Another greatly entertaining video Charlie! I’ve yet to delve into the ‘delights’ of DCC, not because of a Luddite devotion to DC but because we haven’t moved yet and, thus, I haven’t got around to using the old Lens system my friend kindly gave me when they had no more use for it! 😉 I have a few ready to go DCC locos which I deliberately bought at bargain prices to force my hand so I might just try out a simple old steam MPD for size as it seems a sensible starter project before I jump in the deep end and start upgrading to a new system! 😂 The sequence you showed illustrates exactly the reason DCC does appeal to me. My ultimate aim is a garden layout where I can set a sequence like yours so different trains can follow one another before disappearing into the large shed or garage that I will utilise as a railway room. I first saw a system like this about 15 years ago and this video has completely reinvigorated my interest…so I guess I really ought to get on with the house moving issue! 🤔 Thanks as ever mate, have a great week 👍🍻🍀

A great demonstration of the full-blown capacities of DCC. Some people feel like DCC is not for them, but DCC is a really wide range of possibilities, and while I am all into DCC, automation is definitely not my way. My way is the opposite: route control, signals, running the locomotives all done by real people in real time, and DCC is a must for this as well. Things are so much easier to do in DCC, everything can be controlled from multiple locations and even the simplest wiring will allow multiple locomotives to operate independently, with momentum control, sound, different light effects, etc., that all add to the realistic, prototypical operation. I love that everything has to be done by a human on my railway, and I believe even the smallest switching layout benefits from DCC. DC should go now. What level of automation one needs should be decided by everyone. That choice doesn't affect the need for DCC though on my opinion.

I can only imagine how much work went into making that video. Nicely edited and flawless operation of four separate trains. Good job.

One of the truly great things about the model railway hobby these days is that there are just so many aspects to it which you can engage with. You can see layouts with track just laid on plywood with little or no scenic content, and out of the box locos and rolling stock, but which feature amazingly sophisticated computer control and endless working lineside gadgets. At the other extreme you can find basic DC controlled layouts with manual points control and no gadgets, but with jaw droppingly realistic recreated countryside and townscapes and wonderfully detailed model locos and rolling stock. Of course, most layouts sit somewhere in between what we might call tech-head layouts and art-head layouts. But that is the beauty of the hobby, the participants can concentrate on whatever aspect suits their skills or preferences and everyone still gets to see trains go round and gain satisfaction from their own embelishments to that basic function. As you, Charlie, highlight in this video, with automation you can create a layout on which it seems like teams of intelligent drivers, signal systems, lineside workers etc are all cooperating to run the services. A little world with its own life, if you will - and very impressive. However, modellers who want to directly control their train movements can also do that with non-automated systems - albeit probably on a smaller scale (or with multiple operators). The key point is that both approaches yield the same result and the people involved have enormous fun and learning from making it happen. Yes, it is truly a wonderful time to be in the hobby.

I'm strictly DC but I did watch the entire video nonetheless! ;-) My layout is "circular", but I can sit in the middle and reach everything, including my hand of god points. I am the first to admit electrics, and therefore electronics, is not my strong point, so I just keep it all simple. I have nothing against folk who want to invest in all this gubbins but it's just not for me (old dog, new tricks, etc) and there's only me going to see it. For example, loco noises are all well and good, but I couldn't honestly say I would know the difference if you played a Class 37 "soundtrack" while a different loco trundled past, or vice versa. Still a very enjoyable video Charlie. Cheers

That's amazing Charlie. Well done.

Absolutely amazing set up 🤓

I'm DC through and through and my point motors are my two forefingers. lol Seriously though that was a very enjoyable video Charlie thank you, and just to see the trains running round was worth the admission fee in itself. All the best.

