Setting up the Z21 23-01-2018

[@Daveslayout]

Hi Graham, I actually purchased a Z21 this weekend at GETS from iTrain. I was the chap that said hello on my way out Sunday afternoon, outside. Really was a pleasure to meet you. 👍

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Dave and a pleasure to meet you too sir, I hope that you are now enjoying the Z21 you bought. Personally, I think it’s one of the better controllers in my opinion, I like the fact that that I can have another iPad or phone with the identical layout on it so two people can share the layout at the same time. Enjoy my friend! 👍🏻👍🏻. Cheers. ………….Graham

[@trerod]

As a D. C. man i found your video very interesting indeed, i am presently building a end to end layout which will only require 1 loco in steam, but with any future builds i would seriously consider trying DCC . You portrayed the DCC concept very well and i think after watching your video would now have the confidence to give it a try. Thanks for another super show Graham.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you Trevor, I never condone DC over DCC or visa versa to anyone, I believe that both systems can co exist side by side with neither being right or wrong, I'm not sitting on the fence when I say that either but I believe that both systems have their merits for the folk that feel more comfortable using either or both kinds. It really does depend on what you want from the layout and what you feel most comfortable with. Personally I would not go back to DC now that I have seen the benefits (for me) over what DCC can do but as I say, that's just my own personal preference. Give DCC a try Trevor, I don't think you will be disappointed. ;-) .................Graham

[@diblingtonvale6499]

IT truly looks straightforward to use, even with the amount of information you have stored in it. Thanks for the video as always Graham.

[@GrahamFoulston]

No problems and pleased you enjoyed it. ...........Graham

[@dongilham1892]

Excellent videos, Graham, thanks very much :)

[@mallard44499988]

Hi Graham, many thanks for the how 2 guide for setting up your locos on the Z21 so easy and simple wow Neil

[@GrahamFoulston]

It certainly is Neil - it's a great bit of kit. Cheers for now. .............Graham

[@derrickjones8149]

Very smart system, Graham. Very informative too, mate. THanks

[@GrahamFoulston]

No problems Derrick and glad it was informative for you. Cheers. ..............Graham

[@AmazeTase]

Im seriously thinking of getting this to supercede my Ecos controller Graham...the more I see the more I like it!

[@GrahamFoulston]

Well I'm glad I made the change from the ECoS to this, it's a great user interface and completely mobile which is a major thing for me to consider. Cheers for now. ............Graham

[@cheekytek]

I’m in love with this system looks right up my street... It’s in my bucket list of : ( Wifely Next Time I Want New Goodies ) 😉 Very intuitive Graham really enjoyed this update.. many thanks for your time sharing.. Garry

[@GrahamFoulston]

No worries Garry, you will love this mate if (when) you get one. I'm just uploading Part 2 which should be up shortly which shows how to add the points. ;-) ............Graham

[@richardbaker1032]

Seen that marks got z21 now, seems to be controller of choice,does look like a spot on controller! Keep up with the good work want one now.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Yes Mark has just got one and so have a few others recently and as you say, it seems to be the choice of controllers these days and I can see why now that I have one. It's a superb bit of kit. ..........Graham

[@TATICMOOR]

Wow what a neat controller that I have now seen you using it to recode a decoder for your A4 (don't forget the space - lol) Bittern. This high price tag end of system controllers Z21 really is a great wireless unit. This video blog is a wonder insight tutorial about using the Z21 touch screen buttons to set up a locomotive for the installed decoder. I really enjoyed watching this and I have been waiting quietly by the side lines, for you to start a Z21 Controller blog. I can't wait to see more over time, as you delve deeper into its software capabilities. I'll not say how many locomotives I have, but your are all most one of the 100's (A One Tonner Club Member) to be, with just seven more before the end of this year Graham. Congrats on making a super blog intro to the Z21... a job well done.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Many thanks John, very early days for me with the Z21 yet but as you say, the more I delve into it then the more I will learn, I am sure that I am only scratching the surface of this at the moment and there will be a massive learning curve but I like that, it keeps me on my toes and my brain from shrivelling up !! lol. I will of course post up again any significant things that I consider may be of interest to other folk. I have made a ruling this year to back off buying too many new locos, I will no doubt get the odd one or two but I have more than enough to be getting on with now. ............Graham

