PJ_model_trains

RAF96 said: We know from previous intel that the detection 'controller' will be connected by USB to the pc/laptop. Do we know how many remote detectors each controller can handle, i.e. if I need lots of detector elements and each controller can only handle say 4 or 8 elements where am I going to get that many spare USB ports on a desktop, much less a laptop, given that previously we have been instructed only to connect Elite/eLink to a direct port and not a hub... PS - Not sure how long it has been available but have you noticed typos are now highlighted and right clicking on a duff word gives spelling options - well done Forum Support. Hi RAF96 I am sure Fishy will update this but meanwhile I add the following for you Take a look at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79982-hornbys-railmaster-loco-detection-system/ referred to by Phul in a previous thread. I have not heard of any changes to this. Railmaster Loco Detection System R8306 Pack contains: LD Module, 1Pk LD Tag Strips, 4 x LD Track sensors. £79.99 R8307 LD Module £69.99 R8308 LD Track Sensor £ 7.50 R8309 LD Tag Strip £ 9.99 R**** LD Track Sensor Transformer £ 9.99 Regarding your last comment, I think you will find your system is picking these up. They work on my laptop but not on my tablet.

Fishmanoz said: When you get to buy a detection controller and install it, it will have to be on a different com port to eLink. Two devices can't use the same port. But that is al irrelevant now. Go into layout design and install a detector, somewhere, anywhere. Now we know you don't have one but RM doesn't and you can now right click on it and look at all the programming options you have, 22 of them if I can count correctly. Now take those 22, multiply by a number of detectors detecting a number of locos and your options get large exponentially. I am aware that the loco detection needs the new hardware when available, I am also aware it uses a different USB port. What I was asking was did I need to set the com port for the loco detection to com3 same as the elink to view the items you previously referred to. I had previously viewed loco detection to the point you stated and added a loco detection icon for suggested position of a loco but, didn't right click the icon so couldn't see the options you refer to, hence the reason for the question did I need to set it to com3 to view it. If this information is readily available for anyone with elink and RM I cannot see what all the fuss is about as discussed earlier in the thread. If we can see it then so can any competitor. The information referred to was all we asked for, not the nuts and bolts or the Eureka moment or anything to do with the patent information. Thank you for confirming the above, I will try it later today.

Fishmanoz said: The simplest way to figure out what detection will do for you is to set up a detector in RM, then look at the range of programming options you have once something is detected. The system can't do anything but detect and give you options, so the whole system is sitting staring you in the face in RM already. I have seen the tab for loco detection but what about the usb port. elink is using com3 on my laptop but it wants another port and obviously loco detect hardware. Shall I put loco detection on com3?

The least they could do is set up a statement and include it in a new forum heading so that all messages relating to Loco Detection are all in one place.

RDS said: @PJ_model_trains OK, I understand but Hornby have already provided quite a good statement a few months ago. The trouble is we have numerous threads running on Detection (2 this morning and they even have the same title) so it is extremely difficult to find the Hornby statement. The sooner we concentrate on just one thread - the better! Agreed 100% There needs to be a new section as this is such an important subject. It needs the first message to start by listing the benefits of Loco Detection, what it will do for us, we can do with it, etc. We don't need the nuts and bolts that affect the patent just the grass roots, what can we do with it. I can see more and more threads for 'loco detection' as time goes on, as more people inquire and get excited about it and more buy it and start to use it. Hopefully Hornby will see how this subject is repeating itself in the forum and prepare a list of what it will do in a new subject in the forum.

RDS said: I cannot imagine this happening (unfortunately). It appears that it is currently going through the patent process, which I guess means 2 things: 1) The chances of learning much about it, pre patent, are remote. 2) It may take a while before it is available because the patent process is not quick! Even what we did know about the planned system may not be reliable any more because it may have been the earlier version, prior to the 'Eureka' moment. We have to wait and see but it does seem to be rather special. I take your point RDS but we are not looking for the nuts and bolts of 'how it works' just what we can do with it. e.g. Setting up zones so that only one loco can be in one area at a time. Can it change points? Can it change signals? etc, etc Other than zoning which I have heard mentioned and setting up loco so that you can see where it is in the RM schematic layout I don't know a lot more and guess there are 100's more like me. We are not asking is it barcodes or other reflective system, etc. just what to expect we can do with it. This has to be good for sales, Hornby will know how much they can tell us but, by telling us what we will be able to do wets our appetite but also allows us to think... I didn't know I could do that, how can I build it in to my layout. I notice there are now several threads for loco detection, it needs someone, from Hornby, to start a new thread in a new subject heading, to include all the features we can expect from it and let the thread grow from there. There is a lot of excitement here and this will grow.

Sorry for any spelling mistakes in the last message, flipping tablets!

