Video's on working with Traincontroller

[RudyB]

After several days of playing with Traincontroller I can only say is that I'm having a lot of fun with the software. So much fun actually, that I plan to control my layout with it.

 

I though it might be an idea to do a series of video's on "Working with Traincontroller' while going through the process.

 

This is the first video in the series, it's about installing the software and then making the connection to the Command Station.

 

Link to Traincontroller video 01.

 

 

Edited June 18, 2015 by RudyB

[Tase]

I saw your channel a week or so ago and have since subscribed. I'm very interested in automated layouts and the software to control it. I'm currently playing with Rocrail and will be eagerly looking forward to future videos from you to see if Traincontroller is worth the expense.

[two tone green]

Will be watching with great interest.

[richard brown]

very good video I hope you enjoy train control . 

 

Richard 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 02: Let's Drive Some Trains!

The second video on Traincontroller is online.

Now that the software is installed and the connection to the Command Station has been made, it's getting time to drive some trains.

The blog has a short description on the steps to take to create a user panel with some throttles.

Link to Traincontroller 02: Let's Drive Some Trains!



 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 03: Create a Switch Panel

 

Video nr 03 on working with Traincontroller is about drawing a layout on the switchboard, after which turnouts can be switched.

 

TC has a 'Draw' tool with which creating a layout becomes a matter of seconds. Turnouts are automatically inserted when two lines touch each other.

 

Then double-click each turnout to enter its properties such as DCC address and ... we're already done!

 

In the next video's we'll add blocks and train detection sensors, after which automated driving can start!

 

Link to the Traincontroller 03 video.

 

 

Edited June 4, 2015 by RudyB

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 04: Divide The Layout Into Blocks

The fourth Traincontroller video is online.

Two more preparations are needed to enable automated traffic. One is to divide the layout into blocks (this video) and the other is to add train detection sensors (next video).

For the division into blocks, Traincontroller has only one important rule: no turnouts or crossings are allowed inside a block. Further, it is not necessary to create blocks in between turnouts that are (relatively) close together. TC automatically creates so called 'junction streets'. The tracks in between the turnouts become part of these junction streets and TC takes care they get reserved and released in the proper way to avoid collisions.

Every block has a set of properties an attributes like a name, max speed, allowed directions of travel, max train length, and many others.

While we are creating the blocks on the switchboard, TC automatically calculates the routes and junction streets to travel from one block to another. These routes can later be selected to switch all needed junctions at once, and also to create more elaborate routes, called 'Schedules'. This way very varied automated train traffic is made possible.

Link to video Traincontroller 04: Divide The Layout Into Blocks



 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 05: Add Train Detection Sensors

Now that the blocks are created (in the previous video), one more thing has to be accomplished to enable automated traffic:adding the train detection sensors to the switchboard layout.

TC can work with both permanent sensors (current detection) as with momentary sensors (e.g. reed switches). When the speed profiles of the engines are known (which can be measured via the profiling function built into TC), then TC actually has enough at one permanent sensor per block, or two momentary sensors, one at each side of the block (if bi-directional, otherwise 1 would suffice). Through the precise conditioned deceleration TC can halt an engine at an exact number of centimetres from the trigger. If wanted, of course TC can also handle 2 or more sensors per block.

Link to Traincontroller video nr 5: Add Train Detection Sensors

In the next video we'll drive trains, still manually, over routes, via which we can test the sensors. The video's after that, we'll start automatic driving.



 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 06: Drive Trains Manually with Routes

In the previous video's we did all the preliminary work to now be able to drive trains around on the layout, while their routes will be protected via the use of blocks and sensors. A real layout, by the way, does not even need to be connected, we can use the built in Simulator.

First we place some engines in some blocks. When we would drive these engines, TC will see them move from block to block. TC knows where they are thanks to the feedback from the train detection sensors.

When we select routes (a route is a path between two blocks), TC will switch the turnouts on that route for us. Longer routes, covering multiple blocks, can be created via a very handy 'route recording' tool.

Once a route is active, the turnouts on that route can not be operated manually anymore, which helps prevent accidents from happening.

In this video we'll drive the trains manually and we'll see them move from block to block on the switchboard.

In the next video we'll start some automated train traffic.

Link to video Traincontroller 06: Drive Trains Manually with Routes

 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 07: Automatic Driving – Auto Train by Drag and Drop

 

Driving trains manually is fun, but driving more than 2 without causing accidents can be quite taxing. It would help if trains can drive automatic. Then it can be fun to control a few by hand in between all the automated traffic. TC can handle all that.

