A new member

Hello everyone.
Something about me : Communications engineer and software writer, long retired. For a time, worked in railway signalling at Westinghouse, Chippenham.  Don't have a model railway (no room!) but am working on a Arduino-based interlocking to interface with a 'real' model railway.  Using a computer simluation to show signal/point/train movements. Introductory video at this link : YouTube Video.  My project website at this link. Comments always welcome!

Welcome to the club! 
Cool work that you’ve done, you program all of that?

Thanks for your comment.  The Arduino interlocking code only took a few weeks, but building and programming the digital model to actually do things took a couple of years.  Most of that was learning curve with Unreal Engine, which is mostly used for computer games.

Hi and Welcome

Interesting video although not really my field of interest, but good luck with it.



Ed

I'm lost but I think it's probably very clever ……………………..

Hello and welcome!

Are you doing a whole branch line or is it your intention to focus on one, perhaps large, station and play "signalman" for all arrivals and departures?  Although I suspect many may not consider your project to be "railway modelling", the correct aspects of signalling and interlocking are facets that we all ride rough-shod over - yet they are fundamental to basic operating.  I confess to be a rough-shod rider but the placing of signals, train head/bell codes, tail lights etc are aspects included on my layout.

TrainSim and others can do what you are doing, but I get the challenge of making your own version!

I look forward to seeing more.

B

Thanks Barry.
The digital model is currently about five miles of single track in the centre of which is the signalled passing loop with sidings and a level crossing.  The enviroment gives me the luxury of extending it indefinitely in either direction, but I am going to limit it to a terminus in the up direction and a link to a double-track main line in the other.


As you can see from the signalbox, it is a simple layout.  And yes, it does allow me to play signalman!  All of this is really proof of concept to show that an Arduino can perform interlocking duties.  I managed the required points and signals on an Arduino Mega without resorting to expansion.  It was always intended to be part of the project that a real model railway would eventually be built and interfaced to the Ardiuno, just for this station and its surroundings, though.

Tony.