There is a major difference between the two!

The difference in price is because the 24088 contains absolutely NO intelligence. It is merely a connection box. The Track interface Controller is in the MS1. If the Arduino CAN interface would work with the MS1 (which absolutely would be required - increasing the cost) is questionable. You would definitely have to do some research to determine the correct pinout of the seven pin connector, and then hope that the MS1 is willing to listen to the Arduino and CAN.

The 60113 contains the Track Interface Controller. You can connect and have it function with or without an MS1 or MS2 attached. I've been playing a little with this, but doing the exact opposite of you. I'm keeping the MS2 for Locomotive control, and working to use the Arduino and CAN to control turnouts.


The MS2 is a very reasonable way to control Locomotives, but is totally inadequate when controlling more than two turnouts, and even with just two turnouts, it is barely convenient. As time permits, I hope to complete my project, and then see how it works attached to the front of the CS2, and eventually into the back of the CS2 as well.

It could make a relatively inexpensive way to build up a keyboard (6040) replacement, a switchboard controller (6041) replacement, and with a little additional programming and hardware, a memory (6043) replacement. Even though the CS2 has excellent keyboard and memory functions, they would be useful for those using the MS2. It could also be a less expensive replacement for the new S88 Link (60883), used as a switchboard controller.


Another thing I would like to do is to link multiple Arduinos, to all use a single CAN interface module. This would be really handy in cases where someone wants / needs multiple switchboards.

Even though the CAN interface module is relatively inexpensive, the Märklin hardware to connect multiple CAN interfaces can get very expensive. And why replicate hardware unnecessarily (multiple CAN interface modules). If done right, Arduinos do talk well with each other.


Rodger

Seems that you've already got a good start on this project.

Just remember, that along with the CAN shield, you'll need a cable to the 10pin connector. These connectors can be hard to come by, and are a real pain to assemble (I tried, and it was really ugly!). I ended up purchasing a MS2 replacement cable (E146781) from a German eBay seller. It was a lot more expensive, but it looks so much better.

Most of the dirty programming has already been done, if you haven't already, look at Railuino (https://code.google.com/p/railuino/). It seems to work really well.

I am using a US sourced CAN shield which is almost identical to the CANdiy-Shield V2 (http://www.watterott.com/index.php?page=product&info=2863). They also have a DIY cable kit (http://www.watterott.com/index.php?page=product&info=2872) at a very reasonable price. I am pointing these out because a nearly identical shield seems to work well with both the Arduino (UNO and MEGA - sorry, I do not use the DUE) and the 60113. Sometimes, half the problem is trying to find hardware that works the way it is supposed to together.


Without actually seeing your code, I would say, that probably the only major rewrite would be to the DUE code, to communicate with the CAN shilled, instead of with the serial port and the 6051. The project should be pretty manageable if taken in steps, get communications working, and then update your controllers with new capabilities.

Previous forum thread on Railuino - https://www.marklin-user...d-station--Railuino.aspx