I am moving away from digital control for my turnouts. I am moving back to momentary toggle switches. I find working with the CS 3 screen is a pain. I also like the more hands on approach of panels of toggle switches around the layout.
It’s more fun to me.
Comments?

A few others prefer full analog too. I like using the mouse and CS3 vs. Manual or automation. Some don't even have electric solenoids and use the hand lever with a wand.

Hi Eric
Here a Märklin fan from France with a CS3 and Rocrail control.

Just my opinion:
- The CS3 is a very nice and powerful unit (I don't regret its purchase).
- I agree, controlling switches (especially when you have a lot of them) is not convenient on such a small screen with a finger. Rapidely a pointer device (mouse) is needed
- using an external PC with a large (touch) screen and RealVNC Viewer, the CS3 screen can be displayed a much bigger way.
- since 2013, I use Rocrail to control my layout (50 to 60 switches, DSSs, etc) and it is working very fine BUT PROVIDED you don't try to control switches individually
- rather, it is about automatic train control: a mix of fish-bow operation and schedule operation.
- not controlling switches the digital way, is for you to give up the full digital control (no automatic selection of routes, etc)

It all depends on how you want to control your layout:
1 - a very low level way (selecting each switch, each signal) in real time
2 - control the layout from a much bigger perspective (you don't bother with details (track occupancy, compatibility of selected routes.

Selecting 2 means a sofware control like Rocrail, could help you a lot
Selecting 1 means that, indeed, controling switches and signal the manual way is more fun for you.

Just as an example, here is my control panel with Rocrail


In this example, you may:
- drag and drop trains: they will only obey if it is safe to do so
- set all locos in RUN mode: they will operate in the fishbowl mode (Rocrail will select, ramdonly each destination depending on occupancy and many other factors
- run following a schedule mode: each train departs on schedule to a preset destination the schedule being either a fixed time or a duration after the previous moment.

Here is a mix mode (fishbowl and schedule modes)


So I believe that past a certain layout size or complexity, you cannot control each element (switch, loco, signal) individually. You must promote yourself to train company chief.
Cheers
Jean

Hello Eric,
I agree with your take on control of turnouts (or any accessories requiring intervention control).

I have a layout with a CS3+ in a room 2.7 x 3.3 metres, and I can reach all the turnouts (about 20) by hand.
I would like to motorise 3 of the turnouts, but I cannot bring myself to upend the catenary and trackwork to install them.
If I did, I would use the push button control, and not the CS3.


Certainly using a mouse with the CS3 is mandatory and should be promoted by Märklin in that way.
I used the CS3 for 9 months to control my trains, as a touch screen without a mouse because I did not know it was a feature.
What a painful experience that was (compared to my old CS1).

Kimball

As usual David you have given a fine response as well as many others. I have been away a while from the forum. My layout has long runs. Not much interested programmed running or shunting.
Like to watch the trains and walk around the layout. Have well over 100 Loks and much rolling stock. Not any where near many people but it keeps me more than busy when I get back to my building. I don’t want to sit in a central control seat. Different strokes…..

I agree with you! In fact there are still people who use analog control of the turnouts and the signals while digital locomotives uses with digital control. It’s all matter what layout you want to control. I have miniatur switch by change of the turnouts and the signals. It is cheaper too.

The ESU decoders have outputs for manual control from a switch - the best of both worlds.

I use them with my roundhouse door servos, so I can easily push the nearby button to open the shed door, or it can be opened via Rocrail/CS2.