DCC by Design

Tailoring DCC to your givens & druthers

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JMRI Examples

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JMRI Panel Examples

One of the principal offerings of DCC by Design is the computer-based dispatching tailored for your layout. For these examples, four different styles of control panels were made for the same layout. The examples are:

  • Basic Switchpanel -
  • Modern Style Panel -
  • Prototypical US&S Panel -
  • Layout Panel -

 

Basic Panel

This is our Basic Panel as it is the simiplest to operate and the most inexpensive to construct. It is a full featured panel capable of providing:

  • Turnout Control
  • Turnout Feedback
  • Block Occupancy

The layout is shown in linearized format & indicates turnout names or numbers. Beneath the track diagram are the plates & switches to control the turnouts. Clicking anywhere on the plate will change the turnout direction. Occupancy is shown by lamps which are yellow to indicate occupancy. 

Signal control based on occupancy can be added easily; however, dispatcher controlled signals make it visually complex. The Proto US&S panel is suggested when dispatcher controlled signals are desired. 

The graphics for the panel, lights & plates are provided as part of the JMRI installation. The track plan and code are developed specifically for your layout. This is considered a low price option.

 basic-sample-complete

Modern Style Panel

The modern panel approach is similar to the Norfolk Southern panel featured on the Trains video "Railroads & Coal" which was filmed around 2000. 

This panel provides:

  • Turnout Control
  • Turnout Feedback
  • Block Occupancy
  • Signal Control

This panel illuminates the selected route in bright blue. Turnouts are controlled by clicking on the turnout to change the route. Occupied blocks are shown in yellow. No signals are shown on the panel; however, they are set on the layout based on the occupied block and selected route. Dispatcher controlled signals are typically not provided, but can be done. 

All graphics and code for this panel is custom made from components developed on previously panels. Since there is some reuse, this panel is considered a medium priced option. 

 modern2-sample-complete

Proto US&S Panel

This picture show a computer based Union Switch and Signal style CTC machine that we built in JMRI. While similar in look to the Basic Panel, the Proto US&S operates very differently. The key difference is that this panel features a fully functional code button. When the switches on the panel are changed for turnouts and signals, nothing happens until the code button is pressed. Then the commands are sent to the DCC system and the lights update as the commands are implemented. This feature makes the panel better suited to more experienced dispatchers. 

The graphics for the panel, lights & plates are provided as part of the JMRI installation. The track plan and code are developed specifically for your layout. The code feature of this panel makes it a medium priced option.  

 USSproto-example

Layout Style Panel

In this example, rather than build a traditional Dispatcher schematic view, such as the US&S Example, we provided a Layout View which generally replicates the track arrangement of the actual layout.

This panel provides:

  • Turnout Control
  • Turnout Feedback
  • Block Occupancy

This graphic provides turnout control in a simplified layout view. All turnout use green to show their normal (or closed) direction. When switched to the reversed (or thrown) direction, the turnout color changes to red. Block occupancy can be shown in yellow or another color. 

All graphics and code for this panel is custom made. Since there is rarely reuse from previous panels, this panel is considered a high priced option.

 layout-sample-complete