CATrain has been developed by Joel Bouchat and Daniel Merbecks .

Improvements in CATrain 2.2.2 and 2.2.3

• Once again the traffic management has been modified.

• The "dead-lock" management has been improved in the "Enhanced traffic control" mode.

• The module configuration tool "ModParam.exe" has been improved to display a large window when many modules are connected and the original 640x480 pixels window is not enough.

Fixed Bugs

• A bug which forbade going directly from the "Design" mode to the "Edit" mode has been fixed.

CATrain is a FREEWARE .

To download CATrain 2.2.3 go here .

Overview

CATrain is a tool for designing, simulating and controlling digital Model Railways.

CATrain runs on a PC under Windows XP or Windows 2000.

The "Design" mode allows for the drawing of very simplified schematics of the railroad layout on the P.C. screen, including devices like turnouts, signals and level crossing. The user can define the characteristics of every device and rail section, using the "Edit" mode. The "Running" mode permits the simulation of the traffic by simultaneously running several train models on the layout. The trains which have been installed on the railway are animated on the screen and the User can observe the traffic simultaneously with the turnout and signal operation. This is useful to define a good layout topology and to optimize the signal positioning.

When the PC is connected to a dedicated Controller, CATrain can control a real model railway. The trains can either travel under the "manual" control of the User or automatically, following user defined itineraries.

For controlling the "Devices" (signals and turnouts), dedicated "Device Control" modules are necessary. In the same way, "PWM" modules are used for controlling the electrical voltage applied to every locomotive. Optional "Train Detector" modules can be installed to improve the synchronization between the layout and its model.

In Automatic mode, CATrain controls the journey, the schedule and the track contention for every train. As far as the motion of the trains is concerned, CATrain simulates gradual acceleration and deceleration for a more realistic effect. In Automatic mode, the Digitally Controlled trains follow their itinerary while the computer sets the turnouts and the signals as required.

The feed-back information provided by the "PWM" modules and the optional "train detectors" ensures a good synchronization between the model and the real life version. CATrain also takes into account the slope incidence in order to raise or lower the electrical power.

Blocking is used to prevent train collisions. Semaphores or signals protect the access to rail sections. The access of the train to a block is kept under the control of a signal located at the end of the previous block(s). This signal is "green" when a train can enter the block beyond the signal. When this block is still occupied by another train, the signal remains "red" and the train must stop and wait until the signal turns "green".

Using CATrain with the block system

With CATrain, the voltage supplied to the isolated blocks is under computer control. CATrain "knows" which train is on what block(s) and, rather than controlling the train engine, CATrain modulates the voltage supplied to the isolated track segment(s) upon which the train is located. Doing so, CATrain can modify the speed and the direction of the trains. With such a solution, it is possible to digitally control the journey of any train at any scale. No decoder is needed inside the locomotives, the electronic control circuits are dedicated external modules connected to the PC.

USB interface.

This USB interface board receives the orders coming from the PC on the USB bus and send them to the target module which can be a PWM driver, or a Device Controller or a Train Detector.
It also polls the PWM and Train Detector modules to scan for the train presence.
The USB Interface module has a single USB bus connected to the PC and it can supervise one or two serial busses for communicating with the control modules. The second bus is optional and it is only recommenced for controlling layouts with more than 25 modules.
Here is a picture of the USB interface board wired in its minimal configuration.

CONTROL MODULES

Dedicated electronic modules have been developed for electrically controlling a layout using the "block" method. The two main module types are:

• The "Throttle controller" or "PWM Controller" Module
  The main module task of the PWM control modules is to deliver the block power supplies. Each module controls 4 blocks. "PWM": stands for "Pulse Width Modulation". The PWM modules also inform CATrain about the block occupation. They detect the presence of a train by its electrical power consumption
  
  
  
  
• The Device controller Module
  This module controls the layout devices, like signals and switches. A single "Device Controller" module delivers 8 independent pulses to drive 4 twin coil devices, or 8 simple devices (e.g. LED signal, relays, ...)
  
  
  
  
• The Train Detector Module and its complementary Current Sensing Module
  This is an optional module which detects the passage of the trains.
  
  
  
  It can be coupled with a "current sensing" device which detects the locomotive electrical power consumption.
  
  

Documentation

More Information on the Modules can be found in a "PDF" file included into the CATrain Package.

Download from Server membres.lycos.fr:
Exe file for installing CATrain:: http://membres.lycos.fr/catrain/CATrain2.2.3_Setup.exe
The same file in "zipped":: http://membres.lycos.fr/catrain/CATrain2.2.3_Setup.zip

Download from the CATrain server managed by Daniel Merbecks catrain.org:
Download page: http://www.catrain.org/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=26

Size ca. 2.6 Mb

Here are some examples of CATrain layouts. Enjoy!

To start a discussion with other users of CATrain, we have create a webboard. There you can talk about your experience with CATrain and also »talk« with the programmers...

Go to the "CATrain" site managed by Daniel Merbecks.

Every remark and idea is welcome there - and of course you can also write a mail to Joel Bouchat .

The processors are mandatory for assembling the Modules.

I provide the processors at the following prices:

• 18F2550, for the USB interface: 14 Euros
• 16F877, for the PWM Controller: 15 Euros
• 16F628, for the Device Controller: 8 Euros
• 16F628, for the Train Detectors: 8 Euros

A single programming fee of 6 Euros is requested for every processor type in a same order.

Printed circuits are available for the USB, PWM, Device Controller and Detector modules. They cost 8 Euros each. They are professional dual layer prints with serigraphy and plated holes.

I will be glad to answer to any request by E.Mail: Joel Bouchat

Back to the main CATrain page on membres.lycos.fr
Back to the main CATrain site