For the past year I've been working on automating my railroad, having trains run automatically, passing each other on sidings while using DCC. Along with this comes signaling and block detection as well as turnout control via switch machines. My modest success has been expensive in both time and money. I did a search tonight on Trainboard for CTI and did not receive any hits. CTI is my current pick of the litter having tried KAM, JMRI, RR & Co and now CTI. Your own efforts and success or lack thereof will be interesting to me. If your are just starting, here is a good place to start. Joe Daddy
Hi Joe, This is a subject that really interests me, I have looked at a number of automated systems but as yet not made a decision to purchase. As you well know a commitment in time and money is required. At the momment I am content to get my layout up and running before going down that road. Yeah, I looked at CTI and it seems to be a good system, but I don't know anyone who runs it so am still a little in the dark. Also it is a bit daunting ordering something on the "net" from the other side of the world without knowing alittle bit about what you are buying Hopefully this thread will flush out some answers for us. Cheers, Ken.
Been running RR&Co for a number of years now. I'm very impressed by the functionallity. Planning to run it on my G-scale in the garden too. Currently running some 8-9 trains on my H0-layout. The idea is to running trains automatically and do all switching manually some day in the future. I'm also using JMRI but only for decoder programming.
Automation of the layout is a large subject, and there is no "one size fits all" solution. I personally have no interest in automating operation of the whole layout, though automation of certain functions, such as signal aspects, is a requirement. I'm one of the JMRI developers, so that is what I use from a software perspective. Hardware wise, JMRI allows you to mix and match pieces from supported systems as required. I know we have a number of users who utilize both C/MRI and components from their DCC manufacturer of choice to run the layout. Paul
I'm not really that far in my layout to have it automated. for it's 1 power pack, 2 wires, track and a train. Colby
My layout now has a 'display mode' fully automatic train operation running three trains on two mainlines, automated station stops, turnout control, whistles, sound effects like billy goats and sirens, all hands off. I did it all with CTI and Lenz. Cost for the CTI was ~ $125 bucks for the hardware and software. I am adding a fourth train on the two line mainline to be added this week end. 2 passenger and 2 freights 1 each steam and diesel. Manual operation is fully functional with a live CTC panel. Joe Daddy
I use CTI and RR & Co but primarily use RR & Co. I do not use them to run my trains. I use them for signaling and for the CTC display on the computer. I would have gone entirely with CTI but it does not have bi-directional DCC interface. It only sends information out to the DCC system. I use Digitrax BDL16(2/8) detection and DS54 stationary decoders. CTI does not see these pieces of equipment. You can interface them with some of their boards but that just adds complexity and cost. RR & Co on the other hand can directly interface with CTI and Digitrax, as well as scores of other companys' equipment, all at the same time. As long as you have enough serial or USB input devices it will work. I have been working with another person that uses RR & Co with NCE DCC, CTI, and Oaktree's RCI all at the same time. Works great. David
David, Thanks for your feedback and answering my post. You are correct in your assertion that CTI does not 'read' from DCC. However, RR & CO is extremely expensive, more than 10 times the cost of CTI's train brain software at 39 bucks. And I am able to do all the CTC, Signaling I want as well as I have automated my trains. Last time I priced full tilt RR & Co it was over $500 bucks just for software. I replaced my Lenz DCC feed back hardware, expanded my automation capability by double and saved money with CTI. I am thrilled with my CTI implementation. Thanks again Joe Daddy
The list price for RR & Co is $349 not $500 but is available for $297 from Tony's Train Exchange. I agree that the price is rather high now. When I originally purchased it it was less than $200. A large part of the price increase is due to the drop in the value of the dollar against the Euro. RR & Co is produced by a German company. David
Thanks again David for your comment. I am not going to comment on your rationale on the exchange rates. According to the price list on their website, adding sound is another $149 bucks, plus using network capability is yet another $149 plus a user fee for each additional user. The price to me for what I get out of TrainBrain is 349 plus 149 for the sound module. The actual price is $498 by my calculations. IMO, Tony's discount is not large enough to tempt anyone to step up to RR & Co. Price alone is why I passed on this option. Thanks Joe
