Model Railroad Control Systems: Latest News

RFID "Kits" Available

Tue, 26 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000

In response to customer requests for "kits" of parts to make complete readers and for a system starter kit so we are now offering:

A single head RFID reader stack http://www.modelrailroadcontrolsystems.com/complete-rfid-reader-with-one-reader-head/
A dual Head RFID reader stack http://www.modelrailroadcontrolsystems.com/complete-rfid-reader-with-two-reader-heads/
And a complete starter system with a single head reader, a server, and a package of tags http://www.modelrailroadcontrolsystems.com/rfid-server-packaged-on-a-raspberry-pi-processor/

All you need to supply is Ethernet ports and cables!

This simplifies the logistics and research required to do a trial RFID implementation, everything is used as you expand your RFID system, no waste!

New Clinic on Designing with cpNode available!

Fri, 15 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Chuck Catania and I delivered a clinic at Pacific Coast Region (NMRA) convention, on Thursday, covering Designing a signaling system using cpNode and CMRI. You can find a link to the presentation on the cpNode product category page or just click here.

RFID Server now shipping (May 4, 2015)

Sun, 03 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000

We've been listing the RFID server for several weeks but we are now shipping with Alpha software. There may be a few issues but we're here to support you! These work with the RFID reader shields and an Arduino stack consisting of an Uno, an Ethernet Shields and a reader (see the reader shield product page for requirements).

The server installs on your home network at 192.168.1.80 and you can log onto to it with any browser or tablet. Apps are provided for switch list generation and OS (train position reporting). The server also has a handy database for your rolling stock.

Brunel Models Servo Mount Brackets in stock now!

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Check out our newest offering, a laser cut servo mounting bracket for SG90 servos from Brunel Models in Australia.

Brunel Servo Mount. This is a great tool for using a servo as switch motor or semaphore controller, sketchs for servo control may be found in the files section of the Arduini Yahoo group, arduini-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. We hope to offer breakout boards to work with Leonardos and Unos in the future. If you want a fully supported commercial servo controller, you can't go wrong with TAM Valley Depot.

More Phone Parts!

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Those of you follow the Operations SIG (OPSIG INC) and its publication, the Dispatcher's Office may be familiar with my articles and clinics about telephones for model railroads. We handle many of the items needed to build a model railroad telephone system and I've added several types of phones to our product line. These are all classic phones with discrete parts that can be combined as I've described in the clinics and articles. More app notes are coming to help guide you to build a custom phone system for your layout.

Many of these items are antiques and one of a kind so we do ask you to contact us for quotes. I hope to have a variety of equipment of different types and in many states of repair so we can offer something for every budget!

RFID Tags are back in stock!

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 17:00:00 +0000

We did not anticipate the interest in RFID tags. We've got the 125 KHz EM4100 tags bag in stock in bags of 10. Please contact us for quotes on orders of 100+.

Thanks for a great start

Sun, 12 Apr 2015 17:00:00 +0000

We've had quite a few non-US orders in the past two weeks, so thanks to our Canadian, UK, and Australian friends for their patience. Right now, we're handling orders shipping to non-US locations manually. Just send us a message on the contact form and we'll work out the postage. We can also do procurement from other US sources to keep your shipping costs down by combining shipping. We'll add overseas shipping as a standard item once we've had a little more experience with the process.

I'll be adding some products soon on the telephone page and some of those will be vintage equipment which we can offer when it's available. We can help you design a phone system to match your prototype so let us know what you are interested in!

All is good 3 weeks in!

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Thank you for visiting Model Railroad Control Systems. The site seems to be running well after 3 weeks and we've seen orders for cpNode, RFID and telephone items. I understand that some people have not seen all of the text on some items. You have to click the title of the item (e.g. cpNode) rather than the photo to get all of the information.

We have added links to all of the supporting documents for the electronics as I'll be adding application notes to the telephone parts soon (I have a lot of notes, clinics and articles to write!). We'll also be adding sketches for cpNode. In the meantime,you can get these from the Arduini Yahoo Group, note that you saw it here in the comment box when you sign up.

We're very excited about the NMRA accepting CMRInet as a user group specification (LCS S9-10) and that will be supported by the new CMRI SIG, details will be forthcoming shortly on the cmri_users group on Yahoo.

Please plan to join us for the 30th anniversary celebration of CMRI: CMRI/30! at the NMRA 2015 Convention in Portland this August!

More next week!

Seth

Our first blog post!

Sat, 15 Feb 2014 12:46:34 +0000

Welcome to the MRCS blog!

We hope you'll subscribe to our blog. Our intent is to make at least weekly postings. Topics will include MRCS product announcements, application success stories, and useful content about model railroad signaling, communications and automation.