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Here you can find further information to the signalling control center for a model train. Part one is about the general idea of the control center and part two about setting routes in the program.

General information about the signalling control center.

This program can control track elements like segments and turnouts for a model train layout with a RaspberryPi. Hereby the german railway control center ESTW is taken as a role model in a largely simplified form.

Hardware

Inputs

Necessary inputs are feedback from the track segments to see where trains occupy railways.

Output

As output there are the directions of the turnouts and the different signal displays for main, distant and shunt signals.

Circuit

TIP120 are essentially used for the circuit to control the turnouts. To have more pins available the Pi is connected to serial-in/parallel-out shift register. MCP23017 are used to monitor track segments.

Software

The used language is C++ in combination with Qt for the graphical user interface and the wiringPi library to control the GPIOs of the Pi.

Controling the program

The main idea is to permit whole routes on the railway by clicking the start and end signal. This will reserve and lock a route. All elements including segments, turnouts and road crossings will be automatically changed in the needed way. After the train occupies step by step the different segments, the route will be unlocked and the next route can be set.

From start signal to end signal

Click the start and subsequently the end signal to install routes. It is possible to set routes between main signals or between shunt signals. It is also possible to set transition routes from shunt to main signals and vice versa. Distant signals show the corresponding main signal screen and are set automatically.

Double clicking deletes already set routes.

Due to already reserved routes it is possible to remember one route in a memory. As soon as this memorized route can be set without collisions the memory installs this route automatically. When the route memory is active the dark blue squares indicate the direction.

The right click context menu on main and shunt signals gives the opportunity to check neighbour segments and signals.