Amazing Bruce, it just keeps getting better! I love the real world sounds (particularly going past the Bates mansion), and the addition of extra sensors and functionality is very clever. Though I'm not from an engineering background I can certainly appreciate the work that has gone into this by yourself and the others that have helped, great work! Cheers, Dan
lawnmowerdude I'll have to make a custom camera program for a "night time run" to see if I can keep the video noise to a acceptable level. On a 48 inch monitor everything shows. I also need to run a headlight signal from the "Pusher" locomotive to the front camera. We'll see how it works out.
Update 03-July-2015. Based on observations from “CSXyardmaster” below, UDT now calculates the reverse effects of coupler slack while stopping. If the locomotive has more deceleration than the rail cars due to braking, the computers calculate the energy of rail cars as they each “slam” forward into the rear of locomotive. Not only the audio sound/vibration of this is generated, but can make the locomotive “jump forward” that is visible looking out the window. The brake pressure issue is still being worked on.
Update 06-July-2015 Added a “fictitious” EMD control box to the cab that communicates with the cab radio. Nicknamed the LLCI “LocoNet Layout Control Interface” enables me to send to manually send non-locomotive DCC commands to my layout. Functions already implemented is turnout control. Keeping with the spirit of the cab radio, all actions are followed-up with dispatcher’s voice over the radio speaker. Like all my cab controls, the box looks old and weathered and uses knobs from electronics from the 1950-1960s. I really like the added enjoyment of the external “environmental” sounds has the camera passes each layout scene, but I haven’t been pleased with the quality of the sounds I made. As with the prime mover, I reached out to find the professionals. Working with Jim Wells of Fantasonics Engineering, I plan on having “continuous environmental” external sound effects that not only represents and area being passed, but include activities the locomotive/train is executing such as being fueled, loading freight or passengers, maintenance, etc. I started working on the design of my VS “Virtual Scenario” computer system. Bridging all the systems I created on this project, VS will bring random layout events, challenges and interaction while operating the Ultimate DCC Throttle “UDT”. This will include random and revised dispatched routes, repercussions of improper locomotive operations such as flat spots on wheels, broken drawbar, speeding, kids throwing rocks, etc. Using JMRI and custom Python software, the Virtual Scenario software will enable me to stick to my mission that the UDT will still only required one LocoNet throttle cable. VS is going to require a lot of sound effects and that’s where I hope Fantasonics Engineering will come to the rescue.
Hi Blaine, thanks for the comment. FYI - This cab project is now located and owned by the Colorado Model Railroad Museum after I donated it. You can also see a video I made where I made a hand-held version of this project about a year ago. Bruce
Update 09-AUG-2015 After test running my “Environmental Sound Effects” for a couple of weeks, I found there were many flaws in the sound effect selection logic and flexibility. As a result, I just completed a full redesign. The Ultimate DCC Throttle (UDT) now sends it’s telemetry and locomotive operation information back over the LocoNet to JMRI and merged with 32 track occupancy detections and other train activity. JMRI now sends “suggested” Environmental Sound Effects commands back to the UDT over LocoNet. The methodology enables Environmental Sound Effects based on train location, train activity, track occupancy and random events. Information can also come from JMRI Warrants. The UDT now can “stitch” Sound Effects files together based on this information to create an endless and random virtual reality “story”. This will require the Sound Effect files to be designed for “Stitching”.
UPDATE August 29, 2015: I've been able to reduce the size of the telemetry computer, transmitter and sensors and now installed in the front locomotive with the HDMI camera and an new headlight for nigh-time running. The forth F7A locomotive has been removed.
What are you going to do for an encore? Great update! I can see this being replicated inside an old cab & set up at a rail museum to give visitors a taste of what it's like to be the engineer.
Dwayne Thanks Dwayne! I'm going to try to keep with the "encores", and work on adding and improving this project before viewers become "numb" or bored of this project.
Very nice work. Brake pipe should be 90 lbs and the main needs to a minimum 15 lbs above your brake pipe setting. Also when you go into emergency you should bail off your independent so your train doesn't kick you in the ass.
CSXyardmaster I hope to get my "real" train engineer back soon to conduct the operation audit. Since the UDT works based on mathematical models of locomotive sub-components such as valves, tube sizes, pneumatic compressibility, friction coefficients, etc., the results are from the computers. To fix the problems, I need to find where “assumptions” are incorrect. Since these locomotives were designed before the days of computer analysis models, it’s difficult to find many of the definitions. Unlike train simulator programs, if I “force” constraints such as you mentioned, the software can generated sometimes very violent oscillations to command signals for servos, sound stitching, and DCC packets. I’m sure in time I’ll get there. Thanks for the observations.
Bruce Kingsley Been an engineer for 12 years so I can teach you all about how the air works but computer programing I’m no help. Really just depends on how realistic you want to make it. In my experience and what I see in your videos it runs more like the game sims in that they react and recover to fast. Hell you’ve gone this far why not put a working air system on it and let the CPU get its inputs from that.
Back again to this Marvel of AMAZING engineering and passion.. 🎉
You have done exactly what I was wondering if it were possible to accomplish in this hobby, so awesome!!
