Date   : Wed, 28 May 1997 18:46:00 +0100
From   : gjones <gjones@...>
Subject: Re: Train Set Control

Chris Johns wrote:
> 
> Hi
> 
> Despire having much better things to do over summer, I was going to try to
> sort out my train set which I intend to control with my trusty old BBC. The
> current 'plan' is to use the printer port as 8 outputs, the user port as
> 8 IO lines, with the 8 printer port lines being used to 'select' which
> signal/point/whatever you need to change, them using the user port to do it,
> so I can connect (theroetically) 255 things to it.
> 
> Has anyone on here tried to connect a train set to a BBC, did it work? Has
> anyone managed to get those nice fancy 'send the train a message down the
> tracks' things to work with a beeb?
> 
> Thanks
> 
>  @ @    ____________
> \ ^ /  (_hris _)ohns  -  cmjohns@...
> ====
Suggest you read a 96 page book called "Computer Projects for Railway
Modellers" by Roger Amos and Martin Cook, ISBN 0-85059-796-X, first
published 1987.  This book sounds just what you want.

I too, had ideas of doing my son`s railway much on the lines you are
thinking but I was influenced a bit Steve Lofts way of basing my
computer railway layout on Hornby`s Zero1.  So much so that I got in
touch with Prinetown University USA where electronic/computer students
are encouraged to build their own mini computers and devise various
gadgets for their Zero-One n guage layout.  This layout if my memory
serves me correctly is a quarter mile of track!.  Professor Littman who
runs the course was kind enough at the University`s expense a 2 inch
thick book of his student`s projects.  Of course these projects are all
based on 110 voltage.

Shows how things are not appreciated in one`s own country.  America
thought the Zero-One was marvellous...in Britain Hornby very nearly goes
bust because of the lack of response.

Anu more info, if I can help, you are welcome

Frank<gjones@...