I decided to start a thread where people could share their DCC++ layout plans. I bought some "Life-like Power-loc" track off ebay (walthers?). this is not for my main layout, but only for testing and development. besides, I needed something to play around on while I designed and built my full layout. I wasn't sure if the turnouts were DCC++ compatible, so I just bought a circle of track. Now I just have to get rid of the futon that seems to have found it's way into my electronics workshop, so I can build some benchwork for my layout. I am thinking about doing a ring around the room, with a swing away bridge by the door. that will leave one corner with room enough for more depth where I can "go wild". the rest of the ring will be narrower. like maybe 12 - 18", where I can have a little scenery, but still have room for my electronics bench. now, layout top. I was thinking about 1/2 inch plywood to start. that way I can put track anywhere. I realize I can only really build scenery up from the plywood, without making cuts, and that is fine, for a starter layout. I may even just paint the plywood to start, and build from there. ~Travis
wow, popular thread Anyway, I am pleased to say I finally cleared out a space in my electronics workshop big enough to pop together my Power-Loc track circle. it was very pleasing to see my locomotive run around the track. and it runs smooth and quietly. far better than how I remember my fathers old train running. (Tyco trains on Atlas brass track) But it is progress, even if it is a little slow. but the important thing is, watching the loco go around is getting me eager to run it on a larger layout. I found the slow speed to be poor (lower limit appears about 25Mph scale), but I suspect that it is due to me testing it on a 12V test power supply. when I get my 18V supply, I suspect the performance will be better. ~Travis
Here is some info on my new layout, we live in a two bedroom apartment I have the smaller bedroom for my trains. The layout is 5 x 10 feet, basic bench work is four Harbor Freight wooden work benches with three 12 inch by 20 inch sections between them. They are all bolted together into a nice solid base for the railroad. Track is all Atlas code 100 except for two Peco curved turnouts and a Walthers code 83 double crossover. I am using DCC++ for the base station, a Raspberry Pi 3 for the control computer running Raspbian (Linux) using either DCC++ Controller or JMRI 4.6. I plan on having remote control through DCC for the turnouts, block detection using http://trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/different-way-to-do-detection.91951/ . I will include the track plan.
This is the test-track for BlueTrain3. It will use Bluetooth-DCC++ for DCC-turnout-control. It is on two “latched” hollow-cord-doors. It is designed to portable and “tiltable” to facilitate tests and demonstrations of OS-DBTC. Actually (when completed) Bluetooth-DCC++-control will be combined with BlueTrain3-control to become OS-DBLC (Open-Source-Direct-Bluetooth-Layout-Control). Bob
I thought I would add some photos of my layout as it exists today, there is still a great deal of work to be done. Being currently retired I have more time than anything else to work on the layout.
been a while since i posted in here (time off for personal growth), but i discovered pipe hangers at Home Depot (internet part number: 100196310). i will likely use them with 3/8" threaded rod clamped under the ribbon board for support. the hangers will just be anchored to the cement block walls. then it is just a matter of making a lift out bridge by the door, and buying enough track over time to make a basic loop (to start). I will also likely have a curb on the inside edge of the ring to keep derailments from rolling right off the ribbon layout. I haven't done much for add-ons to my DCC++ base station code, but once i have a real layout, i will have a better test platform for new code. ~Travis
What is a good layout planning software for a PC that can be used by DCC++ Controller? Railmodeller was used in the DCC++ demo videos but that is for Macs and I only have a PC.
I have started using a Program called Anyrail. It will let you try it for free. The price for full use is not that bad. I am using it for a extremely large club layout and is handling the design very well. The Forum support is excellent also. https://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
I only just discovered this thread... I'll add my plans. I had planned to do at least a test connection to my 10x10 Frost River layout, but the first time I tried, I got trains shooting off in the "mistook DCC for full-power DC" thing they do when analog support is turned on in the decoders. The layout isn't that big, but I do have a Digitrax PM42 in the path that I wonder if it might be screwing things up. The Base Station works fine when hooked up to a simple section of track, and the layout works fine with my Zephyr Xtra, so the PM42 seems to be the only wild card involved. My other plan that I hope to start executing on soon is an Inglenook Sidings puzzle shelf/display layout for my office. it will be 45" long and 10" deep, in N scale. The layout itself isn't much, trackage wise, but I am adding two features that should be pretty cool: A) Direct WiThrottle support in the DCC++ Base Station, coupled with a WiFi hot spot (for now a pocket router, eventually hopefully an ESP8266 tied to the Arduino), so I can control the train with my phone B) A 16x2 LCD display with simple throttle control built into the fascia. The display also implements the "randomize and choose cars" aspect of the Inglenook puzzle, so that a person can play the game and control the loco from the display. I have (B) fully implemented, except for adding bells & whistles. For (A) I have the interface part working (iPhone<->BaseStation), but because of some problems with the Mega board I have, I have only the SerialCommand part of the Base Station running on an UNO with an Ethernet shield for now. I've got new hardware on the way, and hopefully should have it fully tested in a week or two. On the layout side, since the trackwork is so basic, I am thinking about handlaying everything and scratch-building as much of the scenery/structures as possible, just for the challenge.
