Gazah Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Good evening all returning to modelling after quiet some time ou, I have completed a small layout for my son running on DC. looking to have my own layout a tarted will be 16ft x 8ft, wanting to go to DCC is Railmaster best option for a newbi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Hi Gazah, welcome to the forum You can download a trial version of RailMaster from this Hornby website and this allows you to use the full features of RailMaster but it is limited to 2 Loco's and a limited amount (I don't know how many) points. That is the route I took and I had no hesitation in purchasing the full program. I cannot comment on whether it is the best option because I only have experience of RailMaster with which I am very happy. The help from the specialist Hornby RailMaster Support Team, including on this forum is second to none and I would recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustus Caesar Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Running RM with an Elite controller is where I started my latest incursion into this field and have now gone past that to the eLink running Railmaster. The difference? They're both DCC and Railmaster is the software that controls everything. The Elite is a control box that runs the software via its own menu system. The eLink attaches to a laptop or PC and can visually be more helpful than the Elite but is essentially the same operating system. A quick of each on Hornby's site will help more than my rather loose description. If you don't fancy using a laptop or PC then go for the Elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazah Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Good afternoon all, So I have taken the plundge and have purchased the Hornby Majestic set, you could call it an early xmas present to me!! So just reading all the manuals and seems rather daunting, can anyone offer a simple way for a complete newbie to get a loco running!! I have got the elink working and registered to my laptop just need to get a loco programmed and running? Can anyone give me a simple description of how to programme and do so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Gazah, hi, welcome to the forum. There are 3 of us on here who all did exactly the same as you, so we are up to speed with Majestic. So, the first thing you need to know is that your locos will run from the box, but not together. So, you can run each one independenlly, to test them. All new locos, come with same number. 0003, although, 03 will do, so in time you will need to change them both, once you buy any more.. To start with, i would only change one. You can then play to your hearts content, build your layout points etc, and test.. Next, you need to make a programming track, 2 rails are enough, 1 being power connection. From memory, only 1 connection rail comes with the set, so a second one would be a good idea, to keep this little track. You connect the prog leads to prog side of elink, place loco on them, and let RM READ cv. Once you have done that, you change cv1 to a new number, like 04, follow instructions to confirm it, set speeds etc, and away you go.. If you want all this blow by blow, we can give it to you, but have a read first, and come back with what you dont understand. I am quite happy to sit in front of my laptop, and explain this, but it might be better, as you have done ok so far, for you to have a look , and come back to us. Read about what you click after loco on prog track, it is fairly straighforward, if unlike me, you bother to read.. There are about 8 of us that have elinks, and most of them, are far better at it than me. john ps, you are not alone, do not be frightened to ask, i did, and bored them to tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 ps, you are not alone, do not be frightened to ask, i did, and bored them to tears. And, it has to be said John, provided many a laugh (with you - not at). R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazah Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Gazah, hi, welcome to the forum. There are 3 of us on here who all did exactly the same as you, so we are up to speed with Majestic. So, the first thing you need to know is that your locos will run from the box, but not together. So, you can run each one independenlly, to test them. All new locos, come with same number. 0003, although, 03 will do, so in time you will need to change them both, once you buy any more.. To start with, i would only change one. You can then play to your hearts content, build your layout points etc, and test.. Next, you need to make a programming track, 2 rails are enough, 1 being power connection. From memory, only 1 connection rail comes with the set, so a second one would be a good idea, to keep this little track. You connect the prog leads to prog side of elink, place loco on them, and let RM READ cv. Once you have done that, you change cv1 to a new number, like 04, follow instructions to confirm it, set speeds etc, and away you go.. If you want all this blow by blow, we can give it to you, but have a read first, and come back with what you dont understand. I am quite happy to sit in front of my laptop, and explain this, but it might be better, as you have done ok so far, for you to have a look , and come back to us. Read about what you click after loco on prog track, it is fairly straighforward, if unlike me, you bother to read.. There are about 8 of us that have elinks, and most of them, are far better at it than me. john ps, you are not alone, do not be frightened to ask, i did, and bored them to tears. Thanks yelrow seems like it should be simple!! but....... You connect the prog leads to prog side of elink, place loco on them, and let RM READ cv..........how do I know it is reading do I need to press anything for it to begin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 GAZAH, ok, blow by blow. Place on prog track, Click on set up locos button at top of RM., next press button at bottom, which is an exclamation mark, with a circle round it.. At top of cv page to save a lot of time, enter 1-16 in CV Range. RM will then read cv. When it has finished, wait, then change CV1, to new number, eg 06. Then press at bottom of screen box rectangular in shape, with another box inside it(one symbol). Write to new number. When done across other side select DCC ID 06, put in box set cruising speed 70, shunting speed 20 class Express. then click green tick. Your loco will appear in box on rh top of screen, showing 06. done. Leave the other one for the moment. If you get stuck, come back, and one of the clever guys will send you photo of what do do. I am just a simple guy. cant do photos. DONT JUST DO THIS, FOLLOW IT IN INSTRUCTIONS, WRITING DOWN AS YOU GO FOR NEXT TIME. JOHN HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazah Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thanks for this as I say bit of an idiots guide guy myself, just will need to try this out when wife give laptop back!! Will revert if i have any futher issues...............no doubt I will G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazah Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 ok another silly one...........do you know the R numbers for the locos in the Majestic set? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Will come back with nos, but both are in Railmaster, when you are in set up locos, look for picture of each, nos are there. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazah Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Will come back with nos, but both are in Railmaster, when you are in set up locos, look for picture of each, nos are there. john John your a star simple words explanation worked wonders, got both running now, let the fun commence!!! Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Gazah, asked you on your BUs thread, how you got on. Dont worry about a reply now. Glad to be of help. Many patient people helped me through similar areas. Thats the joy of the forum. I have the tornado now, with TTS sound. You wait till you get your first sound loco. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikado Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Gazah, hi, welcome to the forum. There are 3 of us on here who all did exactly the same as you, so we are up to speed with Majestic. So, the first thing you need to know is that your locos will run from the box, but not together. So, you can run each one independenlly, to test them. All new locos, come with same number. 0003, although, 03 will do, so in time you will need to change them both, once you buy any more.. To start with, i would only change one. You can then play to your hearts content, build your layout points etc, and test.. Next, you need to make a programming track, 2 rails are enough, 1 being power connection. From memory, only 1 connection rail comes with the set, so a second one would be a good idea, to keep this little track. You connect the prog leads to prog side of elink, place loco on them, and let RM READ cv. Once you have done that, you change cv1 to a new number, like 04, follow instructions to confirm it, set speeds etc, and away you go.. If you want all this blow by blow, we can give it to you, but have a read first, and come back with what you dont understand. I am quite happy to sit in front of my laptop, and explain this, but it might be better, as you have done ok so far, for you to have a look , and come back to us. Read about what you click after loco on prog track, it is fairly straighforward, if unlike me, you bother to read.. There are about 8 of us that have elinks, and most of them, are far better at it than me. john ps, you are not alone, do not be frightened to ask, i did, and bored them to tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikado Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Gazah, hi, welcome to the forum. There are 3 of us on here who all did exactly the same as you, so we are up to speed with Majestic. So, the first thing you need to know is that your locos will run from the box, but not together. So, you can run each one independenlly, to test them. All new locos, come with same number. 0003, although, 03 will do, so in time you will need to change them both, once you buy any more.. To start with, i would only change one. You can then play to your hearts content, build your layout points etc, and test.. Next, you need to make a programming track, 2 rails are enough, 1 being power connection. From memory, only 1 connection rail comes with the set, so a second one would be a good idea, to keep this little track. You connect the prog leads to prog side of elink, place loco on them, and let RM READ cv. Once you have done that, you change cv1 to a new number, like 04, follow instructions to confirm it, set speeds etc, and away you go.. If you want all this blow by blow, we can give it to you, but have a read first, and come back with what you dont understand. I am quite happy to sit in front of my laptop, and explain this, but it might be better, as you have done ok so far, for you to have a look , and come back to us. Read about what you click after loco on prog track, it is fairly straighforward, if unlike me, you bother to read.. There are about 8 of us that have elinks, and most of them, are far better at it than me. john ps, you are not alone, do not be frightened to ask, i did, and bored them to tears. Since you mentioned the Hornby system on the forum I have become very interested in it as by far the cheapest way to get into DCC. However, I have one or two questions which I hope you will be able to answer. I built a Zero one controlled layout for my son, who was 12 years old at the time and now want to run it for my Grandson with DCC, as it was quite unreliable at the time. Therefore the Locos are at least thirty years old but have had little use. I realise that I will have to fit new decoders in all the Locos and change the accessory drivers but that isn't too much of a problem if I can get a reliable system going. My questions are:- 1. how much current can the E-Link supply as it comes 2. Is it possible to get more power out of it with a more powerful (say 4Amp) transformer as my old Locos take more current (0.75Amps) than modern ones 3. Will it run with an Iphone or IPad as a controller, as the Hornby catalogue shows both in the picture on the Trainmaster system 4. Can it use a mouse (cabled or wireless) to actually control the speed and direction of the selected Loco 5. Is it fairly straightforward to set it all up 6. Is it best to use a Hornby decoder or is another make better and/or cheaper. Thanks Alan (Mikado) Admin edit: Please do not share your email address. It is against the Forum Rules, which are in place to protect you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hi, Mikado, welcome to forum, have emailed you from other forum. Most of your questions have been answered there. When you have had a look, come back, to forum, with any other points. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 John you have done/are doing a wonderful job ;-).8 of us on here with eLink you say. Is that all. Wow what can I say (lots no doubt before someone else says so)Not everyone wants to be involved on a forum but, when we look at this number and the small number of enquiries it just shows what an easy to use system it is. All credit to Hornby..The Majestic is probably the main reason many now come into DCC, who also want computer controlled model trains. Starting initially at £400 and now £300 (or less) it is an absolute bargain. A really good starter set, yep, I started with this also..By joining Hornby Club you get 10% off everything for a year, that makes it even better value for money ;o).PJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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