Charlie, Great video on the uses of automation. For your DC viewers, I installed a Soundtraxx Blunami 2200 Steam 2 decoder in my 0-16.5 On30 C-16 2-8-0. What is great about that decoder is you do not need a DCC system to control it. You can power the Blunami on DC, DCC or even by Battery control it using the Blunami app on an Apple device. You can reprogram the CVs right in the Blunami app. The Lego train guys are posting to KZfaq about installing those Blunami decoders in their trains, which now give them remote control and sound. But, back to my install. I have experimented with running the Blunami equipped locomotive with a Digitrax DCS-52 and I have controlled it with my iPad mini. No problems at all. As long as there is a power source your Apple device can control the loco. I am now about to take the experiments further. Tonight I will try the Blunami powered by a high end DC power pack. I also plan it to put a slide switch in the tender between the track pickup, battery power and the decoder. With the idea that I can just throw the slide switch to the power source I choose. I have an idea that the side switch could protrude through the tender bottom. I have been to a train show where a club's display layout was out of operation for a whole day because something was wrong in the Digitrax system. With the ability to run on battery (DeadRail) one could have run trains while they tried to figure out what was going on in their DCC system. This week, I have posted videos of my Broadway Limited Imports On30 2-8-0 on a Facebook Group called On30 Railroading. I have one running the original QSI DCC with sound, one converted to Tsunami 2200 Steam 2 and converted to the Blunami 2200 Steam 2. Some of my peers have been encouraging me to post content on KZfaq. I keep thinking back to that video you did on being a KZfaq Content Provider. If I could find it, I would like to watch it again. That was an eye opener. Also, I may have an article in the next On30 Annual on converting, tuning and kitbashing the BLI C-16s. Soundtraxx is also asking me to post my conversions, but we are still talking about where to post. I have had a discussion with Soundtraxx on using the diesel versions of the Blunami in battery powered military tanks.

I've given no thought to Train Controller on account of JMRI being free and having programming experience. I've never actually seen the price they're charging for Train Controller until now and HOLY CHRIST. I would find it hard to spend that on *any* software

DCC: I finally decided to go DCC about 10 years ago but resisted sound decoders for 3-4 years. Then I started acquiring sound locos when they appeared on the 'used' market. Very quickly, the noise was turned off but I missed the bells and whistles, so I have silenced all the sounds except the bell and horn. I like to listen to the trains travel the track and the wheels crossing the rail joints. It is soothing to my ears. As far as 'playing trains', sorry to say this Charlie but the software is playing your trains, and you are playing on the computer. I have been messing with computers in one way or another since the late 1960's, but there are no computers allowed in my train room. Thanks for the excellent video, it must have taken ages to film and edit. Keep up the great work!

iam a dc guy i am housebound and cannot do most things i just run my trains on a large layout but i love your videos they are fun and you do all the things i cant keep up the good work and thank you

Wow! It's so gratifying to see four or five trains just up and traverse the layout; but, I know the preparation necessary to show us that seven minute session was immense. Thank you for showing how Train Controller makes all this possible. My gang on this side really wants to 'operate" their layouts, and this kind of automation really doesn't fit into that type of running, Still, it is amazing to watch what you have created happen. Another brilliant video, Charlie! Can't wait for the next lesson!

Hi Charlie. I am a DC bod and my layout runs on hundreds of metres of copper wires for control. But I do watch your videos and the wonders of DCC control. If I had the money I would change over to DCC. But for now DC will do me well. Regards Alan in the loft in Dover :o)

DCC interests me for these things in priority: 1. Acceleration / Deceleration physics 2. Engine / Machine noise appropriate to #1 and running at speed. Random fan/compressor/pressure-valve noises. 3. Potential to experiment with automation (I want to railfan a point-to-point layout including automatic run-arounds, with realistic stops & starts. Bells, whistles, and lights are nice but not necessary. To get around the "tiny" speaker sound in n-gauge, I am thinking of using the sound decoder in a stationary mounting, driving a real amplifier & speaker: my planned layout is a relatively small shelf size where the oddness of stationary engine noise is overcome by the high fidelity and volume of the noise. I think that good sound and good acc/dec physics are powerful ways to help us "suspend our disbelief" and can cover a "multitude of modeling sins." So just my 2 cents! 😊💜

This is so interesting!!! I am now wanting to do this!

