Why choose a toy...

                    ...when you can have the prototype?

With the STP computer dispatcher software for ZIMO digital command control you get the prototype on your PC. Monitor and control your model railroad like a pro. Combine automated computer control with manual train control, by simply pressing a button on your handheld cab! Or use it as a collision avoidance system while you drive trains manually, being the engineer!

The switchboard is easy to build. You can choose from dozens of symbols provided, such as track elements, switches, signals etc., or design your own! The finished switchboard may exceed monitor size. A large layout may also be divided, displayed and controlled by several computers. On up to 9 PC’s!

STP reads all information about the state of the layout live, such as occupied blocks, turnout positions, signals, loco numbers, turntable position etc. For example, even a manually operated switch will be recognized and correctly displayed. If need be, STP will turn the switch automatically back to its proper position e.g. while a train is entering a station! Lifting an engine from its track and setting it down somewhere else on the layout will of course be instantly recognized and identified! There is also no need to save the state of the layout when shutting down and reload the state on the next start up.

This windows based program is easily handled with a mouse. All commands are just one or two mouse clicks away and will be tested for validity and rejected if needed, with error indication on screen. Occupied sections, active routes, turnouts and signals (with lock and route lock indicators), train numbers, direction arrows and true turnout and turntable position feed back are shown on screen.

STP can be used to simply operate turnouts and signals without speed influence, but also in semi or fully automated mode. In semi automatic mode the operator selects a route by using start and target buttons on screen. STP then checks all the blocks the train is supposed to drive through. If blocks are not occupied and not in conflict with other routes, STP then sets all the required switches, signals etc. to the correct position and hands the train over to the ZIMO MX9 track section modules to guide the train through the route. In fully automatic operation STP selects start and target buttons on its own based on train location, and user defined program inputs. Automated staging yards, platform track selection for specific trains (e.g goods versus passenger trains) with user definable delay and stop times are possible!

Every engine remains under full control of the operator , at all times, and without consulting the computer first!

ZIMO/STP will never force you to sit on the side watching trains go by, if you don’t want to!