Front End Software

The user interface is written to run under Microsoft Windows 3.1. It was written in Visual Basic 3.0 and use it to communicate with the serial port. This should allow it to run under Win95 and WinNT.

Screen Design

Features

The program, in its current state, has the following features.

• Add a loco to the list.
• Set the address for the loco.
• Enter a number for the loco. This is used for display only.
• Enter a description for a loco.
• Specify an icon for the loco. Two icons are provided. You can make your own using Paintbrush. The preferred format is 64x32 BMP.
• The program saves loco details on exit.
• Increase or decrease the speed of the loco by a single step. Only 14 speed steps are supported. The current speed is displayed.
• Stop the loco.
• Send out packets to the command station in my own format. When the command station is brought in line with the NMRA proposed standard, the front-end will be changed as well.
• Supports only 1200 baud.

Future enhancements

Some features I intend to add as soon as possible are

• Compliance with proposed NMRA standard.
• Emergency stop button.
• Programming a loco - at least the address to start with.
• Support for accessory decoders. The user-interface for this is uncertain.
• Support for functions like headlights on a loco.
• And the list goes on...