Z21 TRACK LAYOUT - FREE / SCHEMATIC, errr WHAT?

Z21 TRACK LAYOUT - FREE / SCHEMATIC, errr WHAT?
I was looking through the z21 app the other day and found free and schematic layouts. The N gauge was ‘free’ and the OO ‘schematic’, but why? What’s the difference, what does it mean?
I put this video on both channels as the Z21 both versions black and white) are not fixed to any scale of layout..
In this video l:
Look at the difference between free layouts and schematic layouts.
Explore how to build a free layout (NOTHING TO DO WITH COST BTW!), using demo track plan
Explore how to build a schematic layout using a demo track plan.
Demonstrate how to create a schematic layout when your current track plan is ‘free’.
Demonstrate how to reconfigure points, already programmed, to run on the schematic layout.
BASICS SERIES
If there is something you would like me to demonstrate please get in touch, I’ll see what can be done.
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/ @piccadillymodelrailways
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[@steveharper5536]

Morning John I think a lot of Z21 owners will be re drawing their layouts using your latest find and video. Who's a clever boy ✔ 10/10

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Do I get a gold star? Lol

[@steveharper5536]

🏆 Its the GOLD cup for your efforts John. PS I couldn't find a gold star mate lol

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Lol, I’ll use it with my next cup of teas and might treat my self to biscuits. Ran out of bread ha ha

[@lilchris26]

Nice video John, I have just invested in a Z21 so this was good to watch, I am in the process of building a new N-Gauge layout at the moment, I can not wait to try my new system. Chris

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Chris, it’s fantastic so easy to use and operate, no numbers / addresses to remember all icon based. Ofc each loco needs setting up and this takes time but worth it. May I suggest setting a ‘test loco’ address 3 and put in all functions 0-28. Then you can test a loco really quickly if it operates as it should. Any questions, just say

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi John, Better late than never so I must thank you for this as have just got the Z21 app to work with my DR5000 and needed help to do the track plan and using the Schematic was so quick so now I can go up in the loft turn on the DR5000 and just using the tablet and/or phone(just locos) run trains switch points and do the signalling all without a laptop in sight not under auto control but I can use both systems together and the Z21 app is the best for manual control so again well done for this video. Cheers Robert.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Fantastic Robert, so encouraging. I love the Z21, I’ve got two one for each layout. So easy to use, no more remembering addresses, functions etc it’s just the press of an ‘button’. I’ll look forward to seeing how you use yours. Enjoy!

[@robertstrainset6556]

@@piccadillymodelrailways The more ways you can control your trains the better and with this I can be the other side of the layout even if its runnining in auto mode.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Yes, most definitely thats why I like it.

[@peaks4719]

That software is quite incredible, very informative as always John 👍🏻

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thank you Sam, Ive used z21 for couple of years now, no need to remember addresses nor function numbers all click of an icon.

[@UKRailsandMore]

Very interesting video John and all new to me. How much technology has moved on with model railways even compared to how things were when I last had a layout! All the best mate, Paul

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Paul, yes we’ll I’m so glad Z21 has moved on, the ‘free’ layout was what we’ve had for past two years and every time I’ve had to draw the layout I’ve dreaded it because I’ve know how long and how frustrating it was going to be, if you saw in the video you’ll know what I mean. The last sentence made me chuckle as your last layout was your lockdown one about 2-3 months ago lol. Tech is moving fast but not quite that fast ha ha ha

[@UKRailsandMore]

Ha ha, good point John well made! Didn’t even think of that one but yes I suppose those little pieces of cardboard were of course a “layout” of sorts though maybe pushing the definition to the limits! Great stuff, all the best, Paul

[@BexhillWest]

This is really interesting John. So well explained too. Thank you very much. I didn’t know this system existed. I shall be looking into it some more. 👍

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Yes z21 is literally amazing comes in two versions: white ‘start’ around £150 from ebay as it comes from Germany - use euro plugs, or you can buy black version all singing and dancing around £350 hattons and others sell that one

[@lord-al-2024]

Am glad you know what your doing John..ill stick with my Gaugemaster..lol..

