced as the decoder in the locomotive will allow. I have a lot of Athearn locomotives and trying to set the speed curve doesn’t work too well with them. If the locomotive was say a BLI or Atlas, then the speed curves work well. Most of my locomotives just need an address and the light functions set and they’re off and running with no other problems.
Aw, there you go destroying all my illusions.[sigh]
Enjoy
Paul
It’s about as sacreligious as me using this connected to my computer to control mine
First controls throttle
Second controls braking amount (when available)…also programable
Third controls acceleration/deceleration (when available)…also programable
First switch is bell
Second switch is horn
Third switch is direction (dur…got that one wrong)
Yes but… The future may be already here. An actual sign on the Finger Lakes Railway:
Jarrell, maybe it would be alright if you put that sign on yur layout, but somehow it just doesn’t seem right for the Connie…[:-^]
That’s why i used the word “most”. We have that here too at UP’s Strang yard in La Porte Texas. The engineer is human, but he’s got that fancy 1:1 scale DCC system on the yard switcher and switches cars in the yard from the tower. They went as far as building an overpass at the RR tracks at Fairmont Parkway just south of the yard. That way, the railroad doesn’t need a human engineer in the locomotive to blow the horn at the RR crossing anymore when they pull out long strings of cars that used to foul the highway on occasion.
hey DG , where did you get that ?