“Ya pays ya money and makes ya choice.”

Thanks ,you've explained how d.c.c runs without being over technical and no big words WELL DONE P.S. I prefer your railway to the McKinley railway yours isn't pompous

I am now 55 and started with my first layout when I was 10 with one Wren Loco " City of London" . Since then , I have married , had a family and got back into the hobby. I honestly think that anyone now starting the hobby and wanting to go for the DCC option is being priced out by greedy manufacturers. By the time you buy a loco, add the chips etc , for a youngster that's a lot of pocket money. All my locos on "Ashford OO Gauge Model Railway " are DC, and I don't think I'll change given the expense. Keep the video's coming , they are a pleasure to watch.

Fantastic Charlie, very informative. 👍

8:02 that gave me a lightbulb

Great video Charlie. Everyone’s got a budget so you have to prioritise what you wish to gain. Personally DCC has never interested me.

Another great video Charlie. Thanks for the inspiration. Regards. Martin

Thanks for the info. I had thought of building a DCC shunting yard, as you say, DCC might no be worth while.

I don’t know why, but RocRail seems often to be ignored from the UK. RocRail is up to par with iTrain and it is free of charge. You could consider taking a look.

Hi Charlie You lost me Just after "hi I'm Charlie"! Absolutely intriguing. Loved watching it All running on auto. I have gone over to DCC a few years ago just for improved Realism. Speed control with back emf is fabulous. No more 0 _ 60 mph starts out of the station. Individual address to locos, lighting,sound, stuff I could only Dream about in the 70s. No idea how it now lends itself to computer control. I don't think I will ever get around to your level of control but love To watch and Wonder. I'm a retired electrician so have basic knowledge of general electronics and PLC programming But I fear I am rapidly getting left behind. With your sessions it does keep me up to date though. As always many thanks Best couple of dollars a month value ever and I can save for future reference when I get confused. Stay safe Howard

Loved the Senior Moment when you couldn’t remember “repeatability” !!

Love, love, LOVE the video Charlie, thanks again! Condolences on the passing of your Queen, may she rest in peace!

Great informative video Charlie n I like the comments @ 1:06 about high prices and would add that a DCC layout is the same £money now as a family car 😳 But saying that my brother has a fishing rod costing £1,000.00 pounds 😳 So not sure which is the more bonkers, a fishing kit costing £5,000.00 grand or a railway layout costing far more than that ??? 🤔

Listening with earphones… my undivided attention was required, hit pause, losing the thread… coughed heartily, hitting play simultaneously, to be startled by your good self saying “God bless you”.

Excellent information and interesting too. My layout is only 2.8m x 2.5m. I have 2 tracks dedicated to DC and 2 for DCC. This is so that I can run my old DC locos and my more recent DCC locos. My Son in Law can also run his late father’s DC locos too. (Mostly Australian DC locos) I’m happy just running my trains and building stuff. Block detection, train controller is way beyond my feeble skills 😂. My biggest problem is every time I want to have a running session, I have to clean the track. No big deal, just an irritation. Really enjoy the video’s

That last part, about getting the flow of the trains correctly........ I can easily imagine where having something that is intended to be 14th in line (sequentially, a.k.a. "Event 14") could rather easily end up actually waiting on some other train's "Event 10" because of a difference in speeds of the trains, some "unintended other delay" because of another train not starting "on-time" .... I'm going to "lose my own point, here" if I'm not careful. The idea I'm trying to convey is that getting the sequencing correct in the "controller" could be really difficult for some. Kudos to the folks such as yourself that have that capability.

Thanks for another great video. Funny story, I used a Dremel instead of insulated joiners. For my automation / control I use iTrains and everything was working great for months. Then for no apparent reason my blocks appeared to have doubled in size at various places on the layout. After tearing things apart, messing with the software, wasting hours upon hours and about to give up notice the cut I made in the rails no longer had a gap. Well as you know on flex track one rail moves freely, yes it was the side I cut. Even though it was ballast it still moved. A few drops of Super Glue on several of the ties should hold it tight , hopefully.