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Ha ha ha, Im very pleased for you Allan lol

[@chrishoyle6704]

Great video, easy to understand may I ask what DCC point motors was applied to your layout.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Chris I use Peco surface mounted. Can’t remember the code, sorry.

[@chrishoyle6704]

Thanks for the reply I have been looking into Cobalt ip digital switch, thought you may have used them cheers Chris

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, sorry no, but heard good things about them.

[@Chandwell]

This is really interesting. Shame I have no use for it (yet!!) but if that ever changes... :)

[@TheHeritageLine]

Brilliant video John! I have a white z21 in a box waiting to be used, i bought the white one to see how I get on with it and may upgrade to the Black if I find it beneficial :) While I was bored one night I tried drawing my layout on the app and it was horrible, now with this update it should be simple using the schematic plan :) The only other problem I found with the app was putting on the pictures of the locos and resizing them to look properly, so it will be interesting to see if this has been altered as well.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi thank you glad it was handy. I agree the schematic layout is soooo much better. I guessing they are trying to be bit like Ecos. Regarding putting photos on. I download pics of the real locos if that helps. Also if you want pic of the model use the camera facility in Z21 app as it gives you a pillar box style picture which fits perfectly in the app

[@TheHeritageLine]

@@piccadillymodelrailways I have seen a Black Z21 hooked up to a Ecos using the sniffer ports, It looked nice but a bit overkill LOL!

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Ive not looked into that side of it. I do have both black and white versions one for each layout

[@westwonic]

Great video John. Which firmware version is your Z21 running?

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Nick, thank you glad you enjoyed it. You may know I have two z21s one white for Piccadilly Sidings OO, and the black for the N gauge layout. Both have the latest firmware 1.33 It can be updated from the Z21 Updater app on you phone / tablet

[@Mr60059]

Hi John a Very interesting and Informative Video , Although i dont use a DCC System . It is videos like this that i go to For a Look at the pros and cons of the system , For me it would be Far too Expensive as i have well over 200+ Locos and a Layout that would require a Major Rebuild And for some one like my dads layout , He has 30+ Locos and a Much small layout It would probably be of Interest to him . ( He is Considering DCC !! ) Thank you again John , Stay safe and Look forward to the next video

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thanks Andrew for for kind words. I fully understand the cost, time and effort involved. You are right smaller layouts are much easier to convert. Otherwise it’s building the layout with dcc in mind from the start. Having switched I couldn’t go back, but we each decide what works for us. It’s a hobby that’s the bottom line. Thx

[@richardphillips7171]

Thanks for the video John. How do you represent a crossover rail?

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Richard there is a crossover piece in the Z21 software

[@richardphillips7171]

Sorry John. I can't see it. Where should I look please. Is there another version? Cheers. R

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi I’m using the latest version 1.3.8, on an iPad. Go into control station, there is your tracking planning. On the top - right you’ll see the track pieces then click the +. You could use the single or double slip as a crossover does not have any moving parts so train just cross, nothing to wire nor operate. The Z21 track symbol is purely for creating a track plan. Hope that helps

[@richardphillips7171]

appreciate you help. Thank you. R

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

YW

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Very impressive John! Would love to see what my own layout would look like in schematic diagram. Euan

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thanks Euan, well you can simply download the z21 app on ios or android phone or tablet and have a play. You dont need the actual unit for that. Ill look forward to seeing it Euan.

