Site OverView: Welcome to our website for our HO Guage Model Railroad. This site contains the history, progress, and projects associated with our Model Railroad Empire. Our Railroad has grown into a multifaceted hobby. My son Ryan is interested in Programming and the electronic control of our railroad. My daughter Amanda is interested in Art and therefore loves the scenery aspect of our railroad. I enjoy it all and struggle to make progress as each part steals my time from the other aspects. Listed below is a brief overview of our Railroad and the areas you can explore on the associated pages.
Layout History: The first layout was purchased by my father in Omaha, Nebraska about 1956. Explore the History pages to learn how this layout moved to Minnesota, and then found it’s own dedicated room under the 3 Season Porch.
Layout Theme: Every good layout needs a theme. Our layout is freelanced and set in the 1950s. We have developed a complete story of how it came to be, who it served, and key people and places. Read more on the Theme pages.
Layout Project: This is the front page of our Layout Project. This includes information on our layout plans (current and future), layout construction, structures, rolling stock, and prime movers.
Layout Control: This has become a hobby in itself as my son and I explore DCC, Electronics, and Software Programming. We have merged the MRC Prodigy Wireless System, with purchased and custom electronic turnout controls/sensors, and the MRC computer interface with custom VBA software interface.
Other Projects: Who could have time for other projects??? But we do. Check these pages for other projects we have been working on. Especially with the Parallax Propeller Microcontroller.
Please leave us your comments on what you like or any suggestions you may have. Above all enjoy our website and our hobby.
Martin, Ryan, and Amanda
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By webmaster, on August 15th, 2010
Amanda builds a scratch-built Gazebo and Park Diorama and takes it to the NMRA National Model Train Convention. She had a great time at the convention and received a lot of attention with her model. Iwata sponsored a youth award of a complete Airbrush system. She was very excited (so was Dad). See Pictures
By webmaster, on August 15th, 2010
We have successfully decoded the communications format from the MRC computer interface to the Prodigy Controller. We are now decoding the Command structure for the controller communications. So far we have identified the Function keys, the stationary decoder commands, and some of the speed/dir commands. We have successfully built a Visual Basic Program that monitors commands from other controllers on the bus and allows user control of the bell and whistle. Although this is just a few commands we simply need to add the VB routines for the others as the basic communications seems to be solid. We will try to start document these protocols so others can use them.
By webmaster, on August 5th, 2010
Our Website is open for viewing. First few pages have been entered. Please be patient while we build up our website and add our project information.
By webmaster, on May 30th, 2009
Designed the Switch Interface board. Developed Schematic, Board Layout, Produced First Board. Attached to Propeller board and added code to allow Propeller to decode the track signal and control the switch machine. It works.
Next up: Add I2C into Board to allow 8 boards on 2 communication lines. Also, need to develop Visual Basic Code to add control and configuration into the board.
By webmaster, on January 31st, 2009
Using the Parrallax Propeller I have successfully written the Assembly Code to detect the track signal and decode it to monitor the Stationary Decoder commands. The results are displayed on an LCD screen added onto the Propeller board.
Next up: Need to develop an interface to control the Tortoise switch Machines.
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