RFID on the Layout

Mark DiVecchio's O-Gauge Train Layouts

1992 Layout Page	2006 Layout Page	2009 Layout Page
P&LE Postcards by Howard Fogg	Plasticville Buildings	Portable Layout Page
Train Clubs	Bing Track	Remote Train Control Program
YouTube Channel	OOK Radio Support	Technical Videos
3D Prints for my Layout	More RTC Videos	ADPCM - Playing clips from .mth sound files
P&LE McKees Rocks Locomotive Shop 3D Printer Project	White Tower Restaurant 3D Printer Project	RFID Train Detection
Engine and Car Operation Hints and Tricks	RFID Tag Programmer using PN532	RTC Control Language - Scripting
RTC WiFi Support Getting rid of (most) of the wires		RTC Control Language - Signaling

RFID on the Layout

This Page last updated on .

I spent time during our COVID-19 self isolation installing the Arduinos and Tag Readers on my layout. With those pieces in place, I can start to do some operational testing. This page first went on-line 11 Aug 2020.

The videos on this page describe what I did and show the tag detection system in operation with my RTC program. In some of these videos, you will see a "Detected Tags Window" which shows all of the tags detected (past and present). Originally, this window displayed whenever a Program Control window was opened. I found this unnecessary during normal operation. Now if you want to see the "Detected Tags Window", you can open it by right clicking the [Prog Ctrl] button and selecting that window from the popup menu.

You can also view these videos in possibly higher resolution from this playlist on YouTube.

Video #1 - Tag Reader Hardware

Here is a video #1 recorded on 10 August 2020. I show the Arduino and PN532 tag reader hardware.

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Video #1 - Tag Reader Hardware

Video #2 - Tag Mounting

Here is video #2 recorded on 10 August 2020. The small tags are fairly easy to attach to the engine and car trucks.

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Video #2 - Tag Mounting

Video #3 - Tag Programming

Here is video #3 recorded on 10 August 2020. This program is used to write 32 bytes of data into each tag.

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Video #3 - Tag Programming

Video #4 - Simple Tag Detection Script

Here is video #4 recorded on 10 August 2020. This simple script, written in Lua, uses RTC's program control feature to display information about the engine/car as the tag goes over the undertrack tag reader.

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Video #4 - Simple Tag Detection Script

Here is the Lua code for the Simple Tag Detection Script

Here is a example listing of a simple script SimpleTagDetectionTest.lua
(this may not be as up to date as the zip file available on the main RFID page):

--
title = "Tag Detection Simple Test"
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function setup(Engine, TIU)
	-- this function is called once when the [Run Script] button is pushed
	-- Engine : Engine number selected on the RTC Main window
	-- TIU : TIU number selected on the RTC Main window
	print(string.format("setup() RunTime = %.2f seconds", RunTime()));
	return true; -- false=setup failed, true=setup succeeded
	end
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function tag(Detector, Reader, EngineNo, TagLocation, CarModel, Railroad, CarNumber, TagPacket)
	-- This function is called each time a tag programmed with 32 bytes of data is detected (TAGDATABLOCK4)
	-- TagPacket contains 8 characters (4 hex digits) of UID and 32 characters
	-- of block 4 data from the programmed tag.
	if (EngineNo > 0) then -- its an engine
	print(string.format("tag(%.2f) : Detector %d Reader %d Eng#%d %s %s #%s %s",
	RunTime(), Detector, Reader, EngineNo, GetRailroadName(Railroad), GetEngineName(CarModel), CarNumber, GetTagLocation(TagLocation)));
	else -- it's a car
	print(string.format("tag(%.2f) : Detector %d Reader %d Car %s %s #%s",
	RunTime(), Detector, Reader, GetRailroadName(Railroad), GetCarName(CarModel), CarNumber));
	end
	return true; -- true=continue to process tags, false=stop processing tags
	end
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function cleanup(Engine, TIU)
	-- this function is called once when the user presses the [STOP] button
	print(string.format("cleanup() Complete at %.2f", RunTime()));
	return true; -- false=cleanup failed, true=cleanup succeeded
	end
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]

Video #5 - Tags and Train Control

Here is video #5 recorded on 10 August 2020. This demonstrates a Lua script that controls the engine based on detecting its tags.

