I have started the long term day dreaming phase of a separate layout. It will be: In the living room / dinning room. Mostly high speed passenger (read bullet train). Shelf layout at most 12 inches deep. 30 to 40 feet long Point to point no loops of any kind I would like to run it “Hands free” that is pre programmed. I have seen phrases like “programmed” “fully automated display layout”. Questions: Does the hardware and software exist to: 1) Gracefully slow the train down as it approaches a point, (such as a station) 2) Stop the train smoothly 3) Pause for X number of minutes 4) Reverse direction and accelerate smoothly. 5) Is it hard to program 6) Once it is programmed do I need a computer to run it. Thanks guys, I really appreciate the thoughts.
Steve, all of the above can be done with ZIMO-DCC, even without a computer! Regards, Art Zimo Agency of North America http://www.mrsonline.net/
Are you planning on using DC or DCC to control the trains? If you want to use DC then there are a couple of options. There are boards available from companies like Heathcote Electronics that will do what you want. They use IR detectors in the track to determine train location and then accelerate and decelerate the trains. The acceleration and deceleration rates are adjustable. No computer is required for this. Here is a link: http://www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk/ Our club had a display layout that we took to GATS shows that used this system. The other option is to use DCC where there are numerous options, including the Zimo system. There are several software programs that can be used in conjuction with a DCC system. All of them require a computer to handle the logic. These include Railroad and Company, CTI, and Winlok. I am not sure if KAM Industries product supports automatic running of trains. You can research that yourself if you like. With DCC you can program into the DCC decoder acceleration and deceleration rates. The computer does not have to do this for you, although it can if you want. David [ February 18, 2005, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: ncng ]
That is great to know information. Thanks. David, Thanks!, I was thinking of going with DCC for this layout but the Heathcoat and CTI equipment and software look very tempting. The CTI programming would be relatively simple to learn. “Cheap, Easy, and Quick”. Well ok, not so cheap but a probably cheaper than DCC. http://www.cti-electronics.com/index.htm Any one have any input on the CTI? Art, thanks for the information. I'll look back if I decide to go DCC. Vendors feel free to jump in or contact me privately. Thanks again folks. Edit: Looks like the CTI is ok for simple loops and maybe point to point.. I'll update this when I hear back from them. [ February 18, 2005, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
I use CTI for my signals. I also know that there are several display layouts that use it. Why not join the CTI Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cti_users/ There are recent postings on the group that address your question. If you decide against CTI, you can always leave the group. David
David, thanks for the recomedation. I joined and will read as much as i can. It certainly would fulfil the "diplay layout " aspect.
