Electric model railway control system - identification codes carried inconspicuously underneath rolling stock to operate central control and display

摘要

Sections of track (1) between points and crossings (2) are equipped with code readers (6) operated, eg by reflected light, and connected via processors (7) and a data bus (8) to a receiver (9) for the personal-computer control unit (10). Stationary decoders (3-5) for points (2) and movable components or accessory lighting are supplied with current from the track (1). Each locomotive or train (T) carries a mobile decoder (M) and a machine-readable code (23), eg bar code, which appears also on the underside of the last vehicle of a train. Commands are issued to a supply and connection box (11) by the computer (10) or a manual keyboard (12). ADVANTAGE - Positions of controllable components are determined and displayed centrally with facilities for manual intervention in operation of trains, points, signals and accessories, overriding set time-table.