HornbyRailMasterSupport said: 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. Would it be possible for someone who jnows what the system can do to start a new thread and in the first message list what features wecan expect from loco detection system. You may initially want to reply by referring us to the RM software and loco detection setup but, I would ask, if possible, could you list the things wd can exoect here. I ask for several reasons the main one being as a separate subject on the forum everyone will read it, that has to be good for business. There are many new people to the hobby or many who are spending hours building their layouts, to have the details listed in the forum under a separate thead would help us also. It would also allow us to think about how the system works and how we will fit it in to our layouts. Thank you, you are doing a great job.

idlemarvel said: idlemarvel said: I would like to be able to set a point and a signal (colour or semaphore) with the same decoder address and have them both change on the layout display when I change one or the other. FYI I got this from RM support: "You cannot change a point and signal on the same accessory decoder port and control them using RailMaster. You can change two points together but not mix points and signals. In a later update of RailMaster you will be able to instruct it to change other points and signals as a result of changing a point or signal, however this functionality is not available in the current software version." This would seem to give me what I want albeit in a round about way. This will be a massive improvement. In future software upgrades will this mean we can change a point and a signal together? Are you referring to conventional signally and/or light signalling? I understand point motors use solenoid thrust of power via the coil and the lighting gradual flow of power.

PJ_model_trains said: Having had more time to play and add more and more loco's I would like to add the following to the suggestions. The priority has to be reducing the header icons, the size of icons and boxes for loco control and the bottom bar depth to make the screen layout area larger. With regards to the right hand boxes for loco control. As well as making icons small and reducing the size of the loco boxes I would also suggest the following. Loco boxes should be two sizes. Minimum showing just the Loco name, forward and reverse buttons and 3 speed/stop icons. Each box would have a thin header to minimize or maximise the loco boxes needed. This would give basic controls in the minimum size and everything in the maximised size. It would also greatly increase the number of locos visible for use. I would suggest also the forward and reverse buttons be red and green. The colour changing when clicked to show either forward or reverse direction at a glance. No need for the wording forward/reverse at all. I have another item for consideration please. My layout is added to RailMaster schematic and although Hornby do not have points and accessories de-coders I have programmed all points, cross lanes two points on one code and they look and work (on screen) great. Looking ahead I also put in a few red/green loco traffic lights. They look good at 100% but as discussed very few people will view their layout at 100% once complete they will more than likely view it at 50% to see it all or as much as possible. When reduced to 50% the lights reduce also and on a laptop they are so small they are hard to see whether they are red or green. Can this little problem also be given consideration. The signals are clear it is just the size of the loco traffic lights. Compare the size of these lights to the circles for point control. Thank you.

PJ_model_trains said: I would also suggest smaller icons at the top of the screen. Give users the option of larger icons and side boxes but also give them the facility to reduce them. Newbies to the software can see and learn, once you know what icons/buttons do they need to be smaller to allow maximum use of the main screen/working track area but keep a balance for train programming. Many thanks Having had more time to play and add more and more loco's I would like to add the following to the suggestions. The priority has to be reducing the header icons, the size of icons and boxes for loco control and the bottom bar depth to make the screen layout area larger. With regards to the right hand boxes for loco control. As well as making icons small and reducing the size of the loco boxes I would also suggest the following. Loco boxes should be two sizes. Minimum showing just the Loco name, forward and reverse buttons and 3 speed/stop icons. Each box would have a thin header to minimize or maximise the loco boxes needed. This would give basic controls in the minimum size and everything in the maximised size. It would also greatly increase the number of locos visible for use. I would suggest also the forward and reverse buttons be red and green. The colour changing when clicked to show either forward or reverse direction at a glance. No need for the wording forward/reverse at all.

RDS said: PJ_model_trains I think walkingthedog is referring to the thread called wishlists on the main Forum page. I believe that this was set up to allow people to identify potential new products and things they would like to see modelled. For requests for changes to 'Railmaster' we started to keep them all together in this thread and I am very pleased that Hornby have not only contributed at times to this thread but it appears that changes to future versions are being considered as a result of our inputs. Thank you for clarifying what walkingthedog meant, no problem. I think the idea of a separate thread for RailMaster was a good idea and has been worth it to date, thanks for all your hard work. Hopefully Hornby will not take to long to deal with any upgrades. Surely they would be better to filter them in on a priority basis rather than to many at once, this way they can ensure there are no or very few people with problems with software upgrades. Thanks again for all your hard work.

walkingthedog said: I'm not referring to being polite I'm referring to going through the correct channels. For instance don't ask for new items on the forum, send them to Hornby using the link at the top. You can make all the suggestions in the world on here but they won't end up with the right people. RDS has obviously done a good job as I thought he would. I understand what you are saying but, if there is a thread on the forum 'asking' for peoples input then that is what we do. When you say 'send them to Hornby using the link at the top' are you referring to the link on the side of the Hornby page - Support and then Contact Us? Thank you

