Published January 7, 2020 © Apache-2.0

Automatic Train Control

Get the trains running on time. Make your schedule. Any Arduino boards and your model railway set.

BeginnerFull instructions provided12,103

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Jumper wires (generic)

Arduino UNO

You can use ANY Arduino board (UNO, NANO, MEGA and etc)

SparkFun Dual H-Bridge motor drivers L298

I recommend using a regular L298 motor driver module, as in the picture of the circuit

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Story

This very simple scheme allows you to quickly get the train on your schedule. You can adjust the movement time and the train stop time. Train acceleration and braking are also configurable. By changing the schedule parameters in the sketch, you can create any type of automatic movement. Just turn on the power and your train leaves to way.

Changing the time parameters in the sketch:

// 1  | 0 > Time < 5 sec
if (counterScheduler <= 5) { 
......
// 2  | 10 sec > Time < 15 sec
if ((counterScheduler >= 10) && (counterScheduler <= 15)) { 
......
// 3  | Change direction
if (counterScheduler == 16) {
.... etc.

creates a timetable.

Variables:

int brakingDelta = 5;
 int accelerateDelta = 6;

define the parameters of movement the train

The direction of the train is determined by the state of the pins D6 and D7:

// Set default direction to FORWARD
 digitalWrite(L298_IN1, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(L298_IN2, LOW);

You can endlessly change this sketch to get new options for automatic train movement.

Welcome aboard!

Code

Swing

// L298 
#define L298_ENA 5
#define L298_IN1 6
#define L298_IN2 7


// SCRIPTS VARIABLES
int counterScheduler;
unsigned long timerScheduler = 0;
unsigned long timerLocal = 0;
byte speedAuto = 0;


void setup() {

// Initializing pins
  pinMode(L298_ENA, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(L298_IN1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(L298_IN2, OUTPUT);

// Set default direction to FORWARD
  digitalWrite(L298_IN1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(L298_IN2, LOW); 

}

void loop() {

  	// Start Scheduler
    if (millis() > (timerScheduler + 1000)) {  // Tick every 1 sec
      counterScheduler++; 
      timerScheduler = millis();
    }  
    
    // ------------- SCRIPT SWING
    int brakingDelta = 5;
    int accelerateDelta = 6;

    // 1  | 0 > Time < 5 sec
    if (counterScheduler <= 5) {  
        // Start train
        if (millis() > (timerLocal + 100)) {
          if (speedAuto < 240) speedAuto = speedAuto + accelerateDelta;
          else speedAuto = 255;
          analogWrite(L298_ENA, speedAuto); 
          timerLocal = millis();
        }   
    }       
    
    // 2  | 10 sec > Time < 15 sec
    if ((counterScheduler >= 10) && (counterScheduler <= 15)) {  // Stop train after 10 sec
        // Stop train
        if (millis() > (timerLocal + 100)) {
          if (speedAuto > 30) speedAuto = speedAuto - brakingDelta;
          else speedAuto = 0;
          analogWrite(L298_ENA, speedAuto); 
          timerLocal = millis();
        } 
    }  
    
    // 3  | Change direction
    if (counterScheduler == 16) {  
        digitalWrite(L298_IN1, LOW);
        digitalWrite(L298_IN2, HIGH); 
    }   
    
    // 4  | 20 sec > Time < 30 sec
    if ((counterScheduler >= 20) && (counterScheduler <= 30)) {  
        // Start train
        if (millis() > (timerLocal + 100)) {
          if (speedAuto < 240) speedAuto = speedAuto + accelerateDelta;
          else speedAuto = 255;
          analogWrite(L298_ENA, speedAuto); 
          timerLocal = millis();
        } 
    }       
    
    // 5  | 31 sec > Time < 40 sec
    if ((counterScheduler >= 31) && (counterScheduler <= 40)) {  // Stop train
        // Stop train
        if (millis() > (timerLocal + 100)) {
          if (speedAuto > 30) speedAuto = speedAuto - brakingDelta;
          else speedAuto = 0;
          analogWrite(L298_ENA, speedAuto); 
          timerLocal = millis();
        } 
    }    
    
    // 6  | Return to Step 1
    if (counterScheduler > 40) {
        counterScheduler = 0;   
        digitalWrite(L298_IN1, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(L298_IN2, LOW); 
  	}
}

Credits

Steve Massikker

6 projects • 166 followers

I'm Steve Massikker, a graphic and visual designer and former engineer of civil aviation.

Automatic Train Control

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Schematics

Connections to Rails

Circuit

Code

Swing

Credits

Steve Massikker

Comments

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Automatic Train Control

Automatic Train Control

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Schematics

Connections to Rails

Circuit

Code

Swing

Credits

Steve Massikker

Comments

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