Amazing Bruce, it just keeps getting better! I love the real world sounds (particularly going past the Bates mansion), and the addition of extra sensors and functionality is very clever. Though I'm not from an engineering background I can certainly appreciate the work that has gone into this by yourself and the others that have helped, great work! Cheers, Dan
This is incredible! I can't wait to see what a night run would look like. Keep up the fantastic work!
lawnmowerdude I'll have to make a custom camera program for a "night time run" to see if I can keep the video noise to a acceptable level. On a 48 inch monitor everything shows. I also need to run a headlight signal from the "Pusher" locomotive to the front camera. We'll see how it works out.
🌟Imagine a whole setup of several Funktioning Cabs and the track busy with work ✨️🌟fun w friends🎉❤
Update 03-July-2015.
Based on observations from “CSXyardmaster” below, UDT now calculates the reverse effects of coupler slack while stopping. If the locomotive has more deceleration than the rail cars due to braking, the computers calculate the energy of rail cars as they each “slam” forward into the rear of locomotive. Not only the audio sound/vibration of this is generated, but can make the locomotive “jump forward” that is visible looking out the window. The brake pressure issue is still being worked on.
I've been impressed and astonished to see what you've created. Amazing electrical and mechanical engineering!
Update 06-July-2015
Added a “fictitious” EMD control box to the cab that communicates with the cab radio. Nicknamed the LLCI “LocoNet Layout Control Interface” enables me to send to manually send non-locomotive DCC commands to my layout. Functions already implemented is turnout control. Keeping with the spirit of the cab radio, all actions are followed-up with dispatcher’s voice over the radio speaker. Like all my cab controls, the box looks old and weathered and uses knobs from electronics from the 1950-1960s.
I really like the added enjoyment of the external “environmental” sounds has the camera passes each layout scene, but I haven’t been pleased with the quality of the sounds I made. As with the prime mover, I reached out to find the professionals. Working with Jim Wells of Fantasonics Engineering, I plan on having “continuous environmental” external sound effects that not only represents and area being passed, but include activities the locomotive/train is executing such as being fueled, loading freight or passengers, maintenance, etc.
I started working on the design of my VS “Virtual Scenario” computer system. Bridging all the systems I created on this project, VS will bring random layout events, challenges and interaction while operating the Ultimate DCC Throttle “UDT”. This will include random and revised dispatched routes, repercussions of improper locomotive operations such as flat spots on wheels, broken drawbar, speeding, kids throwing rocks, etc.
Using JMRI and custom Python software, the Virtual Scenario software will enable me to stick to my mission that the UDT will still only required one LocoNet throttle cable. VS is going to require a lot of sound effects and that’s where I hope Fantasonics Engineering will come to the rescue.
Very good, but I never heard a horn blow when you crossed the highways...I is really nice to get a view of what the driver would see.
This is crazy. LIke Westinghouse, Tesla, Einstein, and Ford.
Hi Blaine, thanks for the comment.
FYI - This cab project is now located and owned by the Colorado Model Railroad Museum after I donated it. You can also see a video I made where I made a hand-held version of this project about a year ago.
Bruce
That is incredible, man. Very cool.
Update 09-AUG-2015
After test running my “Environmental Sound Effects” for a couple of weeks, I found there were many flaws in the sound effect selection logic and flexibility. As a result, I just completed a full redesign.
The Ultimate DCC Throttle (UDT) now sends it’s telemetry and locomotive operation information back over the LocoNet to JMRI and merged with 32 track occupancy detections and other train activity.
JMRI now sends “suggested” Environmental Sound Effects commands back to the UDT over LocoNet.
The methodology enables Environmental Sound Effects based on train location, train activity, track occupancy and random events. Information can also come from JMRI Warrants.
The UDT now can “stitch” Sound Effects files together based on this information to create an endless and random virtual reality “story”.
This will require the Sound Effect files to be designed for “Stitching”.
UPDATE August 29, 2015: I've been able to reduce the size of the telemetry computer, transmitter and sensors and now installed in the front locomotive with the HDMI camera and an new headlight for nigh-time running. The forth F7A locomotive has been removed.
..WAOUU i keep watching this and STILL im AMAZED ..and want one myself
Thanks for the comment Terrence! You can see this project that I donated to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum.
Very nice.
What are you going to do for an encore? Great update!
I can see this being replicated inside an old cab & set up at a rail museum to give visitors a taste of what it's like to be the engineer.
Dwayne Thanks Dwayne! I'm going to try to keep with the "encores", and work on adding and improving this project before viewers become "numb" or bored of this project.
Incredible
Friggin awesome. ..
this is amazing!!
Very nice work. Brake pipe should be 90 lbs and the main needs to a minimum 15 lbs above your brake pipe setting. Also when you go into emergency you should bail off your independent so your train doesn't kick you in the ass.
CSXyardmaster I hope to get my "real" train engineer back soon to conduct the operation audit. Since the UDT works based on mathematical models of locomotive sub-components such as valves, tube sizes, pneumatic compressibility, friction coefficients, etc., the results are from the computers. To fix the problems, I need to find where “assumptions” are incorrect. Since these locomotives were designed before the days of computer analysis models, it’s difficult to find many of the definitions. Unlike train simulator programs, if I “force” constraints such as you mentioned, the software can generated sometimes very violent oscillations to command signals for servos, sound stitching, and DCC packets. I’m sure in time I’ll get there. Thanks for the observations.
Bruce Kingsley Been an engineer for 12 years so I can teach you all about how the air works but computer programing I’m no help. Really just depends on how realistic you want to make it. In my experience and what I see in your videos it runs more like the game sims in that they react and recover to fast. Hell you’ve gone this far why not put a working air system on it and let the CPU get its inputs from that.
Can't Waite