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Louisiana Central Railroad Company

Miscellaneous

Here are a couple Windows programs for layout design and operation:

Layout Operation Analyzer

A small program based on Dr. Roy Dohn's article from the June 1968 Model Railroader for analyzing a layout's car capacity based on the amount of passing, functional and storage trackage.

Click to download OpAnlyzr.exe

Scale Speed Calculator

This program is based on the Scale Speed Calculator and Trainer DOS program developed by Chuck Steele.  By timing the train over a known distance, you can easily determine its scale speed.  It will also provide a Speed vs. Time table that is based on a known distance.

Click to download SpeedChk.exe


Here are some Windows programs for DCC users:

Long Address CV Calculator

In DCC decoders the long address (also called the extended address and the 4 digit address) is stored in CVs 17 and 18 of the decoder.  The values contained in these CVs are not parts of the long address "split-up", but instead are the result of a mathematical formula.  Normally the command station takes care of calculating this...you simply enter the desired address and the system takes it from there.  However there may be an occasion when you want to program the CVs directly.  This program will calculate the values required to program into these CVs for your long address.

Click to download CV-Calc.exe

CV Bit Calculator

As decoders have become more sophisticated, there are an increasing number of CVs that utilize the separate bits that make up the CV to control various things.  The sound decoders in particular have several of these.  While calculating the CVs isn't hard to do, it is somewhat tedious.  This program will calculate the total value of a CV based on the bits you want to set (what bits are to be "true").  Simply click the appropriate check boxes and you'll get your answer.  It also works in reverse; enter a CV value, and it will show you which bits are set (are true).

Click to download CVBits.exe


Does Norton Anti-Virus refuse to allow you to download one of these programs?  I've recently run into this with Norton Internet Security 2010 (which I myself use).  It automatically deletes some of these files as soon as they download because it rates them as unsafe.  This rating is based on several risk factors, mainly the number of times the file has been downloaded, the type of file, the age of the file, etc.  You can restore the deleted file manually after agreeing to Norton that you accept the risk, or if you prefer, I can send the file directly to you if you drop me a line.  Sorry for the inconvenience, but Norton is there to protect you from even potential threats, so it's just doing it's job.

Does your system complain when you try to run one of these programs?  Here is a system runtime file that may be needed to run them. Download if required and place in your windows\system32 or winnt\system32 folder as applicable.
Click to download comct232.ocx
You may be required to register the file with the Windows Registry (most of the time it works without doing anything).  If you are still having problems, drop me a line and we'll try to get you going.

I'll probably be adding other tidbits here from time to time.  If you know of something useful you would like to share, just drop me a line at Louisiana Central Railroad Co. and we'll chat about it.


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© 2006-2010 Jack C. Shall - All rights reserved. Last update: 06 Sep 2010