You asked a great question: "What's the point?" Indeed, what is the point of any hobby activity? The creation of Wirenwood has taken you on quite an interesting journey of discovery. Along the way you have investigated many interesting aspects of our hobby. You have taken the time to film, then edit, the KZread material which you generously share. To some, that sharing of information would seem point enough. What is the point of handlaying track when I could buy quality track? What is the point of spending hours making some small screws when I could easily buy them at the local hardware store? I answer simply: to see if I could do it. There is great satisfaction in doing something new and learning to do it well. I have been in the model railroad hobby for over 65 years, pursuing many avenues and going down many rabbit holes. I type this in an unfinished basement replete with layout projects (some finished, many others messily incomplete), all of which have kept me engaged in learning skills not encountered in my everyday family and work life. I have learned much, and enjoyed the process even when failures were encountered. For me, that has been point enough. When I watch your automated train slowly accelerate, leave the station, traverse the track to its destination, and then return, I think that is very cool! Your display showing the allocated trackage and track occupancy is just an amazing thing to see, and I thank you for letting us watch your creation in action. You are obviously a very clever guy, and I hope you get some enjoyment from knowing Wirenwood is a creation that few could equal.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Hi Justin and, well thank you so much, they're very kind and encouraging words! And I think you're absolutely right, the point is to enjoy it and learn from it. I totally agree - those automated trains do look good when they're running, especially acceleration and deceleration. Your kind words, and many from others too have got me back on the 'I'm going to make it work somehow' path - I think my mission now is to get automated and manual trains running on the same layout! Regards, Chris

Interested vid, In train controller I have 32 blocks for the intire layout with the main lines only have two blocks per main line with huge gaps in between, all the points are excluded. My golden rule is to have no block shorter then the longest train on the main lines and then you will never have any problems with all of the points and junctions.. It works so so well and even if something gos amiss the software works out a solution on the fly... Utterly amazing to watch.. I think automation software is a intire separate hobby in its own right, so addictve once you get the hang of it... Jim

@WirenwoodModelRailway

4 күн бұрын

Thanks Jim, that really does sound clever. An unexpected bonus of publishing this video has definitely been that I got to hear about other solutions - especially Train Controller and iTrain - it sounds like they are really accessible in terms of automation and do a lot to help us! Thanks for the comment! Chris.

@hovermotion

4 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway No worries,. I also have i-train which has its own unique way of working but much prefer Train Controller, (very expensive software to buy now but in my experience its the best and easiest to get going. Take care..

I use iTrain and I don't need to have the points included in blocks...iTrain allows you to group the track sections together into blocks and then join the blocks to the points. The system knows where the points are but doesn't expect detection through them. Every block and point has its length inserted into the system and then the program can calculate where the train should be. Hope this clarifies the position for iTrain... Keep up the great videos... Antony

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks Antony! I've never used iTrain so am very interested to hear about how it works, and what the differences are. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Regards, Chris

@AntonyLvids

11 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway It's pretty neat software...while not free like JMRI, it has pretty good functionality without breaking the bank. I have the standard edition and it has everything I need. It does error now and again but I think that it is mainly because I went the super cheap way with detection - I use S88 on a Dr5000 with arduinos and they are connected to reed switches. Obviously with current detection, you reduce a lot or ghosting risks (which I do get now and again) - fortunately iTrain does pick this up and usually stops the trains when they appear where it doesn't expect them...might be worth looking at the documentation and some of the tutorial videos (Bob Fuller) to see if it might fulfill your needs...They have a 2 month free trial as well. I am sure it would save a lot of time and frustration over manual coding and you sound as if the fun is going out of it...not where any of us wants to be....Good luck! (I am not in any way affiliated with them and normally try to escape with the cheapest options)

@Rule1ModelRailways

10 күн бұрын

I use iTrain as well, far better at operating than I am!

