The MILF
Some layouts like to use a sequence, or timetable to control the arrival and departure of trains on the layout, whilst we understand how this works for some, for us it is too limiting and ultimately proves boring.
To overcome this we decided a more random element was required, we initially started with a simple card system where each train was written on a card and an operator selected a card from a pile, ran the selected train and then discarded the card. Once all cards had been used these were shuffled and the cycle restarted. This worked well for the one show, well actually the first 10 minutes of one show as we had different views on how it should work so it was abandoned very quickly - the theory would work but we hadn't practiced beforehand.
To overcome this it was decided that Dave should use some of his software skills and right a program to make life easier, we already had the PC controlling the layout so could something be written to run on this PC ? Whilst discussing it with Mike it was decided that it was an ingenious method of finding the next line to run and so was christened, Mikes Ingenious Line Finder - or MILF for short.
Basically the MILF comprises a piece of software which is configured so it "knows" about the fiddle yard and the trains within it and then each time an operator wants to run a train a button is pressed - "The Magic Rabbit" - which generates a train at random.
We have moved the control systems forward with a version of RailRoad and Co that runs on a network (one Pc controls the station and one PC controls the fiddle yard) and so a logical progression was to make the MILF capable of running on two PCs.
The software was enhanced to enable it to be run in three modes, station, yard and standalone - a parameter screen allows configuration of the required backend data
Although the software is designed to generate trains it is possible to override the train and send it on a different line for example, or to simply manually select a train.
One great advantage, in our view, of this system is that rather than having the conventional up and down operators who quickly get fed up, we simply have operators, you press the button for a train and never know what you will get next and an even bigger advantage is that because each operator drives a train rather than a line we can have as many operators as we get fit - which is only a few when the Buddah Brothers* are "in da mix" ! (as they say - apparently)
The rabbit button will generate a train at random - the buttons on the right are to do with establishing connections and not normally used once this has been established, the flash button updates the station MILF to ensure the data is up to date.
Clicking the rabbit generates a train and brings two new buttons into play, the kangaroo - "The Skippy Button", will skip the train but pretend it has been run, this allows for errors in setup causing the software to select the wrong train in a multi-train fiddle yard road, the fox button simply cancels the train and puts it back into position.
The station operator gets a very similar view but without the rabbit button, the green reversed arrow sends the selected train back to the fiddle yard.
The software will also work in standalone mode, for use on a single PC as a train generator - download the MILF here - please read the enclosed user guide (doc or rtf) for further information.
A Parameter screen allows the system to be tweaked for each layout
The top half allows the definition of the available exits from or entrances to the fiddle yard.
The lower half allows the trains to be defined, along with their departure line, which fiddle yard road they are in (the software will handle multiple trains in a road by shuffling them along as appropriate).
The bottom section allows the snowball to be defined, a train can be force generated every so many minutes, this often snowballs into a second working - e.g. on Widnes a train from the fiddle yard is generated for the bay, the train already in the bay is then "snowballed" back to the fiddle yard.
* The Buddah Brothers are Dave and Richard and appear here with "our mums" permission
Last updated : August 17, 2007 12:25