Toy Trains Controlled With Morse Code

This is so much fun to watch!

Thanks for posting.

Very interesting!!  Thanks for sharing

What exactly is an Arduino?

@Tinplate Art posted:

What exactly is an Arduino?

Great question! An Arduino is a small computer board that reads inputs, such as switches and buttons, and activates outputs, like lights, motors, and relays. There is some computer programming involved but it is pretty easy to find what you need on the internet. I think the Arduino code is C++ or some variant of C. That code is then uploaded to the Arduino unit which then runs on a 9v battery. The Arduino website probably does a better job of explaining then I can.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/guide/introduction

There seems to be a growing number of model railroaders using these boards. I have seen entire layouts on the internet with multiple trains run entirely by Arduino!

Interesting      As most of you must know, during WWII,  Lionel made Morse code keys that were used by the Navy.

Steve

Gsyverstad: THANK YOU for explaining! :-)

Very innovate approach to interfacing an old (but still digital) technology with contemporary technology.  I'm familiar with Arduino and there's a lot of neat things you can do with it, especially with it being open-source.

But I just can't help but ask:  What input would you be tapping into the telegraph key if you have to do an emergency stop/quckly cut power?  I don't think "... - --- .--." is going to be particularly helpful.    Ditto for any situation where you need to do something quick without necessarily killing power or slow to a rapid halt, like throw a switch at the last minute before the train arrives.

@John Korling posted:

Very innovate approach to interfacing an old (but still digital) technology with contemporary technology.  I'm familiar with Arduino and there's a lot of neat things you can do with it, especially with it being open-source.

But I just can't help but ask:  What input would you be tapping into the telegraph key if you have to do an emergency stop/quckly cut power?  I don't think "... - --- .--." is going to be particularly helpful.    Ditto for any situation where you need to do something quick without necessarily killing power or slow to a rapid halt, like throw a switch at the last minute before the train arrives.

Lol I was thinking the same thing when I built it. "....." is the emergency stop signal for now. I will be wiring in a button that does the same thing soon.

@Gsyverstad posted:

Lol I was thinking the same thing when I built it. "....." is the emergency stop signal for now. I will be wiring in a button that does the same thing soon.

I think it's more likely you'll be hitting the kill switch over trying to input 5 taps into the telegraph key to avoid a rapidly approaching collision/derailment.    I'd still be curious what your inputs would be in situations where you still need to react quickly yet without necessarily killing the power.

Hah!  Very clever. 

Mitch