A DESCRIPTION OF TNT
TNT, as used on this site, is a contraction of the phrase "Trains and Terminals".
Click here for the TNT download page.
TNT Homepage
Email to TNT
The TNT program is intended to implement all the interrupt features provided for by DCC-MB.COM using QuickBasic.
Why QuickBasic? Click here for a discussion of why QuickBasic was used.
TNT is a QuickBasic program which fulfills the gap left by Micheal Brandt for a QuickBasic control program in the DCC-MB system.
It is a QuickBasic operating program for DCC-MB.COM that was apparently never supplied by Michael Brandt.
You may download TNT and the QuickBasic source code and associated roster and layout files, however,
many features of the program will not work unless you have built or obtained a DCC-MB compatible parallel
port DCC command station and installed the DCC-MB.COM driver. This is described elsewhere on this site and also at
DCC-MB and Tillorps Mekaniska Werks. I personally use Chuck Heller's Infra Red system, but either of the afore
mentioned systems should work.
To use TNT you must be operating your computer in DOS.
TNT can be played with from WINDOWS but ... DCC-MB.COM will not operate in WINDOWS. To fully use TNT you will
need to boot a computer in MSDOS, then run DCC-MB.COM by typing DCC-MB at the C: prompt. The parallel port will then
become the system driver. From this point on the printer port will not function as a printer port without
rebooting the computer. You can run TNT.BAS from within QuickBasic or directly as the compiled TNT.EXE file.
Additional files required are ACTIVE.RR and ACTIVE.RST, these are the default layout and roster setup files.
Custom user layout and roster files can be created, named and saved from within TNT once it is running
Alternatively, a TNT operating disc can be prepared for use on a Windows based system or a laptop computer. First a
DOS bootable diskette is prepared, the TNT and DCC-MB files are copied to this disc. The computer is turned off and
the interface card inserted into the parallel port. The disc is inserted into the A: drive and the computer is
rebooted from the prepared disc. The computer then functions as a dedicated DCC train controller. The interface card
and booster with power supply will be controlled by TNT and the DCC-MB driver.
One word of caution! I do not have the code written to utilyse the automatic turning on and off of the
track power relays for decoder programming and turning OFF the DCC-MB system. I have placed notices on screen
for when you are advised to remove track power or isolate locomotives from the programming track. When I implement these relays and
update the TNT code, I will post it. This is available in DCC-MB. Until then, I am using a DPDT switch to isolate the programming track,
and remove power from the layout.
OVERVIEW
Upon system initiation (start up) you will see notices concerning locomotive activation. If the system is fully implemented
you will see loco numbers and acknowledgement of activation. If not, you will see notices stating the loco was not
activated, and upon reaching main screen will see an ERROR notice appearing at MODE prompt. The system can be played with in
the event you do not have a fully functional hardware system. In this screen shot, MODE is OFF.
In the upper left corner is a real time digital clock. In the corresponding right corner is a fast time digital clock.
This clock can be serviced by typing capital [F], for Fastclock, anytime this screen is displayed. All fuctions on this screen are
accessed by typing the letter prompting for the associated fuction.
The name of the railroad can be changed in the Utilities option. Remember to sa[V]e your changes under your own file name
using the saVe option. Later, you can retrieve your changes with the [O]pen option. [S] is used for Scenario in TNT, and [W] is
used for sWitches (think of the sWitch frog type appearance).
The available options appear as prompts with yellow capital letters across the lower portion of the screen. You can type these
single letter prompts to see what they do when the TNT program is actually running. This screen shot is not active.
The display headers are self expanatory; train number, throttle type, direction, speed, fuction indication, switch
settings, and currently assigned locomotive numbers. You can operate locomotives from keyboard, joystick throttle paddles,
Infrared TV remote, and from a prelearned scenario time based or detector driven data sequence.
When Infrared is enabled, infrared signal notices will appear between displayed items and detector indicators.
Immediatetly following the infrared signal notices are the track detector indicators. There are four detectors available on the layout.
They are refered to as Terminals in TNT, because they are used to stop trains, initiate Learning of sequences, or to Link to the next scenario operation.
They show red when a train is blocking the detector, and green when the detector is clear. Either situation can be used as a detector event, that is, to trigger a next scenario event.
Typing the letter [A], [B], [C], or [D] will bring up a message as to what you want the railroad to do on a detector event. You can [1] Stop a locomotive,
[2] Mark key inputs, [3] link to another scenario, or [4] begin Learning a scenario sequence. The saved scenario sequence can be renamed in the [S]cenario menu screen.
[T]rain: Select a train number 1-9 to change throttle type, or assign, or delete a locomotive.
[F]astclock: Selects the menu to set start time and fast clock factors. Start, stop and reset the fast clock.
[R]oute: Select menu of presaved settings for the eight switches controlled by the accessory decoder if so supplied and equipped.
[F1-F5] These are the first five NMRA defined locomotive accessory functions, with F5 being NMRA F0. (There is no F0 key)
Other functions are not implemented at this time. (sorry, you can write your own implementation until I get to it,
send me your suggestions).
s[W]itch: To set an individual turnout.
[G]et Locomotive: To assign a locomotive from the roster to an active train position.
[S]cenario: This option allows you to operate a locomotive and save the sequence of throttle, function, and switch changes over a time based
series of 100 queues. This can run for a long or short time depending upon how often changes are made. A new que time is assigned each time a change is made.
This is a "dead reckoning" sort of system and operates from the keyboard during the learn cycle. You can operate other locomotives while a scenario is running. Any number of keyboard throttles can be operated
from a scenario set up. Up to four locomotives can be assigned to a single train (they must all have same speed steps). In a multiple unit consist, operated in a scenario, all assigned locos must have same addresses as when learned.
Additionally, a scripted mode of scenario operation using track detectors is available. The track detectors operate reliably and will enable scheduled train operation based upon train detection events and the fast time clock, along with learned sequences. More elaborate scenarios based upon actual train location is enabled by the use of detector based scenario links.
[L]earn: Initiates the learning cycle for data aquisition of a scenario based train movement.
Learning operations are conducted from the keyboard for precision. Learning cycle is
interrupted using the [Space bar] and a choice is presented as to whether, or not, to end
data aquisition, and whether or not you wish to save the scenario.
[M]ode: Reports and allows for change of DCC-MB system Mode ... Operate, Program, or Off.
[U]tilities: Allows setup of railroad, roster information, joystick calibration, and entrance to decoder programming mode. The programming mode supports paged register CV programming. Access to JMRI is selected from the Utilities screen, also IR remote ON/OFF and key codes editting and aquisition are available from the Utilities.
[O]pen: Load various files.
sa[V]e: Save various files.
[Q]uit: End the TNT program.
General system status notices appear just above Emergency Stop Notice.
At the bottom of the screen appears the Emergency Stop Notice and the Restart reminder.
System mode notifications appear at the very bottom of the screen.