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It should be noted that connecting a computer to a DCC layout is not required for setup or the running of your layout, but they can be helpful; for the same reasons they can be helpful in other areas of everyday life. Since DCC is digital by nature, it's easy to have computers control, or monitor, your layout.

If you are just getting started with DCC Software, we suggest that you read Connecting your computer to DCC article to get you started.

[edit] General Information

You can write your own application, use a free or shareware one written by other hobbyists, or buy a commercial application.

Generally, you connect your computer to the layout using your throttle network that is apart of your DCC system. For example, if you were using a Digitrax system, you connect to the loconet through a locobuffer. Some systems allow you to connect the computer directly via a serial port built into the command station (EasyDCC, NCE).

[edit] Types of software

This article covers software relating to programming decoders, both stationary and mobile, as well as train operations. Please see the software page for other software relating to trains at a more general level.

[edit] Decoder Setup

The modern DCC decoders have lots of options. To get the most of them, you have to put specific values into a large number of configuration variables (CVs). This is called programming, and most DCC systems provide a way to do it. Typically, this involves letting you put a number into a CV that's referenced by it's address number; hardly a user-friendly interface! A computer can simplify this by keeping track of values, displaying options in human-readable terms instead of bits.

[edit] Operations

...need something about controlling a railroad layout. Something about signaling too.

[edit] Free Software

[edit] JMRI

The JMRI software is a suite of programs and is a single download. Don't worry about about trying to get each part separately - they're all bundled together. Also, you do not need to use each part of the suite to get a specific task done - that is you don't need to setup the automation part if all you want is to quickly program your decoders.

[edit] JMRI - DecoderPro

JMRI

If you need a quick, simple to use, cross-platform software for programming decoders (mobile and stationary), then this is the choice for you. Many people that have expensive track control software, still use this software for it's ability to quickly, and simply program a wide range of decoders. The JMRI suite of programs runs on Mac Classic and OS X, Linux, and Windows machines, all under Java. All major manufacturers of DCC equipment, systems and decoders, are supported. A very active JMRI users group is available for user support on Yahoo Groups.

1. Use DecoderPro to configure your locomotive decoders and keep a roster of your DCC equipped locomotive fleet.
2. You can use PanelPro to run locomotives, throw turnouts, control signals, and even create control panels. But you shouldn't expect it to be as powerful as a commercial layout management program; JMRI isn't meant to compete directly with them.
3. Use the LocoTools application with your Digitrax command station to control your layout, monitor communications, configure add-on devices, etc.
4. You can use the JRMI interfaces to write programs for your own layouts. Making this easy is an important goal. This can be done via the scripting language, or by adding new Java code to the program.
5. You can write new general-purpose tools. Although this is a little harder than writing automation for your own layout, writing tools that other people use can be very satisfying.
6. You can implement the JMRI interfaces for a new system. Having JMRI work with other systems is an important goal. Once an implementation for another system works, the general tools (e.g. symbolic programmer, automations tools, signaling, etc) can be immediately used.

[edit] JMRI - Layout Automation

JMRI Layout Automation applications provide a large number of ways of automating your layout, ranging from simple fill-in forms to full-fledged scripting and programming capabilities. These include:

• Routes
  • A simple form of automation is to define Routes, which allow you to simplify the control of your turnouts.
• Signal logic
  • JMRI provides built-in signaling logic which can be used to drive your signal heads in many applications.
• Scripting
  • JMRI provides a very powerful scripting tool. Based on a real programming language, it gives you access to all the JMRI capabilities.
• Writing your own code in Java
  • The JMRI libraries greatly simplify writing a program to make your layout do exactly what you want.

[edit] JMRI - PanelPro

PanelPro is an application for operating CRT based CTC control panels that reflects the real-time state of your railroad and let you control it - almost like a Prototype dispatcher.

[edit] JMRI - LocoNet™ Tools

LocoNet Tools contains a number of LocoNet tools. Please see link for further details.

Summary:

• LocoNet monitor
  • Display and log the traffic on the LocoNet, in either hex or human readable form.
• Slot monitor
  • Watch the contents of the command station's slots as they're changed.
• Packet source
  • A tool to let you type and send packets to the LocoNet
• BDL16, BDL162 and PM4 programmers
  • A tool to let help you configure BDL16, BDL162 and PM4 boards.
• LocoIO programmer
  • A tool to let help you configure a LocoIO board.

[edit] Controlling Layouts

Free tools to help with automating or controlling your DCC layout.

[edit] JMRI

See JMRI Layout Automation above.

[edit] Rocrail

Rocrail

C/C++ Control Viewing Program for a Digital Model Railroad in Manual and Automatic Mode. Supported Multiple Controllers Marklin 6050 IntelliBox P50x SRCP DDL DDW erddcd HSI88 Dinamo OM32 Lenz Selectrix EDiTS Pro RCI Zimo LocoNet srcpd. Linux and Windows.

[edit] Tools for Programming Decoders

These tools help make programming your decoders easy.

[edit] JMRI DecoderPro

See JMRI DecoderPro above.

[edit] PR1DOS

PR1DOS

PR1DOS is a DOS-based program that will allow you to program a Digitrax® Decoder using a Digitrax® PR-1.

[edit] PR1WIN

PR1WIN

• PR-1 for Windows allows for the PC based configuration of DCC compatible mobile and stationary decoders. The PR-1 software is free of charge but requires the Digitrax PR-1 programmer.
• The PR-1 is no longer being manufactured by Digitrax and will be replaced by a new product. Until this product will be available, all development works for a 32bit version of PR-1 is suspended.
• You still can download software for HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

[edit] Misc Tools

Misc tools for DCC layouts.

[edit] JMRI LocoNet Tools

See JMRI LocoNet™ Tools above. This lets you monitor your LocoNet traffic, program/configure LocoNet devices, and do various advanced debugging operations.

[edit] Commercial Software

[edit] Railroad & Co

Sometimes refered to as RR&Co. This is a very advanced system that can track positions of trains using virtual detection blocks. Of course, you'll need a few real detection blocks to make this work, but it's very effective.

[edit] Train Tools Software

Train Tools Software has been producing professional model railroad software since 1991. DCC software for the model railroad industry. All software is scale independent, internet enabled and supports all popular command stations. (Note: This software is produced by KAM Industries. A Federal Court has ruled that KAM stole parts of it from JMRI and lied about it. KAM also stole a domain name that belonged to Railroad & Co, threatened RR&Co customers with lawsuits, and patented the work of other model railroaders. Buyer beware!)

[edit] WinLok

Digitoys Systems produces software called "WinLok" for running and configuring DCC systems.

[edit] GbbKolejka

GbbKolejka GbbKolejka in polish New software for Lenz/Roco and DDW systems.