Remote Control of a Marx Train

Use a bridge rectifier to change the ac to dc , add a capacitor to smooth it if you want.  But there are relays and normal dc components that can switch an ac leg; that switched portion is isolated from the dc side. (many relay points are isolated too)

Setting up something simple with an interface you have shouldn't be impossible, but what had you considered using for the communication aspect? Knowing what you have or know might help.

Assuming you have 4 channels of no/nc. The Marx runs fine at 9vdc, too fast at 11v, you set it to 10.5v (dc?)... now... Each diode eats about 0.7v, two in series = aprx 1.4v..  Make a 3 pair chain is series (for ac=ac use 2 paired back to back and opposing direction in place of each lone diode)

Channel 1 on = 10.5v -1.4v -1.4v -1.4 (4.2v) = 6.3v at the chains end.

Channel 2 (no) connects across diodes #1 leg to leg . Turning it on closes(makes) connection, bypassing diodes#1 and stopping the 1.4 volt loss to the diode.

Channel 3 no, same thing but on diodes #2cnd in line.

Repeat. 

You might only want to use 1 diode for a .7 drop(s) or even mix giving a coarse or fine ability to each channel.

I'm doing this with toggles and a constant 12vdc power supply as we speak.

General Purpose Rectifying Diode, 50v or more, 6a-8a will stay pretty cool.

Possible, not elegant .....yet

Actually, a servo motor could likely do it with a bracket and an arm/ collar w/set screw vs knob on the transformer. (or under the knob?)

The only problem I perceive is the time delay. You have to account for the distance/time x 2 to see the result of an action; Radio/microwaves/processing only move "so fast".... plus add our micro- delays and mental processing... 15 seconds at best?

I really think this a cool idea and with the health climate being what it is, could be "the wave of the future". Look at the multi user video chat sites, or even online dart boards where you might be playing someone from Timbuktu for real. 

I think it would be cool to run a Swiss Krock actually in Switzerland from home.

I'd immensely enjoy watching mine act "on their" own too.

So the train runs happily on DC?  Do you have a schematic of what you're doing with the toggle switches?

A friend has been encouraging me to go the servo route - I have enough parts around to try someting at least.

For communications I think it would be some kind of dedicated box at his end with a couple of buttons and a raspberry Pi inside.  I'm sure there wouldn't be huge latency but I guess even a second would be a problem if he had to slow down for curves!

I'm really surprised somebody hasn't done this already.

This might be of some assistance:  

If you can rig the wireless remote to work from a distant smartphone, you're all set!  

Mitch 

Yes, that's excellent.  He has several videos where he runs different trains with the remote but he never mentions who makes it.  It sounds like you plug the transformer into the receiver and the receiver into the wall so it's like a dimmer.

Remote operation?  Or you could box up the train and transformer and mail it to your grandson and use Zoom to operate it with him!

Charlie

I know there is distance operation in ham radio.  Maybe Lionel or MTH command control systems in conventional mode can work.

But you might need 2 computers or cells.  One for train control, one for visual of the train.

@Choo Choo Charlie:

He's 6 and he has lego trains at his end which we play with when i visit him.  these are what we play with when he visits me.