At last - an online DCC model railroad!
www.internetmodelrailroad.com
You realize this isn't a remote-control railroad or simulation you can access like the camera in Fostoria, right? This is much more interesting than that; it's using the equipment and protocols for the "Internet of Things" to transfer and use the standard codes that were developed for DCC. Expect the cost of the control modalities, the decoders, and probably the development environments for user interfaces to fall, perhaps precipitously, as the IoT revolution accelerates and broadens.
I'm afraid that I think I don't have the patience for whatever this is.
maxmanI'm afraid that I think I don't have the patience for whatever this is.
Think all the DCC stuff that we now pay through the nose for -- the same way we used to pay enormous sums for home control and automation. Now build cheap and small and low-power ways to implement that technology, and produce the components by the millions, and design them so they easily interwork with each other and with software. Very interesting possibilities start to emerge for model railroading...
Running trains with computers...has ZERO appeal to me.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage Running trains with computers...has ZERO appeal to me.
Nope,my interest in running trains by computer is less then zero...My Tech 6 is good enough.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Heck, I'm still having a hard time forcing myself to learn Arduino.
Also, I'm not sure I want to let my computer have all the fun by running my model railroad for me. I can see controlling the lighting by computer but I think I'd rather run the locomotives and throw the switches by myself! Maybe I'll set up something to prevent my trains from running switches the wrong way, but that technology is already available.
I can just see myself 10 years from now desperately clinging to DCC as it fades into history!
I wish there was an emoticon for 'dinosaur'. I'd probably wear it out!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Vernon99At last - an online DCC model railroad!
there is certainly a lot of things that can be done with today's technology. Not sure what the market is for components that allow anyone on the network to control your layout. Would you want people (kids) doing the Adam's Family thing? what if there is a derailment?
on the other hand, i think it could be helpful to be able to specify a trackplan you're considering and operate it virtually to evaluate it and make changes.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Day by day, I feel less inclined to follow the path set by all these electronic gadgets dominating instead of supporting our life!
While I still see some sense in DCC in combination with some sort of wireless throttle, everything beyond that does not strike my fancy.
I think I will revert back to quite old fashioned trains in the future - something like this:
hon30critter Heck, I'm still having a hard time forcing myself to learn Arduino. Also, I'm not sure I want to let my computer have all the fun by running my model railroad for me. I can see controlling the lighting by computer but I think I'd rather run the locomotives and throw the switches by myself! Maybe I'll set up something to prevent my trains from running switches the wrong way, but that technology is already available. I can just see myself 10 years from now desperately clinging to DCC as it fades into history! I wish there was an emoticon for 'dinosaur'. I'd probably wear it out! Dave
Overmod Maxman I'm afraid that I think I don't have the patience for whatever this is. Think all the DCC stuff that we now pay through the nose for -- the same way we used to pay enormous sums for home control and automation. Now build cheap and small and low-power ways to implement that technology, and produce the components by the millions, and design them so they easily interwork with each other and with software. Very interesting possibilities start to emerge for model railroading...
Maxman I'm afraid that I think I don't have the patience for whatever this is.
One aspect of this - is that there are people who have a moderate level of interest in model railroads, or model submarines, or a beach on some island but not enough to buy their own. This allows them to operate a model RR (or other attraction) once a week or so without buying one. It could ultimately be advertising or donation supported (if it gets really popular) For the person with a higher level of interest it offers a browser based DCC interface to a circuit board that costs about $100 to build, about the same as "entry level" DCC. Your tablet can be your throttles and operate other layout functions. The board has a lot of IO and could also run the sprinkler system, unlock the front door, start the emergency generator, and perform various other "smart home" functions if you wanted.
maxmanAll I saw was a model railroad being run by clicking here and there on a computer screen. If that's what it is, then it is of absolutely no interest to me.
All that is is a technology demo, some track laid down on a board with RTR engines to show proof-of-concept. It is just there to show how the components work. A bit like the home-control displays in a Home Depot or Lowe's.
Admittedly there is still considerable confusion about exactly what the advantages of the "Internet of Things" is going to be. But this isn't like the "Internet coffeepot" of the 1990s, or one of those adjustable Web cams in a computer-science lab, where you could log in and start clicking controls and things would start to happen. (Or for that matter like the camera controls on the Kalmbach railcam in Fostoria ... which function, but don't really work very well).
The actual value to modelers is in what the components do on a real model railroad, when built into your own models or your own environment. Be interesting to have someone from MR write an article on this.
So, is this like designing your own operating system (e.g. like DCC or DCS) for your layout so that various "components" play nicely with one another? Can the layout be operated without a computer or smart phone?
Tom
To operate locomotives and the layout through combination of DCC, computer and internet.
I may already be too old to grab this, but what´s the use of combining DCC, computer and the Internet to control a loco or a layout? We already have various ways of control employing DCC and computers, tablets, smartphones.
