I have an interface for a serial connection to a computer on my command station and wondered what everyone uses to run trains with via a personal computer. I am not going to run switches or accessories with it…just train control.
There is more to this than just a serial port, computer and software. Train control requires block occupancy detection other wise what is the point of having train control. Might as well just turn on the throttle and disconnect from the engine and let it ride.
I thought JMRI was just for programing decoders Tom?
Bob,
Decoder Pro is for programming locomotives. However, JMRI also makes other products, as well. Click on the link and poke around.
Tom
DecoderPro is but one of the applications availlable within JMRI. If you look under tools in DecoderPro you will find throttles (virtual) that can give you some train control.
But as you did not specify what type of train control you are looking for, it is diificult to point you in a direction.
That is true that you can run a virtual throttle from within Decoder Pro. but I do agree that if you are looking for track control from a computer you would be needing to look into a little more. Such as block detection and switch control. Otherwise as stated above the computer is just a very big throttle. But I also think it is a good place to start. As we have done using Decoder Pro to finally get a handle on our decoders and also using it as a secondary throttle. Now that we have that capabilty we will be looking at what more we can do now that we opened pandoras box.
I suggest researching CTI for computer control.
I use Decoder Pro and the built in virtual throttles, mostly when I am matching decoders. The throttles will work anytime though.
Its not rocket science, but a useful tool. If all you need is speed and direction control this is the way to go.
The original post just mentioned controlling the locos, not the rest of the layout. JMRI has tools for almost everything you might need. Most of them are geared for a Digitrax System, but they are always adding to their offerings. Check them out, what have you got to loose.
And remember, JMRI programs and advice are free!
And remember to donate to the JMRI project so that it remains free !..
Also, don’t forget that engineers are always watching where the loco is going. They do not switch to computer control and go have a coffee or coke.
I recently read a posting about someone wanting a signal control becasue this one guy turns his back for a minute and two trains collide at a crossing.
Yes I know, we are just “playing” with trains.
Rich
Hardly!
JMRI was originally developed as a set of libraries to allow a computer to interface with a model railroad. Two of the most popular “externalizations” of those libraries are DecoderPro, oriented towards decoder programming, and PanelPro, which is oriented towards layout control.
However, they both run the same underlying code. As a matter of fact, you can perform all the DecoderPro functions from PanelPro, and vice versa. Sometimes you have to look for something because the GUI’s are different, but all the functions are available from either.
But anyway, as far as “running trains”, JMRI was actually awarded the Duke’s Choice Award in the “Java Everywhere” category at Sun’s JavaOne conference in 2006. http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2006-05/sunflash.20060515.2.xml
The demo had nothing to do (directly) with decoder programming; it was a 4x8 layout with JMRI running two locos at the same time. Without any human interaction, JMRI ran the two locos, had one take a siding when necessary, toot the horn, etc. A brief recap from one of the participants can be found here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/message/17982
And although that demo focused on signals and controlling locos, JMRI can do lots more. I have scripts that “initialize” all my turnouts to a given state, play sounds based on certain triggers or events on the layout, etc. But I’ve barely scratched the surface of what it’s capable of.
And, JMRI interfaces with non-DCC systems as well, including C/MRI, Lionel’s TMCC, etc.
So no, JMRI is not just
And don’t forget the JMRI Defense fund.