![]() ![]() JMRI is capable of all Command Station functions and meets NMRA DCC standards for output. JMRI is licensed under the Free Software Foundation’s “GNU General Public License” which means it is free for any hobbyist to use. SPROG II shown, a newer version 3 is now available Compared to other starter DCC Command Stations (averaging $200 for starter sets) this is very affordable. JMRI is free and the SPROG currently lists for $105.00 USD (includes power supply and shipping). Why not put it to use running trains?įor my command station I use a computer, the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) software and a little device called a SPROG. Since a command station is a computer of sorts, why not use a real computer? Most of us have computers and some may even have old ones doing nothing. For the small layout, full size commercial systems can be too much, and in my humble opinion, can be overly complex. Many command stations include the booster. all the major manufacturers make and sell Command Stations. The Command Station is the brains of the system and is a computer of sorts. ![]() The illustration below shows the relationship of these components in the simplest configuration. The most basic components of any DCC setup (notice I did not say “system”) are: The products of main stream providers of DCC (like NCE, Digitrax, Lenz, ect.) sell “systems” and components. If it is receiving track power we have to consider it running.Ī DCC “system” can be defined as “a set of components packaged together”. This includes all locomotives pulling power, even if they are just sitting and not moving. We are going to assume that the maximum number of trains running at any given time will be four. Here we will look at the basics as they apply to the small layout. If you want to read more of the technical side of things, you can get that at. We will keep this simple and just focus on what is necessary. I will not attempt to describe all the technical bits about every component of a DCC setup. The software outlined will run on many versions of Windows and even Linux. The following article assumes that you are using Windows 7. Sometimes I borrow (well maybe steal) my kids iPod Touch to run my trains if I need an extra throttle. These were all things that are quite common in most households these days. The wireless came with my internet DSL service and I use the smart phone I have for daily use. I use the household computer everyone else uses. Keep in mind that these items are NOT dedicated to serving your layout. Wireless (most home networks have this).Computer (can be an old machine or a laptop).To replicate what I have done you will need and probably already have: The setup is much easier than it appears and once it is setup, it is very mobile and always available. In this article, I plan to show what DCC equipment and configuration I use. The work is not just in setting up block control but you must work to run the trains by throwing switches to power blocks as you move around the layout. But if you want to run more than one train at a time on DC, you have a lot of work to do. ![]() The locomotive is already setup to run and it takes a knob and a switch. Granted DC is simple to hookup to a loop of track. I have heard many people complain that DCC is difficult, to expensive and takes to much time to learn/setup. If there is a chance that I am going to run more than one locomotive at a time on a layout, I will use Digital Command Control (DCC). ![]()
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