Now this is impressive, the Minatur Wunderland Model Railway Society in Hamburg Germany have created the worlds biggest model train layout.
It is a Digitally controlled H0-scale layout ran by DCC digital control
It is powered by 60 computers and features over 150,000 trees, 150,000 figures, 5,000 vehicles, 5,000 structures, 15,00 signals and more than 10,000 metres of track!
It is not fully completed, but when it is they expect to have 1,000 trains running at any one time, this is a serious technical achievement and on that the MIT Model Railroad Club would be proud of!
If you want to find out more information about this layout then check out their website at http://www.miniatur-wunderland.de/data/cms/en/500/
Another Model Train ciruit for you all, this one simulates the flashing warning lights at railway crossings
As with our previously featured project, the site listed below includes all instructions, circuit diagrams and www.mouser.com part numbers….
Automatic Railway Grade Crossing Flashers - Schematics, parts list and construction notes
Here’s a handy circuit if you have a model train layout (or even if you don’t!). It has twenty open collector outputs that turn on one at a time in a continuous sequential manner
‘As logic circuits go, the 20 Step circuit is fairly simple but due to the high speed nature of the TTL Logic devices used, care must be taken when wiring these circuits. Simply put; The neater the wiring the better’
Here’s a quick parts list….
- Voltage Regulators TO-92 5.0V 0.1A
- Timers DIP-8 Single Timer
- DECADE COUNTER DIP14
- QUAD 2-IN OR DIP-14
- DUAL J-K F/F DIP-14
- BCD-DEC DECODER DP16
- 100K ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor
- Trimmer Potentiometers 1Mohms 6mm
- 470 ohm / 1/4 Watt Carbon Resistor
- Radial Electrolytic Capacitors 25V 10uF
- Radial Monolithic Capacitors 50V .1uF
- Radial Electrolytic Capacitors 25V 1.0uF
- Green 3mm LED
- 2 Position Terminal Block - 5mm
Check out this page for more information on constructing the unit, it also includes detailed PCB diagrams
The page also includes www.mouser.com part numbers so ordering everything you need should be nice and easy
Our post yesterday on homebrew model train software seemed to go down a treat, the only thing that is lacking is some
kind of DIY hardware interfaces…. enter MERG!An international, UK based group promoting interest in the application of electronics (including computers) to all aspects of railway modelling - They seem to have it all covered so if your interested in making some DIY hardware for your model train layout then head on over.Founded in the early 1960's, the Groups aim is to actively promote and advance the use of electronics and computer technology for model railway operation 
And as if that wasn't enough, why not check out DCC-MB which stands for "Digital Command Control", and is an evolving hardware and software standard for digital control of model railroads.
Responding to a request from a regular visitor to the site, I have found a few links which may be of interest.
Model Train Controllers can be an expensive affair, with companies charging ridiculous amounts for DCC controlling software. One site has created an open source free collection of software packages aimed at simplifying many of the tasks involved. They all run with Java and can be used with a low-spec inexpensive PC
Their software supports the following hardware
- Atlas Commander C/MRI Digitrax EasyDCC Lenz Lionel TMCC NCE Roco SPROG Uhlenbrock Intellibox Wangrow Zimo MX-1
The JMRI Project is currently being sued by KAM Industries a commercial model train control software author for infringing on 'his' patents. From what I have read they don't have a leg to stand on and are using bully boy tactics to try and pressure Bob Jacobsen into paying him over $200,000 in damages.Go check out Bob's site and give him your support by using his software!
Recent Comments