Three new video tutorials to get started with TrainPanel
Whether you are a seasoned hobbyist or just getting started with digital layouts, finding the right model railway control software is key to bringing your trains to life. With TrainPanel, we wanted to build a modern, intuitive model railway control application that simplifies layout configuration and lets you focus on the joy of running trains.
To help you take your first steps, we have just released a series of three new video tutorials! They cover the entire process, from laying down your first rails to automating your trains safely using blocks and feedback modules.
Watch them below in order to build your first functioning layout in minutes:
1. Designing Your Track Layout
Before placing locomotives, you need to design your track network. In this video, we demonstrate how to use our “Generic” track library, select track brands, and connect sections together. You will also learn how the interface’s magnetic snap connects sections automatically and how to use the Tab key to toggle connection ports:
Key Takeaways:
- Access the track library in the left sidebar and select your preferred track family.
- Drag tracks onto the grid; they snap together automatically when close.
2. Adding and Configuring Your First Locomotive
Once your track circuit is closed, the next step is adding your rolling stock. This tutorial guides you through creating a locomotive, assigning a DCC address, customizing its visual indicator color, and positioning it onto the tracks:
Key Takeaways:
- Click
+in the Locomotives panel on the left to add a new train. - Set a unique DCC address and choose a color for easy identification on the screen.
- Use Select from view to place the locomotive on the layout, and press the Spacebar to flip its orientation.
3. Configuring Blocks and Current Detection Sensors
The ultimate step toward automation and collision prevention is block division. In this final video, you’ll learn how to partition your layout into blocks, set up a continuous current sensor, and configure your feedback modules:
Key Takeaways:
- Create a new block and select the track boundaries directly on the layout screen.
- TrainPanel allows you to automatically create the sensor with the block, without any extra steps (but it is also possible to create the sensors later).
- Enter the source of your feedback bus (R-Bus, WIO, etc.) and the hardware address of the feedback module.
What’s Next?
With these three steps, your layout is configured, safe, and ready for automatic operations. You can create travels, establish schedules, and let TrainPanel supervise your layout without risk of collision.
Have you tried setting up your first block layout with TrainPanel? Let us know your thoughts or share your questions in the comments!