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Video #5 - Tags and Train Control

Here is the Lua code for the Sidings Test Script

Here is a example listing of a simple script Sidings Test - V3.lua
(this may not be as up to date as the zip file available on the main RFID page):

--[=[
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote Train Control Program for Windows

© Copyright 2020 by Mark DiVecchio

	This file is part of Remote Train Control.

	Remote Train Control is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
	it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
	(at your option) any later version.

	Remote Train Control is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
	GNU General Public License for more details.

	You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
	along with Remote Train Control. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

 Home Page : http://www.silogic.com/trains/RTC_Running.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------]=]
-- Semicolons are not required in Lua code
title = "Sidings Test"
require([[defines]]);
require([[functions]]);

local SD = require([[Distances]]); -- Measured stopping and starting distances in inches

-- Counter Labels
Counter01Label = "Engine Starts";
C1 = COUNTER01;
Counter02Label = "State";
C2 = COUNTER02;
Counter03Label = "#Tags";
C3 = COUNTER03;
Counter04Label = "Target Distance";
C4 = COUNTER04;
Counter05Label = "C5";
C5 = COUNTER05;
Counter06Label = "C6";
C6 = COUNTER06;
-- table to hold all of the tags detected in sequence
Tags = {};
TagCount = 0;
-- starting time
DTOStart = 0.0;
--
-- Siding entrance test
--
local STOPTIME = 15;
local STARTTIME = 10;
BeepOn = false;
SoundOff = false;
SPEEDINCREMENT = 10;

-- state machine states
IDLE = 10;
DONE = 11;
S0 = 0;
S1 = 1;
S2 = 2;
S3 = 3;
S4 = 4;
S5 = 5;
S6 = 6;
-- starting state
SM = IDLE;
StartRun = false;
BASESPEED = 20;
Direction = "WB"; -- "WB" for all of these sidings

-- Switches
local COLLEGE_WEST_AIU = 1;
local COLLEGE_WEST_CHAN = 1;
local COLLEGE_EAST_AIU = 1;
local COLLEGE_EAST_CHAN = 2;

local STRUTHERS_WEST_AIU = 2;
local STRUTHERS_WEST_CHAN = 5;
local STRUTHERS_EAST_AIU = 2;
local STRUTHERS_EAST_CHAN = 6;

local ALIQUIPPA_WEST_AIU = 1;
local ALIQUIPPA_WEST_CHAN = 9;
local ALIQUIPPA_EAST_AIU = 1;
local ALIQUIPPA_EAST_CHAN = 5;

--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function setup(Engine, TIU)
print(os.date("setup() %d %b %Y %X"));
--
MyEngineNo = Engine;
MyTIUNo = TIU;

SetLED(1, clRed, "LED1");
SetLED(2, clRed, "LED2");
SetLED(3, clRed, "LED3");
SetLED(4, clRed, "LED4");
--
print("setup() : TIU#" .. MyTIUNo .. " Engine#" .. MyEngineNo .. " Debug " .. Debug());
print(string.format("Run Time = %.2f Seconds", RunTime()));
Name, PS = GetName(MyEngineNo);
print("Engine#" .. MyEngineNo .. " " .. Name .. " PS" .. PS);
Title(title .. " - " .. GetName(Engine));
	
Smoke(OFF, 0, MyEngineNo, MyTIUNo);
StartUp(0, MyEngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- start selected engine

-- aim for the first reader
Target_Station = "College";
Target_Detector = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Detector");
Target_Reader = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Reader");
if (MyEngineNo == 7 or MyEngineNo == 13) then
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Passenger"); --Passenger StoppingDistance;
	else
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Freight"); --Freight StoppingDistance;
	end
Direction = "WB";
SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);

