I"m always interested in cool control technologies. It's one of the things that intrigues me about modern appliances. There's some neat technology going into model railroading lately. I found out something really interesting while looking at stuff on my Uncle's train. This age-old hobby has had some infusion of modern computer technology lately:
In a model railroad, speed is controlled at a transformer. The transformer puts more or less power onto the track depending on how fast the model's "engineer" wants the train to go. The problem with this method is that Of course, all the trains on the track must go the same speed, since they are receiving their power from the same source. In real, full-size trains, the track is supplied with the maximum amount of power a train would need, the train is equpped with speed controllers the engineer can of course adjust to control the speed. Modern real electric trains are also equipped with computers and electronics that identify themselves, and where they are on the track.
Now, these elements of realism is avaliable in a model railroad, with speed control being moved to the model locomotive, just like a real train. The track is supplied with the maximum amount of power that the model will need just like a real train. Inside the model locomotive is a computer chip that receives control signals from an operator station, senses where it is in the train layout, and identifies itself. The locomotive communicates this information back to the controller through the track's third power rail. This amazing system allows multiple trains to occupy the same track system, and operate at different speeds and directions. In fact, switches can be programmed to switch to one track when one train approaches, and switch to another when a different train approaches. The locomotives can also be programmed to stop at stations, or blow whistles and horns at specific locations, like crossings. Of course, in a big model railroad layout there's the potiental for things to get quite complicated, as trains stop at stations, switch tracks, etc. Operating one of these "smart" model railroads will really be just like the control centers of a busy major rail line in a major city!
...I had no idea model trains had progressed like this!
In a model railroad, speed is controlled at a transformer. The transformer puts more or less power onto the track depending on how fast the model's "engineer" wants the train to go. The problem with this method is that Of course, all the trains on the track must go the same speed, since they are receiving their power from the same source. In real, full-size trains, the track is supplied with the maximum amount of power a train would need, the train is equpped with speed controllers the engineer can of course adjust to control the speed. Modern real electric trains are also equipped with computers and electronics that identify themselves, and where they are on the track.
Now, these elements of realism is avaliable in a model railroad, with speed control being moved to the model locomotive, just like a real train. The track is supplied with the maximum amount of power that the model will need just like a real train. Inside the model locomotive is a computer chip that receives control signals from an operator station, senses where it is in the train layout, and identifies itself. The locomotive communicates this information back to the controller through the track's third power rail. This amazing system allows multiple trains to occupy the same track system, and operate at different speeds and directions. In fact, switches can be programmed to switch to one track when one train approaches, and switch to another when a different train approaches. The locomotives can also be programmed to stop at stations, or blow whistles and horns at specific locations, like crossings. Of course, in a big model railroad layout there's the potiental for things to get quite complicated, as trains stop at stations, switch tracks, etc. Operating one of these "smart" model railroads will really be just like the control centers of a busy major rail line in a major city!
...I had no idea model trains had progressed like this!
