December 01, 2007 Sorry for the delay in the December article, as we've been active in expanding our coverage area before the snow gets too deep!
Within the next few days, those of you that have taken up the ATCS monitoring side of the hobby will notice a significant stretch of track is now decoded and available to monitor. We now have the Staples Sub all the way to CP STAPLES "online!" Yes, you can now view ATCS info for the Staples-Northtown segment of the Sub. We hope to be able to expand this area to Wadena and further west this upcoming spring. This would not have been possible without some capital support from one very prominant local railfans. The new files will be available on the Yahoo Group, or you can certainly contact me via email.
I wanted to address the two most common questions I get: the setup
and how to read the DS display.
1) With whatever geographical area you are monitoring, the file setup is the exact same and includes 3 components:
a. make sure the .ini file is in the main ATCS monitor folder. For the Twin Cities, it should say "BNSF Twin Cities". This is your "profile" for the area.
b. the .lay file is the layout file or dispatcher display. Simply place it in the "layouts" folder located within the ATCS directory.
c. finally, the .mdb or .mcp file (could be either file extension). This file is placed in your "MCP folder". AFTER THAT, open ATCS monitor and "import" the .mcp file. You do this via the "Configure menu", then "MCP information." A window will pop up that is your master MCP file. Simply click the "import" button at the bottom of the window and locate the file you placed in the MCP folder originally.
2) As for the dispatcher display, I'm commonly asked which way a green signal points? I'm going to attach a .jpeg showing the Little Falls siding on the Staples Sub lined for an EASTBOUND train. The green signals point in the direction of the lineup, not a green signal in the face of an oncoming train. Think of it as the signal mast laying flat on the ground if you pushed it over in front of you.
As always feel free to contact me with any questions and Happy Holidays to everyone!
-Nat