I wanted to say just how sorry I am about Her Majesty the Queen passing. I cried. 60 years old and I cried. I live in Az, born an American but my Heart has always belonged to England. My mother used to say they gave her the wrong child because I always stood up for or was talking about England. Queen Elizabeth, like so many of us, had been Queen all my life, She was my HERO and was a ROLE model for anyone who believed in Honor and Devotion. Not like the American politicians who are sell outs and cowards, Her Magesty always put England and the Commonwealth first. I know this is a train channel, and I truly love Charlie, but I have been so heartbroken over her passing I had to say something. Thank you to those who can understand and my thoughts and prayers are always with England. May God Save the King!

Dremel make a Flex Shaft attachment which has a smaller head, making cutting track square alot easier. It also allows you to control the speed with one hand while you cut, sand, engrave etc with the other.

I’m a DCC user for ? 15+ years and have promoted it to anyone who will listen. My train controllers are my building crew and well qualified to take charge of their given assignments. That said it is quite fascinating to watch your fully automated system. Well done. On the business of sound and particularly flange squeal there is a system in development by Iowa Scale Engineering where the squeal is automated throughout the train at wherever the sensors are placed. I’m probably giving a poor description so best to check out their website for this soon to be available bit of kit. Ah yes there is always something new in the offing. All the best. Joe

Awesome video - another educational and entertaining vid. Thanks Charlie

I am in awe of your knowledge and presentation skills. As a DC (God bless us all) modeller the move to DCC looks to be expensive. As always your videos provide much room for thought. Many thanks and long may they continue.

Thank you for another brilliant video Charlie

My pleasure my friend. I love seeing your trains running around. You have ate doing some great work. Glad you are getting something out of our Facebook page. We have things to learn from each other.Cheers Dazzy Jay.

Another great and informative Video. Would love another video on more detail about the wiring for Automation

Thank you for your video and explanation, I enjoyed it a lot. I have gone down the automation rough myself. I started my automation with DC only having multiple trains running on the same track with individual DC controllers, as DCC grew in acceptance the system grew to include DCC and DC trains in any combination running on the same track. This is not fantasy it has been done. I use an industrial PLC (Programable Logic Controler) and writhe my own software code

Hi Charlie you are a very clever and a very modest man too. i have a gauge master dcc set up and its a big learning curve for me at 74yrs so and I don't think it's got the capabilities that your set up can deal with. That said I haven't got the brain power to sort all out so i will just keep it simple for me . I must say once again what enjoyable videos you make there not boring there interesting and you present them in a very pleasant way and you make laugh too. Great stuff Charlie. Thank you.

Flange squeal sound located at the points - brilliant idea!

Well done, great info ... cheers

One reason I have stopped using Digitrax decoders and switched to ESU decoders is so I can have railcom and ABC braking.

A very interesting video. Fascinating to see train controller working. Scarily complex and I'm sure fiercely expensive to do but mightily impressive all the same. Well done Charlie!

I am just getting my 60 year old Hornby Dunlop 2 rail system out after retiring. This is an excellent introduction to the glamorous world of DCC. It was so good of you not just to show the wonderful effects you have achieved but to emphasise the importance of reliability, predictability and repeatability. That must have taken a huge amount of work behind the scenes and thanks for sharing it. With my childhood layout trains would always stop, derail or even fall off. And your comment that you don’t use Series 1 or 2 curves means that practically all my track and points would be scrapped. That’s created some tough questions to ponder. Thanks very much for developing my “train of thought“ in such a “model” way!

Train controller 10.0 came out this week and Rudy has started a new series of tips. If you into automatic train control it’s a very helpful site.

Quite like this video. Thanks! I find the speakers in the locomotives will never be good enough to justify the price of DCC and Sound. I tend to listen to music while running trains anyways!

