This section details the redesign of the D&B model railroad control
electronics using the Raspberry Pi (RPi). This
inexpensive full computer system on a single circuit board is sufficently powerful to
handle all of the D&B model railroad functions previously performed by multiple Basic
Stamps. Running free and widely available linux based software, the Raspberry Pi is widely
supported by companies and web communities like AdaFruit, Sparkfun, The PiHut, and
AB electronics UK. These websites showcase what the RPi can do and help to minimize the
learning curve. See the Raspberry Pi Wiki Hub.
The RPi runs an operating system called raspbian. This linux is a derivative of debian that has been customized for use with the Raspberry Pi hardware. Though requiring a separate install, I found the LXDE GUI to be much better (and prettier) than the default GUI. Search 'Raspberry Pi LXDE GUI'.
The code developed for the D&B model railroad is written in perl which has a large body of downloadable support code on the internet. The redesign uses the existing cable connections to the turnouts; though the solenoid switch machines are replaced with R/C servos. Refer to the Basic Stamp pages for an understanding of the construction and control electronics previously developed. Having operated the model railroad for many years, there were a few areas where improvements were made to improve operations.
