BlasterBob

Tutorials 21 and 22 now published Train Routes Basics using Blocks Part 1 Part 2- Part

Tutorial 18: is also now on Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 3) - Reaction Delay Shuttle Train Route Youtube.

Tutorial 17: https://youtu.be/uBldmYVxkK4 is now on YouTube. Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 2) - Reaction Delay

Tutorial 16: Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 1) is now ready for viewing 02:30 - Five step summary 05:15 - Creating a CV Table 09:13 - Setting CV3 Acceleration, CV4 Deceleration 10:50 - Measuring and setting CV5 Max Speed 13:30 - Measuring and setting CV2 Min Speed 14:38 - Creating a Speed Profile 20:00 - Inertia Simulation - Acceleration - Deceleration - Step Delay - Step Size - Feedback Offset

Tutorial 15: Deadlocks and Critical Blocks NOW READY FOR VIEWING

Tutorial #13 and #14 are now published.

Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 12 - Multiple Instant Routes - Auto Reverse - Splitting Trains Now available on YouTube.

Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 11: Instant Route Basics is now available on YouTube.

Just like London buses!!

Video #10 is now available. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 10: Defining Blocks

Video #9 is now available. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 09: Defining Feedbacks https://youtu.be/ymrhTb56qOA

Thank you, Richard. It's great to hear that the videos are proving useful. iTrain provides an exciting new dimension to the hobby.

Video #8 is now published Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 08: Blocks, Feedbacks and Groups Bob

Thanks Steve. Appreciated.

Video 7 is now available on youtube. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 07: Track Routes https://youtu.be/K6ZOtIIk3uI

Thank you Colin.

Video #6 is now published. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 06: Laying Track, and Track Layers