As ever, Charlie, a very useful and thought-provoking video, thank you. The more I’ve followed your blood, toil, tears and bank manager’s sweat in building your masterpiece in automation, the more I’ve realised DCC is not for me. Picking up from my main real-life career, my enjoyment comes from operating the trains myself to some sort of believable timetable. So the thought of setting up a system for trains to run themselves while I nip out to boil the kettle defeats the object for me, personally. Also, as Paul Cherry shows in his videos which run on a layout the complete antithesis to yours, there are all sorts of gems of DC locos from yesteryear available secondhand which encourage some good ‘retro railway modelling’. But, horses for courses and I shall continue to watch all your videos with eager anticipation and close attention as I always learn something from them. Good luck with the next round of construction!

Very interesting video Charlie, I can understand why people want to go down the DDC road, however it is not for me. I like the challenge of changing points using toggle switches, running 4 trains at the same time with Gaugemaster controllers etc. What I do not like at all are the sounds, cant stand it, much prefer the sound of my trains clicking over rail joins and points. The other point as you touched on was cost, most of my locos and rolling stock are pre owned, bought from Hatton's, Rails of Sheffield, eBay or at shows there is no way I could justify the cost of the equipment.

For me, DCC is definitely worth the additional expense to be able to run a train (or multiple trains) around a layout without having to toggle block power switches constantly.

Hi Charlie Another entertaining video. You have mentioned in your videos that if you are using used points or track to always use new fish plates. Just wondering if you or one of our friends out there know whether it's worth cleaning the underside of the rails where the fish plates would sit. I would think if the points or track have been previously glued, ballasted, or weathered it would be of great importance to make sure they are clean and have good electrical contact, especially if every piece of track does not have droppers. I look forward to watching more of your entertaining presentations. Happy Modelling, Craig Stow.

I adore watching you Charlie, i dont have any sort of train set, a did have a deltic somewhere double OO gauge when i was young. I'm currentl;y recouperating from a third operation but i find watching your videos relaxing and take the pain away for a short time and you, a fabulous knowledgable egg! Keep up the great work for an ageing trainspotter!

Thanks for the clear description and great camera work!

Most enjoyable Charlie, how about a meet up at Shepton Mallet Western Australia? I'm thinking I might take my layout to DCC automation one day in the future. Cheers

Inspiring vid. Thanks Charlie

Hi Charlie Have just seen latest video, very informative as usual. Regards Kevin

Interesting about your comment on flange squeal, Iowa Scaled Engineering are about to release a product that you install on track it detects a train and releases a sound of wheel squeal at the location of the curve etc

Thanks Charlie, amazing what you can do these Days with DCC. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Charlie ,, my name is John ,, and im a dc-trainaholic , haha. I think the that most that i enjoy about trains in my lifetime is for me to actually drive them and control the trains that I've bought and have been given. I love the sound of them , I love to start them , stop them and control there every move and speed of them be it fast or slow or just a leisurely medium pace ,, or to speed them up hill to get full momentum and use the I think i can method to get it over that hill and then down dale and into and then in and out of sidings and loops and get them going like a bat ouf hell down a really long straight and knowing that if i dont slow it down the train is going to come flying off the track and damage it when it gets to the last curve ,(yep guilty of that one , haha) and this is what I myself love about model trains. Dont get me wrong ,, I do like the DCC concept and absolutely adore the features & things that dcc can do as it really blows my mind that trains nowadays can do all this stuff like you just showed us all in this video. But when you take the personal control or the driving aspect out of it and have it all happening robotically and computerized well thats a big negative from me. (just my oppinion) I dont want to put any negativity towards dcc users but there is also the massive cost involved in making a layout in dcc. Hopefully with a bit of luck the costly prices of these dcc bits come down in price. Just like video recorders back inthe 1980's were soo costly (anywhere up to $3,000 then you had to rent a video to watch it when you could buy a 3 bedroom house for $40,000) and yet fast forward to a few years ago when you buy them for less than 30 bucks. I absolutely luv your layout and all it has going for it. I do appologise for the long winded rant but its 4am here in oz and im off to bed. Cheers from John in Australia

OMG Charlie this is a most wonderful tutorial. Its really great to listen to your easy to understand style and your voice is crisp and clear. I am 73 but am slowly completing my layout. Age related backaches seem to be slowing me down like a long haul goods train huffing and panting to haul it heavy load. But apart from this, you area great source of knowledge for me.