 

There are several options for automated traffic:

– Auto Train by Drag and Drop (drive from A to B, with rules)

– Spontaneous Run (drive randomly, with rules)

– Auto Train Toolbar (drive from A to B with rules and conditions)

– Schedules (a set of routes with rules and conditions and successors, very versatile and powerful!)

– Time tables

 

This video is about Train by Drag and Drop.

 

It sends a train on a route from A to B. The route is protected. TC automatically controls speed and braking and it takes care of waiting for red signals on the way when the route ahead is not yet free.

 

 

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 08: Automatic Driving - Spontaneous Run

One of the many possible ways to have automatic traffic with Traincontroller is the so called ‘Spontaneous Run’.

First select a train, by clickiing it either on the Switchboard or in the Engine List.

Now, on the toolbar, click one of the two Spontaneous Run icons in the desired direction.

The SR is added to the Schedules column in the Engines List. The train will take a random route by making random picks from all the blocks it can reach. It looks 2 blocks ahead. The train will temporary stay in its start block when the track ahead is not yet free. Also on the way it will temporarily halt every time tracks ahead are reserved.

When it reaches a dead end, the train will stop and the SR is taken out of the list, unless a tick mark has been set in the Rules, that says ‘Reverse Direction’. The Rules for Spontaneous Run can be found by right click on a train (not in Edit mode, we need to be in Operations mode) and select Rules from the pop up menu.

Link to the video on 'Spontaneous Run'.



 

[Gordon H]

I note from the pictures embedded here that you appear to be using the most expensive 'Gold' version of Traincontroller.

Does use of the much cheaper Silver or Bronze versions affect any of the items presented? 

[RudyB]

Hi Gordon,

 

My answer is a bit delayed due to a holiday.

 

The video's are indeed done with the Gold version. The 3 versions differ in their feature sets, or in their amount of details per feature, and I truly can't tell per video what will or what won't work in each version. An extensive feature list is available here. Click 'Show features and comparison with other TrainController™ editions' at the botom of the page.

 

If you need absolute certainty about if and how certain features work or don't work in Bronze or Silver, there's probably no other way than to download the demo's and compare.

Edited July 2, 2015 by RudyB

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 09: Automatic Driving with Auto Train Toolbar

In the previous 2 video's we had a look at Auto Train by Drag and Drop, which made it easy to send a train from A to B, and we could send a train on a random journey with Spontaneous Run.

When we would like some more control on where our trains are going, and/or have multiple start and destination blocks, and/or create a shuttle or cycle operation, then the ‘Autotrain Toolbar’ is our friend.

With the Auto Train Toolbar it is possible to create versatile train operations. These can also be saved for later use as a ‘Schedule’. In Traincontroller a ‘Schedule’ is a set of routes, combined with a set of attributes and Rules. Saved Schedules can be found in the Dispatcher Window under the Schedules tab.

With Auto Train Toolbar the same set of Rules is used as with Auto Train by Drag and Drop. These Rules can be edited via the menu Schedule > Auto Train Rules

Link to the Traincontroller Auto Train Toolbar video.

[Gordon H]

The video's are indeed done with the Gold version. The 3 versions differ in their feature sets, or in their amount of details per feature, and I truly can't tell per video what will or what won't work in each version. An extensive feature list is available here. Click 'Show features and comparison with other TrainController™ editions' at the botom of the page.

 

If you need absolute certainty about if and how certain features work or don't work in Bronze or Silver, there's probably no other way than to download the demo's and compare.

 

The reason I asked the question here is that we had a very good demonstration of TrainController at a recent MERG meeting, and on almost every occasion that a complex technical question was posed, the answer seemed to be that the feature in question was 'sorted' in the gold version, thus implying that results using the lesser versions were likely to lead to disappointment for anything beyond simple operation.

[john dew]

Hi Rudy

 

Excellent tutorial.....I am really enjoying it

 

 

 

Hi Gordon

 

I have been operating my layout with RR&Co ( Gold) for almost eight years. For me it has added an invaluable additional dimension....I get a huge amount of enjoyment from it.

 

I have always used Gold so any comments I make about the other levels are based on general impressions acquired over time rather than actual use!

 

I think like many things in life....with RR&Co you gets what you pay for!

 

Bronze is essentially entry level.....if you want complete computor control ....running complex multiple train movements controlled by a timetable this is not for you......if on the other hand you want an inexpensive computor screen switchboard from which you can set routes and also run an automatic shuttle while manually operating then it is a good place to start

 

I tend to think that Silver is based on Train Controller V5(?) which I started on in 2006. It is a robust system and a useful intermediate step but lacks the bells and whistles that have been added to Gold in the intervening years.