-- let engine startup
Sleep(15);
SM = IDLE;
SetCounter(C2, IDLE);
print(string.format("Run Time = %.2f Seconds", RunTime()));
DTOStart = DTO(Engine, MyTIUNo);
print(string.format("Trip Odometer Start %.2f Smiles", DTOStart));
print(string.format("Run Time = %.2f Seconds", RunTime()));
-- set acceleration and decelleration values
Decell = 1;
Rate(1, Decell, 0, MyEngineNo, MyTIUNo);
print("setup : Set decelleration rate to " .. Decell);
StopForwardScheduled = false;
StopReverseScheduled = false;
print("Please select a target station by pressing a button..........");
return true;
end
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]

function tag(Detector, Reader, EngineNo, TagLocation, CarModel, Railroad, CarNumber, TagPacket)
	-- this function is called each time a tag is detected
	if (EngineNo ~= MyEngineNo) then return true; end;
	if (Debug() and BeepOn) then Beep(); end; -- sound a tone
	-- Line below shows a different way to quote a string using brackets
	if (EngineNo > 0) then -- it's an engine
	print(string.format([[tag(%.2f) : Detector %d Reader %d Eng#%d %s %s #%s %s]],
	RunTime(), Detector, Reader, EngineNo, GetRailroadName(Railroad), GetEngineName(CarModel), CarNumber, GetTagLocation(TagLocation)));
	else -- it's a car
	print(string.format([[tag(%.2f) : Detector %d Reader %d Car %s %s #%s]],
	RunTime(), Detector, Reader, GetRailroadName(Railroad), GetCarName(CarModel), CarNumber)); 
	end

	-- The complete packet received is in TagPacket 
	-- (some of the most used fields have already been extracted into the first parameters to tag()
	-- First 8 digits are the 4 byte Tag UID in hexidecimal
	-- Next 32 digits are the 16 bytes of Block 4 Information read from the Tag in hexidecimal
	-- Final 4 digits are the checksum and End of Packet character
	if (Debug() > 3) then print(string.format("Packet %s", string.sub(TagPacket, 1, 40))); end
	-- index the table Tags[] by tag ID, value is the tag packet itself
	Tags[string.sub(TagPacket, 1, 8)] = string.sub(TagPacket, 9, 40); -- remove checksum and EOP
	TagCount = TagCount + 1; -- count the number of tags
	BumpCounter(C3); -- display the number of tags
	
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
-- STATE MACHINE
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]] 
if (SM == IDLE) then -- do nothing 
	Sleep(1);
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == DONE) then -- finish up
	SetCounter(C2, IDLE);
	SM = IDLE; -- go idle
	print("Almost Done...");
	Stop("DONE");
	return false; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S0) then
	-- run forward until the engine tag is detected over the Detector/Reader
	if (isEngine(EngineNo) and isDetector(Detector, Target_Detector) and isReader(Reader, Target_Reader)) then
	if (isTagFront(TagLocation)) then
	-- set stopping time delay to calculated value
	if (GetDirection(EngineNo, MyTIUNo) == FORWARD) then
	--print("S0 : Tag Detected in Forward");

	-- stop the engine
	-- time(seconds) = d(in) * 48 Smiles/mile * 3600 sec/hr * / (12 in/ft * 5280 ft/mile * X Smiles/hr)
	StopDelay = (Target_Distance - SD.Stopping(EngineNo, EngSpeed)) * (48 / (12 * 5280 * EngSpeed)) * 3600;
	print(string.format("Target Distance = %d in - Stopping Distance = %.3f in - Speed %d Smph = Stop Delay %.3f seconds",
	Target_Distance, SD.Stopping(EngineNo, EngSpeed), EngSpeed, StopDelay));
	EngSpeed = 0;
	print("S0 : Set speed to " .. EngSpeed .. " after " .. StopDelay .. " seconds")
	Throttle(EngSpeed, StopDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- set Speed to EngSpeed
	StopForwardScheduled = true;
	
	local StartDelay = StopDelay + STOPTIME; 
	-- set direction to reverse
	SetDirection(REVERSE, StartDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); 
	-- start the engine moving in reverse
	EngSpeed = BASESPEED;
	StartDelay = StartDelay + 2;
	print("S0 : Set speed to " .. EngSpeed .. " after " .. StartDelay .. " seconds")
	Throttle(EngSpeed, StartDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- set Speed to EngSpeed 
	BumpCounter(C1); -- bump number of engine starts
	-- stay in S0
	return true;
	end;
	end;

