I am in the midst of brainstorming and I wanted to ask if anyone has ideas or has done the following idea that I've been pondering over.
The idea: Signals are setup at switches that when thrown against a on-coming train would cause the train to slow down, stop but remain at a idle voltage to prevent the shutdown sequence many modern day locomotives have tied to their sound, smoke and decoder. The slowdown process of the locomotive is tied to the signal itself, and the power to the track being reduced in voltage is wired in a way that a bread board with soldered on capacitors cause the voltage to drop over a short period of time. The duration of the drop would somehow be programmed via a Raspberry Pi mini-computer board. This same board would also be programmed to maintain the minimum amount of voltage needed to prevent the shutdown sequence from starting for said locomotive(s).
Outcome: The outcome from this idea is a realistic or prototypical visual representation of a locomotive slowing down and stopping when coming to a switch lined against it (either while on the main, on a siding, or even in the yard).
Thoughts: I recognize this might not be possible at all, or if it is that it's a lot of work but I enjoy a good challenge if no one else has ideas on this process. While yes there are other options when it comes to switches and O scale 3-rail (such as Non-derailing Switches, or just having the locomotive come to a sudden and abrupt stop), but my goal for my layout is to make it more of a realistic visual for friends and family to enjoy. So locomotive operation is part of that layout end goal.
Any thoughts, advise, or solutions are welcome.
Thanks!
The idea: Signals are setup at switches that when thrown against a on-coming train would cause the train to slow down, stop but remain at a idle voltage to prevent the shutdown sequence many modern day locomotives have tied to their sound, smoke and decoder. The slowdown process of the locomotive is tied to the signal itself, and the power to the track being reduced in voltage is wired in a way that a bread board with soldered on capacitors cause the voltage to drop over a short period of time. The duration of the drop would somehow be programmed via a Raspberry Pi mini-computer board. This same board would also be programmed to maintain the minimum amount of voltage needed to prevent the shutdown sequence from starting for said locomotive(s).
Outcome: The outcome from this idea is a realistic or prototypical visual representation of a locomotive slowing down and stopping when coming to a switch lined against it (either while on the main, on a siding, or even in the yard).
Thoughts: I recognize this might not be possible at all, or if it is that it's a lot of work but I enjoy a good challenge if no one else has ideas on this process. While yes there are other options when it comes to switches and O scale 3-rail (such as Non-derailing Switches, or just having the locomotive come to a sudden and abrupt stop), but my goal for my layout is to make it more of a realistic visual for friends and family to enjoy. So locomotive operation is part of that layout end goal.
Any thoughts, advise, or solutions are welcome.
Thanks!