@WirenwoodModelRailway

9 күн бұрын

@@Rule1ModelRailways Thanks for the vote! I'm now at the stage of actually Googling iTrain to see what it's all about! Regards, Chris

Thanks so much for sharing both the technical, but most especially, the thinking and reflection journeys to reach this point. Most appreciated. Enjoy the hobby - it's easy to go down a rabbit hole and you have a lovely set up aching for the next bit of creativity.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

8 күн бұрын

Thank you for the kind words and, funnily enough, I am very much digging my way down the next rabbit hole this weekend! Regards, Chris

Thanks for your very informative clip! It really boils down to what you want to achieve. I did install block detection in combination with Traincontroller, which does not require all sections detected. It works flawless, since day one (AC 3-rail H0, no shorts, no wheel resistors..). But I do enjoy watching the trains go their own way, slow and stop, wait until the block ahead is clear. You even can drive one (or more) trains by hand, all while the other trains run on automatic. There's the function to stop your manual trip if you approach a red. I guess it's the way to realise in what you're interested in.. keep the fun up!

@WirenwoodModelRailway

9 күн бұрын

Thanks Luke that does sound like the best of both worlds, it must be a lot of fun. I'm starting to understand how Train Controller must be doing that - to an extent it has to guess, I think. But it must be doing stuff I can't fathom yet! Regards, Chris

good update vid on your channel keep up the goods vids you do layout is coming on good lots of work get done on it thanks four the vid

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks, Lee!

Another "free" option, could be rocrail, in RocRail, you dont need to have contiguos blocks, its automation is slightly different in that you can set trains off and they will go where they can (given layout and setup considerations). I have found for automatic runnig it can be much more dynamic then JMRI as you dont need to program routes / timetables etc, set a train off and it will run where it can, deciding a block or two before. I find it not as good at running non automatically, as JMRI's panel is much more satisfying to run and see trains progressing. There are some great videos in the Merg Automation SIG, on setting up RocRail, concepts and "semi automation" where you get trains ready to dispatch, then the computer takes control and off it goes. I find myself using RocRail for automation, and JMRI for manual driving of trains.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

9 күн бұрын

Thanks TB! I'll look into that - and also the MERG Automation SIG, I don't think I knew they had one somehow, so I should join that too. Strangely this 'I'm not sure I enjoy automation any more' video, and mainly the responses to it like yours, have really got me back into automation again and planning to do stuff with the station! Regards, Chris

I think this is a very good question. I found Dispatcher very difficult and could not get it to work. In the end I descoped by requirements and chose to write scripts to drive trains. This works OK, but I still need to modify them. At the moment things go wrong when a train fails to be detected by the DTC2 because it has sat down on a dead spot. A mate has come up with a good reason for automation, driving trains back into the fiddle yard when you have finished playing with them.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

9 күн бұрын

Hi Chris - good to hear from you. I'd never considered automating trains outside of Dispatcher, that might just solve the problem for my shuttle, if I can get it to respect the manually reserved blocks that my little app is putting in to protect the 2 blocks ahead of my manual trains. And ha, yeah, that sounds very similar to my first automation project, getting JMRI to assume control of a train as it went over an IR sensor at the front of the yard, then taking it in and parking it for me. I had to set the points though. I'm playing with RFID now and one plan I have is to use tag IDs from RFID to make that process much more dynamic. Regards, Chris

Resistive wheelsets on every wagon would be a real advantage. And would be super easy now that conductive plastics are a thing. I have 3d printed my own wheelset insulators, currently have 3kOhm resistance on my test wagon wheels, though I'm trying to get closer to 50k as this would suit fitting on every axle and add up to a decent amount per wagon. I've also shown it to a lot of manufacturers and suggested that they could do it, especially since the plastic wheelset insulator is such a tiny part making it from a different plastic would cost pennies.. but change is hard. need more voices asking..

