Looking at converting the layout to RR&Co and need to find out the best options to get things going. So I hope you don't mind me picking your brains so to say.


Ok with this new system (New to me anyway) I do understand the following:

1. Need a good layout, DC ready, have the main Bus in and 75% of the droppers in. Have an NCE Power Cab ready to go.


2. Electrical integrity in within the track plan ie: good soldered joints, both with the wiring and the track. Have check the layout thoroughly with a good circuit tester and have good power over all the layout.

Now what I wish to find out from the honoured members of this hallowed forum is the following:

1. The Computer, have mate who is a Computer whiss and can build me one just for the layout but need to know what is the best option & what is required, will IE 8 suffice or is there a better operating system, is an internet connection required, how much RAM, what sort of graphics card, sound card ????


2. Loco's need the best available chips that one can afford, understand that the "Home Brand" ones etc are best avoided, Had a good look & DDC Concepts has the goods.
Have some 35 Locomotives to get chips for.


Will have heaps more to ask from you but at this stage just wanting to know the best options so that I can have a start point.


Any comments and assistance is most great fully received…


Thank You in advance.

[user=1392]Alan-2[/user] wrote:

Looking at converting the layout to RR&Co and need to find out the best options to get things going. So I hope you don't mind me picking your brains so to say.



Now what I wish to find out from the honoured members of this hallowed forum is the following:

1. The Computer, have mate who is a Computer whiss and can build me one just for the layout but need to know what is the best option & what is required, will IE 8 suffice or is there a better operating system, is an internet connection required, how much RAM, what sort of graphics card, sound card ????

IE 8 is a web browser - If it is a new computer your friend will more than likely install Windows 7 as the operating system which is fine.  You will need an internet connection as you will need to access the RR&Co website to download the software unless you can do it from another computer and transfer the files onto your "train" computer.   By connecting to the internet you will find that Microsoft will automatically try an update your software including your web browser. I would strongly recommend that you allow it to update security patches. Updating your browser is optional - IE8 is OK but IMHO there are better browsers.
Get as much RAM as you can afford - again your friend will be the best person to advise you on this -  software these days tends to be memory hungry -  Ditto the graphics and sound card -  RR&CO will run very happily on a standard set up and does not need the high speed graphics required for computer games etc.

2. Loco's need the best available chips that one can afford, understand  that the "Home Brand" ones etc are best avoided, Had a good look &  DDC Concepts has the goods.
Have some 35 Locomotives to get chips for.


Will have heaps more to ask from you but at this stage just wanting to know the best options so that I can have a start point.


Any comments and assistance is most great fully received…


Thank You in advance.

You are spot on with your comments regarding decoders especially if you going to use RR&Co.  The better decoders will give you the best results when it comes to low speed control of the locos.  At the very least buy decoders that will permit your to modify  starting speed and top speed of the loco.
I have a large number of locos and have a range of decoders ranging from Hornby, Bachmann thro to Lenz and Loksound.   I would rate DCC Concept decoders as in the mid range but all will work on RR&Co its just that once you get into it and become more experienced you notice the shortfalls of the cheaper decoders.

John and Max are also RR&Co users and I'm sure they will be along shortly to give you additional advice.  Also check out John's tutorials.

Thank You mate.....

[user=1392]Alan-2[/user] wrote:

Thank You mate…..

No worries Alan ..  you have a great layout that would be ideal for RR&Co  as you will be able to automate mainline traffic whilst having manual control as well.

I would suggest that whilst you are waiting for the computer that you download RR&Co onto the computer you are using now and have a play with it.  You can start building a schematic to represent you layout as RR&Co is available free of charge - ( you pay once you want to connect it to you layout for computer control)

Cheers

Yes Alan, start reading in this forum section

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_forum.php?id=152

Tar Ron, just wanted to see what one needs in the way of "basic running gear" before I bite the bullet and progress further.
One step at a time………

Fair enough but I would read all the sections first & then ask questions if none of the existing posts answer your needs .
Don't confuse a web browser like IE or Firefox or Chrome which are applications, with an operating system like Windows or Apple mac.

The decoder situation. sure one can get good results from the "home brand" but not always. Lenz or TCS are good  but it is the block detectors that can run away with funds as well- you have a big layout & depending on how many locos will be on powered track all at the same time and how many moving at the same time will determine your power needs. The Powercab is limited to around 1.5amps. You may need to go to the 5amp Pro unit.

For a start . . .  DCC Concepts decoders are cr . . .  not very good - for using with RR&Co

Non - sound  . . .   LENZ is what you want.     Sound  . . .   Loksound or  Zimo.

You need to go back many, many steps and sort your computer out., before you do anything.

 End of.

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

For a start . . .  DCC Concepts decoders are cr . . .  not very good - for using with RR&Co

Non - sound  . . .   LENZ is what you want.     Sound  . . .   Loksound or  Zimo.

You need to go back many, many steps and sort your computer out., before you do anything.

 End of.

That's why I am here asking Max,
Better to get peoples comments and recommendations before committing ones self.
What one person says isn't necessarily gospel.

As for computers, from many years of experience its not necessarily the computer that's the issue,
its the programs that one needs to get simple things done.

Anyway always ask the "Experts" first before committing ones self.

[user=1392]Alan-2[/user] wrote:

As for computers, from many years of experience its not necessarily the computer that's the issue,
its the programs that one needs to get simple things done.

the problems you had elsewhere is NOT the programme/application Alan and you chose not to have me help you out.

With all due respect Ron, was in no way what so ever referring to the events of the last few days.

20 years in the Stores Accounting side of the ADF was what I was referring to, just didn't feel the need to bore everyone with the trials and tribulations we went through.

Anyway PM Sent…..

Hi Alan

Both the programme itself and the manual in PDF format can be downloaded at no cost.

There is a built in simulator in the programme software and there are no limitations on using the programme in demo mode.

I had it for 12 months testing simple layouts before I made the decision to buy.

The best course of action is to download the programme and manual and play with it.

I am totally hooked on it…………..but and its a big but…………there is a very steep learning curve

Regards

Tar John,

Ron posted up a link in this thread of your trials & tribulations, links etc so to say.

Good to have the ability to "test run' a program before biting the bullet.

Who knows at the end of the day may stay with pure NCE DCC and not go the RR&Co way.
Don't know till you try.
Definitely not everyones cup of tea……

But you wont know until you ask……