Definitely an interesting setup.

I would like to have an automated train but I am not sure how it works on a small/ medium sized layout. Passenger trains would especially be nice to automate since they should be on schedule. 

There he is!

I'll be happy just to get some trains running this year!   

Maybe some day.

The software in the video

The software in the video (RocRail) seems to be exactly what you would need to run a train out of staging, around the layout for a lap making stops along the way, and then returning tp staging. It should be able to do this  according to a scheduled time, making it possible to run the passenger schedule (even with multiple trains) while working a local... just don't get caught out on the main when you shouldn't be!

Watch the video - it's very informative. Since it works both on sensors, and/or on scheduled time ( and appears to have a fast clock built in...) size of the layout should be immaterial.

RocRail

Martin, thanks for a very informative and well done video.

I am very interested in hearing who might be using RocRail and what some of your experiences have been?   Are you using it for automated train control and how does it work for you? 

Anybody else (this side of the Atlantic) tried Rocrail?

It appears to me that Rocrail is designed for the European style of model railroading. My model railroad is designed for point-to-point operation with train-length blocks with one sensor per block. Whereas Europeans tend to have concentric oval layouts with a group (two or three) of sensors for specific locations with one group of sensors on opposite sides of the oval.

Thanks in large part to "Harburn OO" who has the only English language tutorials on YouTube (that I could find), I was able to set up Rocrail on my layout. Here is what I have been able to do so far:

Communication with Block Detectors

I always enjoy your videos Martin.   Martin mentioned the block detector, and showed how to represent it in the Rocrail software.   But I don't get how the software communicates with the block detector.  If I have some home made block detectors installed on my layout, it seems like there needs to be some sort of hardware device between the Rocrail laptop and my track detector wiring.   What am I missing?

Wayne

PS - on further research I think I have answered my own question.   Rocrail is compatible with a huge variety of commercial model train control systems such as the Marklin one Martin mentioned.   And, it supports many types of DIY interface circuits available online based on such devices as the Raspberry Pi.  Very Nice!

More info, please

@ Wayne, not much traffic about the Rocrail software on this forum.

What DCC system are you using?  That would help answer your question about connecting detectors to the software.