ITG

Hi, my journey evolves ...... slowly. I have a JMRI Panel Pro mimic panel up and running, and operating points. But I note that if I change points via my Prodigy handheld controller whilst JMRI laptop is connected, whilst the points operate correctly, the mimic diagram does not change in line with that. Can anyone advise is this a settings issue somewhere in JMRI, or is this how it is? my next job will be to set up routes in JMRI, so that multiple points operate on a single click. I already have this set up in the Prodigy, but these do not appear to transfer to JMRI. Is that correct? I see the JMRI Routes table but have yet to confront it - any tips please? thanks Ian

Mmm , an interesting approach I hadn’t thought of. i shall explore. Thanks Nigel.. meanwhile, any other thoughts from anywhere most welcome.

Help please. I’m still at the early stages of exploring how I wish to control digital points (turnouts), currently done by button-pressing accessory numbers on my Prodigy Advance 2. I am quite keen on the benefits of a visual mimic panel on a laptop, using JMRI. I’ve had some trial success with doing this, but I would prefer better graphic representation than that afforded by LayoutPro. An option could be to import my Anyrail track plan into PanelPro, which I have been able to do. But I am stuck as to how one links the actual point graphics from Anyrail into PanelPro. I see that on importing the Anyrail plan, that a populated Turnout Table is created, with both system name (titled IT1, IT2, etc) and user name (both TOR and TOL are used, with what seem like random numbers). Because of the Prodigy I’m using, if I am setting this table up without the Anyrail import, the prefixes have to be MT (for MRC). And of course, numbered to align with how I have linked them to the Prodigy. So how do I ‘name’ these Anyrail imported turnouts in such a way that PanelPro recognises them? Thanks in advance as always for the help a novice can always get on this forum. Ian

I now have the physical link from the Prodigy to the laptop. Indeed, I have now progressed to having a (very) rough layout plan in Layout Pro, and can control points by the mimic screen in JMRI. On this specific query around combining both WiThrottle and JMRI, so as to use the former for switching points, I could use some advice as to how to link the two, please. i do have another connected query around importing Anyrail layout plan into PanelPro, but I will post this separately on this topic in this forum, if you can also help with that. thanks as always. Ian

Ah, I see. Thanks Nigel. I was beginning to wonder if a physical connection was the solution, a Gaugemaster DCC55 I think it is. i may be back when I’ve got one.

Just starting with WiThrottle on iPad, on my Prodigy Advance2, and ok with loco control so far. I understand I need to set up turnouts in JMRI, to be able to use turnout function in WiThrottle. In any case, I plan later to use PanelPro to view and operate turnouts on a mimic panel on screen. but, when setting up Panel Pro on a Windows10 laptop, JMRI seems not to find a serial port. Guidance refers to the ‘serial port associated with the system’. Which system? Windows, MRC, WiThrottle? How do I know which port, and how do it tell JMRI? Anyone suggest how to overcome this (almost) first step?m

Hi building my first layout for 50 years (ouch!) as a retirement present to myself. I am using a mixture of Cobalt IP and Gaugemaster PM point motors, controlled via a Prodigy Advance 2. Very happy with progress on what to me is a big project from scratch. Apart from the Cobalt motors occasionally keep forgetting their address, and then need re-addressing which involves scrabbling under the baseboard. The Gaugemasters are fine. i think it occurs if there’s an overload (probably caused by a couple of pre-owned Hornby locos which don’t seem to like Peco Code 100 points, so the locos will probably be exchanged for Bachmanns which seem to run perfectly). its been suggested to me that the Prodigy causes spikes which impact on the Cobalts, thus inferring a different DCC system would not have this issue. It’s been recommended to fit Power Bus Terminators/ Suppressors at the end of the bus (DCC Concepts make them) but early indication is this hasn’t worked. any advice or experience most welcome. ian

Well, thanks all for a range of comprehensive and speedy replies. If I read this right - and accepting I need to digest it further - it seems using JMRI may not present quite the challenge I first thought, given my (limited) aspirations of turnout indication/ switching on a glass screen track plan. I had thought about a physical mimic panel, but would probably wish to avoid the extra wiring and also a glass screen would be more mobile, given I have an operating well (largely for use at building stage or maintenance) but primarily would prefer to view and operate from one side of the layout. i do have another question regarding DCC which for clarity I will post separately although it is linked to use of Prodigy (I have been told). once again, thanks.

Apologies if this appears to be a repeat of an oft aired topic, but I’m a novice returner to model railways. I’ve laid the first stage of track to be up and running, and invested in a Prodigy Advance 2. I have noted the comments on this forum and elsewhere about the challenges of running this particular DCC system with JMRI, but what I’ve found more difficult to find is experiences of which ‘mimic’ type software is fairly straightforward to set up and does work well with Prodigy. I think my requirements are reasonably straightforward, as I’m not looking for track sensors or automation etc. But what I would like is a visual representation of my track plan with visible point (ie turnout) direction settings displayed as a minimum, or, as a bonus, with on-screen control of said point settings. I have an iPad and a Windows 10 touchscreen laptop, and to use either would be an option. i have points in not particularly visible (from the control location) areas of the layout and using on the Prodigy handset can lead to me failing to remember and then view point settings. Hence the wish for an on-screen display. so what are my options? Or would I be advised to plan to exchange the Prodigy for an alternative? Whilst I’d rather not do this, if I did, which system would then align/link successfully with a suitable software (JMRI or other)? thanks in advance for any help. ian