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Ethernet For Model Trains?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the sun/nothing-new dept.

RiscIt writes: "This technology has been around for some time ... Ethernet-protocol-like networking for model trains. LocoNet was created by DigiTrax. It is meant to work with their DCC systems, which can control trains and most everything else on a layout without hundreds of toggle switches. DigiTrax has posted a basic description of the technology as well as the protocol spec in pdf format. Very cool. I'm not about to go buy a gigabit switch for that train under the Christmas tree, however." Not sure why everything is underlined on that site, but I'm sure the headache will fade. Considering the influence of model trains on early computers (as related in Hackers and other books), this is one of the coolest instances I've heard of turnabout-is-fair-play.

8 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. For added realism... by gattaca · · Score: 3

    ...the British version runs Windows 98. Means that the trains keep crashing, you see...

  2. Re:Ethernet on trains by kenf · · Score: 3

    This would make a great deal of sense on the NE Corridor, Washington to Boston, and on commuter trains.

    The cheapest way would probably be a wireless lan. Put a wireless router in each car that could contact stations along the right of way, and then route the packets to wireless lan cards in the laptops, either customer provided, or rented by the train crew.

  3. Simple Railroad Command Protocol by yuggoth · · Score: 3

    While this has not necessarily something to do with LocoNet, it's interesting nevertheless...

    Some guys from the german model rr newsgroup de.rec.modelle.bahn have designed a protocol and several programs to control trains over a TCP/IP network. The project includes the protocol SRCP, clients to control your trains and turnouts (some with graphical interfaces), daemons to control central units for several digital train systems (Märklin, NRMA with LocoNet or XBus) and even a daemon which turns your computer itself into a multi-protocol command center - you only need a simple booster to supply power and data to the tracks. The project is located here. Sorry, german only - use the fish...:-)


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    Cthulhu fhtagn!
  4. trains by Lonesmurf · · Score: 3

    When I was knee-high to a grasshopper (always wanted to say that), my dad and I built a GIANT trainset in our garage -- much to my mother's great dismay. For this monstrosity, there were at least ten separate track lines that all converged in the 'train yard' that lay on the third level, which my father dubbed, Olympus. To get power and control to all of these tracks, he built a giant control pad full of switches and, to me at least, wholly indecipherable labels.

    A fairly simple interface via a serial port would probably work well for this. I fail to see how the ethernet protocol benefits a closed circuit system like a train. Why is this, other than a cool factor like IP over carrier pigeons, so terribly neat?

    BTW, I liked the underlines for each topic. When /. makes leaps and bounds in usability you can complain.. until then, enough with the trolling.

    Rami
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  5. Todays trains.. woah by bjb · · Score: 4
    I just want to throw my 2 in by saying that when I was younger I used to have a nice HO scale set (even bought some nice DB Marklin trains when I was in Germany). I was happy with the rows of switches and how I could control one train.

    Then I went to my family friend's house and saw the 7yr old's setup in their basement.

    If you haven't been in the model railroading scene for the last 15-20 years (like myself), you would not believe what they can do today. Not only can the powerpack control several trains at once, but they can all run at different speeds and NOT by the voltage of the track; they regulate their speed by themselves (radio controlled) on a full voltage track! In addition, the modern marvels of 16-bit sound chips has added a new realism to railroading that blows me away. Granted, when I was younger I had a plastic billboard model that actually was a whistle when you pressed a button, but these things you can press a button and have the clickety-clack of the tracks going on.

    There were a couple other things that amazed me, but I was impressed enough just by being able to run several trains at once without juggling different power packs.

    >sigh<

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  6. I don't know... by mmmmbeer · · Score: 4

    Doesn't ethernet have a few too many collisions? I think token ring might be safer...

  7. The little blue engine that pinged by selan · · Score: 4
    Is this article talking about a train network architecture based on ethernet or do they actually have train cars with NIC cards and IP addresses that are part of a LAN? I think it's the former, but wouldn't the latter be cool?

    I can just see it now...

    Telnetting to the caboose to tell it to slow down.
    A web server, complete with webcam, running from the engine.
    ICANN introducing the .choo TLD.

    [from the mind of the geek wife of a model railroader]

  8. realaudio by gattaca · · Score: 5

    Do these ethernet installed trains play streaming audio - that way you could hear mobile phones ringing continuously, cries of 'I'm on the train', announcements describing in tortuous detail the entire contents of the buffet carriage, and the sounds of muffled screams as customers (who were quite happy being referred to merely as passengers) have their lives interrupted once again with an annoucement listing every station the train has ever been through. If you put your head in the right place you can even get all of this with astounding doppler-shift as the train careers past you at a scale 30mph on the verge of shattering another broken rail as it rounds that bend... What excitement.