[@TATICMOOR]

It was an enjoyable bit of tutorial filming for a novice, with trying to juggle between showing the process on the Z21, and the videoing at the same time. Never say never they say, and I am sure there will be a few more locomotives that will tempt you into temptation like the rest of us - lol.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Filming that was not easy John and really it could do with two people, a tripod would not have worked in this case. I am sure there will be one or two locomotives that will tempt me throughout the course of the year. ;-) ...........Graham

[@GrahamFoulston]

Much appreciated John and thanks for the link. ............Graham

[@TATICMOOR]

If I had lived near you I would gladly visit and be able to help you out on these filming occasions. Maybe you could employ Hazel into giving you an added hand to do the difficult video issues in the future. If you think back a few weeks ago I bet you didn't think you would have bought the second lovey Ivatt loco from lines and locos. Temptation is never far away to us railway modellers and then it is Bish-Bosh-Bought - lol.

[@nigelcarter9503]

That looks brilliant and easy.

[@GrahamFoulston]

It is Nigel, it's a great bit of kit and very easy to use. Part 2 going up now. ............Graham

[@WesternCenturion]

Fantastic video Graham and certainly wets the apatite for more, not to mention to get mine out the box. Such a simple and smooth process for programming the locos and I do love that you can take photographs of your locos, you could in RailMaster but then they had to be a certain size and you had to do all that manually, I tried it with the Z21 app on my phone and it really is as simple as aim and click and hey presto the picture comes up, brilliant mate :0)

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Mark, yes, there are so many nice little touches to this app like the photos, I have taken the photos but I will go back and redo them with a white background, I just wanted to get them in for now. I am just uploading Part 2 which shows how to add points and that should be up within the hour. Cheers for now. .........Graham

[@lowey53]

Great Video Graham. Your very much tempting me to swap my Hornby elite out for the z21

[@GrahamFoulston]

It is a great controller but if the Hornby Elite is doing everything you need from a controller and you're happy with it then there's no need to change to the Z21, but if you are not happy with it for whatever reason then the Z21 is a very good contender to add to the list of other controllers to use. I have to admit that I'm very happy with my change from the ECoS to the Z21. ..........Graham

[@westwonic]

The Hornby Elite is a good controller, but looks like a childs toy, especially with the low resolution screen, and the hard to press keys that sound so loudly. After watching this I have now purchased the z21 (white lesser version) and looking fwd to receiving it this weekend coming. Thanks Graham, you are an inspiration.

[@SimonLivertonCentral]

Very nice Graham, I am determined to get a Z21, apparently Gaugemaster may have updated Z21's soon. Loved the twin tender loco, not sure where I have seen one of those before (LOL)...Simon

[@GrahamFoulston]

There are loads of those twin tender A4's about Simon - very, very common!! lol. Interesting about the update for the Z21, I wonder if that will be available to upgrade existing Z21's? ..............Graham

[@robstrains8711]

Fantastic video thank you so much now I know something was not right with mine as I did not get the two menus you have shown for programming like you have shown, I now know why I was having so much hassle.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Rob, well that's very strange you not having those two menus, no wonder you were having problems mate. That's a real shame as it's probably put you off the Z21 a bit but hopefully you can see that there wasn't any real issues in setting up. Cheers for now mate. ............Graham

[@johncarvil498]

Hi Graham, Easy, simple and quick. I like it. Can the Z21 run a sequence of a running session save it and store it, and then run the same session again? ...........John.

[@GrahamFoulston]

I'm not sure on that to be honest John but I think it can. When I have been scrolling through the menus then I have seen references to choosing routes so it may do and something I will obviously look into when I become more experienced with it. ..............Graham

[@9021ASH]

Graham - great video and made me want to order a Z21. I like the ability to use it with an I-pad or I-phone. It also looks very intuitive to set up and get going. I was wondering how many of the decoder functions you can setup. It looked like you had set up 12 icons on one of your locos. What is the maximum? With locos like the Sutton Loco Works Class 24 there are more functions than my Digitrax throttles can support. I was wondering whether the Z21 would support access to some of the sounds I can't currently control. Any ideas?