@WirenwoodModelRailway

10 күн бұрын

Now that's caught my attention - thank you for messaging! I'm off to Google conductive plastics - if you have any links to further information on the wheelsets you're talking about please post them! Thanks, Chris

Like you, I’ve invested a lot of time and money to electronics. But that’s my favourite part of model railroading. But as I tell my visitors that model railroading is a hobby that encompasses many areas like running trains or electronics or model building or scenery or weathering and so on, that if you get fed up in one area, take a break or work on one of the other. It’s been years that I need to improve my scenery. Cheers.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thank you for the comment and yes - I totally agree, but I do think that, for something as complex and time consuming as automation, electronics and, to an extent, the use of complex software, have to be 'your thing'. It's not necessarily someone who is not interested in, or struggles with, that side of things could easily pick up and expect to have instant success with. Regards, Chris

the wheels may be shorting the double slip frogs. Check back to backs and perhaps add some insulation on the frogs

@WirenwoodModelRailway

3 күн бұрын

Thank you - it's a good shout, I'll have a look into it! Regards, Chris

Another interesting video, really enjoying your series. It's all down to what you want to do. For me I would want to automate almost everything. Do some shunting, assemble the train in a goods yard then pass it to the automation to take it to it's destination. Whichever automation software is being used, it should stop automated trains if a block ahead is occupied allowing you to drive trains, but if you are doing this you really need to be able to see and obey the signals.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks Jeffroid! Totally agree and the first point you made sounds like fun. The problem (in JMRI at least) is with the second point. You're right, in that JMRI will stop a train it's driving if there's danger ahead. And that if you're driving manual trains while JMRI is thundering auto trains around, you need to be able to see signals for your manual trains at all times (or have some kind of notification of caution / danger). However, it's about allocation. JMRI will not warn you that it's going to allocate a block / section to its train. And it allocates them ahead of the train (that's a user setting, I have it at 2 blocks ahead). I kind of went through it at about 18:25 in the video - as soon as it allocates a block to its train, any turnouts in that block are set in its trains favour. Regardless of where any of your trains are - OK, your trains won't be on the turnout because it won't allocate itself an occupied block - but your train could be 3cm from entering the block that JMRI just allocated itself and set the points for - which means you have about 1 second to realise and stop your train, otherwise it's a short circuit or derailment (depending on if you use electrofrog or not) for your train. And that's what's currently stopping me. The trick for me would be to 'pre-allocate' blocks - have software that's read the config and knows the path the auto train is going to take, and allocates blocks 2 blocks ahead of the ones JMRI is allocating. Then those blocks are reserved for the auto train, for a short space of time, without the points being set - which prompts an alert for my trains that they're heading towards an occupied block, and either gives me chance to stop them, or met them run through the contested block and occupy it before JMRI allocates it. Complicated stuff! Regards, Chris

@ianjeffery4773

12 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway Oh, I get you; JMRI doesn't know where you are driving to but does know where you are. So what you need is for JMRI to set a route for the train but allow you to drive it manually. Yes, complicated.

@alanwhite4003

11 күн бұрын

Great video and good timing. I’m trying to decide whether to order software and hardware for my (first) layout, at huge expense and it’s so hard to justify the cost involved. Also the learning curve to set it up. I want to play with trains, not programming software. I still can’t decide 🤷‍♂️. Help 🙏

@WirenwoodModelRailway

10 күн бұрын

@@alanwhite4003 Hi Alan, i think that's the exact dilemma isn't it? The more you're prepared to dive in to the nitty gritty, complex software config, electronics, programming, the less expensive the whole thing is, but the more high maintenance it is. I think I've just about gone down the least expensive route but it's been hugely time consuming and still really quite expensive! Hopefully you're watching lots of videos on train controller and iTrain too, to get a balanced view before deciding! Regards, Chris

There are options for you even now. Most people who have automated trains use dedeciated lines. Your branch line should not comflict with all other running lines. On a normal railway a cummuter service gives way to the express (mainlline train). With the block detection system the automatic train will have right of way, Signaling should the stop trains by cutting power before the conflicting point. For model layouts i think you need two systems that work together. OR re work the branch line to reduce the number of conflicting points.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thanks George! And yes, you're right - a completely separate branch line would work, but I didn't build one in and it feels a bit late now! The frustrating thing is it almost works - if I'm driving manual trains and can see signals, then I can, like you say, give way to the auto trains and avoid collisions. It's just those split second moments - the software allocating 2 blocks ahead and switching points in those blocks with no notice when it allocates them - giving me no time to react if I have a train hurtling towards said points! I'll work it out! Regards, Chris

