Whilst I'm at a stall point with work on the Tamar Bridge part of The Bridges at Saltash, I've been starting some investigation work into building DCC and automated train control into the layout.
There has been a couple of threads mentioning the new miniature DCC controller from CT Elektroniks...the DCX65. Their website links to a YouTube video that shows a T gauge unit running nice and slowly:
[youtube]BbPmpL-Rhpo&t=133s[/youtube]
I had looked at doing some experimentation a few months ago....but the gentleman on the trade stand who are listed as an importer of CT products was not at all helpful. The best I could gather was that I needed to spend in the order of £200 on hardware over and above the cost of the decoders. I was somewhat disappointed in the way I was treated once I mentioned T gauge!!
Putting this set back on one side, at the Loughborough show, I spoke to someone on the MERG stand who was more than helpful! MERG....the Model Electronics Railway Group....sell a range of kits to members that are of great interest. Having joined, I was able to browse through the excellent Wiki and other technical resources....and with access to their forum to supplement the information, I have hatched a plan to firstly get my test track DCC controlled.....but ultimately to get the Saltash layout fully DCC and computer controlled. Or at least that's the plan.
And that plan is to end up with using a laptop to control all the trains running in both directions over the Royal Albert Bridge...and on the branch line that runs under it. There will be the one point between the bridge and Saltash station, and what I call a "flexible traverser" controlled by servos from the laptop....and train sensors littered all over the place so that trains can be automatically run. I also plan to have an App on a spare iPhone I have that can be used to control trains and points using wifi.
As I'm diving into several different things here, I'm going to get things going in stages. The first stage will be to get a DMU DCC chipped and running on my test track under manual control via the laptop. The second stage will be to get servos under computer control.....then signals....and then get track sensors fitted and working. The fifth stage will be to get wifi control from a phone....and the final stage is to get trains running safely using automation to create scenarios, etc.
I've started getting phase one under way. I have placed an order for a couple of DCC decoders....and over the next few days will order some of the electronics kits needed from MERG.
And the cost......decoders will be around £35 each....and the basic electronics to get phase one up and running...approx. £45. I'll document things as I go....and welcome any comments, etc as I go.