One of the reasons I got back into model railroad was the idea of integrating my computer into the trains and my layout. I was very happy to find out about DCC. Now I would like to use computer generated my switch list. I started with RMS by Sonora Software Inc. There is nothing wrong with this software, but it was the first one I found, and I want to make sure I made the correct choice. I would like to find out what other people use (if any) on their personal layouts. I know there are some great software for clubs, but I am not sure they are good for personal (smaller) layouts. Tell me what you thing.
There are a number of programs on the market to generate switch-lists. I had downloaded a bunch of demos and was previewing them when I decided to tear down half the layout and rebuild/expand it. That’s a whole other story, but suffice to say that actually purchasing any switch-list software got put on hold.
Anyway, the one I would have bought (and probably will, eventually) was RailOP. It had the best set of features and very good support both from the manufacturer and on their Yahoo! group. Also, it doesn’t require an external “balancer”.
That balancer thing is something to watch out for. When I was doing my evaluations, I found that at least one of the popular switch-list generators had a bad habit of sending too many cars in one direction and not returning nearly as many. That resulted in a railroad that was empty at one end and plugged up at the other. The only way to fix it was to get (buy, I believe) a separate “balancer” program from a 3rd party.
My suggestion would be to download as many demos as you can find (use Google to search for them) and try them out.
My own personal experience with Albion’s Shipit! is that I wasted about a hundred bucks. The program did not do what was advertised, and to even get it close to functional, you almost have to purchase some 3rd-party software called the Balancer. I spent fifteen to twenty hours trying to make the most rudimentary track layout (basically a small yard a few sidings in another town) and was not successful. This software is almost completely non-functional.
If you like puzzling out database programming issues, you may really enjoy Shipit!. I don’t. But it does have its adherents. Proceed with it at your own risk.
I have purchased and used ShipIt. It is a complete waste of money and time you have to spend on it to try and get it working. You noticed I said “try” to get it working. Unless you are a data base genius, you will be thoroughly frustrated with it. I have an Excel program that is used for printing car cards and waybills if you don’t want to go the switchlist route. Don Husman has an excellent Access program which does a great job in printing waybills and car cards. It can be found on the OpSIG Yahoo discussion group.
I have heard very good reports on Rail Op. My main objection to computer solutions for operations is that it is difficult to “play” between op sessions. The computer knows where all your cars are and if you move them between sessions, you must go into the computer and tell it where you have moved your rolling stock.
I prefer the tried and true car card/waybill system. There is a terrific description of a way to balance such a system by Mark Frysztacki and the details can be found on his web site.http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/. I have used it for many op sessions and it works very well.