Raspberry Pi to Control Trains

JND

 

To get close to DCS or Legacy you will not only need wifi hardare you will also need a rectifier and pulse width modulation circuitry, magnetic or optical tachometer for motor speed feedback, PID motor control software, an amplifier, speaker, smoke and lighting control hardware and software, sound recordings, sound editing software, write code to integrate speed, sound and smoke control, write command code and a few other things I am sure I am forgetting.

 

It would be an interesting undertaking.  If you go ahead with the project I hope you share your progress and results.  But you just might find that DCS, Legacy and the DCC systems offer an excellent value and a amazing level of reliability for all that they do. 

Wyhog

 

Thinking about the current DCS remote to switch from engine control to switch control you have to

 

Press SW

Enter the switch number

press the desired soft key to throw the commanded switch.

 

That's 4 or 5 key strokes.  In an operating session we usually have an engineer and a conductor, each with their own remote.  That traditional division of labor helps improve crew productivity and prevent accidents since they don't have to change their remote from switch to locomotive control.

 

A different approach that requires wifi and a tablet or smart phone is to use a layout control software package to handle switch control.  Here is a look at an iPad using it's browser to view the layouts PC running Railroad & Co. software.  Switch control is done with the touch screen.

 

Most of the issues with DCS/TMCC/Legacy are with respect to signal propagation and not the actual control of the engines/switches/accessories.  You will find that trying to use wifi with the type of object density you are likely to encounter on a layout to be just as problematic as what people see with the existing systems.

What OS does the raspberry use? I have an older ASUS EEE 700 that I intend to use for controlling TMCC trains. It uses the Linux OS ( I installed the Crunchbang version) and I have already installed JMRI to it. Next I have to connect it to the command base via serial cable. Once I get that connection configured I will add a WiFi router to the EEE. With the WiThrottle app on my iPhone I will be able to connect to the EEE though WiFi and control trains with my iPhone. That is the plan at least. If I am successful I will let you guys know. BTW, if anyone has any experience with this type of setup, let me know. I will not refuse the help. Dave

They recommend debian.  It doesn't have any serial ports and the two USB ports are not powered, aka you need a powered hub for anything more demanding than a keyboard/mouse/thumb drive.  They also don't have wi-fi, just a 10 base 100 ethernet port.