Great videos, very helpful to novices as myself. Your TV monitor mimic panel is brilliant, how did you get this to work? Is it a mirror of Panel Pro on your laptop? Would love to know more...perhaps you made a video on Panel Pro mimic diagrams that l missed.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thank you! The monitor is just attached to my PC, the one running JMRI. It's a good point actually, something I forgot about - it's another requirement of automation, that that panel is built, as it's what JMRI uses to work out how all of the blocks are connected. It's a bit of a pain to build, that part of the software is not the easiest to use. I think I've mentioned it over time, as I've been building it up, but never done an actual video on it - you can see in this video, from about 1 minute, the PC starting up and the panel appearing, but that's as close as I get! kzread.info/dash/bejne/oYloo7l6ksWYj7w.htmlsi=pXYIdKa0niJ5nvG2&t=69. Maybe I'll do a video soon on how it was built - it's a good idea! Regards, Chris

Love your videos and in the process of planning some automation on my layout.... but this video ended on a depressing note. To be honest, I'm enjoying the "problem solving" aspect of this, even if it doesn't accomplish anything with longevity and even just seeing the occupied state on the track plan is exciting and useful - and reflects the real railway. In terms of automation, I have a short stretch between a terminus platform (like the bay platform) and an off scene terminating fiddle yard that doesn't need to cross other sections of track so to have trains automated on that while I play trains on the other platforms would add to the enjoyment of my railway. Interesting to see what you do next!

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thank you! Yeah, I think the end wasn't right, it was supposed to be a bit tongue-in-cheek but that didn't come across. I think the bottom line is, like you say, if you're in a place where you can enjoy the process, enjoy the journey that gets you there, then, of course, throw yourself into it. Next - well, after two years of head scratching, and after mentioning it in another comment today, I went back to RFID, which I just haven't been able to get working at all. And I got a bit of luck, and worked out what was going wrong, so am now planning that out - and, somewhat hypocritically will probably embark on that next. Hypocritical because it would be fairly useless to me, but I think I'll enjoy getting it working! Regards, Chris

I really enjoyed your video, very informative, I have a large n gauge with 180m track some in a 4 track helix and a lower deck and have often thought of automation. Besides the cost how does dirty track the impact the fun of automation, in that can a stalled loco stop the whole preset program? With so much wiring have you had any issues with fault finding?, I think your closing comments were very apt, i get frustrated without automation but think the automation is almost a hobby on its own. Cheers

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thank you - and yeah, an automated train is just as likely to stall as a manually run one - more so, maybe, when you take those slow starts and slow downs into account. But - it doesn't break anything - JMRI knows the train went into the block and it's waiting for it to enter the next one - it allows for the fact that the train might stop. So it just sits and waits, and once the 'hand of God' has done its thing, you're off like there was no hold up. Grumpy imaginary passengers aside. Yeah, my cabling is terrible and it does cost me time, trying to follow the right ones. Or accidentally knocking a few out and having no idea where they came from! One day I'll sort it all out. Probably! Regards, Chris

Love your commentary of the state of your railway. Might it be possible to drive the trains with multiple people using several throttles each with the equivalent of a screen showing In Cab Signalling so the cost of signalling the layout is avoided?

@WirenwoodModelRailway

4 күн бұрын

Thanks Tony! Well, funny you should mention that! I've since done a video on RFID which enables JMRI, and therefore the cab signals app I wrote, to know what train is in a block when it goes to caution or danger. So what I'm currently working on is building a new 'knob box' controller which has LEDs integrated, showing signals for each train throttle. It would be perfectly feasible to build multiple boxes for multiple operators, as many as I had the time for really! I don't know if that would fully replace actual layout signals though, I like them just for some scenery! Regards, Chris

I use iTrain and couldn't run my layout as efficiently on my own as iTran runs it. I can just about run two trains simultaneously with the help of my Wife but iTrain runs four or five trains simultaneously with ease.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks Mike, I'm sure your wife is very grateful to iTrain 🤣. Just out of interest, does it support the driving of manual trains at the same time, and does it provide the operator with tools to prevent collisions, derailments and short circuits? Thanks! Chris

@mikeuk1954

12 күн бұрын

@WirenwoodModelRailway My Wife enjoys playing with me. 😉🤣 Yes, iTrain supports manually controlled trains. It doesn't let you run lights or enter blocks already occupied.