DC modeller here. Still with you.

That was very cool to watch. I do wonder, can you control a loco yourself manually in addition to the automated running? And if so, do the automated trains wait at the appropriate signals while you occupy a block yourself? Is it dynamic like that at all? What if you send multiple locos off at once? Can you control the signals and prioritize trains and have the automation wait until the line is clear or their train is prioritized before continuing with their journey?

Charlie the running session was amazing, I have to say for an embryo you are well along the line from a blastocyst! The thought that you could theoretically set a program to clean the tracks, Run passenger and freight services for several hours, make a BLT and a cupper, then sit back in various locations and watch the trains going by. What a way to spend a dreary winters afternoon, in bright sunshine on a summers day on the railway (perhaps bird song and insects buzzing etc in the background for the quiet moments) Oh Charlie, all the best mate!

Gday Charlie, some Great footage there, I like the sound of DCC but it would cost me a fortune to change and I'm not sure I'd be able alter some of my Older Locos, Mick

5 minutes into the video and I slap my forehead, yelling "this man is a genius!". That flange squeal has been pestering me for a long time (I don't have a layout and will, probably, never have, but I'm trying to "live the hobby" through you, guys), because, as you said, the sound can only come from a locomotive, right? Well, what if you install a (spare) decoder under the board, near the point or diamond, connect it permanently to the tracks, place a speaker in a concealed location and simply tell Train Controller to play the squeal sound as your train goes by? Brilliant! 😀 Going back to watch the rest of the video, now. Cheers!

Hi Charlie, I had given dcc for my layout but being down under so to speak, I felt the expense wasn't going to be any advantage, I have made all my own controllers using heavy amperage transformers and no problems, track detection is with a very simple circut which also controls the points when route setting, if the money was available I definitely would go down the route you have taken, as always a great video, thankyou

Another cracking video, thanks Charlie. Press start, sit back with a coffee and watch them all trundle around... Bliss.

Another very informative video Charlie. Great to see the trains all behaving themselves and under computer control. I would think that trying to drive four or five trains all at once, purely manually, would be very much more difficult that a few clicks of the mouse. Please keep up the good work!

I’ve done something similar with DC blocks and raspberry pi at a fraction of the cost - and it’s wireless, controlled from a phone 😎

You said it loud. Might be ecomical to give up coffee. Have been following you for a long time as an N gauge dc modler. Living in France post Brexit, any form of modleing attract the attention of the Duan or customs and they are coining it in right now. However I have nothing against DCC except I have not got the patients or the pension to even think about it. I have operated a DCC layout and it was ok. Sound was just coming in and the class twenty was really annoying. The steam engines sounded like they had sand paper in the tender. Diesles seem to be best. I can't stand the racket myself but I am an old fart. I did used to work a signal box or two down at Swanage which made operating trains on a model more interesting for me and having signals and points to operate keeps me on my toes. Lastly I think DCC by passes the kids although computer games may have done that already. Top videos to watch and very informative. PS I have kill switch and I use it a lot.

I do alot of audio production work so a good tip. If you use your logo for a few seconds before advert it help gives it a nice link without that advert jump in your face. You expect it and it looks 👍 good

Another really useful video Charlie. I must admit that automation is not for me but it is really good to see you demonstrate it on your layout so that viewers can draw from it. As for DCC, it is a yes from me right from when i heard the first sound fitted class 25 project from SWD. I bought the SWD decoder and a Roco digi trainset in order to get the Lokmaus controller. My next purchase was a DCC sound Roco Austrian class 2043 diesel hydraulic (think orange hymek !!). From then on i was sold on DCC snd started by a couple of decoders a month to gradually fit my growing British fleet. Obviously automation is very necessary in a setup like Chadwick but i manual control of my simple operations. Thanks again

I haven't even assembled my train tables from the move yet, and now I already addicted to automation. Thanks Charlie... lol. Because I will be building end to end layout to start with, I will have to do shuttles, and work out a time table for that, so I can have say 3 trains running, two mainline trains point to point with loco change, and one or two trains at grain silos loading and discharging in the sidings. Well that's the aim. lol. Very nice to see a working automated layout. I now have a goal to work toward.

