Train Tools® Software for the Digital Railroad

Train Tools software is a collection of model train software for the operation and control of model trains. Most model trains produced to are manufactured with computer chips called decoders. We are model train hobbyist that have been developing model train software since 1991 to bring affordable software programs to enhance your enjoyment of the model railroad.

Features:

• Multiple Train Programs: Use the train program you want to use.
• Supports Popular decoders: QS Industries, Lenz, Massoth and others.
• Third party s/w support: Open Train XML programming interface
• Immediate access to new Programs: Subscription users have access to new tools when posted
  • Website specific user forum: Access a specific website for the tool you are using
    • www.EngineCommander.com
    • www.DecoderCommander.com
    • www.DCCCommander.com
    • www.Trainxml.com
    • www.ClassicPanel.info
  • Supports Different Computers: Run Train Tools - Generation 5,  in any VM for Apple, Linux or PC
  • Easy to extend: Add your own extensions with our Visual Studios tools
  • Internet not required: Purchase a CDROM kit for non internet use
  • S/W Developers: Demonstration code for developers and a developer web site with more samples

 

• Access to online Video tutorials

KAM has been producing professional model railroad software since 1991 and is the worlds first supplier of Professional Client Server software for the control model railroads. All of KAM's software is scale independent, internet enabled and supports all popular command stations.

Our Vision -  Model train locomotives are built today with a computer chip to control the lights, sound and motor functions. These model trains are controlled by computers using model railroad software and a model railroad interface. Computer controlled model trains are now the standard to be found in model train locomotives on a model railroad layout

Computers are used for model railroad operation and control all the functions of the locomotive. The computer is attached to a model train hardware interface, called a command station. The hardware interface is either USB cable, RS232 serial cable, CAN bus,  or a network interface. The next movement is to integrated model train control using VoIP and Video Conferencing for less than $5 per month

The Model Railroad Industry is going through a change which we projected back in 1997 when KAM sold model railroad software products that were client server based (first time in the world this happen). KAM's software approach was so unique, that you could run multiple applications on a standalone workstation or distributed in a network (or both).

In 2007 the online community changed.  By this I mean the way users interact with personal computers is more of a community now, were users are sharing information on how to run their railroads. Computer Dispatcher Web, is a hosted product that is uses Microsoft Live meeting to allow desktop applications sharing in a conference setting

Computer model train software programs are designed to use a standard software interface. The most popular model train software interface is designed from Microsoft .NET tools and is compatible with the XNS interface specification for gaming. The model railroad software interface is a standard software programming interface that allows the computer to control different type of model train layouts using different command stations hardware interfaces. The model train computer chips use a standard protocol called Digital Command control or DCC. Computers can program DCC model trains using a standard software programming interfaces that are scale independent and supports all types of model railroad equipment – N scale, G Scale, HO Scale, O Scale, S Scale, TT Scale and Z scale

There are many different products to control model railroad operation. KAM supplies train layout software programs that are written to KAM's model train software using Microsoft .NET interface for model railroad operation and control. This interface is called Train Tools interface using an open interface called Train XML® ( www.trainxml.com).

The Train Tools interface allows users to have a greater level of model railroad operational control in running toy trains. The model train software layout programs provide visual feedback of the model train layout. The visual level of control increases when sound decoders are added. The visual and sound feedback enables users to interact with their model railroad layout for better operational running. Model trains with sound chips and speed control are more fun to operate with a computer controlling the operation task of a model train layout.

There are different ways to integrate computers with a model trains. Three computer standards have emerged that easily allow computer operated model railroad layout control. These standards are Lionel's Train Master Control Computer (TMCC and legacy), M.T. H. (Mikes Train House) Electric Train’s Digital Control System (DCS) and National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) Digital Command and Control systems (DCC). The popular Standard is DCC for HO and N scale Digitrax, Easy DCC(CVP systems), Lenz, and North Coast Engineering, Lionel/MTH (DCS/TMCC) for O27 and Massoth/MTS for LGB. 

Today, with wireless and WiMAX networks in the homes (KAM announced Wireless PDA in Oct 2001), Windows XP, Windows 7 and Vista computers users are connecting their model railroad layout to computer networks.  This approached of always available online access to home model railroads from the internet has become very popular. At KAM, our software has supported this model and other client server network configurations and multiple PC/multiple users since the late 90's.  This software solution is called Train Server®.

Train Server to control the model railroad train layout using a command station hardware interface. The Train Tools software products, has grown to include different technologies to provide a vendor neutral approach to new solutions such as the Expressnet server and others are supported using KAM's .NET Managed interface. The Train Server client interface specifications are available on our web site for KAM’s XML protocol and .NET Train Server remote client software interface

The computer chip DCC/TMCC/DCS standards allow Lionel, M.T. H. Electric Trains, Bachman Trains, MRC and QSI (QS Industries) to add interactive functionality to the model trains. The best marketing tool for model trains is to make the trains more interactive using sound and cab consoles such as RailDriver from PI Engineering (www.raildriver.com). Computer control is a pull marketing technique design to attract new users. Model railroads can run multiple trains at the same time and use computers to control turn outs (switches). Users can run wireless Windows Mobile devices to control a model train while the computer has full layout automation using location sensors track and locomotive decoders.

Model trains with computer control enabled the placement of train sets in Wal-Mart with advance sound capabilities and simple switch turnout control. Model trains with advance capabilities can successfully compete with the video games for mind share. Model trains are a very interactive hobby, where users can create elaborate model railroad layouts. Users develop numerous skills associated with modeling Trains. These skills include electrical, computer programming, mechanical, as well as artistic.

Software for the Digital Railroad ® means simply expanding the capabilities of the these computerized model trains with a hardware computer interface (usually serial or USB), where the computer controls the model train directly using a command station, and computer software programs control the model train layout. This capability allows users to use virtual signals on model railroads to simulate real signal and switch hardware. These virtual signals and other technologies were pioneered by KAM in the late 90’s for model railroads. Engine Commander and Classic Panel are examples of implementation of these virtual signal/accessory concepts in model railroad software.

KAM’s Train Tools software is simply Software for the Digital Railroad - a collection of software programs to control, operate and dispatch your model railroad train layout. KAM's Train Tools software programs work on a wireless (wifi, WiMax) network with Windows Mobile or on the users stand alone computer system. Train Tools software has user friendly graphic user Interface (GUI) designed for advance or novice users. User simply have more fun operating model rail road layouts and running model trains.

 KAM's software is the industries most innovative software products for model railroads and continues to lead the industry in new features and capabilities. KAM software is scale independent and supports the popular command stations ( Lenz:XpressNet®,  Massoth (LGB), QSI, and ZTC:ZTC511 and others) and does not require DCC to operate. KAM's Software products execute on Microsoft's current operating systems Windows CE (PC2002 and PC2003, Windows 2003 Mobile Second Edition, Windows Mobile), Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Windows .NET servers . In 2007, web conferencing has become the perfect way to handle dispatcher operations. This leads us back to the KAM's software and specifically Train Tools - Generation 5.  A new beginning for all of us.

Train Tools software products are a collection of model railroad software tools that have one goal - make it simpler to run your model railroad under computer control.