	if (isTagRear(TagLocation)) then
	if (not StopForwardScheduled) then Stop("S0 : Engine Front tag not detected"); end
	StopForwardScheduled = false;
	SetCounter(C2, S1); -- go to S1 
	SM = S1 
	return true;
	end 
	end;
	-- Stay in S0
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;

	
if (SM == S1) then
	-- run reverse until the engine tag is detected over the Detector/Reader
	if (isEngine(EngineNo) and isDetector(Detector, Target_Detector) and isReader(Reader, Target_Reader)) then
	if (isTagRear(TagLocation)) then
	-- set stopping time delay to fixed value
	if (GetDirection(EngineNo, MyTIUNo) == REVERSE) then
	--print("S1 : Tag Detected in Reverse");

	-- stop the engine
	EngSpeed = 0;
	local StopDelay = 5;
	print("S1 : Set speed to " .. EngSpeed .. " after " .. StopDelay .. " seconds");
	Throttle(EngSpeed, StopDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- set Speed to EngSpeed
	StopReverseScheduled = true;
	
	local StartDelay = 15; 
	-- set direction to forward
	SetDirection(FORWARD, StartDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); 
	-- start the engine moving forward
	EngSpeed = BASESPEED;
	StartDelay = StartDelay + 2;
	print("S1 : Set speed to " .. EngSpeed .. " after " .. StartDelay .. " seconds");
	Throttle(EngSpeed, StartDelay, EngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- set Speed to EngSpeed
	BumpCounter(C1); -- bump number of engine starts
	-- Stay in S1
	return true; 
	end;
	end;
	
	if (isTagFront(TagLocation)) then
	if (not StopReverseScheduled) then Stop("S1 : Engine Rear tag not detected"); end
	StopReverseScheduled = false;
	SetCounter(C2, S0); 
	SM = S0; 
	return true;
	end; 
	end;
	-- Stay in S1
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S2) then

	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S3) then

	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S4) then

	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S5) then
	Sleep(20);
	SM = DONE; -- TBD End the script 
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S6) then
	Sleep(20);
	SM = DONE; -- TBD End the script 
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S7) then
	Sleep(20);
	SM = DONE; -- TBD End the script 
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
	
if (SM == S8) then
	Sleep(20);
	SM = DONE; -- TBD End the script 
	return true; -- false=stop calling loop(), true=continue to call loop()
	end;
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]] 
return true; -- true=continue to process tags, false=stop processing tags 
end
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function cleanup(Engine, TIU)
-- this function is called once when the user presses the [STOP] button
print(os.date("cleanup() %d %b %Y %X"));
print("cleanup() : TIU#" .. TIU .. " Engine#" .. Engine .. " Debug " .. Debug());
StartRun = false;
Throttle(0, 0, Engine, TIU);
DTOFinish = DTO(Engine, TIU);
-- wait for dispatch list to empty
if (CountDispatchList() > 0) then
	ClearDispatchList();
	end;
print(string.format("Run Time = %.2f seconds", RunTime()));
print(string.format("Trip Odometer Finish %.2f Smiles", DTOFinish));
Sleep(5);
ShutDown(0, Engine, TIU);
Sleep(5);
if (SoundOff) then
	SoundOnButton(Engine, TIU)
	end;
ShowTags(Engine, TIU); -- dump out the Tags table 
return true; -- false=cleanup failed, true=cleanup succeeded
end;
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function B1(Eng, TIU)
-- aim for the this reader
Target_Station = "Aliquippa";
Direction = "WB";
Target_Detector = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Detector");
Target_Reader = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Reader");
if (MyEngineNo == 7 or MyEngineNo == 13) then
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Passenger"); --Passenger StoppingDistance;
	else
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Freight"); --Freight StoppingDistance;
	end

SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
print("Aliquippa Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
StartTheEngine();
return true;
end;
Function01Name, Function01Label = B1, "Aliquippa";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function B2(Eng, TIU)
-- aim for the this reader
Target_Station = "College";
Direction = "WB";
Target_Detector = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Detector");
Target_Reader = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Reader");
if (MyEngineNo == 7 or MyEngineNo == 13) then
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Passenger"); --Passenger StoppingDistance;
	else
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Freight"); --Freight StoppingDistance;
	end

SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
print("College Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
StartTheEngine();
return true;
end;
Function02Name, Function02Label = B2, "College";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function B3(Eng, TIU)
-- aim for the this reader
Target_Station = "Struthers";
Direction = "WB";
Target_Detector = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Detector");
Target_Reader = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Reader");
if (MyEngineNo == 7 or MyEngineNo == 13) then
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Passenger"); --Passenger StoppingDistance;
	else
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Freight"); --Freight StoppingDistance;
	end

SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
print("Struthers Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
StartTheEngine();
return true;
end;
Function03Name, Function03Label = B3, "Struthers";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function B4(Eng, TIU)
-- aim for the this reader
Target_Station = "J&L";
Direction = "WB";
Target_Detector = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Detector");
Target_Reader = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Reader");
if (MyEngineNo == 7 or MyEngineNo == 13) then
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Passenger"); --Passenger StoppingDistance;
	else
	Target_Distance = SD.STOP(Target_Station, Direction, "Freight"); --Freight StoppingDistance;
	end

SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
print("J&L Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
StartTheEngine();
return true;
end;
Function04Name, Function04Label = B4, "J&&L"; -- Use "&&" to get one "&" in the label text
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function StartTheEngine()
	if (StartRun) then return true; end; -- engine already running
	StartRun = true;
	-- start engine
	BumpCounter(C1);
	EngSpeed = BASESPEED;
	print("StartTheEngine : Set speed to " .. EngSpeed);
	Throttle(EngSpeed, 0, MyEngineNo, MyTIUNo); -- set Speed to EngSpeed
	BumpCounter(C1);
	-- check that the engine has reached speed
	local StartTime = STARTTIME * 2;
	while (GetSpeed(MyEngineNo, MyTIUNo) ~= BASESPEED) do 
	if (StartTime == 0) then
	EmergencyStop("StartTheEngine : Engine#" .. MyEngineNo .. " Did not Start"); -- failure
	return false;
	end
	Sleep(2); 
	StartTime = StartTime - 2;
	end;

	SetCounter(C2, S0); 
	SM = S0; -- go wait for first tag
end;
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function IncTarget(Eng, TIU)
Target_Distance = Target_Distance + 1;
print("Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
return true;
end;
Function06Name, Function06Label = IncTarget, "Target +1";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function DecTarget(Eng, TIU)
Target_Distance = Target_Distance -1;
print("Target Distance = " .. Target_Distance);
SetCounter(C4, Target_Distance);
return true;
end;
Function07Name, Function07Label = DecTarget, "Target -1";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
--[[
function B8(Eng, TIU)
Direction = "EB";
return true;
end;
Function08Name, Function08Label = B8, "East Bound";
--]]
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function ShowTags(Eng, TIU)
	print("Tags detected:");
	--if (#Tags == 0) then
	-- print ("none");
	-- end
	for k,v in pairs(Tags) do -- dump out the Tags table
	print(k .. " " .. v);
	end
	return true;
end;
Function09Name, Function09Label = ShowTags, "Show Tags";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function SoundOffButton(Eng, TIU)
	print("Sound Off Button()");
	S1 = GetVolume(MASTER_VOLUME, Eng, TIU); -- get Volume
	print(" Sound Off - Engine " .. Eng .. " Level was " .. S1);
	EngineSoundSave = S1;
	SoundOff = true;
	SetVolume(MASTER_VOLUME, 0, 0, Eng, TIU);
	return true;
end;
Function05Name, Function05Label = SoundOffButton, "Sound Off";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]
function SoundOnButton(Eng, TIU)
	print("Sound On Button()");
	if (SoundOff) then
	S1 = EngineSoundSave; 
	print(" Sound On - Engine " .. Eng .. " Level restored to " .. S1);
	SoundOff = false;
	SetVolume(MASTER_VOLUME, S1, 0, Eng, TIU);
	end;
	return true;
end;
Function10Name, Function10Label = SoundOnButton, "Sound On";
--[[---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]]