[@AnglerBob]

Hello John. Great video found it very helpful. Took me about three hours to do my own layout and program 30 DCC concepts point motors. Tell me...have you come across a way to run a program of a train running end to end. For example. Run to stop wait then reverse the route to the beginning with having to go through the process manually.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi thank you, so glad it was useful to you. Regarding the automation, not yet and thats only because Im not ready for that yet. You could speak to DCC Train Automation I understand they are very helpful

[@AnglerBob]

@@piccadillymodelrailways thanks John. The old Hornby rail-master software had to option to record a number of steps and loop it. I will check with DCC automation and see what they say. If there is anything of interest I will let you know.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi John, great video, I have literally just fired up my Z21 black and will use this info once I’ve got the track down, could be some time yet!. I have run a couple of tests with the two loco’s i have they both run on cv3 but it won’t work when I change the cv number in the loco setup for either of them, any ideas? Cheers John

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi john, do you mean the loco address as CVs are settings on the decoder. Im understanding you running both on address 3 but cant change the addresses to have them different. Have I understood correctly? Any chance you could do me quick video show me exactly what youre doing and post on messenger. PICCADILLY MODEL RAILWAY on facebook. Just bit hard to imagine what might be going on without seeing ipad/phone and loco on track. Ill do my best to help sort it

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi John, leave it with me and thanks for the quick reply, I’ve just found out I’ve got the old app and literally just downloaded the new up to date one. Hopefully that was my problem!!!! I’ll go out to the cabin later this evening, if I have the same problem I’ll video and send it to you, cheers John

[@tiredmusicman57]

Hello .Great video and I have the same problem but I can't find the schematic you look like you are using the z21 red app which is out of date now is that my problem. Any help or advice would help Roy

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Roy, my app is the most recent. Black icon with white z21 logo. The choice of schematic or free is decided when you first setup a layout. Hence before any locos. Go to the main homepage, then layouts on the right. Your layout(s) are listed on the left. Click ‘+’ at the bottom. It asks you for demo layout or empty layout. Click empty. A window pops up asking for layout name FREE or SCHEMATIC, default look or Siemens. Click add layout. Once its in choose it, click ‘take layout in use’ you can start building the track plan, points etc etc locos, what ever you want. The layout MUST be the first thing, after is too late to change. Stick with schematic, free is very frustrating to do, youll get one bit right, then mess it up as you add next bit, so on so on. Schematic is quite clunky looking but so easy to setup. HOPE THAT HELPS!

[@tiredmusicman57]

@@piccadillymodelrailways hello thanks for reply. Have now discovered schematic thanks to KZbin and have built the layout so much easier than free but have had z21 for years and never discovered it. Only problem now is the double slip which I installed using 4 point motors and worked perfect as I address each motor. Now I can only give it one address so I'm stuck. I'm thinking if I put 3 sets of points icons just nearby I can address them individually it should work. Roy

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

@@tiredmusicman57 you’ll sort it, sounds like your making headway.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hello, please see comment left on Piccadilly Sidings video. Lol.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Already seen it Norman thx. I posted on both channels as there was a big exodus when I split into two channels

[@smvwees]

I wish we will see the day that you can just use the same app the same way, but on a pc, connected directly via ethernet without having to resort to other modules and extra cables.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, for you that would be great, for me that’s a nightmare I don’t want it on the PC, the iPad is perfect for me. That’s the beauty of the Z21 it suits all of these methods, you can use a pc or laptop.

[@westwonic]

"Free" ? I guess that stands for Freehand I.e. hand drawn. I agree, the schematic version is so much better.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Free is the word Roco use. ‘Wild’ is more appropriate lol

[@GWRailFan]

So free is annoying 😆 of you can use the other one haha, how are you so smart, as soon as i would of seem that i would of been so confused at first.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, do you have Z21? The unit is amazing and the way trains are controlled IMO is far superior to anything I’ve had before and I’ve used a few controllers, no names. But couple of things in Z21 app are just. Well... when the new app came out last year it was so much more confusing took me couple of months to get to grips with it so I’m kinda in their ‘thinking’ now.

[@GWRailFan]

@@piccadillymodelrailways i have a a basic bachmann train set one, not even got a loop 100% haha, i think i will have to look into it