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi mate, there are two panels of 12 functions side by side so in total you can have 24 functions on show at any one time - so just right for the Sutton Class 24 which I also have. The nice thing about it is that they are all on display at any given time as long as that loco is selected of course. You can also re-arrange them to suit your needs so instead of having them in numerical order of the function number, they can be in order of the most frequently used should you wish. And that is a very simple procedure of just sliding the icons about to where you want them. I hope that answers your question but if not then please just shout. Cheers for now. ...........Graham

[@tonysag9626]

Cracking bit of kit Graham makes my nce power cab seam like a relic. Time to find a USA retailer

[@GrahamFoulston]

If you can find one Tony then I would recommend you go for it. ;-) .............Graham

[@johnmcmunn3827]

Graham, first rate introduction tutorial. Good pace and easy to follow sequence and explanations. Do you happen to have insight how it interfaces with: Android based products? cheers john

[@GrahamFoulston]

Many thanks John, having no Android devices then I can't comment but I do know others who have and operate the Z21 through Android which I guess is very similar. Sorry I can't be more help than that for you. Cheers for now. ...........Graham

[@Poliss95]

My tablet uses the Android Jelly Bean OS. No problems with the Z21 at all.

[@ozzyd9001]

i wish you posted this this time last year as ive just got myself a NCEpowercab and now im in love with this system. did i say i hate you lol. so nice to learn so much about dcc from you

[@ozzyd9001]

only joking about hating you by the way

[@GrahamFoulston]

I didn't have this last year Paul !! lol. Well when it's time to upgrade your NCE then you'll know what controller to put on the shopping list ! ;-) .........Graham

[@ozzyd9001]

Graham Foulston too right. This seams so simple to use both in its set up and usage. But definitely something to look into. Thanks to you 😃

[@GrahamFoulston]

No problems Paul and glad to have been of help. ..............Graham

[@stewartfraser3506]

HI Graham, first of all can I say big thank you for some great videos on the Z21. I’ve just bought this system and your vids were a great help in putting it all together. I’ve now loaded on most of my locos, and things, overall, seem to be working very well. However, I have come across one problem with 4 different locos. All of them work perfectly on Address 3, but as soon as I try to give them an individual address, they stop working. If I then return to address 3 again, they then work perfectly. All the locos are N Gauge, and one of them has a particularly good Zimo sound chip. Did you come across something like this yourself and any suggestions about how to get round the problem? cheers, Stewart.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Stewart Fraser Hi Stewart and many thanks for the kind comment. As regards the address issue you seem to be having then the only thing I can think of is that if you are using a reasonably old decoder then the earlier version did not not like addresses above three numbers, so for example, if you are trying enter an address of 1234 then it may refuse to take it but if you enter 123 instead then it should then take it. That’s what I found after many frustrating hours, although you may have locos already fitted with a decoder and you bought it new then there is no guarantee that the decoder is of the newer versions whereby they accept 4 digits in the address. That’s about all I can tell you I’m afraid without being there and seeing what happens. I hope that this may have been of help to you but if not then maybe a quick look on some well known forums may help you further. Cheers for now mate. ............ Graham

[@stewartfraser3506]

@@GrahamFoulston Hi Graham, thanks for getting back to me so quickly with some new ideas to try out. I’ll work on the address numbering again, as you suggested, and see what happens. Hopefully it’ll be OK. As far as the age of the chips is concerned, I’m not so sure. 2 of the locos concerned are a Class 101 and 108, both bought and chipped about 4 years ago, so, perhaps. However, the 3rd loco is a new Class 37 which arrived, pre-chipped from UK, only 5 days ago, with my Class 40, with a 12-month old Zimo sound chip, also being a problem, with the other 3 Zimo sound locos working perfectly. I’m trying to see some sort of link or connection here, but, to be honest, I just can’t. I also spoke to my local model shop in Germany about this first thing his morning and they’ve now taken the Class 101 to play with to see what they can do. Will see what happens. In the meantime, congratulations on the new layout which is shaping up really well. Hope you enjoy the new car system once you open the box. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing the updates on your on-going progress, cheers, and thanks again, Stu.

