Olie
Active Member
My wife works at the local library and April is her month for displays. She asked me if I could build a static display that is actuated by a button making the train go forward but without actually moving. So, I started making a list. First purchase was the Proses rolling road (I'll only be using rollers). I found a plastic display case for 1/18th scale cars which will be long and tall enough. Bought a 1X6 pine board for the base. My thought is to place 1" foam board on the pine board, bury the rollers in the foam board and have track under the tender and front end of the loco. She's going to do a little scenery behind the loco like trees on a small incline. Now the hard part. How to trigger the engine for a set period of time and then shut off until the next button press. Here's what I've order and my thoughts. The Arduino Uno board, a 16mm metal LED momentary switch, a relay module, a 16x2 RGB LCD display module and a case to hold it all. The programming of the Arduino is fairly straight forward and the wiring is very simple as well. The relay will be placed along one of the power wires to the track. I'm going to use a spare Bachmann EZ Command controller and have it set at speed step 2 or 3 and powered. When someone presses the button, the Arduino will close the relay for a set time and then open it back up and reset for the next button press. It will also power down everything if no input is detected for an extended period of time.
I've just started messing with the Arduino and I'm sure there is a more advanced programming and controls it can do (sound the whistle, trigger the smoke unit, etc) I just haven't had much time to dig into it. There is a guy out there that controls his entire layout by Arduino technology.
So, please share your thoughts and suggestions are very welcomed. Once all the parts arrive, I will take pics and post up the progress and hopefully, it will all work without any issues.
I've just started messing with the Arduino and I'm sure there is a more advanced programming and controls it can do (sound the whistle, trigger the smoke unit, etc) I just haven't had much time to dig into it. There is a guy out there that controls his entire layout by Arduino technology.
So, please share your thoughts and suggestions are very welcomed. Once all the parts arrive, I will take pics and post up the progress and hopefully, it will all work without any issues.