Arduino microcontrollers have great potential to be used in model railroading for layout automation. Their low-cost and a huge community around it makes it a good tool for hobbyists, especially beginners.

If you want to get started in model railroad automation then this might be a good place to start.

Starting with the layout

Here, we are going to build a simple oval loop:

A while back, I came across an Instructable which showed how a stepper motor can be turned into a rotary encoder. Since I had a bunch of stepper motors in my collection harvested from old printers and scanners, I decided to give it a try.

Hi everyone,

I am having issues reprogramming the address for an NCE Light It decoder I have on an aux. tender with to light functions. NCE instructions don't appear to work.

It is certainly operational on 3 but I have failed to reprogram it to a long address (3280). 

This is my first time with the Light It and any help would be appreciated.

I have JMRI and DecoderPro via a Pi Sprog One.

A new month with new projects. Let's see what you have!

My latest: A Westerfield ATSF Bx-13 boxcar with some additional wood weathering to go. With the virus and social plans on hold for the summer, it's a great time to build out all of your kits collecting dust!