Mike Sheardown

Hi Jon, Do you think this problem could be due to the fact that on boot-up, servos tend to centre their positions (ie going clock wise; anti clockwise; stop)? If you've got 25 all doing this at the same time, this would represent quite a significant current draw to the system, and possibly accounting for your transformer shutting down?? The answer might be to 'switch in' smaller groups of servos after boot up of the system, thus avoiding this large current drain on boot-up?? Once boot-up is complete, servos will just sit there with very little maintenance current draw, and thus the system can cope with this - no problem. Hope this is helpful, and not a case of me trying to teach grandmother to suck eggs!! Best wishes Mike

Hi, I agree that you need block sections at least as long as the length of the longest train, but this won't actually indicate that a train has left a given block, unless the last vehicle in the train is wired to trigger the block sensor, and then is seen to leave. This arrangement would also protect trains in the event of a train becoming divided, because the block would still indicate that it was occupied, despite the loco and rest of the train having left the block. Best wishes Mike

Ps - Forgot to mention, but you can download any of the 3 version and their respective manuals for free as part of the 28 day trial. Manuals at bottom of page hear: http://www.freiwald.com/pages/traincontroller_gold.htm Pps - I've no axe to grind re using TC, I'm just very impressed with it in meeting the aim of prototypical operation of a railway.

Hi Kevin, Great, you've seen the download/free trial, and also found the manuals to download, so at least now you can get an idea of the potential of RR&Co. Where RR&Co gets really exciting in my view, is in it's ability to add an infinite number of macros to define the operation of the various elements on the layout. By this I mean that blocks; signals; points; locomotives and schedules (a route from A to B ), can all be made to trigger or respond to certain events. Imagine this simple scenario: The 3.30pm local passenger service from Station A to Station B, has to pass a junction protected by a home signal. The local left Station A at 3.30pm, automatically started by RR&Co as per the time of the clock in RR&Co. Before it starts, the sound of passenger carriage doors are heard to slam, the starter signal slowly comes off, then the guard whistles the right away, followed by a short loco whistle in response from the loco. The train then slowly gets under way with a very gentle prototypical start (inertia programmed into chip), drain cocks open before the exhaust beat takes over a few moments later. At the junction, the signalman has let a mineral goods out of the branch (driven by you under manual control) in front of the local passenger, and it now occupies the block in advance of the local passenger. The junction signal remains on, and the passenger gently coasts to a stand (no exhaust beat and gentle squeal of brakes) at the signal, finally giving a short whistle to let the signalman know he's there. You continue to have the road with your mineral (according to signals automatically pulled off by RR&Co because the blocks in advance of you are clear), and you happily plod along at a scale 25mph with your load of heavy wagons. Once you have cleared the block section in advance of the passenger still held at the junction (including your brake van which triggers block detection due to the tail lamp pick up via the wheels), the home signal is slowly pulled off (servo activated and set to v slow operation), the loco gives another short whistle to acknowledge the signal, and again pulls slowly away with drain cocks open due to the length of its stand, all of this being under the control of RR&Co. Clearly, there were many macros behind all the various operations above, but it gives some idea of the potential etc. I'm planning a large layout with return loops so trains go to and return from real places, but at the moment, I have a double track main line 'test track' (plus branch, main line stations, lay byes etc), to enable me to increase my understanding of RR&Co and what it can do before sarting this much larger project. Anyway, I hope the above has been helpful or at least interesting. Best wishes Mike

Hi, Did you explore using RR&Co software prior to going down the JMRI route? I only ask as it is extremely well suited to meeting your brief of wanting to achieve prototypical operation. By this I mean full interlocking of points, block sections and signals, whilst running a complex timetable. The system can also be designed to allow for any number of human operators to work alongside the computer control, either acting as as drivers of locomotives, or signalmen. I like your conclusion of using block sensors for detection, as again, this is more prototypical. You could also use very short block sections for accurate stopping of trains if you wished. Hope the above is helpful Best wishes Mike

Hi, First attempt at video using the video function on my digital camera, so sorry about the tinny sound and poor lighting etc. The sound project is very much a 'work in progress' using an ESU V3.5 chip and a bass reflex speaker. I was trying to create a sense of distance and space by keeping the sound volume on the chip down at a relatively low level: Mike

Tony, we met briefly once about a year ago, and like so many people, I am very saddened to hear about your current ill health. You offer so much to the model railway scene, and for this I’m personally very grateful: · the stunning photographs of model railway scenes, that not only force me to look twice in order to check whether or not it's the real thing, but that inspire me by demonstrating what really can be achieved in this fabulous hobby · also, the Right Track DVD series that is such a huge source of inspiration and learning, helping to de-mystify and encourage people like me to have a go, aided by your warm and easy going presenting style that inspires confidence and support. Please hurry up and get yourself better, as there’s so much more to do!! My very best wishes Mike