Electronics for model railways

    Here are various electronic circuits. Most of them deal with model railways :-)

Overview

  • The command station is the heart of the model train control. OpenDCC achieves maximum throughput on the track and provides a complete instruction set.
  • Throttle is a new project. It could be operated wired or wireless.
  • The booster presented here is based on an H-bridge circuit like used for motor drivers. It offers extremely fast shutdown and automatic re-activation. There is a signal output for feedback devices.
  • The decoders convince both through thier attractive price as well as by thier superior features.
  • Use an automatic reverser to avoid the short curcuit which will normally occur in a turn loop or triangle. Along with the property of DCC that the driving direction of a locomotive is independant of the polarity of the track signal turn loops can be operated without stopping.
  • Use the DCC Sniffer Board to log the data on the rails to an PC by means of USB. This is a small board, which could be used as probe.
  • A high voltage accellerator charged grass fibers. Thus it is possible to create visually appealing green areas with standing culms.
  • For our club facility, we are using an emergency stop system, which is completely independent from the PC or from the command station.
  • Some small things for hobbyists: A current source for operating LED e.g. in a building. And a interoir lightning for cars.

Notes

    When dealing with electrical and electronic components there is always a risk that something happens or doesn't work as supposed. I can not accept liability for any damage nor can give any functional warranty, please regard these circuits only as a suggestion.

    The circuits and software are published as inspiration and assistance amoung model railroaders. They are based on examples from the www or my own ideas. Of course, sensible suggestions, error messages and improvements to the circuit are always welcome.

    However, I would like to point out that, unfortunately, I have no time for lengthy discussions of the type 'I have built the circuit, why doesn't it work'. And please find the answer to the question 'I have this or that chip in my drawer, can I also use it' by yourself.