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Offline MikeR  
#1 Posted : 12 October 2014 22:47:15(UTC)
MikeR

United States   
Joined: 26/08/2012(UTC)
Posts: 263
Location: Denver
Piper has requested that I give some feedback on the computer control system we used at the Great Train Expo this week-end.

The configuration of electronic equipment used was

  • A tower PC running Windows 7 and RR&Co Train Controller. The laptop originally used crashed on Friday evening so this was replaced by a PC with a backup of the RR&Co files. This performed flawlessly over the weekend.

  • A CS1R was connected to the PC and layout. Although the module wiring loom allows for 2 additional boosters, none were necessary as a maximum of 5 locomotives were run concurrently - well within the capability of the CS1R. The power feed was at one end of the layout but there was no voltage drop along the length of the layout.

  • A separate accessory bus running from a Marklin transformer was used for street lights, turntable (analog) and other accessories.

  • Feedback used LocoIO boards via a LocoBuffer. An isolated section of track is used as a contact. If built today, the whole block would be a contact sector, split into a short stop contact at each end and a occupancy section in the middle. However the modules were built 5 years ago so a block contains 3 short contact sectors with non-contact sectors between these contacts.

  • Point decoders are a mix of K83 Marklin decoders and 74461 equivalents manufactured by Graham, a new member to this forum. Graham is an electronics whiz and all of his boards function flawlessly as well as being considerably cheaper than the Marklin equivalent.

  • There are no working signals on any of the modules although these are a distinct possibility as Graham has developed a very reasonably priced decoder board that operates the 74371, 74380 and 74391 range of 'Hobby' signals. The major positive feature is that the decoder uses the standard plug supplied with these signals so the signals can be easily and quickly removed for transport, preventing any damage.


AndreasK offered a room at his home where the MMG was able to setup the modules permanently from mid June. This was a major benefit to the MMG as it allowed retired members to work on the modules whenever there was time. The debugging of the layout prior to the show was a major positive factor in the relatively flawless operation achieved at the show. The major changes made were:

  • All microswitches on point motors were shorted out.

  • Some point were operating from the LocoNet using a LocoIO board. These were found to be erratic and unreliable and were therefore replaced by the 74461 equivalent decoders. The LocoNet was only used for feedback.

  • Point mechanisms were checked and cleaned as the modules had not been used for some time. Where necessary the points were replaced.

  • The alignment of the track between modules was improved and in some cases the gap in the track between modules was reduced.

  • The track gradients on a new module without scenery were improved.


The time spent at AndreasK's home, as well as the input from Graham, were invaluable as the module layout used at the show was closely replicated and all modules were debugged. Although multiple trains were run for short periods, there is nothing that can replace the Real McCoy of operating the modules for a 7 hour non-stop day at a show.

During the show the following are some of the issues encountered:

  • The CS1R forgot some of the M4/mfx locos previously registered. Previously deleted locos also reappeared. The reason has not been identified.

  • Members brought locos to the show to be run. The registering of mfx/M4 locos was problematic when more than 1 loco was simultaneously being registered while trains were running. We subsequently successfully resorted to doing the registration 1 loco at a time.

  • On Saturday afternoon 5 locos were being run concurrently on the single main line using the random schedule facility in Train Controller. This worked well although there was occasionally a bunching of trains at one end of the layout - probably because of the limited number of passing sidings. Based on this experience we started Sunday morning with the same 5 locomotives but immediately had problems with both the CS1R (forgetting locos?!) and some of the locos behaving erratically. To overcome this problem we reduced the loco count to the 2 most reliable trains which was later increased to 3 for the rest of the day. We could possibly have increased this count to 4 as the 3 locos operated almost flawlessly.

  • There is 1 K-track module and 7 C-track modules with points. The incidence of unreliable point motors seemed to be predominantly on the K-track module. However with time it appeared that all point motors settled down and with the high usage became more reliable. It may be that the benefit of having the C-track motors under the track is that this is almost dust-free, whereas the K-track motors are adjacent to the points above the base-board.

  • The major problem was the occasional unreliability of points. When identified they were felt to be sticky. A couple of manual throws cleared the problem pointing to dirt as the culprit.


Overall the group was very happy with the running of the trains as well as the very positive comments from those attending the show. Very few of the attendees were aware of the problems we had as they seemed to be more interested in looking at the dioramas. There was also some interest in the computer control system.
Mike
Digital - C track with CS2 and Railroad&Co TrainController; feedback using LocoIO via a Locobuffer
Analog - M track with solid centre rail (after C track layout is complete)
Collect all Eras - especially Crocodiles
Member of ETE
Previously a member of the Marklin Modellers' Group Johannesburg
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by MikeR
Offline Piper  
#2 Posted : 13 October 2014 00:17:09(UTC)
Piper

South Africa   
Joined: 13/09/2005(UTC)
Posts: 262
Location: Johannesburg
BigGrin

Excellent feedback, thanks Mike.

Also thanks to you, Graham, Willie & Andreas for all your hard work the past months debugging the modular layout. Your co-MMG members appreciate all the hard work to make the Expo a huge success for the Märklin Modellers Group.ThumpUp ThumpUp ThumpUp Many off the Expo visitors made the comment that our display was the best of the show.

Ann, (Mrs MikeR) thanks for the delicious chocolate cake. (the main reason why I'm a member of MMG)Sneaky



Oh Yes. thanks to everyone for manning the layout during the two days of the expo. As they say in the modern classics "Gentlemen, it's been a privilege flying with you."



Edited by user 13 October 2014 07:53:04(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Era I-V / HO / C-Track / MS2, CS2 & CS3 Z gauge. Insider
Member of Märklin Modellers Group
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Piper
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