 

Most people that I have met, on a variety of forums, who initially purchased silver eventually gravitate to Gold. It's debatable which is the best route because the phased expenditure has to be offset by learning new techniques and the faff of replacing the work arounds that sometimes have to be used in Silver

 

Hope that helps even if it's only a little bit!

 

Regards from Vancouver

[ColinK]

My only experience with TrainController was a brief visit to a friends layout. He has programmed it so the trains run automatically - you can just sit there and watch the trains running by themselves. Furthermore its not just a case of trains going round and round in sequence, but includes complex moves such as dmu's reversing. Just to see that was awesome, but I was even able to drive extra trains manually while the automatic sequence ran, with TrainController preventing conflicting movements and stopping trains at signals to prevent accidents.

 

From that I can see the benefits of such a system. If I build my planned complex OO layout which would need four people to run it, I could run it by myself with train controller covering the roles of the other three operators.

 

Similarly, many continous run exhibition layouts are simply a procession of trains running round in turn from a large fiddle yard. I would find operating that very tedious, especially for a 2 or 3 day show. Letting TrainController run the layout would enable the operators to interact with the public more.

[Gordon H]

I think like many things in life....with RR&Co you gets what you pay for!

 

 

Very true, but up to now there has been no mention in the thread of how much all this wonderful capability might actually cost, or indeed until I mentioned it, that the capabilities being portrayed are based on the most expensive version.

[two tone green]

Hi Gordon,

 

All the versions are free to download and try with full functionality the moment you set it up.

 

As for cost, look here after selecting the country you live in. VAT is now chargeable at the rate of your home country, thanks to the EU https://secure.freiwald.com/pages/register.htm

 

Don't go for Bronze, you will out grow it as soon as you open the box. Silver is a good starting point but if you can afford gold go for it. But like everyone I deal with and support I ask them what it is they want from RR&Co and then get them to decide on silver or gold.

 

If turntables are important then the extra functionality of gold is useful for this. Have a look at the web site as there is loads on there about the abilities of each version and of course support on here is always available. Download gold, hook it up to the layout and have a go.

 

You can do all the setting up off line, away from the layout as I did for my old OO layout which was very complex. Sat in a plane for ten hours a day with only a few buttons to push at the beginning and end of each flight allowed me to fully configure and debug the layout files before even connecting to the layout. When I did it worked as I wanted it to.

 

Give it a go, it's free to play.

[john dew]

Hi TTG

 

Good to hear from you....its been a long time

 

Regards from Vancouver

 

John

[john dew]

Very true, but up to now there has been no mention in the thread of how much all this wonderful capability might actually cost, or indeed until I mentioned it, that the capabilities being portrayed are based on the most expensive version.

 

Gordon

 

I am genuinely puzzled by this post. Rudy's thread is an excellent series of videos of how to set up Train controller not a sales pitch.....it's apparent from the first video that Rudy is using Gold. He answered your first post by giving you all the links you need to determine the prices of the three levels and the differences between them.........although I do wonder whether you might have been already aware of this.......in which case ,of course, my attempt to help you was rather naive

 

Nobody is trying to sell you anything......so what is the problem?

 

Regards from Vancouver

[two tone green]

Hi John

 

Greetings from France. On holiday at the moment and down in the Pyrenees.

[RudyB]

Very true, but up to now there has been no mention in the thread of how much all this wonderful capability might actually cost, or indeed until I mentioned it, that the capabilities being portrayed are based on the most expensive version.

 

Hi Gordon,

 

In video 01 I tried my best to explain that there are 3 different versions and how anyone can find the differences by themselves. It was also shown there that the version I downloaded is Gold.

 

I understand your gripes that maybe some of the features shown in the video's are not available in Bronze or Silver. It is simply not do-able to show the differences in detail in every video, they would become too long and/or too confusing.

 

Ruud.

[RudyB]

Traincontroller 10: Shuttle and Cycle Operations via Auto Train Toolbar

In the previous video we created, and saved, a Shuttle train operation using the Auto Train Toolbar..

In this video we'll modify our layout by adding an oval track. Then, again using the Auto Train Toolbar, we'll create a Cycle operation, a train that automatically drives around the loop, and continues to do so, with scheduled stops.

Both the Cycle and the Shuttle train now continuously run, in automatic mode. Traincontroller takes care there are no collisions by halting trains when the route ahead is reserved or occupied, or at scheduled stops.

Link to the video: Traincontroller 10: Shuttle and Cycle Operations via Auto Train Toolbar



 

[john dew]

Hi Rudy

 

Your videos are a model of clarity . I wish they had been around when I started!

 

Have you determined why the auto shuttle wouldn't restart after you stopped it to create the loop? The shuttle seemed to work fine once you manually restarted it.

 

Regards

 

John