New life for a ECU-1 Train Control Transmitter

David NissenOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Since the late fifties when I first read about the electronic set I have dreamed about someday having one with the transmitter as a central part of my control panel.

In the sixties and seventies I was able to pick up a few pieces of the set. I had a transmitter minus the vacuum tube, a tender with two receivers and several loose receivers. I was even able to later find several vacuum tubes.

Several years later TMCC came out and I decided that this was a much better system. I though about putting new TMCC electronics into the ECU-1 Electronics Control but I never got around to it.

Now after several train related Arduino projects I decided the time had come. Most of my projects never get beyond the breadboard stage, that is they are never put into a finished enclosure. The ECU-1 was an enclosure looking for a project. The components consist of an Arduino Clone, an RS-232 module, an AC to DC power supply, and the ten button panel from the ECU-1. (see the photos and schematic)

In this example the buttons are programmed as follows:

1. Black - Horn/Whistle
2. Red    - Bell
3. Blue   - Crew Talk
4. Brown - Brake
5. White - Milk Car Eject
6. Gray   - Milk Car Front Coupler
7. Amber - Giraffe Duck
8. Green - Giraffe Front Coupler
9. Yellow - Giraffe Rear Coupler
10. Orange - Program Engine Number

The engine number for the first four buttons can be set by pressing the yellow button (program mode) and then using one of the TMCC remotes, press (ENG, ##, SET). This engine number will be remembered even when powered down until it is reprogrammed.

It is very easy to make changes to what each button does by changing the Arduino program. Plans for the future include coal and log dump cars and a search light car. Also dual functions for the buttons. A short press for the coupler and a longer press for a function such as unload. When finalized color decals to match the button colors will be applied to the corresponding cars, like on the original electronic sets from the late 40's. ECU-2 Schematic The sketch (program) is attached but is not listed in the text as is is quite long.