CATrain ======= PROGRAM IDENTITY MAP -------------------- Program Name: CATrain Program Release: 1.2 Date of the Release: May, 17th 1997 Executable file: CATRAIN.EXE Development: Joël Bouchat Address (B.O.): 69 rue de Paris F-91400 ORSAY France PRESENTATION ------------ CATrain is a tool for designing, simulating and controlling Model Railways. CATrain runs on Microsoft Windows(c) 3.1 or Windows95(c) on a Personal Computer, provided with a 80386DX CPU or higher standard. The "Design" mode allows for the drawing of very simplified schematics of the railroad layout on the P.C. screen, including devices like turnouts, signals and level crossing. The user can define the characteristics of every device and rail section, using the "Edit" mode. The "Running" mode permits the checking of the layout by simultaneously running several train models on it. The trains which have been installed on the railway are animated on the screen and the User can observe the traffic simultaneously with the turnout and signal operation. This is useful to define a good layout topology and to optimize the signal positioning. When the PC is connected to a dedicated Controller, CATrain can control a real model railway. The trains can either circulate under the "manual" control of the User or automatically, following user defined itineraries. In Automatic mode, CATrain controls the journey, the schedule and the track contention for every train. As far as the motion of the trains is concerned, CATrain simulates gradual acceleration and deceleration for a more realistic effect. In Automatic mode, The Digitally Controlled trains follow their itinerary while the computer sets the turnouts and the signals as required. The feed-back information provided by the train presence detectors ensures a good synchronization between the model and the real life version. Both the devices (turnouts, signals, ...) and the locomotives are under computer control, when they are fitted with a digital remote control. CATrain chooses the electrical power applied to the locomotive engine, according to a "motion profile curve" specific to each locomotive. It also takes into account the slope incidence in order to raise or lower the electrical power. LIMITATIONS ----------- CATrain 1.2 is provided with a dummy DLL communication handler called "CDUMCTRL.DLL" and an active DLL called "CMRKCTRL.DLL" for connecting CATrain to the 6051 Interface of the Märklin(c) Digital System. When using CDUMCTRL.DLL, only the traffic simulation is possible. The DLL handler for the Märklin(c) Digital System "CMRKCTRL.DLL" has to be used to pilot a Märklin installation, although "CMRKCTRL.DLL" is a "Beta" version which has never been tested with a genuine 6051 Märklin Interface ... The name of the DLL to be used must be properly referenced inside the CATRAIN.INI file. INSTALLATION ------------ The easiest way to proceed when installing the CATrain software is to run the provided "INSTALL" procedure. At the beginning of the installation procedure,the user is requested to choose between the English version or the French version. For users who are reluctant to use automatic installation, it is still possible to copy all provided files to a chosen directory and to install the executable program inside a WINDOWS(c) group as usual. The CATRAINE.EXE is for the English version and the CATRAINF.EXE is for the French version. The same rule applies to the help file. The executable file must be renamed CATRAIN.EXE and the Help file must be renamed CATRAIN.HLP. DOCUMENTATION ------------- A complete documentation CATRAINE.PDF in Acrobat(c) format must be provided with the distribution of CATrain 1.2. A HELP file is accessible to the CATrain user. This Help file can be classically accessed by the HELP command on the main menu, or in a contextual way by pushing on "F1" during the selection of a specific menu topic. A "search" function on key words is available while consulting the Help file. LANGUAGE -------- Two languages are available: English (or something which closely resembles ...) or French. The language has to be chosen by the user at the installation time. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS --------------------- To use CATrain you need an Personal Computer with at least a 80386DX CPU, 4 Mega Bytes of RAM, a hard disk, a fast 16 colors VGA board and a mouse. The PC must be provided with the Windows(c) 3.1 or Windows95(c) environment. To achieve a better performance, if you run more than 5 trains simultaneously, a 80486DX2 66 or Pentium(c) with 8 Mega Bytes of RAM and a Super VGA Accelerated board is recommended. To Control a "real" railway, you need a dedicated interface and a digitally controlled railway. (e.g.: Marklin(c) Digital, or compatible hardware.) LICENSE AGREEMENT ----------------- CATrain 1.2 has been designed and developed by Joël Bouchat who holds all ownership rights to CATrain and the associated documentation. CATrain 1.2 software may be copied and distributed royalty-free subject to the following conditions: - CATrain 1.2 software is not to be modified or altered in any way if copied or distributed. No commercial use or distribution of CATrain 1.2 is allowed. - CATrain 1.2 software package must be kept as a whole including all executable files, dll files, help files, related documentation and copyright notice. - CATrain 1.2 software must be copied or distributed without any modification or alteration. The express written permission must be granted by Joel Bouchat prior to any other variations on the use and distribution of this software. The CATrain 1.2 software is provided on an "as is" basis without any warranty. Under no circumstances will Joel Bouchat be liable for damages arising from the use of CATrain.