With the assistance of Iain Morrison I have been working on a new series of iTrain tutorials. The first five videos have now been published on YouTube. Here are the links so far: Tutorial 01: https://youtu.be/5jjA2mwRS1U Installing iTrain 00:30 - What do I need? 01:37 - Downloading 02:05 - Check if Java is installed 03:08 - Download and Install Java 05:09 - Download and Install iTrain 06:48 - Opening iTrain 08:06 - iTrain license overview 09:10 - Applying for a trail license Tutorial 02: https://youtu.be/HkQIi3E6ra0 iTrain Overview 00:24 - Introduction 00:59 – Fundamental windows at startup 01:44 – Top toolbar 03:28 – File - dropdown menus 04:04 – Editor - dropdown menus 04:12 – Settings 04:26 – Preferences 04:45 – Interfaces 05:01 - Boosters 05:15 – Feedbacks 05:52 – Accessories 06:17 – Track Routes 07:02 – Actions 07:32 – Locomotives, Wagons and Trains 08:17 – Train Types 08:80 – Train Routes 09:44 – Blocks 10:10 – Stations 11:14 - Switchboard 11:38 – Control – dropdown menu 11:48 – View – dropdown menu 11:59 – Diagnosis 12:42 – Keyboard 13:05 – Feedback Monitor 13:32 – Speed measurements 14:01 – Decoder Programming 14:25 – Layout views plus extra switchboards Tutorial 03: https://youtu.be/mnJL5e2z5DA Connecting a Command Station 00:46 - Saving a layout 02:08 - Interface Editor 04:06 - General Tab 04:17 - Connection Tab 06:18 - Specific Tab 06:29 - Image Tab 06:42 - Saving your Command Station 07:25 – Connect to your layout Tutorial 04: https://youtu.be/Y-UnPm6fqqg Running Locos Manually 00:31 – Fundamental Basics 02:54 - Quick Speed Profile 07:52 – Creating a new locomotive 09:36 – Image Tab 10:02 – Speed Tab – Step1 and Step 126 – Linear 10:56 – Options Tab 11:10 – Saving your new Locomotive 11:42 – The difference between Locomotives & Trains 13:34 – Making the train move manually – video insert 14:35 – Creating a new Locomotive – Revision 15:53 – Speed Tab – copy from existing locomotive 16:49 – Saving the new Locomotive 17:10 – Running the new Locomotives – video insert 18:48 – Saving the layout Tutorial 05: https://youtu.be/Rp7fBxkFShM Switchboard - Manual Turnout Control 00:30 – Start iTrain and open project 01:11 – Creating a new switchboard whilst retaining Locomotives & Trains 02:38 – Editing the Switchboard 03:26 – Diagram of Test Track for Tutorials 04:25 – Enlarging the grid space 05:09 – Drawing the mainline track 06:08 – Drawing the sidings 06:42 – Drawing the left-hand turnouts 07:32 – Drawing the right-hand turnouts 08:12 – Drawing the curves 08:52 – Drawing the buffers 09:39 – Naming and addressing the turnouts 12:50 – Applying / Saving the Switchboard 14:17 – Testing the turnout addressing and function on the layout – video insert 15:04 – Testing by moving trains over turnouts – video insert Tutorial 06: https://youtu.be/ZkI_zQTVEXo Laying Track, and Track Layers 00:03 – Overview 01:05 – Using the Keyboard to lay track in the switchboard 02:24 – Creating the sidings using keystrokes only 04:32 – Entering buffers using Shift + B 05:25 – Rotating elements using Shift + R 05:48 – Inserting Feedbacks using the F key 06:01 – Inserting Blocks using the B key 06:11 – Inserting Direction Arrows using the P key 06:23 – Using the Copy and Paste method 06:59 – Moving elements using Shift + Ctrl + Cursor Keys 07:17 – CAUTION when copying items 09:00 – Copying onto a new Tab 09:35 - Understanding Layers 10:17 – Creating a layer 10:46 – Editing elements on or below a layer 12:05 – CAUTION - Inadvertently creating layers 13:23 – Non-switchable elements above switchable elements 13:57 – CAUTION – you cannot have two switchable elements on top of each other 14:19 – IMPORTANT - leave at least two squares either side when creating Block elements. 14:35 – IMPORTANT – leave at least one square adjacent to ends of tracks. 15:06 – IMPORTANT – Direction Arrows pointing in the direction of the Block element dots. 16:18 – Undo Command – Ctrl + Z Tutorial 07: https://youtu.be/K6ZOtIIk3uI Track Routes 00:00 – Introduction 01:17 – Adding text elements using Shift + E 04:05 – Adding a section of track in the switchboard using keystrokes 05:03 – Apply changes and save 05:19 – Creating Track Routes 06:10 – Placing Track Route elements away from the track. 06:43 – Entering the details of the Track Routes – naming and sequences 10:01 – Setting the delay in the Switch Order Tab 12:12 - Setting a Global delay in the Options Tab 13:44 - Set Always tick-box 14:21 – Reset Initial State tick-box 15:13 – Entering Track Route Details – Revision 18:00 – Apply changes and save 18:21 – Checking the operation of the saved Track Routes 18:50 – Lock symbols at turnouts 19:19 – IMPORTANT – deselect Track Route when finished. 20:08 – Automatic Track Route Control – Overview 22:14 - Homework suggestion Tutorial 08: https://youtu.be/nhKXUSAgei0 Blocks, Feedbacks and Groups 00:13 – Introduction 00:52 – Blocks – graphic depicting real-world railway blocks 01:22 – Blocks in iTrain 01:43 – The three aspects of Blocks 02:49 – Block Properties Editor 03:22 – Block Terms Graphic – Physical Block, Block Element, Block Control Object 03:31 – Block Rules 1&2 - Graphic 04:02 – Block Rules 1 & 2 – Examples & Explanation 05:50 – Block Rules – Cross tracks 07:24 – Block Rules – Sidings and long track sections 08:06 – Block Rule 3 - Graphic – Block requirements 08:40 – Block Rule 3 – Examples & Explanation 10:37 - Preferred Direction of Travel definition – Previous to Next 11:40 – Block Element dots explanation 12:12 – Block Rule 5 – Graphic – Length of Blocks 12:26 – Block Rule 5 – Examples & Explanation 13:27 – Block Rule 6 – Graphic – Grouping 13:40 – Block Rule 6 – Using the Assign Group button or G Key 15:21 – Placing the required elements to create a Block Tutorial 09: https://youtu.be/ymrhTb56qOA Defining Feedbacks 00:00 – Introduction & Recap 00:59 – Running the Diagnosis – Ctrl D 01:45 – Correcting errors – inputting length of turnouts 03:34 – Opening the Switchboard, checking for black track elements and correcting errors 05:57 – Defining Feedbacks – Feedback Properties 08:38 – Defining Feedbacks by using the Template function for multiple Feedbacks 10:24 – Assigning control objects to Feedback elements – drag and drop 11:06 - Revision of defining Feedbacks 11:45 – Using Board Item to define a Feedback Tutorial 10: https://youtu.be/8ndTcstd0Kw