Big Bear is a software application designed for model railway enthusiasts to control their layouts digitally, known as Digital Command and Control (DCC). It serves as a user-friendly interface that connects to various DCC hardware systems to manage locomotives, trains, and track layouts. Here are the key details about Big Bear DCC:
Functionality: It allows users to drag-and-drop track and signals to design their layout on screen. It includes “magic routing,” which can automatically find a route between two points and set the points accordingly.
Compatibility: The software works with several popular DCC systems, including NCE Powercab, Hornby Elite, Lenz (XpressNet compatible), and Digitrax (LocoNet).
System Requirements: The “classic” version runs on Windows (10, 8, Vista, XP), making it suitable for older PCs often used for layouts. Features:
Recording and Playback: Allows users to record sequences and play them back.
Customization: Offers flexible screen layout configuration using docking controls.
New Development: A newer version is in development (as of late 2020) aimed at being cross-platform (running on non-Windows machines), with improved graphics, and tablet/phone support for controlling trains at shows.
Cost: Both the classic and new versions of Big Bear are now free, according to their website.
The project was originally developed to assist a friend and has evolved into a fully featured Windows desktop application. If you’d like, I can: Compare it to other popular DCC software (like JMRI). Tell you where to download the latest version. Detail the hardware needed to connect it to your train set. Big Bear DCC Rail Controller
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