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Goods Yard

 

 

The conversion over to DCC started when I purchased a Bachmann package while on holiday. I wanted to see what DCC was like, it was also insurance in case it started to rain. It did not so after returning home I connected the EZ controller to my layout and started to play it was great It was not long before I had the decoders out of the Bachmann locos and into a couple of  Hornby A4s.

I found the EZ controller very easy to use but limiting by the end of the first month I  had to treble   up on decoder addresses. The bug had bitten I now wanted to see what these CVs were about  not wanting to spend hundreds on a bigger controller I opted to buy a SPROG and use the PC to explore the decoder CVs

Now if you have not heard about the SPROGll it is a simple interface that allows you pc to explore and
program decoders and CVs using Decoderpro.  Using the Sprog and  Panelpro allows the control of 1 DCC fitted locomotive. The free software  stores  a database of your loco addresses and details for easy recall and reprogramming

       

 Enter the Hornby Select

                  

 I  might be one of the lucky few but in my humble opinion The Select is brilliant for the price That is not to say there have been no teething problems which were not experienced with EZ controller


First was  the occasional run away, on  one of my main  loops. The only difference on the two loops apart from the number of points was how the track was connected.  The trouble free loop had connections made to the track every  metre and fishplates were soldered on short sections of track The bad loop was only fed in 2 places rewiring solved this, may be the DCC signal  is weaker or the frequency differs on the Select controller


Second problem was caused by wheels causing a short on peco live frog points the select would reset to the default code 3  fitting insulating fish plates cured this.

 I have now upgraded to the Hornby Elite this product is all that I had expected and so far has preformed faultlessly However there are a few things that could be improved upon  and probably will be in future firmware upgrades 

 The Elite  now has NMRA  approval   And a recent  firmware update  version 1.3  has now addressed the problems with version 1.1. & 1.2  There are still a few problems getting  the elite to work properly with Rocrail and JMRI

 Earlier I sad the Hornby Turntable was more for show  and on DC it was near enough useless. However after seeing one fitted with a decoder at the Hornby stand ,at a recent show I have changed my mind. On DCC the turntable is 100% better at minimum speed it can take almost an  hour to do one revolution. Mine is now in constant  use as  an animated accessory 

Track Cleaning

Many times I have heard modellers say that they wont change to  DCC because it requires spotlessly clean track to be reliable. The same applies if you want reliable slow DC control   For very slow DC operation your track and loco wheels have to be spotless. often modellers run there trains at unrealistic speeds using DC so locomotive  will happily traverse an insulated frog, with DCC trains can run at very realistic speeds and can and do stall if track and wheels are dirty.   In my view your track has to be no cleaner for reliable DCC control than is does for DC control. I have found a track rubber and also the Daplo  track cleaning wagon keep my track spotless. The vacuum function on the track cleaner is very useful and so the polishing disc. However I see no reason why they include a grinding disk. why would anyone want to put thousands of fine scratches along there track. And while cleaning loco wheels spare a thought for the tender and other rolling stock wheels they too collect dirt and will deposit in on your nice clean track if not attended too. If possable replace all plastic wheels with metal ones

See the new look turntable

                             Computer Control 

RailMaster

I have been using Railmaster from Hornby since version 1.5 was released in BETA form, without doubt if you use the Elite it will be hard find better computer control. The great thing about Railmaster is than no programming skills are required.  You can record your train movement  then play them back almost almost like magic you get a replay.  If you want to edit the program or add sound files you can. Your set up can be as complex or as simple  as required There are a few drawbacks to setting up a fully automated layout at the moment but this is only till loco detection has been released which as far as I understand each loco will have a small coded tag fastened to the bottom and the will be read by track detectors.  I have a few saved programs often I run two loco to a time table  stopping and starting  at the main line stations via Railmaster  during the station waiting time I  manually  have train movements form terminus to terminus  these movements have to be completed before  Railmaster starts the trains waiting at the main line stations. Another way I use the software is just to control points and signals and then control the trains manually.

 

 

JMRI  Decoderpro and Panelpro are both free    http://jmri.sourceforge.net/download/

The Elite is a supported controller  There are no files to change and the program operates  the Hornby accessory  decoder correctly. After installing I have two  Icons will be on your desk top 

 

Panelpro for control   and Decoderpro for programming decoders  I have used Decoderpro with the Sprog  for a long while and it now works with the Elite, even if you do not use computer control it is an excellent program for programming decoders, Being able to save your loco details in the roster is extremely useful. The Sprog  can also be used as a basic DCC controller it easily will power 1 locomotive.

 

The new version of Rocrail now supports the Elite and there is no  rocrail.ini  file to alter now

 Rocrail available from   http://www.rocrail.net/  .

To use Rocrail  start the program Rocrail server you will see a lot of text open in a window this can be minimised Now start Rocrail GUI  that is it Now  follow the instructions on the Rocrail site  They are a little confusing  but do work.

I have been using both Panelpro and Rocrail for a while now The good point is they are both free and they work with the Elite. However  both have problems coping with Hornby's version  of express net  protocols, If you decide  to automate your lay out with either program using the Elite it will require a lot of time and some computer  and electronic know how.

 

DCC Controlled DC Test Track

I have a goods yard separate from the main layout  with a  DC shuttle service running. This is also used  as my DC test track. However  It is now controlled via a 1 amp Bachman decoder. The relay change over contacts are fed from the motor output of the decoder via a ballast lamp in series with the track, this will limit the maximum current should there be a short track. If a short occurs the lamps  illuminate  protecting the decoder  I found  that a  2 x12v 5 watt bulb connected in parallel ideal.   The timer for the relay is powered from the function output Be very careful here Check the load of your shuttle timer does not exceed  the max function current . Function C can provide up to 500ma  on the Bachmann decoder I used  however if your shuttle timer needs over 300ma or more I would suggest using jut one ballast lamp   I have found this works better than I could have imagined DCC control of whatever DC loco I want in the yard, and it also gives an idea of how a DC loco will perform after being fitted with a decoder


 

Good  Customer Support

Sprog DCC

Great service from supplier my recently  purchased USB SprogII developed a fault  Excellent service repaired and returned  in record time


Hornby

With over 30 decoders plus  a couple of sound decoders the odd problem can only be expected from time to time however I have found Hornby's technical support and repair centre to be most helpful.  In my view they are second to none. 

Is This a Record for service

Praise now for  Royal Mail and Dapol It was a Monday morning  that I ordered there excellent motorised track cleaner. On Wednesday due to an web site error on I received  the N gauge version.  After a promptly answered email  I returned the model to them. on Thursday. To my amazement the post man knocked on my door on Saturday with a parcel from Dapol.