Noel

That's just brilliant Dave. ROFLMAO

Holy moly how did I miss this thread. Great looking layout project and what an awesome collection of rolling stock.

Hi John. I would hope the Bachmann bluetooth technology, if it really works, might become a new NMRA standard rather than a proprietary offering. Key would be plug-in compatible swap-ability of DCC decoders for Bluetooth decoders. If it remains a proprietary spec then its dead in the water. Noel

So you have to take the apple watch off every night to charge it cause it only has an 18hr battery. Thanks, but no thanks. Personally it just doesn't add up. From a purely functional point of view I'm not sold on its benefits or practical uses, but marketing may convince some of the sheep herd that its a 'must be seen with' piece of jewellery. And that's just the thoughts on an existing mac, iPhone and iPad user who has a weakness for useful technology, but I just don't get this one. Btw, what time is it? I forgot to wind my watch last night iNoel Sent by iPad - portable electronic Irishman

Really enjoyed those photos. Thanks for posting. They tell a story. It's sad to see the minimalisation of Waterford station presumably due to the collapse in all forms of rail traffic. A mere shadow of its 60s glory days. Railways killed off the short lived commercial canals and now it seems motorways in turn are wiping out the railways. Some nice photos of your workbench also.

Thanks again to all of you who kindly took the time to complete the brief survey. I have been pleasantly surprised how many responded so far. As responses are still being made, it is probably better to let it run for another little while until responses slow. I plan to publish the results on the forum over the weekend once the survey has closed. Hopefully folks may find it interesting. Cheers for now. Noel

Strange thing though is on the eircom connection all other web sites were working fine when IRM was timing out.

Yes it seems an eircom issue. I can't access it for the past while using eircom, but fine using a hotspot off vodafone.

It was off from this end from about 07:30 until sometime after 12:00, but as I said it could have been a local name server issue on parts of the eircom network, so other members may have had full access.

Hi Kevin I don't know how they plan to release products. Ideally if they produce 21, 9, 8 and 6 pin Bluetooth decoders of the same size as current DCC decoders, they could be swapped or used instead of DCC decoders and could therefore operated on existing DCC layouts and with DCC ready locos. This would allow overlap of deployment over the first decade without modellers forced into a big spend change over. I assume the power supply from the decoder to the loco motor would be the same as DCC, but the messaging protocol and configuration of bluetooth decoders would be quite different and very user friendly (i.e. there would be no concept of low level techie stuff like CVs, test tracks, programming, etc, all to be buried behind human friendly interfaces smartphone app style). However if this ever gets traction, I suspect there will still be a market for wireless cabs with physical controls, not just touch screen devices. Tablets and smartphones great for additional cabs and setup, but for train driving most need the tactile feel for blind one handed control. Noel

You won't regret it. Interesting piece here on ESU/NCE momentum issue. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/89097-beware-nce-and-esu-momentum-idiosyncrasies I used the 'momentum' button once on a LokSound decoder and it did mess up the sound until I did a 'soft' decoder reset to reinstate normal behaviour. Btw, be careful never to do a full reset of a sound decoder because it can wipe the sound project and not just reset CVs. I prefer Zimo decoders F5 light engine mode which does not mess around with CVs.

Dhu Varren they look really superb. The finish quality looks so precise and sharp. Looking at the photos that is the best repaint project I have seen. I looks better than quality RTR finishes and all lines are straight as a laser.

Was the site down for a few hours this morning? Or it could just have been local to me due to eircom's DNS servers getting dizzy for a while.

Spot on. I've turned the volume on ours right down to 30% of the default out of the box levels. The LokSound in particular was annoyingly loud.

I agree, and running it on more than one loco at a time sounds cluttered and a bit confusing.

Great find Fran. What a blast from the past.

I expect you will really enjoy driving with the powercab. It's quite user friendly and good ergonomics. One piece of advice, the 'momentum' button is unnecessary and recommend you never use it (ie it reprogrammes CVs). I find powercab function ergonomics good for sound locos. It feels good for single handed use. The buttons feel just the right size. It's also a very expandable system. I prefer it to my smartphone app.

Hmmm???? Will watch developments with interest over the next few years. I must say the current DCC programming interface seems from the dark ages (e.g. CVs, etc, like putting a number in a CV to change volume instead of clicking a 'volume' menu and sliding + or -). http://www.bluerailtrains.com Early days yet and it may not get traction, but from a technology perspective it would be a leap into a more consumer 'appliance' friendly interface, rather than the awkward and very dated 80s technology DCC is. Personally I still don't like touch screen only controls for throttle control on cabs. Wonder if decoders will gradually get a bluetooth interface so over a decade folks can migrate with the choice of control via DCC or Bluetooth (i.e. dual interface). If it got traction I guess there would still be a market for physical cabs (i.e. wireless via bluetooth).