I prefer some randomness. Sure start a planned route but throw a switch manually; hopefully detection will know and stop train and resume when thrown back. Stuff like that. Lots of programming. I plan on using DCC-EX with LCC. Should be challenging.

For inexpensive DCC check out what is being done with DCC++ and DCC++ EX. All the software is written and downloadable. You will need to buy a Arduino Mega and a motor shield. The directions they have are excellent. Very inexpensive!

Most enjoyable, thank you. I have noted that our club users rarely touch any of the functions, lights, sound, or whatever. Usually, sound, if fitted, will be turned on and that's about it. I must say that mapping, or re-mapping, functions so that any commonly used functions are in the first 0 - 9 is most useful. The rest, i.e., most other provided sounds, can be shuffled off into the less easily accessed controls.

As always; Great Work Charlie! You explained everything about train automation very well. Thanks! You have a fantastic layout too. (Automation without feeling intimidating is my goal. This with my hope to automate my HO scale New York City Elevated and Subway perhaps using JMRI, or possibly "Train Controller". The goal would be to dispatch each train from a specified yard track to the system, terminate, returning in the opposite direction of traffic to its appropriate yard track, for the evening).

Dear Charlie, thanks a lot for this highly interesting and for me offending footages. Due to the (leck of) ammount of money to put into the layout and the conservatism deeply anchored in me I was learning a very lot. So looking at all this you showed to us I decided to stay with my original idea of my "Narrow Gauge Island" light railway in the rule of "Keep it as analogical as possible" and "Keep it as simple as possible". So I decided absoloutly to stay with DC and being responsible directly by "waying" my trains by setting points by hand directly in the baseboard manually. On the one hand it is perfectly clear it is a lot simpler to operate (as it is a rural/industrial 15-3/4" or 391mm railway or N-gauge in O-scale) as there are only two seperated lines and on the other hand for a freelance very early diesel layout (1898-1913) without any pomp and circumstances. So your video makes it perfectly clear to me that I do like the weathering and scratchbuilding but really dislike to get the computer to take over mankind ;-). So it is interesting how many of your energy is going into these highly sophisicated electrical connections and These irritating electronical devices I will stay away from as devil from baptisting water. So sorry to say this, but you are in the "other side of the barricade" in this case and I really did learn my lesson by your prototype to go my own way; and I decided to start my own little channel on YT when my segmented/moduled shelf layout after your great art of filming presentation. I do love your videos very much and are really disapointed in case of an "empty friday evening". No Charly today ...😞 So thank you very much it is a great opportunity to learn from your wooden and aestetic work so I do personally look very instetested foreward to next friday's footage in the beloved series of "Charlie - the fanatic woodworm" 😉 Take care and have fun with your great work In couldn't match... Christian

That is a good review of an extensive subject! All hobbies and interests have a cost. A model railway tends to be over a longer term where the ongoing costs diminish as you advance - providing you dont buy new trains all the time! It still represents good value for money when you consider the total hours of enjoyment / frustration that you will get out of it. The initial investment cost of Train Controller is high but it is an extensive program and lets you do what ever you want. I am really pleased that it works with DC as well. Tip: go to the view tab and deselect the 'Grid' option for a cleaner looking switchboard.

JMRI is absolutely brilliant for programming loksound5 decoders, but remember charlie, YOU ONLY NEED 2 WIRES, Your timetable is more reliable than network rails!

