HornbyRailMasterSupport

If you want to backup data that you have created within RailMaster, the files to copy are as follows:- Resource.mdb This contains all of the locos you set up Groups.dat This contains details of loco groups you set up *.pln These are track plan files *.prg These are RailMaster program files for automation You should never copy the entire RailMaster folder onto another PC or the latter installation will not work. RailMaster must be installed properly from the CD or downloaded setup file. Only then can you copy the above files into the new RailMaster folder. The program folder which contains all of the above files (assuming you did not alter any of the default setup properties) is C:Program Files (x86)RailMaster. On Windows XP and earlier, it is just C:Program FilesRailMaster. The next major update of RailMaster will contain a backup routine to automate this. In the mean time you can either copy the files manually, or if you know your way around batch files you could create a small batch file to copy the required files onto another medium e.g.:- Copy "c:program files (x86)railmasterresource.mdb" e: Copy "c:program files (x86)railmastergroups.dat" e: Copy "c:program files (x86)railmaster*.pln" e: Copy "c:program files (x86)railmaster*.prg" e: The above batch file assumes your backup medium (e.g. USB memory stick) is located on drive e: although you can change this in the batch file if it a different drive letter. Batch files can be edited in the Windows Notepad text editor and saved with the file name something.bat. You can then create a shortcut to the file and run it from a single icon.

We have been monitoring not just the Hornby forums, but others, since RailMaster was launched just over two years ago. We take customer comments and suggestions very seriously, after all, RailMaster was built by talking to customers and working out your needs. The key ingredient is ease of use and we strive to achieve this, notwithstanding the many additional sophisticated features added to the program. Since launch at version 1.22 there have been 30 major updates (we are currently on 1.52) and we estimate over 150 enhancements have been added during this time. The next major update will incorporate over 100 further enhancements in a single update, covering almost everything discussed on these and other forums as well as useful additional features we wanted to build in for customers through research and development. This will take the software to another level, whilst maintaining ease of use. We cannot give a precise date for the release of the update however your RailMaster program will inform you automatically when it is available. There may be one or two further minor updates in the mean time. Ultimately, we want RailMaster and eLink to be the first choice for anybody considering Digital Command Control for their layout and to achieve that we must listen, and indeed do. Thank you for all of your suggestions. Keep them coming!

Please be patient regarding Loco Detection. This is a highly sophisticated system including four components: RailMaster software, loco detection module, track sensors and loco ID tags. This system is currently undergoing testing and manufacturing must also be planned. It is the most sophisticated and best value-for-money system of its kind and it is important that everything is correct from the outset. We do not want disappointed users. Any RailMaster users will have seen the array of functions that can be triggered within the loco detection sensors on the track design part of the software. Additional functionality is being built into the programming system too. It will be worth the wait and we (and the testers) are excited about this new development for RailMaster. We hope to have Loco detection available within a few months, barring manufacturing delays. RailMaster can be run well without Loco Detection, although we do recognise that Loco Detection adds another level of sophistication to the overall system as, for example, the HandHeld apps did. We will make an announcement as soon as it is available.

Please read our response under the "Railmaster Start Up - Point Setting Speed Vs Decoder Recharge Time" thread regarding points firing times within RailMaster.