best software to control layout

TonyHammes Jan 14, 2018

  1. TonyHammes

    TonyHammes TrainBoard Member

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    Just jumping back into building layout. I have a Digitrax set DCS-100 and DB-150 (Using as a booster). I was wondering what is the best software option to go with. I am not a technical guy so nothing that involves computer programming skills.
     
  2. papahnash

    papahnash TrainBoard Member

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    I am very pleased with JMRI. It works very well with Digitrax Loconet to control locos, turnouts, occupancy and signaling. It has the capability to automate as wells as control your layout. It is a free download and is supported by a yahoo group that is actively updating it.
     
  3. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    do a search for
    "TrainController"
     
  4. LA Metro

    LA Metro TrainBoard Member

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    There are three train-control software applications on the market:

    • Dynamis RailController
    • Hornby RailMaster
    • Friewald Software TrainController

    I chose the Dynamis RailController. I bought a Dynamis Ultima from a UK seller for which Bachman/ESU developed its companion RailController software. It gives you complete computer-control and USB-integration, and works like an ECoS 50200 on steroids, with the power of a full-sized PC. Although it's marketed under the Bachman brand, it's really an ESU product (the command station is almost identical to the ESU Navigator). The software is easy-to-use, and though different, is graphically similar to Hornby's RailMaster software. However, unlike Friewald Software's TrainController, RailController only works with the Dynamis Ultima. Some of its features include:

    • On-screen layout schematic.
    • Touchscreen turnout-control.
    • DCC accessory/signal control
    • Pictoral loco database supports user-imported images (similar to ECoS 50200).
    • Up to four on-screen throttles, in addition to up to four handheld IR-controllers.
    • User-programmable automated train-control.

    Let me just say, I think it's the coolest DCC system on the planet. The main thing I was looking for in a modern DCC system was touchscreen turnout-control. I wrote up a review about it on another forum here.

    Here's some screenshots from the 24" Dell all-in-one Core i5 8GB PC I bought to run it:

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    Here's a shot of the system:

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    Last edited: Jan 16, 2018
  5. RCMan

    RCMan TrainBoard Member

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    It looks like a nice system.

    Been operating on an friends layout with a older Bachmann IR command station, and with all the IR devices we been having a lot problems maintaining a connections, and if you have two controllers close to each other then they are fighting each other to maintain a connection. We have tried moving the IR receivers and that is not improving the connection problem.

    Do you see that happening on the new Dynamis Ultima system?

    I am not a noob, my career is in electronics and have been in model railroading all my life.
     
  6. LA Metro

    LA Metro TrainBoard Member

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    I don't doubt what you say, and I've read others' reports of issues with Bachmann's IR controllers (some, subsequently blamed on fluorescent lighting). However, my experience with the Dynamis' IR reception is pretty impressive. The Dynamis IR-receiver has a very wide angle of view, seems as good or better than a good Sony remote, and works from quite a distance (it even worked from slightly under the layout!). The Dynamis also supports as many as five remote IR-receivers (I only have one hooked up so far). I have not tried operating two controllers at the same time, however.
     
  7. RCMan

    RCMan TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for your information. Yes, the layout has 5 IR's all around waist high and all points to the center of the layout. One was moved as it was lower and if you where within 4 feet of it, your back as toward the IR. The main IF is inside a building in the center of the main island almost in the center of the room, it is restricted to only being able to use the window openings to connect. Multiple controllers close to each other seems to have an issue also, one will drop out and the delay to acquire a connection again may be upto 10-15 seconds, this is not good as this can happen while your engine is running and you cannot stop it without a 5 finger sky hook.

    Can someone who has a multi IR setup chime in and give some recommendations of IR placement issues and fixes. I know about CFL's already.
     

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