[@staceyj4356]

are you able to run two trains at the same time. my neighbour is struggling to have two trains running. the app makes both trains run at the same time, horns at the same time and bells at the same time is there away to have both running but have different timings for function???

[@onnomulder9775]

Thanks Graham for this Z21 video. Can you show some time to get the picture of a loco into the system?

[@AmazeTase]

Onno Mulder dont you simply take a picture with your device as shown at 8:18?

[@onnomulder9775]

I do not have it yet!

[@clashofminiatures]

Great video Graham, that system is awesome. Sadly the market here in the USA is mostly pushed by the MR magazine, and the systems you see are Digatrax and NCE. When I got into DCC about 12 years ago I did online research and chose the Lenz system, at the time it was the one with the most features and best warranty, but sadly all their accessories are 2-3 times higher than Digatrax and NCC. So when I decided to upgrade/change DCC systems I went with NCC for it's ease of use and components cost. Looking forward to the track set up video so I can cry, LOL One thing, why don't you program the engine cab# as the loco id#, just wondering. thanks for sharing, Chuck RVRR

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Chuck and great to hear from you again mate. I could put the running number in as the address but I just wouldn't remember them so I just use the description to identify them but I suppose as I don't use the decoder address then it could be the running number as you suggest. Glad you enjoyed this video and the track video is now up too if you haven't seen it - that might be worth a watch as it's not that long - for me!! lol. Cheers for now mate. ............Graham

[@Wayner123]

I’m in love can post a link to what model u got or where u brought urs

[@Anthony.1967]

Hi Graham very interested with your video it's making me thinking about going from DC to dcc thinking about ripping it all up and starting again

[@GrahamFoulston]

Oooh no Anthony, don't rip yours up just because of what you have seen, if you railway is good enough for you and it does everything you want from it the just stick with what you have. I would never try to convince someone that DCC is better than DC if DC suits their needs. Stick with what you have my friend if you are satisfied with it. Cheers for now. ...........Graham

[@BruceRutland]

Graham, so 93 locos not out - 7 more to get for your 100?

[@GrahamFoulston]

I might be able to make it to 100 once I've added my old Hornby DC converted to DCC locos which are not in there yet !! ;-) ............Graham

[@TheDiomedef16]

That was so simple and intuitive, what a fantastic system this Z21 is. I think even hardened DC users would consider this operating system, though of course it depends if they have a stable as large as yours, that may put them off. I look forward to the next part(s).

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Ian, it's that simple that even I can do it !! lol. It really is as you say, very intuitive with a great user interface which makes it even more attractive to use. There are so many advantages with this system and it really hasn't taken me that long to get the basics under my belt. I am just uploading Part two which shows how to add points and should be up within the hour. Cheers for now mate. .............Graham

[@NS3644]

was just wondering, "How many loco's do you or are you capable of running simultaneously on recall function and is it possible to speed match multiple lash-ups/consists with the Z21"?

[@GrahamFoulston]

NS3644 I have run six locos at the same time but only two are available to view at any one time, so you need to scroll to access any others which are running. As regards matching decoders for consists then what I do (as long as the locos are like for like as in two Class 25’s running for example) is to copy one decoder file and then overwrite the second decoder with the first file that has been copied - this is all done on the programming track. .........Graham

[@NS3644]

@@GrahamFoulston k, ty Graham. Every vid I watch of yours with the Z21 draws me further away from my NCE system :) have a gr8 day Graham....Randall(Australia)

[@GrahamFoulston]

NS3644 It’s a great system Randall, when I visited my friend in the US the other week he emailed me his configuration of his layout so when I arrived I was able to use his layout straight off, so there was me and him, both with our iPads operating his layout and locos at the same time - it doesn’t get much better than that! 😉. ...........Graham

