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This page explains how I use this app, so you can set up a similar digital railroad control for yourself. It's cheap, but it's not trivial. If you want plug and play, use a "mature" digital control from a major company.
For this setup to work, you need:
- an Android tablet (or smartphone, but a tablet is nicer) with Signalbox installed. You can get it from F-Droid (Link follows), but not from Google Play. It's free and open source.
- a SRCP server in your network, reachable from the tablet. If you already have one, just connect to it and you can continue below to setup your layout and locos.
If you don't have a digital station, here's the cheapest solution which is called DDL (Digital Direct for Linux).
- Purchase a Raspberry Pi (v2 does the job), install a Raspbian OS (https://www.raspbian.org/). Connect it to your local network so your tablet can reach it (read the Raspbian docs about how to do that, if you want to use Wifi make sure you get a Raspbian compatible USB Wifi device).
- Connect a RS232 converter board to your Raspi (get it from ebay, it's just a few bucks).
- Install SRCPd (http://srcpd.sourceforge.net/) on your Raspi. You need to checkout the source and compile it on the Raspi. Read the READMEs about how to do that. Configure the SRCPd for your needs (I use DCC).
- Get a Booster device for the connection to your layout. I am using a Märklin Delta control 6604 (20 Euros from ebay) and a Märklin Transformer, but others should also work. Connect it like shown on http://www.vogt-it.com/OpenSource/DDL/ The following image shows how to wire it.
- Some decoders won't work with the DCC signal generated by DDL. I am successfully using loco decoders from Tams, Kühn, Uhlenbrock and ESU, 4-switch decoders from IEK.
- Well, it's not a full blown modern DCC control, ok? It works, it's cheap, but others have more features.
- Start up Signalbox and ensure it connects to your server (buttons on lower left).
- Tap edit, then setup your layout using the given elements.
- For switches and semaphores/signals, enter the decoder addresses. You can test if they work right there.
- (optional) Take photos of your locos with your tablet or copy matching photos from the net to your tablet.
- Add locos on the upper right. Choose a matching photo to identify the loco.
- Drive.
- You can connect Arduino Nano/micro based decoders on a direct line (directly connected to the Arduino pin). I still need to share the code, please be patient. This is specially great for LED signals which can be controlled directly by the Arduino. An Arduino Nano costs $2, industry signal decoders cost around $25. I am currently in a long-term test on my layout, so this addition will come here later.
- I am hopefully going to improve this basic documentation in the future. If you have questions, contact me or add an issue. Although I cannot guarantee that I can help, I will try.
Here's an older photo of the basic setup:
The Raspi is on the lower left, Signalbox (old version) on the upper left, nearly covering a Roco (N-scale) point, a switch decoder on the upper right and the serial converter on the lower right. The booster is outside this picture. Everything is connected and if you can switch the switch using the app in this setup, you've made it :-)