RC semaphore signalling

[ge_rik]

Ten years ago I constructed twenty signals. I put four of them under radio control but then lost motivation as I couldn't figure out how to do the rest of them efficiently - four signals had to be hard-wired to a central RC receiver powered by 12v at each station. Recently, I came across tiny linear servos, a cheapo RC system and Seeeduino microprocessors which would all operate off a single 3.7v li-ion cell. This means each signal can be self-contained with its own power supply and receiver.

Early days, yet, but I'm pleased with progress so far.



Rik

[tommygander1941]

Ten years ago I constructed twenty signals. I put four of them under radio control but then lost motivation as I couldn't figure out how to do the rest of them efficiently - four signals had to be hard-wired to a central RC receiver powered by 12v at each station. Recently, I came across tiny linear servos, a cheapo RC system and Seeeduino microprocessors which would all operate off a single 3.7v li-ion cell. This means each signal can be self-contained with its own power supply and receiver.

Early days, yet, but I'm pleased with progress so far.



Rik

Ooo signalling, one of my favourite elements of any railway (apart from colour light signals). If you do eventually make many will there be separate signals for both platforms at Beeston Market, or will they be controlled by just the one?

[gregh]

Looking good Rik.
Are there only 4 signals at each station?
Will you have to carry 5 of those keyfob controllers around for the 20 signals? You'll have to glue them all to single 'carry board' !

I imagine you will just be at one station when you want to control it's signals. So worth thinking about how you could just have just 1 keyfob and a local, manual switch at each station to power up only those local signals ??? Maybe the arduino could somehow set all signals to stop when you power off? ( you don't have to actually power off the whole supply, just the supply to each Rx.)
Feel free to tell me and my ideas to get lost!

As an aside, I went through the exercise of using normal, rotating servos to operate 3 signals, 10 years ago, but the little servos didn't like outdoor life, even though I had them in little rain proof covers. So they are all gone now!
Greg

[ge_rik]

Looking good Rik.
Are there only 4 signals at each station?
Will you have to carry 5 of those keyfob controllers around for the 20 signals? You'll have to glue them all to single 'carry board' !

I imagine you will just be at one station when you want to control it's signals. So worth thinking about how you could just have just 1 keyfob and a local, manual switch at each station to power up only those local signals ??? Maybe the arduino could somehow set all signals to stop when you power off? ( you don't have to actually power off the whole supply, just the supply to each Rx.)
Feel free to tell me and my ideas to get lost!

Yes. Keeping it simple. Four signals at each station. Two starters and homes at each station. However, I might need to install a couple of extra signals to control the copper mine branch.

I'm thinking I'll leave a keyfob at each station. I generally follow trains from station to station.

Each signal sets to danger when I power on. Not sure how to do it on power off.

As an aside, I went through the exercise of using normal, rotating servos to operate 3 signals, 10 years ago, but the little servos didn't like outdoor life, even though I had them in little rain proof covers. So they are all gone now!
Greg

These will be deployed at the start of running sessions and then live indoors. That's why I wanted to make them self contained. No need to worry about waterproof plugs and water proofing the control boxes - though will make them shower proof.

BTW thanks for your help with the first Picaxe controller. You'll be pleased to hear I've retained the names "raiseit" and "lowerit" for the two main subroutines. Unfortunately, I couldn't use your coding as Picaxe and Arduino use quite different syntax. A pity as the servo movement on your coding is a lot smoother and reaIistic than mine.

Rik

[Andrew]

This is an exciting development! I love a bit of signalling but, alas, the NWNGR hacked down all their semaphores when they started running under a Light Railway Order, so they weren't a feature of the WHR...

I saw an amazing modern image OO layout at an exhibition, based on a large and busy junction, where the signalman sat in the middle and operated the (colour light) signals - the other operators then ran trains accordingly. So, obviously, I'm picturing a mammoth PLR running session, with a signalman (clutching a handful of key fobs) perched in a tennis umpire's chair in the middle of your lawn, while the poor train crew try to comply with his/her instructions! As an actual signalman, I'm volunteering SVLR Andrew for the job - he'd keep everyone under control...

That happy little daydream's going to make this afternoon's work fly by...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[ge_rik]

Hopefully, this time I will be able to equip and deploy every signal. As Greg has pointed out, I'll need to keep tabs on charging them.

Rik

[Soar Valley Light]

This is an exciting development! I love a bit of signalling but, alas, the NWNGR hacked down all their semaphores when they started running under a Light Railway Order, so they weren't a feature of the WHR...

I saw an amazing modern image OO layout at an exhibition, based on a large and busy junction, where the signalman sat in the middle and operated the (colour light) signals - the other operators then ran trains accordingly. So, obviously, I'm picturing a mammoth PLR running session, with a signalman (clutching a handful of key fobs) perched in a tennis umpire's chair in the middle of your lawn, while the poor train crew try to comply with his/her instructions! As an actual signalman, I'm volunteering SVLR Andrew for the job - he'd keep everyone under control...

That happy little daydream's going to make this afternoon's work fly by...

Cheers,

Andrew.

Oi! It's bad enough with a lever frame, Key fobs sound like a step too far for me!

That said, I don't suppose it would be too difficult for someone of Rik's RC abilities to rig up a simple lever frame that worked the key fobs Now with a nice little miniature lever frame you could consider me tempted. It's one of the reasons that Kingscote on the Bluebell is one of my favourite boxes to work.

Well done to RIK for such an impressive development. Like others have mentioned, signals (on the right sort of railway) can really 'make the scene' and if they work as proto-typically as Rik'S do they are the icing on the cake.

I'm officially impressed.

SVLR Andrew

[ge_rik]

Thanks Andrew. Praise indeed.
Not sure I can adapt the key fob into a ground frame but it's an interesting idea.

Rik

[Trevor Thompson]

Rik

A very interesting development!

I have a plan to fit signals to the "Railway in the valley of the mill", and have started by drawing out the Festiniog type signals, ready for printing. I have even started to work out how to programme Arduino boards.

So your ideas have arrived at just the right time.

You can hardly drive a train on my railway without following the locomotive so I think your plan to leave a controller at each station might actually work for me!

Trevor

[ge_rik]

Rik

A very interesting development!

I have a plan to fit signals to the "Railway in the valley of the mill", and have started by drawing out the Festiniog type signals, ready for printing. I have even started to work out how to programme Arduino boards.

So your ideas have arrived at just the right time.

You can hardly drive a train on my railway without following the locomotive so I think your plan to leave a controller at each station might actually work for me!

Trevor

I've tweaked the code so that an LED in the signal lamp can be turned on and off by holding down the keyfob button for three seconds or or longer. I'm in the process of designing, tweaking and 3D printing out bases to hold the battery and the electronics. Nearly there! I'll then place the Arduino code and a link to the .STL files for base on my blog. Hopefully, some of that will be of use and interest.

Rik