Defining Blocks 00:00 – Introduction and Recap 01:00 – Opening Switchboard and selecting Block properties 01:44 - Naming and Describing the Block 01:56 – Selecting the type of Block 02:13 – Defining the length of the Block and the use of Autofill 02:46 – Options Tab 03:33 – Feedbacks Tab 04:24 – Feedbacks Tab with two feedback sensors 05:55 – IMPORTANT – Order of feedbacks – Previous to Next 06:19 – Feedbacks using light sensors or reed switches 07:15 – Direction Previous Tab – Use Positions checkbox 08:14 – Direction Previous Tab – Entering a STOP position – positive or negative distances 09:44 – Direction Previous Tab – Block 10:15 – Direction Next Tab 11:50 – IMPORTANT – Critical check box - avoiding deadlocks 14:12 - Results of defining a Block 14:56 - Defining Blocks by using the Template function for multiple Blocks 15:42 - Assigning control objects to Block elements – drag and drop 16:00 – Using the Autofill function 16:51 – Revision of entering the STOP position and Block properties 17:45 – Revision of defining Blocks 19:45 – Using the Board Item Tab 21:04 – Using the Text Direction drop-down menu in the Board Item Tab 21:45 – IMPORTANT – Using the Connect button 22:16 – Saving the Layout and running the Diagnosis – Ctrl D Tutorial 11: https://youtu.be/ZwuzZX6RaHs Instant Route Basics 0:45 - "Wide" layout and how to select it 0:54 - Recall of "Track Routes" and their limitations 3:37 - Putting/Removing trains in blocks in the Switchboard 5:09 - Synching physical orientation of the train in the switchboard 8:40 - Creation of an "Instant Route" and Route vs Shunt selection 10:25 - Information in the switchboard about the route and the train 12:20 - How iTrain knows where the train is? 12:29 - Example of movement simulation with iTrain offline, not connected, by double clicking in the feedbacks. (simulation mode) 13:37 - Shunt example 14:19 - Erasing a route error message Tutorial 12: https://youtu.be/INdIf2rB44o Multiple Instant Routes Auto Reverse using Instant Route Splitting and reattaching a Loco 00:00 – Introduction and Recap 01:13 – Placing a Train on the Switchboard and checking the orientation of the Train 03:06 - Shift + Click on Direction Arrow to change the iTrain orientation to match reality 03:16 – Checking the orientation – Select forward – note the direction of the arrow and compare 04:09 – Creating an Instant Route with simple drag & drop 04:40 – Creating a simultaneous Instant Routes with drag & drop 06:11 – Creating more simultaneous Instant Routes including moving into an occupied siding 11:10 – Auto Reversing 12:02 – Splitting a Train - Left-click and Hold (note: the "Split Train" option will not appear until the train has previously been routed somewhere. So it is not available when the train is first placed onto the layout) 14:09 – Reattaching a Locomotive to Wagons by shunting 14:41 – “Allow shunt in occupied Block” setting change in Block Properties 15:20 - Reattaching a Locomotive to Wagons by shunting – Left-Click and Hold to join Tutorial 13: https://youtu.be/a63agS5XwY4 Semi-Automatic and Manual Instant Routes Block Position 00:00 – Introduction 00:50 – Checking Train Properties 01:39 – Instant Route Recap – Drag & Drop – Route or Shunt 02:22 – New feature iTrain 5.0.5 and above – Pop-Up option to run the route in 3 ways 03:02 – Explanation of difference in route options – Automatic, Semi-Automatic, Manual 04:08 – Semi-Automatic Mode – Example 05:47 – Positional information in the Block 07:18 – Starting a Semi-Automatic route – Apply throttle or you get an error 07:49 – Resetting the Route 08:18 – Applying throttle in offline mode and simulating the movement of the train 08:37 – QUESTION? – Why is iTrain reporting 3cm when the train first enters the block? 09:21 – Monitoring the position of the train in the control Block. 12:14 – QUESTION? Why is iTrain only releasing after the train has moved 65cm into the Block and not 58,5cm 12:51 – A closer look at Block Properties and interpretation of positions 14:21 – IMPORTANT - Iain Morrison’s iTrain Forum post explaining Block Position 17:29 – Reporting Position dependent on the direction of Direction Arrow 18:07 – QUESTION? Reversing a Train into a Block – what position will iTrain report? Tutorial 14: https://youtu.be/ed9W-Uoxw44 Answers to the questions from video 13. 00:00 – Introduction 00:10 – ANSWER - Why is iTrain reporting 3cm when the train first enters the block? 01:47 – ANSWER - Why is iTrain only releasing after the train has moved 65cm into the Block and not 58,5cm 03:05 – IMPORTANT – Explanation and Table regarding Margins 04:38 – ANSWER - Reversing a Train into a Block – what position will iTrain report? 05:38 – IMPORTANT – Occupancy sensors triggered by current conducting/pickup wheels Tutorial 15: https://youtu.be/Qg0xjJl14Y0 Deadlocks and Critical Blocks 00:00 – Introduction of the new layout 01:38 – Setting up three Instant Routes 02:14 – Starting the Instant Routes and moving the trains along the routes. 02:59 – Example and Explanation of a classic Deadlock 03:34 – How to prevent a Deadlock and identify a Critical Block 04:42 - How to make a Critical Block in Direction Next 06:28 – Definition of a Critical Block 07:17 – Checking the operation with Critical Block selected – Deadlock avoided 09:03 – More complex example of a Deadlock – Critical Block in Direction Previous 16:18 - Checking the operation with Critical Block selected – Deadlock avoided Tutorial 16: https://youtu.be/80K2VIXVO1I Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 1) 02:30 - Five step summary 05:15 - Creating a CV Table 09:13 - Setting CV3 Acceleration, CV4 Deceleration 10:50 - Measuring and setting CV5 Max Speed 13:30 - Measuring and setting CV2 Min Speed 14:38 - Creating a Speed Profile 20:00 - Inertia Simulation - Acceleration - Deceleration - Step Delay - Step Size - Feedback Offset Tutorial 17: https://youtu.be/uBldmYVxkK4 Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 2) - Reaction Delay Tutorial 18: https://youtu.be/Y1H-bYn2e28 Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 3) - Reaction Delay Shuttle Train Route Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel, it's completely free, and also press the bell icon so that you receive a notification when a new video has been posted. I hope you find them useful. Bob

