Creating a Traffic Control System with Martin Tärnrot
Martin TärnrotIn this video, modeler Martin Tärnrot will be talking about model railroad control systems, often referred to as computer control. He has drawn a simplified sketch of his view of a digitally controlled model railroad. On the lowest level are the engines, turnouts, and the signals. These devices are more or less just receivers of information. For example, Martin shows how he easily increases locomotive 42 to a speed of 36 from his smartphone. This will increase the speed, but the locomotive will have no idea of what engine 14 is doing, or where it is.
On the next level is the command station. There are tons of different command stations for DCC. This device receives commands from Martin, meaning his speed control sends information to the receivers, like engines, switches, and signals. In most cases, it also powers the layout. The next level is the traffic control system, which most often is referred to as a computer control. This device uses the information from the command station. This information could be direction, status, speed, and position of all of the devices in order to plan the traffic control on a layout. Martin goes on to show what model railroad control systems can do for operators and their layouts. For more on controlling signals and block occupancy detection or a model railroading introduction to digital command control, visit the Model Railroad Academy archives.
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12 Responses to “Creating a Traffic Control System with Martin Tärnrot”
Hello and welcome to a Model Railroad Academy video. In this video, I will try to whet your appetite for a traffic control system, often referred to as a computer control. Okay, let's do a really simplified sketch over my view of a digitally controlled model railroad. Here on the lowest level we find the engines, the turnouts, and the signals. These devices are more or less just receivers of information like locomotive 42 increased speed to 36 that energy will then increase the speed but has really no idea of what locomotive number 14 is doing, or where it is that on the next level, we find the command station.
There are tons of different command stations for DCC a few example is digitrax, Roco Z21, Merkin Central Station, loco net or lens, just to name a few. This device receives commands from you, meaning your speed control handle. And send that to the receivers, like engine switches and signals. In most cases, it also powers the layout. The next level is the traffic control system, which most often is referred to as a computer controlled this device uses the information from the command station, meaning direction, status, speed and position of all of the devices to plan the traffic flow on your layout.
Let's have a look at what a traffic control system can do for you and your layout. I use it all the time for setting the train routes, meaning it will switch the turnouts to the correct position, set the signals to the aspect valid for this route, and it also blocks this route for other trains, as long as my train is on that route. With a route selected, I can either choose to run my train manually using light speed control handle or automatically and let the computer, set the speed, according to the speed limits on the route. Another function I use all the time is scheduled traffic. On my layout, I typically run the long distance goods and passenger trains by automatic schedule control.
I then at the same time, manually control all the train movements in the yards. That way I can have up to 12 trains running at the same time as I'm doing some shanty service. Very nice. Another very useful function in the traffic control system is the service and maintenance, it can direct the track cleaning train to all parts of the layout, keeping track of what parts been cleaned, when and not. There is also service intervals set for each train so you know when it's time to clean the wheels.
Another nice function is the documentation for each engine. I got this one, for instance from my wife as a Christmas gift, 2014. It has, up till today run 13 hours and 38 minutes. Last time I cleaned the wheels was in October 2018. There are tons of goodies in our software like this, but I will mention just one more here.
It's the actions, with actions you can really define any activity you desire, on your layout in time and space. Here's a few examples. All locomotives, signal with the horn before entering this tunnel or controlling the light functions of this railway crossing or controlling the lights of this station, so it gets turned on at eight o'clock in the evening at the same time as it deems the ambient light in the room. Actions can also play mp3 files directly, like train driver radio communication, or the bells from a railway crossing. Well, I don't know if I've managed to whet your appetite for this type of software.
If I did, then it's a free of charge to download the software I'm using. It's called a road rail it's available on roadrail.de it's an open source type software so it's free to use free to install for eternity. And you can order some goodies, you know, some extras, by donating to the project. So, it's a way to get started. And if you're interested in this type of content for the premium section.
Please drop a note in the comment field, and I will make premium videos and expand on this topic further on this winter. And, don't forget to level up gain premium membership here on model railroad Academy. See you in there.
Make More Content in this area. I last requested additional in 2022. It's 2025 now.... Thank you.
This is the area of most interest to me. I have the ESU Cab control system
I purchased a subscription with RocRail. I also own an ESU Cab Control System. What I'd like to know is for the ESU, which sensors and boards should I purchase to have some sections automated and like on your layout, some manual. I'd like automated block occupancy meaning if the ahead block is occupied, the means to program the train before the block to slow/stop and have the signals change in an automated fashion. I'm looking to do this all with ESU equipment and desire some guidance.
I actually just purchased the ESU 50310 DCC wireless control system. I have mentioned some time ago, that I use Kato Track in HO guage. What would be really helpful to me is to identify with DCC some components that would enable me to connect my DC based turnout motors namely models 2-503 in Kato and 2-504 to my DCC control system. I'd also like some guidance on setting up programming as you'd mentioned with Rocrail for scheduling and interfacing with my DCC system for signals, block control (automated and manual) and the whole kit and caboodle... Can you please help?? I would definitely invest some money on courseware addressing these subject matters and into Rocrail development should it be capable of meeting my needs.
I am definitely interested in more content like this. I have always had the vision of creating my own automated railway, which some trains auto scheduled and others manually controlled. I've wanted to put in block controls and the like but lack the knowledge "STEP BY STEP" to bring my dream to fruition. If you could take a dual track layout that fits on a 4 x 8 board, that has a small yard and create an example with block control, switching showing the switch machines, sensors, programming tricks and techniques etc, with a controller like the ESU you referenced in this video, I would find it infinitely invaluable. Also, I need help with figuring out how and when to use a booster to add power to the layout, handling reverse loops (when one would be necessary) etc etc...This detailed information is the kind that I personally would pay a premium for as a member to learn and be able to implement. Thank you......
Would be great to get a more in-depth look into setting up a semi automated train control and operations. I am just getting back into modeling and running Marklin trains.
Did you say RockRail.de as the place to download the software?
I would very much like guidance on JMRI, a free and extremely powerful RR control software package. The capabilities are overwhelming and I'm having trouble getting started with it because it is so complex. Some hints for beginners would be welcome.
Its look great love the workings
I'd like to know much more. I have a premium subscription and am looking to purchase my first DCC controller, system and software. I am thinking about using KATO track. My guage is HO and the controller shown here in your video is one I am very interested in. I have a Dynamis Ultima but it's software isn't quite as sophisticated as what you're showing. Can you make more videos showing the devices you program to make the turnouts, lights and locos work?