I don´t see any value in involving the Internet.
@ Sir Madog,You are right.The internet connection can be used if you are somewhere else (different buildings). Computers, tablets and smartphones need internet connection for accessing a DCC to operate locomotives and also the layout.
If you're in the same room with the layout, you don't need the internet connection.
TrainSupport To operate locomotives and the layout through combination of DCC, computer and internet.
Why would I want to stare at a computer monitor or smartphone to operate a layout...over the internet??? And what happens if there is a derailment??? As I stated before, this has ZERO interest for me, as well as potential disaster written all over it...
I see the need for some sort of "remote control" for operations like the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, but they already have a bespoke solution to the issue.
Frankly, I don´t see any value in this, as there are already plenty of "train simulators" around.
Sir Madog I see the need for some sort of "remote control" for operations like the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, but already have thei bespoke solution to the issue.
I see the need for some sort of "remote control" for operations like the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, but already have thei bespoke solution to the issue.
I totally get that scenario, Ulrich. Kinda' like someone using remote software to help troubleshoot your computer issues or monitor problems.
I guess this sort of thing will appeal to some folks. I'm afraid I won't be one of them...
tstage Why would I want to stare at a computer monitor or smartphone to operate a layout...over the internet??? And what happens if there is a derailment??? As I stated before, this has ZERO interest for me, as well as potential disaster written all over it... Tom
Well, wouldn´t it be nice to be able to run your layout via a smartphone app while you attend a dull and boring business conference thousands of miles away?
You could even set up vitual operating sessions with your train buddies while you are on a fishing trip.
This would be of the same quality as taking your phone with you to your "private conference" in a rest room - for the fear of missing a call....
Sir MadogFrankly, I don´t see any value in this, as there are already plenty of "train simulators" around.
I agree completely.
There are about a billion people on the internet. If 50 of them like the idea and operate the train then it has served it's purpose. It gets about 100 visitors a day and about 10 log in. Note that it can be password protected (I do that when the train wrecks get to be too much bother) so you could share operation of your layout only with select friends.
While my layout is basic and mostly intended for demonstration of the technology - some people have a more artistic layout that they are proud of and may want to share it with the world (or select friends). Others might just keep it on the local network and run the trains on the tablet during TV commericals. It does not have to be on the external internet if you don't want that. Since it requires no physical throttles, buttons, or consoles it is the cheapest possible DCC control. Even without mass production building it with retail parts costs about $100 - $120. Add $70 for the machine vision.
The machine vision automatic trip could also be the only thing you allow access to on the internet. People who admire your layout can click a button and watch it run through it's paces. The machine vision allows very cheap (no sensors and wires) and very precise (less than an inch error) location of the train.
I originally did this just for something to do. There is a lot of talk about the Internet of Things but I couldn't find a "Thing" on the internet that I could interact with. So I made this, this is the only thing on the internet that you can control. And in the beginning a lot of people saw no point in having their faces on Facebook.
Vernon99Since it requires no physical throttles, buttons, or consoles it is the cheapest possible DCC control. Even without mass production building it with retail parts costs about $100 - $120. Add $70 for the machine vision.
That makes it $170 to $190 - the street price of a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra is below that figure.
But don´t let all the jabber (including mine) discourage you, I am sure there will be folks out there who like to have something like it.
Vernon99And in the beginning a lot of people saw no point in having their faces on Facebook.
And a lot of us still feel that way.
However, as Ulrich says, carry on.
I just don't see the point of this way of running your trains.
As somebody else said, my MRC tech 6 works just fine.
Wow. What a bunch of self important group of people we have here. Judging the comments that the OP received, one would think that he was asking for your permission to go forward with the internet MRR idea.
I don't mind being the one to tell you all that your like or dislike of anything that comes accross your eyes is not important to the rest of the world. If you don't like something that someone else does, you're entitled to that. But you don't have to constantly make your point ad nauseum. Zero interest in the internet MRR? Move on. I don't think the OP was telling anyone to change how they play with their toys and to choose their method.
That being said, the one benefit I see to the internet MRR is that it could appeal to the younger crowd. As much as the old dogs are saying this hobby is dying, this vehicle could open the door to young modelers. Kids' noses are glued to phone/tablet screens all the time so a internet based layout could spark their interest to this hobby. Hopefully enough to make them want to have a layout of thier own, which is good for the hobby.
To the OP, sorry you came accross a lot of negativity. Don't let it discourge you. Sometimes old dogs that can't be taught new tricks and they can't be told of other ideas. Although the internet MRR is not something I would do for myself, I think it has potential to open doors to a different type of modeler. Good luck.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Tony -
your post is nothing but an insult to many of us.
If you want to see a hypocrit - look into your mirror!