With the assistance of Iain Morrison I have been working on a new series of iTrain tutorials. The first four videos have now been published on YouTube. Here are the links: Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 01: Installing iTrain https://youtu.be/5jjA2mwRS1U Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 02 Overview https://youtu.be/HkQIi3E6ra0 Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 03 Connecting a Command Station https://youtu.be/mnJL5e2z5DA Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 04 v2: Running Locos Manually https://youtu.be/Y-UnPm6fqqg Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 05: Switchboard - Manual Turnout Control https://youtu.be/Rp7fBxkFShM I hope you find then useful. Bob

There's a lot of very helpful reference information at the link. Thank you for sharing. Note to others: when you go to the page, clink on the various menus down the right-hand side of the page. The main category pages are often blank and so you need to click on the sub-categories to reach the information.

Wow, what a stunning video, Martin. It really brings home the amount of work, effort, organization, and cost that has gone into rebuilding just a small section of the whole railway.

Hi Mike. Just found your posts and have begun reading through them. Loving your write ups! Have you got your pre-order in for the class 33/1 33111 that Heljan are about to release? it's a must have for your layout. Heljan 3459.

Can I ask what software program you used to produce the baseboard drawings?

Looks like my lucky day!! I've just seen that Heljan are about to bring out the Class 33/1 33111 in BR blue that Swanage Railway own. Available for pre-order. Heljan code: 3459.

Wow, thank you. That made an interesting read this evening. It really highlighted how much effort Dapol put into producing this model, and the highs and lows of bringing it into production. Maybe it's time for another production run...