My name is Mike. I am somewhat of a newbie, so please take my questions with a grain of salt. I've worked in the pharmaceutical discovery-manufacturing industry as chemist / chemical engineer / mgr for > 30+ yrs. I retired in 2010, moved to far northern WI, and took up woodturning as a hobby.
My history with model trains started in the late 1950's with American Flyer on an L-shaped layout (2 -4x8's) that my dad built. I set up track and wiring over ~18 months. We built elevated sections out of scrap wood that my dad salvaged from cutting window shades (circular rods and flat pieces). We ran 4 separate engines. Eventually, I packed these up and took these with me as I grew and moved. I set them up for my young son, on the basement floor several times.
In 1987, I took the next step into HO (DC only). My system grew, culminating in a U-shaped layout (~4-4x8's)(3-separate tracks, no scenery) that my son and I enjoyed. The unit had ~ 6 turnouts and 1 - wye reversing loop. Wiring was done using Atlas switches, snap relays, selectors, and controllers. Eventually, I packed everything up after another move and decided to sell everything (Too much life and work).
My current state-of-affairs: In Sept 2020, I got the itch to get back into HO, trying to learn as much about DCC and various manufacturers, before making the DCC plunge. After reading multiple books, magazines, and viewing multiple websites and videos on DCC, I decided to start assembling my thoughts on a rough layout using AnyRail, designing a track plan and laying out wiring for a bus to deliver power to the track(s), ~ 6-8 turnouts, associated dwarf signals, and a layout control panel.
Around early Jan 2021 I pleasantly discovered MRH. During my readings, I stumbled across the RailPro system from Ring Engineering. In early Feb 2021, I stumbled across RPUG. After reading all of the Ring Engineering documentation / installation manuals on the various components and reviewing posts on RPUG, I came to the following conclusions (opinions), which I hope are reasonably correct.
1) DCC is a very tried and true system, supported by most manufacturers, and standardized (NMRA) within the industry.
2) RailPro seems to be a less complex approach that supplies electrical equipment /components integrating an easy to understand graphical user interface / software system.
a) RailPro is a small company and although the system is growing, it still would benefit from wider usage / acceptance.
b) Costs seem to be comparable.
c) RailPro and perhaps newer systems/software under development, may point to the next generation of control which makes it easier (knowledge wise) for the consumer to get into the hobby and setup a system more complex than a circle.
3) My opinion today is that although DCC is dated, but it works. It still requires a pretty good knowledge investment to become proficient. This current nexus of the 2 systems (RailPro and DCC) sort of reminds of my experiences assembling lab data recording and control devices in our chemistry lab around 1985-1994 using PLC controllers. Not impossible, but it required a good knowledge base and skill set. Acceptance and use by non-skilled people was problematic. Around 1995-1996, we began to assemble PC based data recorders with plug-in cards, which had an easy to use Windows interface to configure setups of inputs, recording, and data file output. Pretty much we had to get out the way as our people flocked to use these devices.
I have read the Ring Engineering manuals. I know my learning curve would go up exponentially if I could just "play" with some stuff and wires, but I have yet to commit to take the RailPro plunge. FYI - I am at least 100 miles away from any RailPro hobbyshop. I would greatly benefit from any videos, from real world users, who may videos on the following topics: My apologies in advance if these areas have been addressed somewhere visually, I just have not found them.
1) PWR-56 Model Railroad Power Supply - actual installation, bus layout, wiring, programming and usage of 2-3 power supplies.
2) AM-1 RailPro Accessory Module - Actual installation, wiring, programming and usage of ~6-8 turnouts (2-AM-1's) incorporating Tortoise switch machines, local dwarf led signals, and feedback to a central led lighted board.
3) AR-1 Auto Reverse Module - Actual installation, wiring, programming of a wye.
Thanking the RPUG in advance for welcoming me and for any information you can provide.
Mike
