[Doug]

Marketing Hyperbole.

What's the point in saying we have the killer product unless you at least show some features.

Probably still in development - listening to people saying I wish it had this, I wish it had that.

If Bachmann would like to prove me wrong, you've got my number

If you show me some cool never seen before on DCC features, I'll climb back up on this soapbox and tell everyone to expect something great.

 

[Doug]

Just in case they are looking for ideas, here are some:

- Wireless controllers (not IR).
- WiFi network integration of command center to PC.
- Computer controlled sound with PC based Dolby 5.1 surround linked to layout giving doppler effects.
- PC suite with layout control, control panel, loco database, routing schedules etc.
- Long addressing linked to real name loco database.
- Realistic loco parameters allowing simple decoder programming, linked to database.
- Tasks and timed 'missions' built into the PC program that would enable some cool role-play on the layout. Shunting, routing, passenger trains etc.
- This above would need some feedback, so next point is integrated and/or simple feedback. Perhaps a DCC BUS and feedback system linked to signals and pointwork.
- Automation, allowing some interesting running of layout for displays and exhibitions.

anything else...?

 

[Doug]

QUOTE 40 trains under control at any one timeThat means 40 locos can run at once, implying that the device can output between 8 and 12 amps - probably 10 amp output. Big system.

QUOTE 5 individual locomotive addresses joined together in what is called a 'consist'...They're still educating... Which means that it may not be aimed at the DCC experts.

QUOTE ...consists to contain up to 5 locomotives...Consists of 5 locos would appeal to the American modellers, which means they may be tackling Digitrax head on with this device. British outline doesn't need 5-loco consisting, or does it?

 

[Doug]

Regarding the 5-loco consists, this could be simply that the marketing department is telling the development department to one better than the competition.

Somebody is going to like this, but the majority of users will never use it. The feature will however be a bullet point on the brochure.

The Sishen-Saldanha Railway Line, South Africa
This railway line crosses a large part of the West Coast area. Running from the deep-sea harbour at Saldanha on the West coast of South Africa to the open-cast mines at Sishen in the Northern Cape.

Construction on the railway line started on 1 June 1973 and the first ore train arrived at Saldanha on 14 May 1976. On 27 September of the same year the first ore carrier left Saldanha, bound for Europe.

Although the railway line was built to transport iron ore, almost 24% of its revenue is derived from the transport of other minerals such as zinc concentrates, salt, gypsum and coal.

The line is 861km long and is fully electrified. There are only three bends along the whole stretch, with a maximum radius of 1000m. The only tunnel is the Bobbejaansberg Tunnel, 840m long, near Elands Bay.

In 1989 a world record was set when the longest and heaviest train ever assembled covered the distance. The entry in the Guiness Book of Records read as follows:

* Length of train - 7 303km
* Gross mass of train - 71 210ton
* No. of loaded trucks - 660
* No. of locomotives - 9 electrical and 7 diesel
* Distance covered - 861km
* Maximum speed - 80km/h
* Average speed - 38,04km/h

 

[Doug]

I ask those people with 'hundreds of locos': Do you run all your locos on your layout?

I know that I don't. The locos that I run are the ones that run well. To those I add a decoder. The bad locos can go up and down a test track that can be hooked up to a DC controller and isolated from the rest of the layout.

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (Oakydoke @ 5 Dec 2006, 12:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>... We now know the Elite is a full 4 digit address system with all 4 programming modes (whatever that means)...
See here.

 

[Doug]

Specs are great, but they have been touted around for the last year or two in all sorts of ways.

Sometimes I don't think keven Hornby understand what some of them mean sometimes. The same is to be said of Bachmann and others so it's not all their fault.

Even here it says: "Can programme locomotives with up to 99 levels of acceleration / deceleration."

NMRA specs state that CV3 (acceleration) and CV4 (braking) are bytes with values of 0 to 255. So it can be said that there are 256 levels of acceleration / deceleration...

 

[Doug]

To confirm, the Lenz LZV100 (the command station part of Set 100) maintains a database of all locomotives operated. The database can contain up to 256 entries.

This is known as the command stack.

As locos are added to the stack it fills up. When full, it gives an error message when you attempt to add another loco. You have to remove locos from the stack or reset the system to completely empty the stack.

Ravenser, regarding point control, ask yourself and the other engine drivers: how do you wish to switch the points?

Do you want to refer to a simple diagram on a local control board and flip a toggle next to the point?

Or simply press a corresponding button on a point control keyboard?

Or call up the point on your Cab hand held and switch the point?

Or do you want automated switching and route planning using a PC and control program. If you're not driving a programmed route, you will have to use a touch screen or mouse to switch a point though.

Which is easier? Pressing 7 buttons on a Lenz LH100 is not that easy especially if the loco is coming up to the points. Sometimes a button or a toggle is the fastest and safest.

Personally, I'm going for a combination of point keyboards and toggles on a local control board. 3 control boards around the layout. I want to keep it simple, but actually be part of the switching process. Thus I'm not keen to us a PC for this task.