If nothing else, these videos are probably the best resource on KZread for other people thinking of going down the automation route! Do you still use the automated parking system in the fiddle yard? That looked incredibly useful and I was so jealous of it, even with my tiny 3-line hidden storage area.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Hi - and thank you! Good question - I had to turn it off once I added the upper deck track as due to the extra lines, there can be more trains out of the yard, and therefore more empty spaces, including entirely empty lines, which there weren't before and it was getting a bit mixed up. Something else that's on the 'must get around to rewriting' list! Thanks, Chris

@JanjyGiggins

12 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway Makes sense - I'd be very interested if you do go back to it. One day I'll have a bigger layout and I'd really like to implement something like that for the fiddle yard and station. The other thing I'm curious about using automation for is sound effects - getting sound-enabled locos to whistle in particular places, etc. but also for ambient scenic sounds like slamming doors and guard's whistles when trains are departing from stations. Personally I'm more interested in automation for that sort of 'making the layout respond to what I'm doing' effect than having it drive trains for me.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

@@JanjyGiggins Ah I think that's pretty easy in JMRI, there are events you can trigger in sections - when a train enters a block, leaves a block, triggers a sensor in a block etc - and you can then choose decoder functions to execute - from memory anyway! I'm not really into sound so I've never played with it. And yeah I will update the yard stuff - the issue I was having was it was harder to track if a train was in the yard or not as more could be out, so the logic was taking control of a loco to move it forward, and actually that loco was out on the track somewhere and would suddenly slow down to a crawl, yard speed! The trick will be to better track when trains are in the yard - RFID would be ideal but I've never managed to get that working, even in test. Regards, Chris

@ClinchfieldModelRailroad

12 күн бұрын

Speaking of RFID, McKinley Railroad on KZread built a system using RFID, have a look. He’s big on electronics. And also wants to have some trains running automatically in the background for more realism while operators can run their trains manually and include overhead screens to view the traffic.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

@@ClinchfieldModelRailroad Yeah, I'm a big fan of Mckinley and do often wonder how they make it work - automated trains running at the same time as manual - especially with no apparent visible signalling system - I suspect that they're actually fully automated, and that operators are actually driving semi-automated trains, to a script ans part of the timetable. As for RFID - my failures are much more basic than that, I've never actually got a reader to read a tag! I suspect I've bought dodgy tags. Regards, Chris

think what you rapidly do is go from "I have a model railway, lets automate part of it!" to "I have an automation project that just so happens to drive trains!" must say though you and your adventures have proven inspiring, my unreliable N Gauge attempt has been retired, shortly to be stripped and the desk space "returned to commercial service" so to speak, the OO replacement in the cellar is being built with automation in mind and reliability at the front. have been pondering how to drive it, will have a mix of current detection for "there is something here" but also RFID stuff (once I get that to be reliable), combined with a set maximum train length to avoid needing to detect everything, e.g. a short block for a diamond, yes its got a current sensor however its not "clear" until the train has reached a block further along the line. helpfully all 1930's steam ear so always "loco at the front" the intention is to have an automated fiddle yard with small scenic bit, then a station with semi automatic control, almost game like, human operator has to make sure the arrival roads are cleared quickly and trains ready in the departure roads. well and just sit back and watch the lower scenic bit occasionally MQTT used throughout to tame the wiring monster will be going over a few of your videos carefully, this really is a rabbit hole

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Hi, and thank you! Yeah it really is a rabbit hole. I think something I maybe forgot to emphasise in the video is, just like Lego, if you're into that kind of thing, the process of building it can be very enjoyable - it was for me, I just have, again, that Lego-like feeling if 'oh wow, now it's done I can .... just sit and look at it?!'. Be careful with those short blocks and a good question to ask yourself when building / planning is 'how will the layout know when....?' - with the diamonds, how will the layout know when the whole train has entered the next block, as opposed to just the front of it? Regards, Chris

