Use rolling road as programming track

[Chrishans]

Hi all,

Haven't been on here for well over a year now. Hope you're all staying safe in this crazy world at the moment.

Since lockdown 3.0 I decided to build a new layout and have made some progress (I'll add some photos in another thread).

I'm running a DCC sound layout and I was wondering how/if, I would be able to use my Hornby rolling road as a programming track too.

I've only got a small end to end 8x2ft layout, so a continuous loop to run locos in isn't possible.

I'm using the gaugemaster prodigy express DCC system, so I suppose I'm also asking if this system allows the user to operate locos on the programme track. I've checked the manual and it doesn't seem to say anything about running locos this way, so thought my best bet was here.

Alternatively, I can just insert a splicer and connect the rolling road to the main track and either programme on the main track (taking all other locos of of course), or just pin down a small foot long piece of track and use that.

Anyway, hope you all stay out of trouble and I look forward to hearing from you.

Chris

[Walkingthedog]

In my view Yes. A rolling road is just track that revolves,

[Steve M]

In programming mode there is insufficient power to run a loco so you will need to switch the prog track between prog and main. A centre off DPDT switch will achieve that.
I tried to use a rolling road for programming but found that it didn’t work that well so I just have a length of track on a separate board that I can plug in. Use a similar plug on the leads to the RR and you can splice that in as required.

[Walkingthedog]

Is that due to bad connection between wheel and roller Steve?

[cadman]

I always use the Hornby rolling road to initially run in a new loco then switch to Programming mode to change CVs after fitting the decoder then back to running mode to test the changes..........HB

[Chrishans]

Alright cheers guys.

I think my best option is to add in a splice connecting the main track to the rolling road, then just connect the controller to a pinned down piece of track and use that as a programming track.

[darkscot]

I got a rolling road a while back with the intention of using it to programme decoders. It works fine and is great for running in, but the problem is you do not get a real impression of acceleration/deceleration, top speed etc. I have an end to end shunting layout and wanted to tweak these parameters. So in the end I just got a circle of track and fastened it to a board.

[Steve M]

Is that due to bad connection between wheel and roller Steve?

More than likely Brian. The movement of the rollers introduces a variable that you avoid with a plain length of track so when programming I prefer to keep it simple.

[RAF96]

I use one via a DPDT switch.
As the contact is through the ball races, I found it necessary to put a weighted bag on top of a loco when programming.
The advantage of being able to switch from Prog to Run and back outweighed the disadvantage of somtimes having to repeat programming actions until they ‘stuck’.