To the iTrain users out there..

I'm currently in the trial period of the software and I am enjoying learning about it. My main question is, before I invest any more time or money, what is the real benefit of the software of just using the CS3 for routes and automation?

Looking forward to your opinions.

Thanks

Hi
@Norbert and @Per: iTrain is probably a good system. Sorry to be like a fly in the ointment BUT there is Rocrail to be considered.

Rocrail does all that ITrain and other do and probably more
- it does not cost much as iTrain 119€ (Lite) or 349€ (Full) but you can test it without restrictions (Price) nor time limit and support the team when you like and the amount you like (e.g. 12€ per year). I shouldn't be saying this but if you don't contribute, there are no consequences.
- there is nothing to pay for next release
- its developpers (Rob Versluis & team) are so reactive that a new version is released daily. No, you don't have to re-install that often but only when you want to report a problem to the forum.

I am just a normal user of Rocrail like many and here is a flavor of you you can do (you probably can do even better)
My layout drives 26 locos present more than 70 turnouts/DSSs one turntable, one Faller Car System layout.
It uses one CS3 with one 5A power supply (60101). Before, it was using a CS2 60215 from Märklin.


Here is the Faller Car System operation
It has 11 switches, 4 vehicles, 11 stops, 4 parking stops.
It manages "normal" vehicles and includes a ROLA system (boarding trucks on the train


Rola system


Rocrail is really one of the best train management systems and is very inexpensive.
Great forum in English, German, Dutch, Italian, French
Accomodates more than 20 different central stations
Speaks more than 20 different languages
Provides an interactive support: stuck on a function? Just press the HELP key and the corresponding support page in your language will be display (must be on-line).
Can have either the server and the viewer on same machine or different ones with possibly multiple viewers
Can have multiple central stations (I have two, one for trains and one for the turntable.

Here is my Rocrail Interface
You could do it with multiple pages, different colours, etc


Sorry for the fly in the ointment (I am not in any way connected to Rocrail but a simple enthusiast)
Jean

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Thanks for the info Per. I've watched a few of Mr. Fullers videos and I'm sure they will be very helpul. Amazing of how many there are!

Very cool Antonio and thanks for sharing. I'll add Train Controller to my list of software to evaluate. When it come down to it, it will be the one that I find most user friendly as I'm not very technical oriented. Thanks again!

Hello, good morning,

Yes, the Train Controller records the hours of operation of each locomotive, and you can set the maintenance periods for each locomotive, when it reaches the specified number of hours, a message appears. It is very useful.

Best regards

I have the version 7 Gold, is enough for me, I believe this feature is included in all versions, i.e. Bronze and Silver. If I am not mistaken it was already available in version 5 as well. It is part of the Train Controller core.

Best regards

Hi Ben
Haven't the Märklin CS3 a 2 years warranty?
see here the Märklin webpage on warranty (only in German though)
https://www.maerklin.de/de/servi...tionen/maerklin-garantie

Here is the translation of one paragraph
This manufacturer's guarantee is valid for a period of 24 months from the date on which the product was purchased from an official Märklin dealer, at most 60 months from the deletion of the item from the catalog range; for MHI products, the period is 60 months from the date of purchase from the official Märklin specialist dealer, no longer than 72 months after deletion from the catalog range. Either the fully completed guarantee certificate or the receipt is suitable as proof. Receipts from any other commercial or private reseller are not suitable for this. You can check whether the dealer of your choice is actually an official specialist dealer in the dealer search on our websites for Märklin, Trix and LGB. You can find these addresses for other countries at www.maerklin.com.

Märklin repaired free of charge an Insider loco that was approx 4 years.

Cheers
Jean