I would like any insight to know what software packages that are user friendly, that works well in running a room size DCC layout.
Thanks for you help.[:)]
Just last night I saw a presentation on the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) at the NMRA division meeting I attended. It looks pretty comprehensive and best of all, it is free.
I would avoid KAM Industries product for behavior that is an embarrasment to the model railroad industry. They have filed patents on things others already had on the market and were obvious anyway, have admitted to copying the copyright protected JMRI software, and have cybersquatted on a domain name. Shameful.
Other software I’ve heard about are ProTrak and Railroad & Company. Here’s a couple of links to a list of model railroad software:
http://www.railroaddata.com/rrlinks/Software/Model_Railroad/
I have been using the JMRI (Decoder Pro) with my Digitrax DCC for about a year. It is great for programing decoders and you can also run trains from your computer. The software is free, but if you have a Digitrax DCC, you will need to purchase a Digitrax MS-100 (RS232 port) or USB Locobuffer to conect your computer to your Digitrax loconet. Some of the other DCC sets have a built in compiter interface included in the command station.
JIM
The answer to your question depends on what you want the computer to do. I am in the very small minority on this board in that I use my computer to completely control all train movement. I enjoy being a railfan on my own layout.
Now, I am an big fan of JMRI and have used it to control my layout but I must point out that you will need to have some knowledge of programming to create control scripts to control your trains. Since software is my day job, this is not an issue for me.
You can see a video of my previous layout running under JMRI control here.
I am in the process of building a new layout which will also be fully controlled by JMRI.
If you need something that works out of the box without a lot of programming, Railroad and company is a good choice.