A-Track - for NCE DCC Systems – Update Released
A-TRACK Version 4.3.2 is now available and still FREE !
A-Track runs on any Windows desktop or notebook to complement and expand the capabilities of your NCE Power Cab or Power Pro DCC system, and to assist you in running your roster of locomotives on your model railroad.
A-Track allows you to store full details of all of your locomotives and of any stationary (turnout) decoders, with all of their DCC configuration parameters, in a readily-accessible format on a personal computer – but without requiring you to be any kind of computer expert. A-Track’s back-up copy of all of the data held within each DCC decoder fitted in the locomotives which make up your roster, or which operate the turnouts on your layout, safeguards all the hours of effort put in by you (or your Club’s DCC expert) in programming and configuration.
A wide range of Decoder Manufacturers is supported, including Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, SoundTraxx, QSI (Quantum), ESU (LokSound), Train Control Systems (TCS), Broadway Limited (Paragon 2), MTH (Proto-Sound 3), Model Rectifier, Bachmann, Hornby, and ZTC.
There is also full support for the programming and control of Accessory Decoders from all manufacturers, with additional features to support the NCE range of accessory decoders.
A-Track incorporates a complete Macro facility with which you can create, edit, review, and run Macros direct from the screen with either Power Cab or Power Pro systems.
With your NCE Power Cab system you are now able to define and use up to 256 Macros - just like a Power Pro system.
If you use an NCE Power Pro system, you can also backup and restore all of the setup and operational parameters held in the command station.
Please Note : To forestall the inevitable comments . . . A-Track is not trying to compete with JMRI Decoder Pro or Panel Pro software – it is simply available as an alternative for owners of NCE DCC systems. As in all aspects of model railroading, there are lots of different ways of achieving the same results, using similar products from a range of sources.
It only costs you a little time to try A-Track – and you might even like it! But, at the end of the day, like all other tools or techniques, your choice of computer software to assist in your model railroading activities is down to your own personal preferences.
Updates in A-Track Version 4.3.2
Errors which slipped through the testing of the major release last November, in loading the Startup Tutorial and in connecting to the online Support page from the Help menu, have been corrected
Handling of locomotive headlight commands when using an on-screen controller (Operate) has been corrected in response to a reported fault report where the reverse headlight came on when loco was stopped in a forward direction with the front headlight on – forward and reverse headlights now operate as expected
Extra options have been added to the Operate window to set the size of step for the speed increment and decrement buttons, and for each click on the ‘speed knob’ – selected step values are stored in the roster entry to which they apply
MTH have been included in the list of Decoder Manufacturers, together with the corresponding lists of manufacturer-specific CVs for their Proto-Sound 3 decoders
Users can now view the COM port and baud rate in use by the serial link to the NCE Command Station, and the Command Station or USB Interface software version, directly from the main A-Track window
Further details from http://www.a-train-systems.co.uk/atrack.htm, with download options described at http://www.a-train-systems.co.uk/getatrack.htm
Download your copy and give it a try !
After downloading the appropriate files from the Downloads page at http://www.a-train-systems.co.uk/download.htm, uninstall any current version of A-Track that you have on your computer before installing the new version. All of your program settings, including registration details will be preserved so that you can continue your operations without interruption.
Terry Chamberlain
A Free Windows application for NCE Systems
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Why? Please Explain Your Need For Additional Data Base
In JMRI DP3 as you list your locos and enter all info in the roster why would you need another data base.
In addition in the operation section there is a complete excel based date base for cars and locomotives.
I know you have worked hard on this but the question is does it work with JMRI?
Very one i know who is into this type of record keeping is into JMRI and it to is free. Www.jmri.org
You're missing the point . . .
If you are happy using JMRI's software, then please carry on.
For anyone currently using an NCE DCC system, and thinking about using their PC to assist in operating their railroad, then they have a choice regarding the software to use. A-Track is simply an alternative and, as I have said before, the system you end up using is down to your personal preferences.
Hence, your question about whether it works with JMRI,is not sensible - A-Track performs the same functions in a different way - and you can only have one such system attached to your command station at a time.
However, if anyone who has been using JMRI's software would like to use A-Track instead, then I will be happy to assist them converting their roster to the alternative A-Track format.
Terry Chamberlain
A Free Windows application for NCE Systems
http://www.a-train-systems.co.uk/atrack.htm
Thanks for Explaining
Appreciate your explanation of how you are working your system.
MAC Version of A-Track?
Is there a Mac version, or of not, is one being planned? I know Windows will play on a Mac, but why would one want to?
Sorry, Windows Only
Since it's just myself developing A-Track, I don't have the time or resources to support more than a single manufacturer on a single platform - hence the choice of NCE and Windows as representing the largest pool of potential users.
Even restricting the software to Windows takes a lot of time in order to test the code on all systems ranging from Windows XP through to Windows 8.1, so I am afraid that trying to move it to the Mac world would be just a step too far.
However, A-Track will run on virtually any old PC so, if Mac users would like to try it, they could possibly consider getting hold of a cheap second-hand PC for the dedicated purpose of handling locomotive and accessory decoder programming, and for running macros to control layout switching.
Terry Chamberlain
A Free Windows application for NCE Systems
http://www.a-train-systems.co.uk/atrack.htm