Computerized Car Card or Waybill system

So anyone use such a system?

Pat Marinari has a dandy traffic generating software program.  Hopefully he will chime in.

So far the NWTL is using manually produced switch lists for our operating sessions. For a layout with a limited number of industries that might be a good way to go.  But I have to say that I like the way Pat's system keeps cars moving from operating session to operating session.

I use a custom solution, a friend built me a webpage that is my car card system (I designed the whole thing, he did the grunt work).  I use my iMac is a server to host the webpage and actually run the app on my iPad.  But this app being a webpage works just fine on a windows 7 machine (it just won't work with internet explorer).

With the app, there is one drawback, all information is saved in the web browsers cache, so if you clear cache you lose all your settings.

The way the app works, first you list all your freight cars.  Second list all your locations on the layout.  Third, attach locations to the freight cars as either pickup or dropoff or both.

Once you have things setup, your ready to get your orders.  You then tell the app how many trains you want to build, how many cars each train should contain and if you want to include pickup and drop off locations.

This might sound like a lot but it is very easy.  It might not be the most realistic but it adds a lot of fun.

Although I know absolutely nothing all this, I have just been reading about it lately and find it interesting. Like you say, I think most are geared for HO & N, but here are some links I have found in the articles I have been reading. I have not checked them out yet, but might give you something to look at.

Albion Software

Control Train Components

Protrak

Quaker Valley RR

Sounds like a great use for an old computer, Jim. I'm looking to do something similar on my layout, only on a much larger scale. I'll keep my eye on this topic.

if anyone wanted to try out my custom designed webpage, I'd be willing to share the file and even write up some nicer directions to get you started.  Would just need to figure out how to share the files (not sure all email clients would allow them to be shared that way).

Let me know if someone is interested.  Again, not sure how realistic it is, but is very easy to use and adds some great play factor to our railroads.

I will give it a try

jdevleerjr at gmail.com is my email address

J - have sent you an email, hopefully it didn't go to your junk, but if you don't see one, you might want to check that folder

Ray - you should have 2 emails from me (from 2 different email accounts).  I've never tried sharing a project or anything like this in the past.  Hopefully it will work and my directions will be easy enough to follow.

Operations is not HO or N focusef vs O.    It is all the same!    The size of the trains are different of course, but the objective of moving cars based on a switchlist or car cards is the same regardless of the scale.   

If you have more than yourself, you may want to get something that prints a switchlist rathter than just looking at a screen.    The screen might work well for one person, but when you get 2 or more, it might get cumbersome.

If you don't mind, I would like to take at your system also. I think my email is in my profile, will go make sure.

Thanks 

I'd also like to give this a try. This could make for an interesting topic for the Podcast in a future episode. Please email to Derekthomas1 at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

Derek

I've sent emails to you both. 

I would be interested also. Please send to prr2818@gmail.com

Thanks!

here's an article that may be of interest to some..."non-computer operation 101"...

http://www.familygardentrains....rain_n_car_cards.htm

howard

A basic card type car routing system starter pack and refills is available from Micro-Mark. It's based on the system described in Tony Koester's "Realistic Model Railroad Operation". The book is pretty much based on HO & N layouts, but the techniques would be similar for O.

I perused through the link Howard shared, very neat information.  I will say if someone is looking for something that sophisticated they will not enjoy my webpage.

Dennis I sent you emails.

I may give the MicroMark system a try as soon as finish adding more industries to my layout.  I also have work to do to make sure I have unique car numbers on all my cars.

Art

You all know a lot more than I do about all this, but FWIW... Although not computerized, almost all of the articles (and book) I have been reading about this subject either use or recommend the Micro-Mark system.

for free-mo we have used the car card system I have a word file somewhere that prints the cards on biz cards and have another file for the holders

If anyone else gets my setup please let me know if you also don't have the setup tab. The only thing I can think of is that maybe not all the files copied over. I'll try and figure it out....

I found this on you tube

Sorry I'm late to the party - I missed this thread until now. 

Thanks, Ted for the kind words.

I'm using a program called Ship-It from Albion Software: http://www.albionsoftware.com/index.html

This is quite a sophisticated package but I really like operations with it.  There is a bit of a learning curve, but once one understands how the software works, it is awesome.  The program produces switchlists, rather than car cards, although I think it can also produce the cards.  It actually uses products, industries, and supply and demand to determine car movements and when set up properly, keeps cars moving very well. 

My installation generates switchlists for 4 trains per session and we can keep 4 guys busy for about 2 hours (depending on the skill level of the operators or how many beers they have had).  It's also just a lot of fun.

This is a great alternative for anyone who wants a little more involvement in the operation of their layout and I highly recommend it.

update - it appears not all the files copied properly.  I will look to fix this week/weekend and let you know so those I shared with are able to try it out.

Pat - That looks pretty interesting, I may have to give it a try.

art

I have a computer program called "Freight Dispatch" I bought back in the 90s (DOS program).  It acted quirky the last time I used it so it may be corrupted.

I Googled "Freight Dispatch Model Railroad" and found this:

http://www.mcswiz.com/MCSMRCDS/MainPage.asp

but don't know how it works.

I've tried various forms of manual (not computerized) printed car-cards and waybills and systems, even to the point of rolling two 6-sided dice to determine the number of cars to set out and pick up.

The picking up and traffic between industries on the layout seem to be the hardest thing to keep track of and chances of overloading a siding are always an issue.  One simple rule would be "If you drop a car off, pick one up if available".  That will keep from over-crowding a siding.

A computer program that would successfully keep track of cars coming and going would be nice, but every layout would be different and every piece of rolling stock, engines, and industries/sidings would have to be entered into it in order to make it work.

Found another source:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~trains/rrsoft.htm

Thanks for the help, I will be looking forward to more on this program.

Ray

I had used a program for O-gauge called "Rail-op".  Not sure if it is still marketed, so you'd need to search it.  It was made for real time computer and monitor rather than cards.  Pretty slick, but my layout was too small and simple to really benefit from this powerful program.

Stack