Computrains

Who are Computrains?

Two brothers, one with time on his hands and the other still hard at work in the computer industry. After over 40 year’s absence from the hobby, we started again almost by accident - an anniversary present of a Hornby 'Flying Scotsman' set and, as they say, the rest is history!

One of us had the time; the other had the new train set and a few ideas! Soon we had a 16ft x 8ft analogue layout built in the attic. We learned a lot and started to look at what was happening with the hobby: we went to a few exhibitions and joined our local railway modelling club. We started to think about what we could do with our next layout.

Immediately questions arose: What was DCC? How are computers involved? After a bit of research, a few experiments and test trials, we decided to design and build a DCC layout incorporating, if possible, computer control. However, we quickly realised we couldn't do it on our own; family, friends and club members brought skills we did not yet possess and soon all were involved.

The project had begun.

Much, much later...

After a couple of the members of the local railway modelling club had been around to help with various aspects of the new layout, they could not help but notice the computer equipment. They already knew we had been experimenting but when they saw how we could now control the layout with the computer, they suggested we share our experiences with others. The club has its annual exhibition each August and soon we were persuaded to enter a demonstration layout for the next event.

Come and see us at the Scarborough & District Model Railway Show held at the Memorial Hall, Potter Hill in Pickering YO18 8AA (round the corner from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway station) on the weekend of 18/19 August 2012.  We've also been invited to exhibit at the Wigan Show on 15/16 June 2013.

The layouts - what did Computrains build?

Our Home Layout

After our initial analogue layout we trialled and tested DCC. Eventually we designed the above 'OO gauge' layout 24ft x 14ft. This is supposed to represent a fictitious railway around a bay with a harbour. Access to the sea is under the railway bridge and leaving the beach to port, (I found out that was to the left)! The bridge is removable, allowing easy access to the centre operating well.

The layout operates on three levels; on the lowest level, a 20 lane Fiddle Yard is on a pull-out tray (11ft x 3ft) which slides out from under the station. An elevated section allows access to the bridge and continues around the layout. The main deck has the station, harbour and engine shed area

With over 40% of the track hidden (shaded areas on diagram above), there are a number of infra-red cameras keeping tabs on rail traffic underground. Track design has kept hidden points to a minimum.

The track is all PECO code 75, with PECO solenoid point motors and double micro-switches taking care of frog polarity and feedback to the display panel. DCC equipment is all by Digitrax. The computer software is Railroad & Co. Sound decoders are ESU loksound (with original manufacturers' sound files re-blown by Olivia's Trains in Sheffield).

Scenery is ongoing. As progress is made photos will be added.

Our Exhibition Layout

Our local club members suggested that we build a portable layout to take to our club's summer exhibition, held in Pickering, home of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

They said a portable, interactive, demonstration stand explaining how we added computer control may prove interesting. So, as others were working on the scenery, we started to build our 13ft x 4ft exhibition layout.

This is deliberately complex for such a small layout, giving us the opportunity to show the computer software controlling many trains without incident and keeping to a timetable! There is no scenery; the focus is on the wiring, the electronics and the computer screens. The rolling stock is based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Powerpoint presentations are being prepared and will be available to access via this website in the future.

This layout is available for your exhibition. See (Notes for Exhibition Managers).

Why computer control?

DCC has already transformed our hobby. The catch phrase was 'drive the trains and not the track'. Multiple locos could be on any given track at the same time, doing their own thing! In addition, when first introduced, perhaps the most exciting new part of DCC was the addition of sound. Now much more is available; opening carriage doors and sliding roofs on container wagons, all controlled from your handset.

With DCC's different (and simplified) approach to wiring the layout, many modellers have been encouraged to build complex layouts without having to worry too much about DPDT switches and the like. Driving many locos at the same time is exciting but not without its own problems. Realistically, how many locos can you control at any one time? Personally, I find two to be the limit (and that is with a controller that allows me to see at all times what each loco is doing)!

These complex layouts need many people controlling the trains (very sociable and many clubs operate their layouts this way) but, if operating on your own or with a limited number of operatives, extra help is needed. Enter the computer.

We were amazed and confused when we first started to think about adding the computer to our DCC layout. We struggled to find easy-to-understand instructions. So we decided to share our experiences and set up this website. There are many ways (and systems available) to consider but here we give you one possible solution and a basis for you to build on as you develop YOUR layout.

We have found that computer control can be very sophisticated or quite simple - depending on your needs.  The computer can run everything - you sit back and watch, or the computer can run a number of trains on part of the layout and leave you to operate your locos on another section.  The more powerful programs even allow you to run your locos wherever you want and they schedule their locos around you.  They can even be set to intervene and take over your loco if there is an impending disaster!  The choice is yours as you set up your system.  Remember, it can always be turned off.  Just because you have a computer system, it doesn't have to be used.  Normal service is available at the flick of the 'off' switch!

Our demonstration layout

We have a demonstration unit that we can take to shows.

With double track main lines, 6 platforms, 8 sidings, 38 point motors, (22 points and 8 double slips) and a reversing loop, our plan was to make an interesting layout.

We can share our experiences, show a computer operated working layour, answer visitors' questions and give them suggestions on how to add their own computer control.

We can show what computers can bring to our hobby by having multiple trains run continually on a complex layout, requiring the computer software to sort routes, change points, adjust train speeds and avoid incidents while adhering to a timetable!

There is no scenery; we’ve focused on the electronics and wiring. However, our rolling stock is based on that associated with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

For more information, including dimensions etc see Notes For Exhibition Managers or email info@computrains.co.uk

Where to go for help?

We had help and inspiration from many sources. Below we have listed only some of them. We found that it was best to get as many experienced views and ideas as possible, then experiment by trying those that appeared to suit us.

We don’t believe there is a right way; certainly no definitive answer. Different options will suit different people, layouts and operating systems available.

Many thanks to:

• Scarborough & District Railway Modellers

• Two Tone Green on RMweb.co.uk

• Neil and Dan at Olivia's Trains

• Ian Harper at Peasholm Models

• Geoff at Scarborough's The Train Shop

• Ted Smale at Sunningwell Command Control

• David Townend at McKinley Railway

• WiringforDCC.com

• Digitrax user group

• Railroad & Co user group

• Tony'sTrains.com

  Check Useful links