Internet Controlled G Scale layout

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Eugbro

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I've had some time off from work and have been working on a concept of internet control, that is, anyone in the world can drive my trains via a website. I'm still trouble shooting the whole thing but keen for you all to give it a go, it's based in Melbourne so im keen to see how it works for people all around the world, if you have a go please let me know how it all works from the location you are driving from. The hardest part of this has been getting the live video streaming working to best I can get it. It's a DCC layout with programmed inertia into the locos so they don't get too worn out! Hope to add switching, ect down the track.... baby steps!

Link here: Internet Controlled Model Railway
 
Eugbro said:
I've had some time off from work and have been working on a concept of internet control, that is, anyone in the world can drive my trains via a website. I'm still trouble shooting the whole thing but keen for you all to give it a go, it's based in Melbourne so im keen to see how it works for people all around the world, if you have a go please let me know how it all works from the location you are driving from. The hardest part of this has been getting the live video streaming working to best I can get it. It's a DCC layout with programmed inertia into the locos so they don't get too worn out! Hope to add switching, ect down the track.... baby steps!

Link here: Internet Controlled Model Railway
Click to expand...
What a kick!! Momentum takes a little getting used to and I need a larger screen to see the overview as well as the cab view. The date on the screen threw for a moment until I realized the month and day were switched from US standard.
 
FatherMcD said:
What a kick!! Momentum takes a little getting used to and I need a larger screen to see the overview as well as the cab view. The date on the screen threw for a moment until I realized the month and day were switched from US standard.
Click to expand...
I probably should have said Melbourne, Australia!
 
Initiative idea, I suspect after time the trains will need a lot of servicing potentially operating 24/7/365 unless there are limits to say just daytime. Even then some serious mileage will soon be knocked up.
 
Interesting concept, but as Jon says it could be in use 24/7/365! Will there be any restrictions on how people use it? Knowing the world as it is, not everyone is as mindful as decent folk
 
Tried and for a long time it showed blank screen with message "Connecting..."

When I could actually see the video got another message 10 seconds later that my slot ended.

Anyway, not sure what the point is. If I want to drive train remotely, then I can drive real locomotives in simulator games as long as I want with no lag.

I do watch my own trains running thru phone. But here I have all time to myself and can decide when to end my session.
 
That's really interesting, what a great idea and a lot of fun, I think it might go viral. Had a little go, I noticed you had a queuing and a time allotment system, I wondered how you would manage access. It did crash a couple of times in my session and then reconnected. Probably something at my end or I'm doing wrong. When I swapped over from the passenger set to goods it didn't switch the cab view. I'll post a link to my flat bound friend, who has lived his garden rail tendencies vicariously through my line. I could see some quite theraputic uses for this. Hmm, your own garden railway on the NHS while recuperating. Bookmarked :party:
 
Paul M said:
Interesting concept, but as Jon says it could be in use 24/7/365! Will there be any restrictions on how people use it? Knowing the world as it is, not everyone is as mindful as decent folk
Click to expand...
Yes, in answer to both these comments, I guess we will see how long until I need to maintain the locos! At the moment they are old LGB locos (20 years or so) that I converted to digital and installed a wifi camera in the other so they have some time on the clock, I'm selling some other locos I have so I can have 2 x brand new trains for this project. I guess I'll see how we go, I have only just started sharing the site, there are a few bugs in the system, just seeing how it goes. I do leave it on 24/7, have to clean the track every 5 days at this stage... layout is half under a balcony so somewhat protected from the elements...
 
peterpavuk said:
that's fun!

what is technology behind it mate?
Click to expand...
Hi mate in summary:
  • Real G-scale, LGB/Marklin model trains, running outdoors
  • Controlled with DCC
  • A cloud server runs the website and the fair-queue system
  • Your inputs go to an on-site controller in real time
  • That controller talks to an open-source DCC command station wired to the track
  • Live video uses low-latency streaming (same idea as video calls
• • Built from: a cloud server, a Raspberry Pi, a microcontroller, and off-the-shelf railway parts
 
Mobi said:
Tried and for a long time it showed blank screen with message "Connecting..."

When I could actually see the video got another message 10 seconds later that my slot ended.

Anyway, not sure what the point is. If I want to drive train remotely, then I can drive real locomotives in simulator games as long as I want with no lag.

I do watch my own trains running thru phone. But here I have all time to myself and can decide when to end my session.
Click to expand...
Hi mate, This is the first time im testing the system for users on the other side of the world. So still some teething issues to sort out. The point of this for me is I think it's great for my young kids to get some experience in a real world project, learning about tech and model railroading. I think it will be fun for those who don't have a model railway, cant afford one, etc. I was just over having all my collection sitting in the shed doing nothing, it's kind of fun maintaining a working layout in-between my other full time commitments.
 
maxi-model said:
That's really interesting, what a great idea and a lot of fun, I think it might go viral. Had a little go, I noticed you had a queuing and a time allotment system, I wondered how you would manage access. It did crash a couple of times in my session and then reconnected. Probably something at my end or I'm doing wrong. When I swapped over from the passenger set to goods it didn't switch the cab view. I'll post a link to my flat bound friend, who has lived his garden rail tendencies vicariously through my line. I could see some quite theraputic uses for this. Hmm, your own garden railway on the NHS while recuperating. Bookmarked :party:
Click to expand...
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I hope to build on it, add a second camera to the freight train, it's a bit of work, but I really want to keep it all rolling for a long time! Glad this can give people joy who are unable to enjoy the hobby as they are bed ridden. Hope your friend gets well soon!
 
Almost there - I got to the front of the queue and could change controls, but was seeing no video. I'll keep trying another time. Love the concept.
 
voodoopenguin said:
Same happened on my iMac using Firefox but tried Chrome and it all worked well.

Paul
Click to expand...
Thanks for that - I used Opera instead of Firefox (where I have various security settings which perhaps blocked the video feed) and had a successful play. Well done, Eugbro.
 
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