Model Railway Update 13: A correction and track plans!

[@GrahamFoulston]

I'm very impressed with the Z21 Michael, if ever my ECoS goes down on me I have said to myself that I won't get it repaired, I will just go out and get a Z21 instead. Very impressed indeed. ..............Graham

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Graham Foulston Thanks Graham, It is a very good system indeed. Especially when the command station costs £155 and a proper Z21 system is £300. Can't complain at all 😁 Cheers

[@GrahamFoulston]

I agree, I wouldn't have any hesitation to get one of these, I like the mobility of it too - that for me is one of the main attractions. ............Graham

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Michael I am in awe of the electrics both in scale, quantity and tidiness. Good to see that you have settled on your track plan so that you can get started. I found finalising the plan a long process and was pleased when I finalised it so that I could start building it. Hope you have a good time over the Christmas break and see you in the New Year. Stephen

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Stephen Humphreys Many thanks Stephen. Got there in the end with the track plan (minus the industry) even after going through the whole process last time before changing my mind. Anyway my next step over Christmas is to build the raised sections and then once my deliveries turn up I can get on with the track work! I'm actually really looking forward to trying to create a nice countryside scenic section! Merry Christmas, hope you have a great one. Cheers, Michael

[@WesternCenturion]

Fabulous s Michael and I do like your setup for running the locos, I think my Hornby e-link will be going in the bin and have a look at something else like yours. Merry Christmas mate to you and your family and looking forward to more videos in 2018 :0)

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Western Centurion Thanks Mark, It is indeed powerful, but for computer control you will need JMRI or rocrail as a free program, itrain or train controller as paid ones if you still want that side of things. Btw if you are after abit of automation especially on your fiddleyard it's best to add in block detection sooner rather than later. I like the idea of automation combined with Z21 control for walking around playing with the trains. Merry Christmas

[@WarwickRoadAndy]

Might have found a control system for my own layout :-)

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Andy Ashton It is a pretty good piece of kit and reasonably priced too! Cheers

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Looks like an excellent setup!

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Strathpeffer Junction Thanks very much 👍

[@MiltonMoJunction]

Great electrical control system you have set up there Michael using Z21,s software. I have a white Z21 which I used to use on my German O Gauge and was very impressed with the software. Robin

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Milton Mo Junction Thanks Robin, Yeah it's really nice.. Sometimes I wonder about the NCE system but the one I have has tons more flexibility in what controllers I can use. Cheers

[@nigelcarter9503]

Brilliant, I will do the same as Graham said.

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Nigel Carter Nice, Its a great system tbh. Cheers

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

Looks great merry Christmas Michael

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Brian ,finnerton central. Thanks Brian, Merry Christmas, have a good one!

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

You too pal .

[@JtagSheep]

Im considering buying a DR5000 and a Digitrax throttle for it rather than a Digitrax starter set due to the fact the DR5000 comes with pc interface and a multitude of connection options for inputs and outputs. New track plan looks nice !

[@MichaelHenfrey]

Thanks very much, Yeah why not, I bet its cheaper and allows for many other controllers to be used too. I would say the only downside is its a little less user friendly for setting up but it's far from difficult. Cheers

[@FarlandHowe]

I am no expert, but when I tried the Z21 on an Android, It was murder to get it to work. The iPad started immediately with no problem. Rob

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Rob McCrain Yeah I have tried to run it on android and it works, I just feel that the ios version is abit more stable and has more options. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Cheers, Michael

[@Haymarket47]

Hi it seems odd that Roco would give permission to another company to use its software/hardware as clearly if this Digikeijs unit can do it for half the price then why would you buy a Z21. I’m a bit puzzled by this?

[@MichaelHenfrey]

+Alan Wilson Hi Alan, Indeed it is a little odd and maybe sometime in the future they might try to shut it down.. Who knows. But they put out their protocol and that's why support was added. I bought it ages before this even came to light, but it's still a cool upgrade to have 😁

[@Haymarket47]

Michael Henfrey I agree, a nice piece of kit at a good price!