Automatic Train Control

If it were me for TMCC/Legacy equipment I would use software instead of hardware.  More specifically, instead of interrupting power to the approaching block I would send a command sequence to throttle down the engine entering the approaching block to zero using the TMCC/Legacy Protocol sent by a computer (which could be a PC, or an Arduino, or a Raspberry Pi) fitted with software that:

1. Is programmed with the TMCC/Legacy protocol in order to know what commands specifically to send
2. Is connected to a command base (Base 1, 1L, 2, or 3) in order to get the commands transmitted to the layout
3. Also watches the block ahead of the approaching block to detect when it's occupied (this block will need a Lionel SensorTrack, or, if you're handy with wiring, some block-occupancy hardware wired into the computer to do this, perhaps an Lionel 153IR or equivalent MTH IR detector)
4. When a stop is necessary in the approaching block, this software sends a command sequence mimicking pushing the buttons "ENG" and "XX", where "XX" is the TMCC/Legacy ID for the approaching engine, then it also sends the command sequence to that engine equivalent to manually turning the big red knob down to zero speed
5. The only tough part (moderately) in all this comes because this software must know and track each engine, and its respective ID ("XX"), as it goes around the layout so that it knows precisely which ID to send when the corresponding engine enters the approaching block; get this wrong and the approaching engine will not stop but some other engine moving somewhere else on the layout will (if it has that 'wrong' ID)

This is a simplified description, but probably more than you expected, especially if you're more of a hardware person than software, however it's not hard.

Follow the steps in reverse once the lead block clears to restore movement to the stopped engine in the approaching block, i.e.  when a resume is necessary in the approaching block, this software sends a command sequence mimicking pushing the buttons "ENG" and "XX", where "XX" is the TMCC/Legacy ID for the approaching engine, then it also sends the command sequence equivalent to manually turning the big red knob back up to its previous speed setting

Does this approach sound doable to you?

Mike

Thanks for the info Mike. It looks like I'll just be using my Postwar on that loop. LOL. I know a little bit about programing an Arduino but this sounds way above my pay grade.

Where can I find older Lionel catalogs eg. 2000+?

@Pup posted:

I have a loop which uses the old fashion relay control to stop a train in the block behind it. When the block is clear the rear train proceeds. This woks fine with conventional engines but with TMCC the train stops but just sits there when the power is restored waiting for the throttle to be turned up. Is there a way to have a TMCC engine respond like a conventional engine on this loop.

If not how do you do automatic train control with TMCC or Legacy engines.

Boy did this question bring back memories. When I was a kid and I would set up a large layout for Christmas I would have multiple Trains running on Automatic. What I would do is I have a load of 153C contacts lots of insulated rail and luck. I would have to train criss cross each other and the first one to get to the 90° or the 45 would drop power to the other track. It was actually quite cool to watch, but it could also get interesting if they both got their simultaneously and one may rolled through the other then we had the Addams family

You can run two trains on one track with TMCC without anything other than your remote. Simply adjust the train speeds of the two locos so they are the same. If they are slightly off, you can always brake the faster one.  If you have a Powermaster, one of the locos could be conventional. I have yet to try this, though.

Generally I agree with Mike.  The beautiful part about doing it with software commands, is that the trains could slow and start gradually instead of relying on crude mechanical hysteresis.

To me, Pup's question is the most basic use case for Lionel's Layout Control System.  However, I'm not sure that I've ever actually seen a demo of it using that hardware.

There's at least one active thread on the Forum where @cdswindell has managed to communicate with Legacy using a Rasperry Pi.  The missing element to achieve our goal is some kind of sensor network, which would provide input to the system about where the locos are.  Good thread, following!

@ThatGuy posted:

Boy did this question bring back memories. When I was a kid and I would set up a large layout for Christmas I would have multiple Trains running on Automatic. What I would do is I have a load of 153C contacts lots of insulated rail and luck. I would have to train criss cross each other and the first one to get to the 90° or the 45 would drop power to the other track. It was actually quite cool to watch, but it could also get interesting if they both got their simultaneously and one may rolled through the other then we had the Addams family

Sounds like my experiment with recreating/reimagining the Marx Two Trains set (no Addams Family -- sorry, Gomez!):

All old-school isolated sections and electro-mechanical relay control . . .