@aleopardstail

12 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway thinking automation here won't be via JMRI, likely a Raspberry Pi playing with the MQTT interface. as for the diamond, well its basically part of a larger "block" its just one track circuit, it gets allocated by the "signal box", the system will see it occupied as the loco enters, the sensor will say "I'm free" in *that* voice when the loco leaves but the micro controller watching it will only report it as clear when one of the two possible routes reports the train has reached a given block further along the line. likely having quite a few shorter track circuits that get combined in the logic when it comes to being reserved. I gather JMRI can do with with "sections" that get allocated in one go but I also need to keep them allocated after a train passes through until it reaches the next "signal post" location. pure hobby in itself really, and yes I fully get the "ok that works, so now what? just watch it?" stuff. find its good to have something else to break into, be that painting part of the layout or even something totally unconnected - the moment it starts to get tiresome walk away for a bit for blocks though I tend to see a "block" as the space between signals, which has one or more track circuits attached, and when you have diamonds you get one track circuit that can be part of multiple blocks in the logic. have gone from a 4'x2'6" loop that was four "blocks" and about ten track circuits to a 12'x7' loop thats still only four blocks, and with logic that only permits a train to stop in two of them (the other two being too short to hold a train), actually less operable but with parallel loops. will get a video up on it all eventually - something else you are far better at, the motivation to actually film it all

Thanks for having done all the trail and tribulations for the rest of us! I'm in the same boat as you, knowing software but not so much electronics and the rest of it. Having enjoyed your journey very much, I thought from the start that there must be an easier way that mimics the real world and avoid all that coding and a rats nest of wires. So with AI being the hype now, maybe it's time for you to ditch all blocks and readers - and instead install hidden cameras in the scenery at crucial points to watch trains, signals, stations and crossings. Write your own AI to analyze all the images fed back to identify what train it is, when crossing is clear (length of train), speed plus the fact that you can now mix automated and manual trains. I have also considered GPS location and built in cameras in locos to avoid what you are going through, but those solutions come with their own problems. If you design longer runs and fewer crossovers from the start you will of course make things easier for yourself too (easy to say now). I like the idea of picking a train from the yard running it yourself and at the same time start 2-4 others randomly to interfere with your running. A bit like what they do in TrainGamia in Copenhagen. I don't like all of what he has done but there are some good ideas to pick up. Don't give up now! We want to see what happens next... 🤪

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thank you - and yes that sounds very similar. I was a real Electronics beginner to start with - and I still struggle to get my head around it. I love those ideas! Especially optical recognition, although I struggle to tell a Class 40, 55 and 37 apart when they're all in the same livery so I hope the AI would fare better. Really interested to hear how you get on with all of that! Regards, Chris

@maryginger4877

10 күн бұрын

They have some excellent libraries that do the heavy lifting of the image processing nowadays

@downunderDSB

10 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway Thanks Chris, I have a really hard time just getting started - at all !! 😂 Yes, the imaging needs to be able to read the numbering at speed. Regards the Procrastinator

@downunderDSB

10 күн бұрын

@@maryginger4877 OK, wasn't aware of that. You will need more processing power than a micro computer, but one central PC should be able to process and control everything I should think. Will look into that, thanks!

@WirenwoodModelRailway

10 күн бұрын

@@downunderDSB Ha, procrasticator, great word and definitely one that I can relate to!

Wow…. So it’s an all or nothing on the automation front or you could get problems. Could you have a yard departure line allocated for a train and do shunting manually and once the train is complete then the system takes over? Interesting video as I’m thinking manual shunting marshalling yard with automated main lines running to/from fiddle yards with no continuous loops running. Keep them coming.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Well maybe you could have your yard outside of the automated routes - somewhere that automated trains never go, then you can trust that you're in charge of the points and they won't get changed at short notice. Then when your train is built up, drive it to a point on the layout that the software is aware of, and trigger something - maybe an RFID sensor would work well - that says to the software - 'OK you take it from here'. I think I'm going to do something similar with my yard, and RFID is the next thing to implement I think! Regards, Chris

