Jean B. ???

Jonjean B. is from France, and knows a lot about Rocrail. It sounds like you need a decoder set for steady or longer than momentary contact.

Hello,

I have a similar setup to yours (Marklin 3-rail, a mix of MFX and DCC LokSound), except that I use an ECoS and TrainController. All my turnouts, semaphores, gates, lights, etc. are controlled by Arduinos via DCC.

I have implemented automated loco shed doors via Arduino Nanos and Stepper Motors (inexpensive 28BYJ-48; 5 Volt). It really does not matter what digital control system nor which train software you use. All that's required is to be able to activate control via a digital address.

I use a dedicated Nano to control the stepper motor to open/close the shed doors (see attached schematic drawing). My Arduino Unos are used to decode DCC addresses and turn ON/OFF various accessories. In your case, you could use your m83 to decode addresses and send a pulse to the shed door control circuit (Nano).

The nice thing with this approach is that you can use your train control software with feedback sensors to automatically start opening doors when a loco approaches the shed, and then automatically close the door once the loco is inside.

I also use stepper motors and the same approach to activate railroad gates (see short video: Level Crossing) and other things around the layout. It's easy to adjust the speed at which the stepper motor turns, which makes this a very versatile solution for many animations on your layout.

If you have any questions or need more info, please let me know. You can also PM me if you like.

Cheers and good luck,
Andry

Schematic - Stepper Motors (Arduino Controlled).pdf (559kb) downloaded 13 time(s).

Hello Jean,

There are probably as many ways of doing what the OP has in mind as there are railroad modellers. I just presented one option, which works very well for me. Being presented with many options is good for someone starting out as he can select whichever one will work best for his given scenario.

I personally don't use servos but use stepper motors. I find that the steppers are much more reliable and much less prone to interference. Again, this depends on one's operating environment and preference.

Regarding how doors are opened/closed in a loco shed, it's all a matter of evaluating options, cost, skills, etc. My layout has two roundhouses (3-stall and 4-stall), one electric loco garage (4-stall), as well as two diesel loco garages (2-stall and 1-stall). I personally like to idea of having shed doors open or close independently from the presence of any loco -- it's just more realistic for me. Also, I prefer not having the doors always open in the absence of a loco, and only closed by locos pushing on a lever. Again, that's just my preference.

I hope that all the various options will be useful for the OP in "plowing" forward with his projects. It's always great to be able to "pick-and-choose" -- that's what's fun about this hobby.

Cheers,

One of the best solutions to control servos is to use ESU's Switchpilot 3 servo 51832.
Basically, it is controlled like a switch by the CS3 directly or controlled by Rocrail.
Where it differs from a switch decoder (like Märklin's 60832) is:
- each servo output is adjusted regarding the rest position, the work position and the speed to go from on position to the other.
- the unit (ESU 51832) can control 8 servos and offers a way to programm locally its parameters (switches and a LCD display for feedback
- using CVs you can reach the same results (3 parameters for each servo, edited using the CS3
- Rocrail control is EXACTLY as for turnouts

I think no Märklin decoder can control servos (thats why I use ESU (another very good brand.
I use servos to control stops and turnouts on my Faller car system, the Faller elevator for ashes

Both the local adjustment of parameters or through CVs work very well

Question#3 I haven't an answer for this as with Rocrail, one of the modes is schedule (in absolute or relative time) where you describe the departure time, the minimum waiting time (at station, etc) so IMO no need for an external LCD panel / rasberry.
Here is a simple example of a schedule (fest train extracted from its storage track, going through a schedule including various stops and then returning to its storage track

Cheers
Jean
***************************************
Hello Jean!!
Thank you very much. Wow! you are the one who I follow in the youtube channel. Your loco shed/turntable is very very deliciated and beautiful.
I agree with you that ESU 51832 could configure more setting than Marklin/m83. Your experience could save me more time/money than m83 solution.
I'm quite new RocRail here, but I've found that it could help me do a lot of things here. XML is what I'll study on the next thing. Your XML code could help me start it.
The 3rd question, I mean, if I go with the microcontroller solution (Raspberry Pico), I think that it could help me do some more function like LCD panel (showing train schedule on the train station), or some other physical motion.
Anyway, I think I'll plan and estimate all solution here. It is gonna be fun.

I'm really appreciated your suggestion, very much.

*********
Thank you very much. This is what I am lookong for too.
Wow!! that is creative.