Video #6 - Running 3 Tag Scripts - Screen Capture (Layout view below)

Here is video #6 recorded on 11 August 2020. Here I am running 3 copies of the same script (Sidings Test - V3.lua) using 3 different engines and 3 different sidings. This video shows only the screen capture of the run. Look at video #7 which shows the layout as the script is run. If you can, run both videos at the same time. Sorry for the error message on the screen right at the end of the video - Dirty Track!

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Video #6 - Running 3 Tag Scripts - Screen Capture

Video #7 - Running 3 Tag Scripts - Layout View (Screen Capture above)

Here is video #7 recorded on 11 August 2020. This video is the layout view when running the 3 scripts shown in Video #6. If you can, run both videos at the same time.

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Video #7 - Running 3 Tag Scripts - Layout View

Video #8 - TBD

Here is video #8 - not created yet.

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Video #8 - TBD

Video #9 - Engineer on Board - 4 trains running under control of the RTC Program - Screen capture

Here is video #8. Recorded 9 Aug 2023 - Post Pandemic.

Aug 2023 - my latest script "Engineer on Board". This video shows a screen capture of a run with 4 engines, 2 eastbound and 2 westbound. I'm running 5 scripts at once. The first "Layout4 APB Master" controls the signals. Each of the other 4 scripts control one engine. The 4 scripts are identical, each initialized with an engine number, its direction, and its starting block.

The layout : basically a loop with 3 passing sidings. Look at the layout drawing right below the video - the point-to-point nature of the P&LE required me to add a balloon track that magically connects McKees Rocks and Youngstown so that I could get continuous running. Westbound trains are superior and always take the main at each siding. Eastbound trains always take the siding. Westbound trains are allowed to make headway when possible. That is, they can follow close behind another westbound train. Eastbound are required to be able to reach the next passing siding otherwise they are held up until the necessary blocks clear.

The four trains can start in any four blocks that they could occupy during normal running. That is, you can't start them in a deadlock which can never be reached. If you watch this video, it shows messages and signal indications for the four trains. There is another video, video #10 on this page, which shows the layout and you can watch the four trains run around the layout - completely under control of the scripts.

--------------

---------------

Here is a drawing of the layout stretched out to be the single track point-to-point road between McKees Rocks and Youngstown. Of course the P&LE was 4 track during it's heyday but you can only model so much in O-scale. Click on the thumbnail image below to download the full size drawing. In running the railroad "for real", this view represents the real world a little better. The main line is shown in red. There are three loops (including the Lionel-Ives (or Balloon) Block) used to run the railroad in "open-house" or continuous running mode.

Video #10 - Engineer on Board - 4 trains running under control of the RTC Program - Layout video

Here is video #10. Recorded 9 Aug 2023 - Post Pandemic.

Aug 2023 - my latest script "Engineer on Board". This video shows my layout was we watch a run with 4 engines, 2 eastbound and 2 westbound. I'm running 5 scripts at once. The first "Layout4 APB Master" controls the signals. Each of the other 4 scripts control one engine. The 4 scripts are identical, each initialized with an engine number, its direction, and its starting block.

The layout : basically a loop with 3 passing sidings. Westbound trains are superior and always take the main at each siding. Eastbound trains always take the siding. Westbound trains are allowed to make headway when possible. That is, they can follow close behind another westbound train. Eastbound trains are required to be able to reach the next passing siding otherwise they are held up until the necessary blocks clear.

The four trains can start in any four blocks that they could occupy during normal running. That is, you can't start them in a deadlock which can never be reached. If you watch this video, it shows the four trains running on the layout. You can see where trains wait at the siding for superior trains to pass by - completely under control of the scripts. There is another video, video #9 on this page, which shows a screen capture of the run where you can watch a message trace of each of the 4 trains.