vanda32547 said:
I was wondering if by using DCC to run trains and turnouts if you can pre-program the trains to run certain scenerios so that they can run all by themselves...starting and stopping, changing turnouts, waiting for a few moments and then continuing?
Greetings
I use the CTI system on my layout in conjunction with a lenz DCC system in N scale.
http://www.cti-electronics.com/
It requires a computer, whatever computer interface is required by your DCC system and some simple programming skills to write the sequence of events you wish to accomplish, but the examples given in the manual and on the website really guide you through all of that.
My CTI system controls all my turnouts, all my signalling, all my ancilliary stuff, like building lighting etc and I hive just written a section in the program called Auto which runs a complete timetable so that when I am working on things, or have visitors, the trains run automatically via a timetable.
My layout has DCC current sensors on each block, so I know when a section is occupied, and also has electrical switches on turnouts, so the system actually knows whether a turnout has thrown.. its not assuming it has
CTI already has built into it the ability to communicate with most DCC systems and can provide an onscreen throttle to control your DCC locos, and also has provision for building a track display panel, reflecting all blocks (occupied or not), all switch positions, and all signal settings, and show where trains are on the layout.
Its not cheap ($100 for the starter kit of software, connectors and a board) and additional boards need to be added, but once the initial investment is over, it can be added to as needed and is a simple to operate system. However, if you replace stationary decoders and lots of switches with this system, its remarkably cheap, and as soon as you start using a throttle on the system, then the cost of additional DCC throttles makes this system very cheap.
For me it was the ideal solution and has provided me with many happy hours of sitting and watching the trains go by, and really simplified the control of my model empire
As usual, no link to the manufacturer, just a happy satisfied user.
Regards
Graham Evans