Wii Nunchuk Controlled Model Train

Step 5 Gratuitous Layout Video and Picture

All this has all been a rough "proof of concept" for my actual layout, which currently uses a 1980's era transformer for DC operation.  The video shows my 11 year old daughter running the layout. You can learn more about the layout here.  We'll have to redo the video with the new controller!



Other "micro-controller" implementations under consideration for the layout:

IR or CdS sensors at end of tracks to prevent running off the ends (check out www.instructables.com/id/A-very-simple-proximity-detector/).

Use sensors for auto-reversing for unattended layout operation (probably just back-and-forth on center spur).

Micro-controlled throwout operation using servos or this ingenious analog device.  Use sensors to prevent throwout operation while train on top of it (causes derailment).

Lady Ada's wave shield to provide audio feedback on events like "off the track" or "on the switch".  Unfortunately, you can't stack the wave and motor shields (no enough pins available to run both simultaneously).  I may just wire up a single motor controller and use the wave shield.

Let me know what else you think it could benefit from.

Comments

[Henry_Best]

Have you thought about using magnetic reed switches to detect when a train is approaching the end of tracks? All you need is a couple of small bar magnets glued to the underside of the loco and trailing vehicle (for reverse operation). The reed switches, which are very cheap, can be easily disguised as 'between track' fittings and can be painted without affecting their operation. If you're using a common ground, just connect one side of the (normally open) reed switch to that and take the other side back to one of the Arduino pins, held at 5v by a 1k resistor. Poll that pin to detect when it's grounded and apply the brakes! The magnets should have the same orientation as the reed switches (don't have them at right angles to each other) otherwise you may get a double switching as the N and then the S poles move over the switch.
You can also use reed switches for train differentiation. Imagine two locos, one with two magnets spaced 1" apart and the other with the magnets 2" apart. With 3 reed switches spaced 1" and 1" you can detect if switches 1 and 2 are closed at the same time or if switches 1 and 3 are closed at the same time. Simply ground one end of switch 1 and connect the other end to both switches 2 and 3. The outputs of switches 2 and 3 will tell you which train is present.
My idea is for an automatic 'hump' shunting yard. The wagons would have a bar code stuck to the underside and a bar code reader in the hump would read the barcode and switch the points to the appropriate track. I don't yet know how to do this, but I'm sure that it could be done with an Arduino!