[@NS3644]

@@GrahamFoulston So if you really wanted to, you could have multiple devises be it ipad's, iphones etc sitting in front of you and you can control as many loco's at once as you like, Graham......Randall

[@GrahamFoulston]

NS3644 Exactly Randall, as long as all the devices have the same information of the layout on them then you can have as as many as you like running as long as your layout (and you) can cope with it of course. ...........Graham

[@alfiecochrane1061]

How do you connect this all up to the layout? Thanks.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Exactly the same as any other controller really, just a cable going from the rear of the Z21 (Main track) then going to the track anywhere convenient on the layout. Graham

[@alfiecochrane1061]

Graham Foulston Thank you. Does it matter if it’s the Z21 start and do you have to use fleischmann decoders?

[@GrahamFoulston]

No you don't have to use Fleischmann decoders. I use various different makes of decoders in the locos and on the accessories. .............Graham

[@JoshMallard96]

Jolly good video there mate, this A4 Class looks nice indeed, to be honest I’m not quite sure which this A4 Class Pacific is called, I’m sorry about this bud. But I like it and thanks for sharing

[@TheWGLOVER]

Although I love my Railmaster setup, I woudl really fancy that.

[@themidlandcompoundarchive9430]

Wow, that's very simple.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you and yes, it is simple and to be honest, if you had one in front of you then you would do it even quicker than me trying to video it at the same time. ............Graham

[@sumpyman]

Configurate?

[@GrahamFoulston]

Yes. verb (used with object), configurated, configurating. 1. To give a configuration, form, or design to.

[@davidstrains4910]

Great vid graham looks like a good way to operate a model railway

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi David, well it's a good way for me to run my railway but I would fully understand if people prefer to do it a different way with other controllers and even sticking to DC and not going over to DCC. As you can tell though, it's absolutely perfect for me. ;-) ..........Graham

[@FarlandHowe]

To go back to selecting the next function box for editing, there should be the word

[@GrahamFoulston]

Yes Rob, you can of course do it that way but like all things I guess there are several ways of doing the same job. I think there are many folk looking at the Z21 as it becomes more popular and now that I have one then I can see why. Cheers for now. ............Graham

[@malcolmone1]

you do need the time to do all that

[@GrahamFoulston]

Yes you do but you would need the time to enter all the addresses on any system to be honest, not just the Z21. It would take me just as long to enter these on my ECoS but having said that then once they are done then that's it. .............Graham

[@raymondrubira8393]

Bonjour, j'un Select de chez Hornby, je peur que no soi assez puissant pour contrôle mon réseau, et si un jour je veux l'agrandir, mon circuit, ma mise en page et de 3,75 par 1,20 / 48 mètres des Rails 15 aiguillages 5 dételer, trois feux qui contrôle la circulation des trois locomotives, mon rêve d'avoir de pouvoir commande un train en automatique d’un point à un autre. Z 21comviendre t'il pour un projet, comme ci-dessous. Merci d'avance. Amicalement Raymond

[@timsytanker]

Two dislikes, really?

[@GrahamFoulston]

That's nothing for me, this will easily climb up to many more than that - I have a separate dislike fan club !! lol. It doesn't bother me one jot these days mate, I've got so used to it that it has no effect on me now. Cheers. ..........Graham

[@timsytanker]

Graham Foulston best way to deal with it. It’s a bit sad though, if it’s not your thing then don’t watch it or post something better. A lot of effort goes into making vids and I for one appreciate all the time and graft.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Cheers mate but it's nothing to do with that really, they will dislike something even if they made the video that's why I just ignore them, to me it's just a little black icon with a number beside it. This will probably got to at least 10 given time but who cares? lol. It's part and partial of folk playing games on KZbin. ...........Graham

[@RicktheRecorder]

Excellently helpful, but please invest in a tripod for the majority of your shots.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Rick and thank you, this video is four years old and I have learnt a lot since 2018 and buying a tripod is one of them! 😉. Cheers for now. ……….Graham