What about using a snap relay or similar to provide DCC power to the blocks associated with the turnout in question ? Does jmri dispatcher still allocate a turnout (block ) when occupied by a manual train ? I like the idea of RFId - rfid tags are easier then having to provide resistive wheel sets plus it provides identification similar to transponding

@WirenwoodModelRailway

3 күн бұрын

Hi - no, Dispatcher does respect occupation, so if any block is marked as occupied, Dispatcher will wait until it clears to allocate it, and won't let an auto train enter it. I'm not sure that I would go down the route of RFID as occupancy detection as it presents a lot of the same issues as IR would in longer blocks - all of the actual occupation in the blocks is still handled, mostly by the current detectors. Ah I'd heard of transponding - I think that's a Loconet thing is it? Thanks for the comment! Chris

I’ve experienced the same issues, wanting dispatcher first to work reliably. Then be able to run in manual train. I have a number of transits running to safe sections instead of two blocks ahead. This certainly helps we’re there are trains crossing junctions at it won’t allocate the whole junction unless it’s clear. What I’ve not tried and should. Is allocate my manual train in dispatcher using safe sections then take command of it (manually). I think if you include the crossover as well as several sections before as a safe section, does it warn you in your software tracking you developed as soon as it tries to enter that safe section?

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thanks Howard - no but it could do, I'll take a look into it - it's definitely an option! Good to hear from you! Regards, Chris

What if you lengthened the short sections to at least a train length - would that help ?

@WirenwoodModelRailway

10 күн бұрын

Hi Mary - it would but sometimes short blocks are a necessity rather than a choice - sometimes there can be more than one entry / exit into a block and trains 'short cut' through along the shortest route - this is similar to a double slip I think. The issue with the double slips is they effectively offer two routes and if I was to extend their length along adjoining track, then presence on that track would prevent the double slip's alternate route being used. All about compromise! Regards, Chris

interesting points... i use automation on my layout for most passenger trains in and out of station... then i use manual for shutting in the yard. so whilst i am building up a outbound goods.. trains come and go... the plan is then to release the built goods to the auto feature.. where it is driven around the layout, until it hits the in bound goods platform, where its passed back to manual.. this is not all done yet as i am re-wiring the layout for better jrmi (moving from rocrail), so hoping for a kind of best of both worlds, :) but as you said alot of work... (timelapse of auto trains kzread.info/dash/bejne/gaGO2NyagJTLmqQ.html ) oooh and divide your goods into pairs or triplets which never split, with one resistor per set...

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Thanks Calvin, and yeah that sounds like a plan. I enjoyed the video, those auto trains are looking smooth! Regards, Chris

Using traincontroller here with arcomora hardware kits. + 3 rail to arcomora translator hardware. But thats cheap stuff. So hardware in total is cheap. Software aint. . My switches are not in blocks. And i can have space between blocks if i want.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

11 күн бұрын

Thanks - I am intrigued on how that works - just being able to have blocks exactly where you want them, it's definitely something I need to look into. Regards, Chris

Are you sure it's true that every piece of track must be part of a block? "When a layout's track is divided into Blocks, all of the track need not belong to a Block. For example, yard track may not be in a Block, whereas mainline track almost always would be divided into Blocks." quote from the block page in JMRI.

@WirenwoodModelRailway

12 күн бұрын

Ah yes, sorry - to clarify - all of the track that is intended to be used for automation should be part of a block - so sure you could leave your yard track not assigned to blocks with no occupancy detection - but you wouldn't be able to configure JMRI to use those areas of track for automated trains. Regards, Chris

@little_britain

12 күн бұрын

@@WirenwoodModelRailway That makes sense. I wonder if there's a way to include turnouts and crossovers in "the right block" to have them work safely in the way you want. I am thinking a turnout should be part of the block they are switched to, and that they cannot be switched when occupied. Basically, so the trailing arms of the switch would connect from the trailing block they are switched to. Crossovers should probably be a large (enough) block including the tracks leading up to them to give safe stopping distance. NM: Just read up about sections, which are designed to encompass multiple blocks, so turnouts and crossings can be logically protected. This is definitely food for thought as I have similar ambitions to your regarding automation.