Please pardon the coming wall'o'text. Another fine presentation. Thankyou Charlie. After having watched quite a few videos on how easy it is to instal and operate a DCC system, I've come to another decision in regard to my layout. I do want to automate my layout as much as possible so as the few trains that I run will stop at predetermined points on the layout for a set amount of time and then head off to complete their respective journeys at least to their next designated stopping point. Ideally this would be to bring about the action of stopping a train at a station platform to allow passengers to board and alight, or in the case of a freight train, to allow it to stop at a depot in order to exchange or transfer their various loads. When the trains are "out of sight" or off stage (however one would express it) they would be able to remain so, idling, again for a set time and thereby create the illusion of their long distance travel to and from a far off destination. It's my hope that I would be able to organise this in such a way that an observer would see trains running, stopping and starting, appearing and disappearing going about their business much in the same way as they would in real life. Now for a bit of background story here. (the wall'o'text I mentioned earlier). My Parent's were both railway employees for at least 20 years each. My Mother was a Station Assistant as the title was back then and over the years worked quite a few stations about suburban Melbourne and my Father was a Signalman of considerable qualification in that he was rated as able to work any signal box in the state regardless of size and complexity and this was just before the age of computerised controls and monitors... It was all mechanical.. big wheels and big lever and lots of bells and buzzers. On occasion as a child I'd be allowed to visit and watch them in their roles and so saw much of what went on a day to day basis. It gave me an appreciation of the expectations and responsibilities they each had but it also showed me that a statewide rail system to run efficiently and to capacity only needs forethought, planning, adherence to detail and of course dedicated people to do their part in keeping that system running... and all this achieved with not a single computer anywhere to be seen. I might be tilting at windmills here but it occurs to me then if such a marvel of massed and diverse engineering was possible way back then, then why couldn't I recreate my own mini-marvel but with far less going on and on a much smaller scale today? And so my quest is to create an automated layout without resorting to anything that requires a computer and its associated software to make it all tick, tock, clack and whirr to it's turkish delight... and mine. Any links that you could provide that would point me in the right direction to companies that manufacture and sell the appropriate hardware, would be appreciated.

Great camerawork to get that sequence. It must have taken a lot of thought. That HST came to a smooth (realistic) stop. Is DCC the key to that? I've always been put off by jerky locos at very low speed, and stop as if the driver slammed-on the brakes.

well done on the explanation especially liked the split screen display of how it worked .Thanks

When life seem so depressing let's give thanks to Chadwick

I think this is what I want, trying to juggle the running of trains and signalling the layout is just so difficult with one person. This video has been a great source of info, thanks Charlie 👍

Very interesting video. Automatic multi train and point control was always extremely popular with the germans from the sixties, I'm guessing that computer programs have superceded it to a large extent, of course the Japanese have continued the DC tradition, the Tomix TNOS system being a point midway I guess. One of the big things of the German system was the fun of working out how all the bits of the jigsaw were going to fit together and what the final picture at the end was going to be. Good viewing Charlie

Using DCC to operate the trains on the layout seems like a no-brainer to me. Improved driving characteristics, headlights always on independent of speed, reduced complexity of the wiring, ... The use of turnout decoders, block feedback decoders and PC software is another discussion

This is why train automation is so gratifying. Not many could control the routes manually for that session without automation. Thanks Charlie. 👍

excellent video Charlie

Hi Charlie, l found that running session hugely impressive. Your knowledge must be beyond "embryonic". Really looking forward to more scenic work, expecially the station though l m sure uou ll be testing, testing, testing for some while before progressing. Love uour channel. Cheers!

I'm not a modeller Charlie but I found this a fascinating video on DCC plus all the advantages it can bring

Very cool. Love watching the progress.

Another brilliant video, Charlie. I appreciate not only the work that is put into the video editing, but also the programming and construction to make this possible. Many, many hours.

Another great informative video Charlie 👍

Thank you for all your teaching Great videos and well explains

That's a tremendous demo of your automation setup Charlie.

Hi Charlie, know all about the additive nature of Traincontroller. I use Gold v9 and just moved to Wimborne and in the process of rebuilding my layout. Member of WRS now and up for a group chat to chew over Traincontroller issues if you get enough interest. Nice idea.