BTW - I joined S Scale SIG as well to get some opinions and posted this about my goals:
"signed up to do research and get opinions and advice. I want to build an outdoor layout but find G scale very fractured (i.e. too many different manufacturers making similar stuff to different scales all on the same gauge track) AND just plain too big.
I am considering both S and O for my rail road and am tying to understand the caveats of each.
I am also a technical person not afraid of electricity, electronics, software, programming, etc. My research has led me to find an open source software, jmri, along with an open source software to control a layout on an arduino board along with after market decoders, wireless modules etc.
My goal is to be able to run realistic operations on a fiction railroad that is modeled after a prototype. It would be utopia if it can run both modern and steam era, but I do understand there is a difference in accessories (buildings, etc.) so I will see how that goes. I aim to use (and maybe be able to enhance) the open source software mentioned, convert my locos and other devices to battery and remote control, be able to use remote accessories (like switches/turnouts, but understand that may not be possible outside), use an android.ios device or pc to control the layout and locos via wireless network (bluetooth or wifi - preferrably the latter), and adhere to NMRA DCC standards with the devices.
Wow, i think I have the gist there - seems like a lot. It is a set of requirements that does not seem overly much when compared to what my dept. does at work though. I will post a thread to start my questions for you all. I appreciate any and all help you all will give to me.
As a bonus (for me), my very young daughter absolutely loves trains!"
hopefully this helps any of you trying to help me.
Helmut
