29 Experimenting with iTrain | Software control of n-gauge model railway

In this video I start to experiment with controlling my n-gauge model railway with iTrain.
After looking into the need to license the software in order to use a digitrax / loconet controller, I then provide an overview of controlling accessories, driving locomotives and configuring feedback devices. Finally I play around with configuring blocks, and trying to get my locomotive to accurately stop at the end of a block.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this video and information. iTrain is new to me appreciate you bringing it to my attention.

[@naivegauge]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bobfuller]

At around 22 mins the reason the train kept stopping at the end of each block was probably because you were running the train in semi-automatic mode rather than the manual mode. Too see the mode you are in, select the train tab in the throttles rather than the loco tab. In semi-automatic mode you can still drive the train manually but it will take notice of signalling and any danger, hence why it stops the train at the end of each block as a precaution. In manual mode it ignores signally and any danger.

[@naivegauge]

Thanks for this Bob. What you say is pretty much what I had figured out. There are still many subtlies that I need to learn though.

[@saniarao7250]

Favorite channel

[@EssexThameside]

Welcome back Phillip. nice one,we will play around with iTrain together. Bob Fuller's videos are good and well worth a watch.
Brian
Essex Thameside in N

[@naivegauge]

Yes, I have been watching Bob's videos to get me going. Very helpful.

[@andrewshaw5168]

Great video, nice and easy to understand. Looking forward to the next video. 👍

[@naivegauge]

Glad you liked it!

[@petertownsend8276]

Nice to see you back. Very interesting, but far too technical for an old codger like me.

[@naivegauge]

Thanks Peter

[@kite7214]

Hi Phillip. I watched the start of your video, but it was too vague about the way iTrain is configured and I switched off. I concur with the other comments from watchers that Bob Fuller has really researched iTrain and that users should watch his videos for the definitive guide to the software. Enjoy running your trains. Hopefully one day I will be able to enjoy watching iTrain run mine too. Keith

[@naivegauge]

Thanks for this Keith. It is not supposed to be a complete HowTo video - as you say Bob Fuller has produced much more comprehensive guide to using iTrain. I am just documenting my process of learning, and as is my style, many of the mistakes along the way.

[@kitchenhamfarm]

nice informative video phillip, glad you are back, i think train controller is better but very expensive in-fact the uk licence is the most expensive brexit i believe ? but you seem happy with itrain and you are getting to grips with it, keep up the good work ...............tony

[@naivegauge]

Yes I agree

[@informationsdivers8396]

Hi i ame with you in site video youtube lets go and good luck

[@Besaler]

Nice

[@naivegauge]

Thanks

[@HaroldLamour-kr2lp]

Yes

[@TheHeritageLine]

Hi Phillip, Nice video, bit tech heavy but that can't be helped with this type of video, I keep gleaming bits of info on itrains all over the place. interesting how you leave the cv's alone on the train for inertia, but now it makes perfect sense as I know you calibrate your locos to the system whereby it goes through a series of tests running the loco at different speeds in both directions and then times when it is hitting certain blocks. This is very useful if you are ever using 2 locos on the same train for double heading or top and tailing. Another useful thing hidden away on Itrain is that it will tell you how far that loco has run in it's life time on your railway. This could be useful from a point of view, where by when it has covered so many miles you then give the loco a service. On your next video could you explain your logic to how you decided where to place you sensors as I'm not sure about how many sensors you really need to make the system accurate. All the best Tony.

[@naivegauge]

I have to say - it is the video I never wanted to make - all computers and not trains :( But it is necessary in order to get on to the fun of trying to use infrared proximity detectors to control things better. Nearly there...

[@TheHeritageLine]

@@naivegauge I've been doing videos recently which I struggle with, as the are really aimed at newcomers but like you, if you don't lay the foundations you can't get onto more interesting stuff without people not understanding what you are doing.

[@JohnJohn-qy6ir]

niec

[@naivegauge]

thanks