12vDC rotary controls to DCC: It's funny moving from DC to DCC was a curious migration for me. With DC you tend to 'control' everything precisely by hand using a rotary knob or slider, and have precision control shunting and simulating declaration and braking. Years ago I switched to what was then called 12v DC 'interia' controllers with 2 rotary knobs, one for 0-12v speed and the other for setting acceleration/deceleration inertia and braking action. I got used to one handed operation that did not require me to look at the controller, freeing my other hand for points, coupling, etc. Knobs v Buttons: However moving to DCC most cabs used buttons INC/DEC or +/- to control speed rather than rotary knobs or sliders. I was fixated on finding a DCC cab with a rotary knob or slider. However once I started driving locos under DCC where inertia and braking is handled by the decoder and not my right hand, I soon realised using buttons to increase or decrease power worked really well, and better than sliders or knobs that would not have immediate effect. Buttons are actually more prototypical, you ask for a power setting and wait for the response to be achieved. The DCC cabs I went with had INC+1/DEC-1 and INC+4/DEC-4 buttons but also a roller wheel knob, which to my total surprise I never use. I tend to use only two buttons INC+4 or DEC-4 (i.e. increase or decrease speed steps by 4 steps) and let CV3 and CV4 look after the rest. With ZIMO 'real drive' sound decoders there is the addition of Fn4 for active braking which although totally alien and weird at first, is now my favourite decoder to drive a sound loco with. It is just so realistic and such fun to drive. Wireless Cab for 'occasional' walk about: I felt I would like one single wireless cab so that I could walk around to any part of the layout, so connected to JMRI/PC and used WiThrottle smartphone app. It's cheap, very nice, especially for sound function labels, and can control two locos, BUT I only use it for 'walk about' operations because the touch screen means I have to look at it so my other hand is not as free to manipulate the layout or switches, etc. Now if the app could be modified so the the physical volume buttons on the phone adjusted throttle speed steps, then blind one handed operation would be possible. It's also a bit of a pain having to spin up a laptop and start JMRI, whereas with the physical DCC system, its power on and instant drive - like an appliance. Switching back and forth between DCC and DC: I have started to wire track sections of the layout so they be switched between DCC and DC. This is really useful for running in, testing, servicing, fault finding (i.e. troublesome pickups, sticky running gear, etc), but most useful for running some of my older loco stock that will never be converted to DCC. At least they can get the odd run. It's also useful to compare a loco's performance running pure DC (i.e. with backing plate installed and decoder removed), against the same loco with the decoder installed in both DC mode and DCC mode. Really useful for fault finding and tuning motor drive CVs. Anyway just the ramblings and observations of a relatively recent convert to DCC.

Has the line been closed to reduced speed?

Yum! Very very nice. It already looks great but will look utterly spectacular when landscaped in.

Hi Kevin I don't think there is a best DCC system. The choice of a DCC system is based on so many different factors, personal preferences, spec requirements and nature of ones layout. For instance, ergonomics of cab units can be a big issue for some users whereas others are less concerned about cabs and more about the system modularity, upgradability, performance, capacity, etc, or both. There are well priced entry level systems from the 'toy' manufacturers market and some are not bad performers for what they are. They can be good value to get started. The 'posse' can however be divided between small low power systems (e.g. 1.5-3amps) and higher power systems or systems that can be upgraded to higher power (>= 5amps). Power effects how many locos you can operate simultaneously which may be determined by layout size and characteristics. After 'power' is decided it seems to be personal choice. Obviously NMRA DCC compatibility is important and most full support this (i.e. anybodies decode should work with anybody else's control system). Some have larger semi-fixed style console type cabs, others purely handheld. My suggestion, visit some stores, clubs or exhibition layouts and try out different systems running trains. You will know in seconds which system/cab is the one for you. Alphabetical Order - Popular DCC vendors Bachmann Dynamis Digitrax Super Chief Xtra 5 Amp ESU eCos 50200 + Navigator Guagemaster/MRC Prodigy Advance + Ultima Hornby Elite + Select Lenz set 90 + set 100 NCE Powercab + Procab Roco multiMaus Zimo MX10 There are also emerging various PC systems (e.g. Hornby elink, JMRI linked to various black boxes such as this thread, etc) Some links below. BUT be cautioned some of these are USA centric, Europe centric, or effected by 'fan boys' favourites rather than purely objective. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Command_Control http://www.dccwiki.com/DCC_Systems_comparison http://tonystrains.com/comparison-dcc-systems/ http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/dccbrandecisions.htm http://www.dccbydesign.com/articles/dcc-starter-system.html Lenz and ESU seem to have established significant market share in Europe in the model market, whereas NCE seem a key player is US model market. PS: Apologies Dave, my post crossed with yours. I was probably typing.

True. However NCE's wireless radio station is an $160 add-on, and a wireless pro cab is $250, so that's $410 for ONE wireless pro cab. Compared to $3 to connect an iPhone, iTouch, or iPad running 'WiThrottle' app to an NCE system using an RS232 serial cable. OK, it sucks because it doesn't have tactile feel of physical controls, but its free and wireless! (i.e. as an additional cab). Lenz don't have their own wireless cabs, instead have an interface to the 'TouchCab' app.

I totally agree. Just posted it for info. I prefer to open a box, unpack, switch on and use technology as a mere appliance without complications or barriers. I use plugin NCE cabs on our layout, but occasionally I enjoy walking around the outside of the layout using an iPhone as a wireless cab, and viewing trains on the move from different perspectives. When and only when using WiThrottle on my iPhone a laptop needs to be running JMRI. It would be nice if DCC manufacturers like Lenz, NCE, ESU, MRCC/Guagemaster, etc, produced a low cost black box interface for wireless cab apps (ie had JMRI api over WIFI including rosters for loco naming and sound function labels).

Such techie 'projects' are really only meant for folk with two short antennas sticking out of the back of their heads. Seriously though, it's an option for folks interested in tricking around with technology. It is one of the least expensive methods of having a DCC controller driven by one or more wireless cabs assuming folks can get access to old iPhones or an old iPad (ie running WiThrottle app). The advantage is its a black box solution that does not need to be connected to a running PC. A PC might only be used initially to configure and set it up. My WiThrottle setup needs JMRI running on a laptop connected to the NCE controller. One other point. Touch screen wireless cabs such as WiThrottle have one huge limitation - they lack tactile feel of physical controls or buttons hence cannot be used by feel and require eye contact. A cab with physical controls or buttons can be used single handed without having to look down at a touch screen, and therefore enable the operator to watch the loco leaving the other hand free to do things like operate points, couple/uncouple stock, etc. However an iPhone is a very cost effective wireless cab for walking around a layout and watching trains run from all kinds of vantage points.