Automating so trains go back and forth by themselves?

[YorkshireLad]

Hi everyone,

I wonder if you can help with a crazy idea I have. In August last year my partner left me and I had a breakdown and for my own safety I went to spend 5month in a private clinic to get my head sorted. I've had a long problem with depression due to been severely disabled and my medication has a side effect of causing depression.

 

While I was there my ex totally cleared out the flat so I came home to nothing. Now I'm not really bothered about that as I'm using it as a reason to make a fresh start and do what I want with the flat instead of getting told what to do with it, as my ex used to do. I'm now thinking a lot clearer and happier now that I've realised I'm better off without her. Part of my recovery my counsellor said I needed to think of ways to keep my mind occupied so I've decided to do what I'm calling "doing a full Roy Cropper". For anyone who doesn't watch soaps, Roy cropper is a character from the soap Correnation Street who loves trains. When his wife died he locked himself away in his flat and built a model railway covering his living room.

 

Originally I was planning on fitting a dado rail round the walls of my livingroom wide enough for a single ngauge track to run round the top. As usual and I'm sure many of you will know know the feeling, plans change and expand. So now I've drawn up plans to fit a 180mm shelf running round the edge of my living room starting at one side of the door all the way round to the otherside of the door. Due to the height it will need to be to go over the backs of my sofas and the radiator the shelf will run across the front window. To support this I've expanded my idea to include a small figure of 8 layout that will go on the window ledge which is 1700mm wide and will be expanded to 500mm deep so a figure of 8 using R1 curves will fit. The gap between the shelves on the walls will then be connected by a 1700mm bridge running over the window layout. The bridge will be a replica of a tram bridge in Park Square, Sheffield. So from outside my window should look amazing.

 

The shelf layout will have a 4track station at one side of the door that then has 2 lanes going all the way round the living room to a 2track station and 2track maintenance hut at the other side of the door.

 

All this I've drawn up technical drawings for and I think I've covered all the issues I'd have. My only problem is the electronics because I'd like to try and get it to run by itself. Would it be possible to have 2 trains running along the shelf track back and forth for 10min on the hour throughout the day? I know the window layout I can just use a standard controllor plugged into a timer at the mains, but how could I get the shelf trians to run back and forth and still allow me to change the points at the station so I can select which platform they will stop at?

 

This is a huge project for me and it will take me a while to do it as I'm going to have to buy abit of track at a time when ever I have some funds spare, but I want to make sure I have everything planned.

 

Sorry for the long post and thank you for taking the time to read it all.

Edited June 2, 2018 by YorkshireLad

[dhjgreen]

I like the idea of this so I am giving it a bump in the hope that the people who can help notice it this time.

[YorkshireLad]

When I can use a scanner I'll post the drawings I've done for my plans. As I'm having to expand the windowsill so the figure of 8 track will fit I'm fitting shelves under it that will also display my slotcar collection (the only thing she didn't take as I've always told her they are my nephews inheratence)

[Ray H]

Train operation can be automated although it is often easier with DC (analogue) than with DCC (digital) as the latter needs to identify individual locos.

 

Train reversers (or circuit designs for them) aren't too difficult to find and it may even be possible to find one that has a timer circuit included. I doubt such a circuit would routinely be used for delays of several tens of minutes but I'm sure even that could be built in by varying the components. Another option might be to use something like the Rasberry Pi computer.

 

One of the DCC controller manufacturers has a device - a Mini-Panel - that can be set to run a sequence of events/train movements and that could probably be set up to do what you want if you can always use the same items of rolling stock.

[RAF96]

I understand the topic is DC and N-gauge but...

 

DCC - some software can automate fairly complex operations without sensors purely on timed events...

 

E.g. Hornby Railmaster.

Loco 123 speed 25 forward

After set time stop

Reverse

Repeat Ad Infinitum.

Combined with a schedule this can operate at a set clock time, real time or scale time.

 

Other software packages (Train Controller, Rocrail, JMRI) can do similar scheduling and events, with and without sensors.

 

Some decoders have the ability to run limited repetitive timed automatic operations independant of any software - e.g. Hornby Sapphire can run up to four events (e.g. initial wait if required, run at speed for time, stop for time, reverse at speed for time, stop for time, repeat if required.

 

Gaugemaster has a newsletter item on their site showing how to use their DC shuttle unit under DCC control. I can’t remember the delay range of this shutlle but it will be on the product page.

 

A simple DC shuttle could be set up so as to become live under control of a basic mains clock timer, such as those used to turn a lamp on/off at set times for so long when you are away.

 

Rob

Edited for details and typos.

Edited June 3, 2018 by RAFHAAA96

[YorkshireLad]

Oh my god, think I just got a little too excited after watching a video of the Hornby Rail master system, I had no idea all that is now possible. As my ex left me with an empty flat I'm starting from scratch and making as much as I can into a "Smart Flat".  All my lighting, heating, locks, window blinds will be controlled by voice and my phone, I'm also making it so if I have a bad day with my Arthritis and I can't get out of bed I can open my front door from my bed so I can still let visitors in or accept deliveries (Arthritis at 31 sucks).

 

So if I can get my model railway just as automated as my flat it will be amazing with them all working together.

 

I've contacted my local MP and he's going to try and get me the proper technical drawings of the bridge I plan on building infront of the window so I can make it perfect.