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Help learning automation #automation

 

Hi All,
? I decided 3 months ago today to 'dive' into DCC based model railroading for the first time, though I've know about it for 25+ years.? I figured
getting started was the best way- and I have a long shelf along the wall behind my home standing desk that I envisioned as the main line for sort of a dog-bone layout.?
? So.. I dove into n scale, Digitrax, Kato Unitrack, and have my training layout built (already on Version2 of it - as you all alluded to here!).? My layout has 16 blocks (BXP88 controlled), 1 auto rev section, one double crossover, about 10 turnouts (all with DS15k1s - don't get me started on that learning curve with BXP88s and shunt resistors).? Scenery is a future vision, after I really understand operations.
?
And on to this email. I have installed JMRI - I am a Mac guy , so this is running on Mac Mini.? I have PanelPro running, talking to my LocoNet layout. I built the layout in layout editor, declared all the blocks, turnouts etc. I used the roster editor to enter my 3 engines (one is a consisted F7A-B unit).. And lots of learning - at the basic level I am up an running. I can run trains via throttles in JMRI, and blocks light up and turnout throw - that's all awesome , it was my first goal 'run trains from SW'.
?
However, the NEXT step looks like a really steep learning curve - creating, routes, trains, manifests, and operations.? My next goal is that JMRI can run trains on routes I create, and manage them simultaneously - an automated operations setup.? I watch all the videos I can (not too encouraged by what I find on YouTube), and I joined this group a month or two ago which has been great.?
?
So my ask is this - any other tutorials, pointers, help with this next part of the journey?? ?Advice, hints, and help greatly appreciated.?
-Peter
?
 

Peter,

"routes, trains, manifests, and operations" are parts of Operations, which is used to move cargo between locations, such as staging, yards and industries.

Running trains automatically is normally done using the Dispatcher tools. ?This is implemented by Sections and Transits. ?The initial help page is at?

You can also use Jython scripting to automate running trains but that is a lot of programming work.

Dave Sand


----- Original message -----
From: "peterparsons.pub via groups.io" <peterparsons.pub=[email protected]>
Subject: [jmriusers] Help learning automation
Date: Thursday, March 06, 2025 2:05 PM

Hi All,
? I decided 3 months ago today to 'dive' into DCC based model railroading for the first time, though I've know about it for 25+ years.? I figured
getting started was the best way- and I have a long shelf along the wall behind my home standing desk that I envisioned as the main line for sort of a dog-bone layout.?
? So.. I dove into n scale, Digitrax, Kato Unitrack, and have my training layout built (already on Version2 of it - as you all alluded to here!).? My layout has 16 blocks (BXP88 controlled), 1 auto rev section, one double crossover, about 10 turnouts (all with DS15k1s - don't get me started on that learning curve with BXP88s and shunt resistors).? Scenery is a future vision, after I really understand operations.
?
And on to this email. I have installed JMRI - I am a Mac guy , so this is running on Mac Mini.? I have PanelPro running, talking to my LocoNet layout. I built the layout in layout editor, declared all the blocks, turnouts etc. I used the roster editor to enter my 3 engines (one is a consisted F7A-B unit).. And lots of learning - at the basic level I am up an running. I can run trains via throttles in JMRI, and blocks light up and turnout throw - that's all awesome , it was my first goal 'run trains from SW'.
?
However, the NEXT step looks like a really steep learning curve - creating, routes, trains, manifests, and operations.? My next goal is that JMRI can run trains on routes I create, and manage them simultaneously - an automated operations setup.? I watch all the videos I can (not too encouraged by what I find on YouTube), and I joined this group a month or two ago which has been great.?
?
So my ask is this - any other tutorials, pointers, help with this next part of the journey?? ?Advice, hints, and help greatly appreciated.?
-Peter
?
 

Dave?
- thanks. Even that tidbit is great for me - I had not separated out 'operations' from 'dispatch/automation'.? Right now i am more interested in the latter...
-p
?
 

For automation, you need minimum contiguous block detection for the automated part of the layout.
I also recommend profiling your locomotives with the roster profiler.
Signals are not necessary to automate, but they help.
I defined all my control point signals as masts, most are virtual (no hardware).
With defined signal mast logic (SML), you can automatically generate sections.
Once you have sections, you can define transits.
Then you can create trains that run on those transits.
--
Ken
NYNH&H, Old Colony Division, Cape Cod Branch (1949-1959)
Loconet * JMRI 5.11.1 * OSX,Win10,Ubuntu
Blog: ?
Youtube:

 

thanks Ken
?I was reading the dispatcher documtation last night and thought 'oh first I need to figure out signals'. I am glad I can do that virtually - as I dont want to wire anything else physically at this point - in case I 'learn' that I need/want to restart again.? Your comments help me with these next 'learn'n' to be done?
-p
?
 

On Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 02:47 AM, <peterparsons.pub@...> wrote:
I am glad I can do that virtually - as I dont want to wire anything else physically at this point - in case I 'learn' that I need/want to restart again.?
I'm simulating my layout using JMRI's Warrants method of automation. It's been a good way of learning things like signals/SML and LogixNG.
Should be able to transition that to the real thing over the next few months.
?
--
H.O. Australia (Layout in Progress)
Digikeijs DR5000 LocoNet
JMRI v5.10 DecoderPro/Warrants/CPE/SML/LogixNG
Java: OpenLogic jre-17.0.12.7 ? Windows 10
 

Thanks Ken. I've played around a bit with automation and wondered how little was required. Had some success with a small 4 block end to end?

Neil W

On Fri, 7 Mar 2025, 13:21 Ken Heywood via , <kheywood=[email protected]> wrote:
For automation, you need minimum contiguous block detection for the automated part of the layout.
I also recommend profiling your locomotives with the roster profiler.
Signals are not necessary to automate, but they help.
I defined all my control point signals as masts, most are virtual (no hardware).
With defined signal mast logic (SML), you can automatically generate sections.
Once you have sections, you can define transits.
Then you can create trains that run on those transits.
--
Ken
NYNH&H, Old Colony Division, Cape Cod Branch (1949-1959)
Loconet * JMRI 5.11.1 * OSX,Win10,Ubuntu
Blog: ?
Youtube:

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