Part 3: Roco Z21 Track Plan

[@crompton33022]

Really helpful Simon, so thank you for your time putting this video together. Best regards Ian Swindon. Update. Its alot better that the last version (alot) and I completed my layout inabout 30 minutes.

[@rogerdennis276]

Great video nice to see how to put the points on the Z21 stay safe 😊

[@SimonsShed]

Cheers Roger, thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@exehavenharbour]

Nice one Simon, very informative, I had started setting my track plan up and you’ve cleared up a couple of things I wasn’t sure of👍 I’ve bought one of your “if you need me I’ll be in the shed”, t shirts, I’ll wear it in my next video, Mrs Exehaven thought it was quite funny and apt!!!! Cheers Simon, John

[@SimonsShed]

Haha excellent I’ll look out for that 👍🏼

[@jeffbrewer9515]

What great timing, I was just thinking how I can put my track plan onto the Z21 programme. Cheers. Jeff

[@SimonsShed]

Haha, perfect timing, Thanks for watching 👍

[@Poliss95]

I decided to go for Fleischmann point switches instead. The track symbol type. That leaves my two tablets free to control locos. :-)

[@SimonsShed]

Cool I’ll have to have a look at those, not seen them before 👍🏼

[@stevio7777]

Hello Simon. I’m looking at fully automating my TT120 layout. I’m thinking of buying Itrain and Z21. I take it you will have to setup Z21 first. So a full layout plan like you are doing? Thanks

[@andy81e12]

Recently brought one of these Z21s including the TP-LINK wifi router . Never got it going ! Always have an orange flashing light on my TP-LINK router flashing so not sure if that's a cause of it not working ? Also do these Z21s recognise PIKO locos ? Cheers

[@peterwalker6535]

Really helpful video series on the Z21. Thank you. I am clearly missing something vital here. All my points are Peco solenoid. What goes between the Z21 controller and the point itself, so that the point knows it’s number for the Z21 to talk to it.? Sorry if this is such a basic question.

[@SimonsShed]

Hi Peter, you need a decoder between the point motors and the z21, have a search for "DCC Concepts DCD ADS 8SX Accessory Decoder" something like that should work for solenoid type points. The ones I use (Cobalt Digital) have the decoder built in to the point motor.

[@peterwalker6535]

@@SimonsShed Thank you for responding. Further research led me to Gaugemaster DCC32’s. Four points per unit with multiple accessory numbers per outlet allowing route setting with a single ‘switch’ throw. I love the Z21 app, especially the ability to create a diagram of the layout and operate points (as on a mimic board) on an iPad. Great tool. Happy modelling.

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Hi Simon, on another subject like you I am a N Gauger and you obviously have gradients. I was wondering what's the harshest one you have on your layout and using steam only how many carriages can it pull up the incline. Love the T shirt, you should do one 'If you need me I'll be in the loft'. How you picture a loft I dont know lol. Regards Chris

[@SimonsShed]

I have the helix which is very steep but I only go downhill on that! Then it gradually comes back up around the entire perimeter of the layout. It was a while ago but I think it’s 1 in 50 at the steepest and any steam loco will pull 8-9 carriages up no problem.

[@harryharrison9404]

Hi the turnouts icons don’t show curved points how do you add those?

[@timsytanker]

I prefer the old app where I take photos of parts of the layout and superimpose points etc on top. It’s the main reason I went for the Z21. I can’t see why they stopped this on the ‘new’ app.

[@SimonsShed]

not sure why they changed it, they should have left the option to add in the photos 👍

[@timsytanker]

@@SimonsShed I agree, why not give a choice as to which way people want to operate accessories. It would also make swapping from the old to new app much easier. I get a bit confused by schematic diagrams but a photo tells the whole story.

[@driftwoodscottie6607]

Yes I was the first

[@MichaelTaylor-rw9ns]

I think you made mistake using two sets of wires the same colour each wire should be different colour makes less confusion.