GarH said: When programming accessory decoders in RM can there be a message confirming that the decoder has in fact been programmed? At present there is a message to show the decoder is being programmed but nothing when it has finished other than the wait message disappearing and the Decoder Selection Box (DSB) remains on screen with the Accessory icon greyed out until the Decoder Selection Box is closed down manually. I appreciate the DSB stays open so that you can program another decoder if you wish but maybe the message "Decoder has been successfully programmed do you wish to program another one - Yes/No" If no is chosen the DSB disappears and Accessory Program Icon becomes active again. If Yes is chosen the DAB remains on screen to program another decoder. I am not at that stage yet (using evaluation version whilst building track and waiting for the new Majestic set) but agree totally with GarH if a process does not tell you it has finished how do we know it is safe to do the next one.

walkingthedog said: Who said Hornby don't listen? They certainly do if you ask them properly. I do hope I have asked properly. Although being polite is one thing, I think the other most important thing is letting Hornby know of things they may not have considered and where necessary the reason why we ask these things. I think I mentioned it earlier but if not I feel this should be considered also. The working area is definitely shouting for more space but due to the variety of track sizes and shapes along with the variety of screen sizes on PC's, Laptops and Tablets there should also be the option 'fit to screen' not just 100%, 75% and 50%. Having said that another way to do this would be to give the user the option to adjust the percentage of working track area viewed. I feel the latter is the better option as it gives the user more flexibility. Some users may have a 'L' shaped layout with sidings down one leg. They may not want to view the sidings all the time and concentrate on the main layout, fit to screen does what it says on the tin but, doesn't allow user flexibility which has to be the main consideration to an effectively working system. After all we may be train driversssss depending on how many trains are running but, we are also signal men (sorry ladies). User control of the percentage of screen viewed does seem to me, and hopeful many others the best improvement Hornby can make in this area giving the user flexible control over their layout.

The more you play with RailMaster the more you realise the top bar needs smaller icons, the train control boxes need to be smaller or floating, the bottom bar can also be half the height. All these improvements will make the layout area larger. Reasons for having a larger track control area are mentioned previously, size of layout, shape of layout, etc, etc. But there is another reason... points don't like to be next to each other in RailMaster so an additional piece of track is added to separate the two this also increases the size of a layout. Another item that increases the size of the track layout in RailMaster is points cannot be added on angles, they have to be made straight and then add the points. It all increases the working track area which in turn is shouting for more screen space.

Fishmanoz said: PJ_model_trains said: 1 - allow users to reduce the size of loco setup control boxes 2 - allow users to have their layout, either fit to screen or to be able to adjust the percentage size not just have 50%, 75%, 100% etc every computer and laptop etc has a different size screen but also type percentage eg. 62%, 58%, 74% etc as is best for viewing on their system. Also layouts vary from person to person, narrow shelf, oval, L shaped etc. I would also suggest smaller icons at the top of the screen. Give users the option of larger icons and side boxes but also give them the facility to reduce them. Newbies to the software can see and learn, once you know what icons/buttons do they need to be smaller to allow maximum use of the main screen/working track area but keep a balance for train programming. Many thanks

Brilliant and even better when the backup update is available, thanks for confirming this is coming.

Fishmanoz said: All of this detail is contained in files with obvious names in the Railmaster folder in Program Files or Program Files(X86) depending on your Windows version. Just copy them to a flash drive and paste them into the same place on your new PC. It is worth copying this folder to another drive for security purposes. If you are planning to change computers you are in control but if the drive fails you will have lost this data! If you use TrackMaster copy this folder to another drive also, it stores any tracks you have designed. You should do this regularly or use a synch program to automatically synch a copy of the folders to another drive location.

Fishmanoz said: Just confirming my first point above - express points give standard 76mm track spacings on crossovers. I'm wrong on my second though, you can make the straights line up by using 1 x 168mm + 2 x 38mm for each 245 mm express point. Note it is short by 1mm but I'm sure you'll get the extra mm from the 2 extra track joints which won't be perfect. Then again, easier to just cut a 245mm section of flex track to do the job. This information is very useful. Thanks

Hi I am planning my new layout and have it all laid out in TrackMaster. Looks brilliant and works and does not include any radius 1 curves. Brilliant so far. I notice R8072 standard points as a radius of 22.5 degrees the same as the radius in curves 1. Express points R8077 (which are much longer) has a radius of 11.25 degrees. This leaves me a number of questions... 1 - is anyone away of problems using the smaller points with 22.5 degree radius? 2 - if I use two R8077 Express points what size track do I need for a spacer so that trains running in either direction on both tracks are clear of each other? 3 - Are the small points with 22.5 degree radius ok in sidings but not on main line track? All comments welcome. Thanks.