I’m planning to use DCC on my next (2nd) layout. I want to be able to run in display mode during holidays when the children and grandchildren visit.
I want to automate 2 trains (or maybe 3 at most) running simultaneously on various interchanging routes. Obviously I will need to automate (1) route selection (variable so that the same train doesn’t always run the same route), (2) turnout control, and (3) trains pausing on passing sidings, at stations, etc.
Is all of this feasible with DCC? Is so, what equipment would I need? I’ve read mostly about Digitrax, and it seems I would need at least something like a Zephyr or Super Chief starter set plus a DS64.
What else would I need?
By the way, my railroad will be On30 and small enough such that I don’t think amperage will be a problem. No track plan yet, but it will have reversing loops. Also, I haven’t decided on Digitrax, any brand is fine.
I looked at cti’s website. As best I can tell, it is a DC system which claims to do most of what DCC can do, which seems impossible to me. Can you tell me more about how it works?
If you had your digitrax system and a computer interface it would all come down to the software you use and what you program it to do. I havent expirimented with computer control so I cant really give you much help but I think a zephyr would be a good place to start.
I forgot to mention that I’m sure I’ll need some type of block detection devices. At the point, I’m really not asking for a “how to do it”, just “can it be done” and “what equipment is required”.
From your response, I gather it can be done, albeit with a computer. No problem there, I’m much more comfortable with computers than model railroads.
All this and more is possible. Detectors are essencial, you need the PC to know where your trains are. As others have said there is software around that will do what you want. It’s a reasonably big job, that’s why not everyone has done it. I’m working on just automating the signals on my small DC layout. My cousin has a fully PC controlled layout but the trains run in a preprogramed sequence one at a time and he uses light detectors to indicate that a train has reached certain key spots. He uses the PC with a digital to analogue converter to run the trains (without DCC).
The NCE Power Pro system will do this as well. It has a built-in computer interface - you don’t even have to spend extra bucks for it, as you do for some other systems.
a computer interface to the DCC system of choice (Digitrax or other, it doesn’t really mater. As Brunton said sometimes the interface is built into the unit.)
software for the computer.
block detection circuits like a Digitax BD4 or BLD168, Lenz LB101, NCE BD20, etc.
cars in the train that can be detected (like resistor wheel sets).
should not matter. Other than needing the auto-reversing loop modules.
Click on the McKinley RR links. This is a really nice layout in the UK that has been fully automated using Digitrax components linked to a PC running commercially available software. It really is an excellent insight into what can be accomplished and will give you some pointers.
One more consideration . . . are you interested in any sort of signalling system? If so, while you’d need some additional hardware, you could use the same computer and block detectors. If so, you might want to investigate Bruce Chubb’s C/MRI (Computer to Model Railroad Interface) system. There was a 4-part series in the January through April, 2000, issues of Model Railroader. Dr. Chubb’s website also has some info, at: http://www.jlcenterprises.net/index.htm (note the MR article incorrectly says it’s at “.com”) And there’s a User Group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CMRI_Users/ They have folks doing all sorts of things, including those you mention.
Good question, and thanks for the links. I’m basically a novice trying to learn a lot in a hurry. At present I’m planning to model 1890+/- era. I have no idea what signaling was used then. I’ve sort of left that topic for last, but I will ultimately investigate it.
I have given up on DCC feedback systems and and have ordered CTI Electronics. It is a hybrid system that supplies its own block and feedback system with an interface to DCC.
I had hoped for it to be here today, but the two feet of snow we got today slowed down everything here in Denver.
As it starts to unfold, I’ll let you know how it works out.
Certainly, at this point, computer control of model railroads is neither a trivial, nor cheap endeavor.
Well, the CTI system arrived and with the addition of only three sensors, I am able to fully automate three trains using my DCC system to operate the turnouts and control the trains.
If a person has DCC already, for about 100 bucks and a long weekend, you can have simple train automation. I say simple, Trolley’s, 2 trains on the same mainline, passing each other at a siding, or chasing each other but not hitting one another.
Bottom line, it works. Bugs, gotchas, weirdness, yes, but I am working throught them very quickly. The difference here? I am working them out, with other solutions, I kept pouring money in and no results. Http://www.cti-electronics.com
Well i watched the first vid clip and i have to say its all impressive stuff.
What realy does me in though is how he babbles on about ‘we done this and we do that’
In other words “i have more money than sense and get all the experts in to do it”
Very nice for one who has more money than sense but well beyond the pockets of alot of us, me included!
The “she” that he mentiond that he got to do the back scenes for him, probebly cost god knows how many hundreds and they dont look nearly as good as some of the painted efforts in MRR[:D]
Thats by no means any get-at to you Simon, it is after all still prety impressive[:)]
