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Locked Help to Automate my railroad.

 

I have my layout built physically and in Layout Editor. I have 4 blocks separated in the layout. I am running a Digitrax Loconet system through RR-Cirkits. I am? using Microsoft Vista on my remote (no internet computer)
I have a Turnout table for all my turnouts and they are switched from a remote panel plus the computer.
I have a Block table with many automatic block names set that do not make sense, and I am not sure which one is which or where it is.
I have been reading the help manual and every time I start reading I have to have some other device or setup done to get my trains to run around the track. I am sure it is not that hard, or is it?
I read where I have to have Reporters
I read where I have to have Sensors among other things.
I do NOT read how to set up a train to get it running under what I have, or how to set up the reporter and other things to get MY train working.
It is a pretty large layout but not that big. 3 (4x8) boards. I am using a Zepher 50 to run the trains. All is DCC.
I am only getting more confused as I read the manual. It seems that it used to be a lot simpler.
Please I hope someone can help just to simplify the process.
George
 

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Just a few comments
If you have 3. 4x8 board layout and only 4 blocks your not going to have many trains running. ?Your blocks should be train length. ?On my 8x8 layout i have over 40 blocks.
I use digitrax and rrckts interface also. Each block must be connected to the loconet via a bxp88 (8 blocks per device with transponding) or bdl168 (16 blocks per card-no transponding) board. ?Your switches get connected to the loconet via ds64 devices. I believe you can use virtual switches and not actually have your switches connected to the internet. Reporters work off of transponders. Your decoder in your engine must have transponding. Many new one do, old ones dont. Reporters are added to your layout panel and tells you which engine is in which block.
You must have a signal system setup on your layout panel. Again the signals dont have to be real on the layout.
Trains travel from block to block via your layout panel which tells the computer how your blocks are connected. It reads signals at the junction of each block. The computer then runs your trains after you set up routes, transits, and trains. Are you doing operations?

What do you want to do.

Tony



On Aug 21, 2018, at 3:24 PM, george.pendergraft <gmpender@...> wrote:

I have my layout built physically and in Layout Editor. I have 4 blocks separated in the layout. I am running a Digitrax Loconet system through RR-Cirkits. I am? using Microsoft Vista on my remote (no internet computer)
I have a Turnout table for all my turnouts and they are switched from a remote panel plus the computer.
I have a Block table with many automatic block names set that do not make sense, and I am not sure which one is which or where it is.
I have been reading the help manual and every time I start reading I have to have some other device or setup done to get my trains to run around the track. I am sure it is not that hard, or is it?
I read where I have to have Reporters
I read where I have to have Sensors among other things.
I do NOT read how to set up a train to get it running under what I have, or how to set up the reporter and other things to get MY train working.
It is a pretty large layout but not that big. 3 (4x8) boards. I am using a Zepher 50 to run the trains. All is DCC.
I am only getting more confused as I read the manual. It seems that it used to be a lot simpler.
Please I hope someone can help just to simplify the process.
George

 

George,

What do you mean by "4 blocks separated”?

The unexpected blocks in the Block table is a known issue which I am currently investigating.

If you upload your panel xml file to the ProblemsBeingWorkedOn folder, I can review it and make recommendations for the next steps.


Dave Sand

On Aug 21, 2018, at 2:24 PM, george.pendergraft <gmpender@...> wrote:

I have my layout built physically and in Layout Editor. I have 4 blocks separated in the layout. I am running a Digitrax Loconet system through RR-Cirkits. I am using Microsoft Vista on my remote (no internet computer)
I have a Turnout table for all my turnouts and they are switched from a remote panel plus the computer.
I have a Block table with many automatic block names set that do not make sense, and I am not sure which one is which or where it is.
I have been reading the help manual and every time I start reading I have to have some other device or setup done to get my trains to run around the track. I am sure it is not that hard, or is it?
I read where I have to have Reporters
I read where I have to have Sensors among other things.
I do NOT read how to set up a train to get it running under what I have, or how to set up the reporter and other things to get MY train working.
It is a pretty large layout but not that big. 3 (4x8) boards. I am using a Zepher 50 to run the trains. All is DCC.
I am only getting more confused as I read the manual. It seems that it used to be a lot simpler.
Please I hope someone can help just to simplify the process.
George
 

I have to ask>

Why do blocks need to be longer that max train length? I am assuming all cars have resistors, otherwise yes, I see why blocks need to be like that.

Leo
 

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Why wont train length blocks with only the caboose with resistor be adaquate.

Tony


On Aug 21, 2018, at 4:59 PM, leo pesce <lpescester@...> wrote:

I have to ask>

Why do blocks need to be longer that max train length? I am assuming all cars have resistors, otherwise yes, I see why blocks need to be like that.

Leo
 

In (most forms of) automated running, you can only control the position of the train to the size of the block. If you want to stop a train nicely at a signal, it’s hard if there’s a 10-foot block in front of the signal. It’s _much_ easier if there are smaller blocks, maybe a 1-foot one before the signal: When it goes occupied, you can slow the train to a stop. That’s just one example, of course, but in general finer location can make a lot of things simpler.

Bob

On Aug 21, 2018, at 1:59 PM, leo pesce <lpescester@...> wrote:

Why do blocks need to be longer that max train length? I am assuming all cars have resistors, otherwise yes, I see why blocks need to be like that.

--
Bob Jacobsen
rgj1927@...
 

Thank you Bob. In fact, the Cumberland West layout is run using 15" blocks between the big main blocks, and we call those "stopping blocks", because they are associated with signals (ie. most main blocks are not). In fact, you could say that the stopping block protects the next block, being that a main block or a CS block (blocks with cross overs, junctions).

The layout is defined in Control Panel Editor, so we use warrants to run our trains automatically.

Going back to George question, the "obvious" choice is to add more blocks, which means a lot of work on top and under the layout, and also in Layout Editor. 4 blocks are not really enough.

Leo P

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