Knobbox mk3 - Custom-built tactile throttles in JMRI with enhanced screen and signal indicators

[@jjcrom4280]

That is looking great!

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thank you!

[@ianjeffery4773]

Excellent. I like the new "nob box." ;)

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

If nothing else, just for an excuse to say 'knob' a lot !!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I live a space poor life, in which my home layout has to be turned into a shelf. It’s two boards long and wide enough to hold a minimal amount of scenery. It consists of a small freight yard and a two car station.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

I think some of the most creative layouts stem from finding clever ways to maximise available space! Regards, Chris

[@tonyshield5368]

Absolutely 1st Class

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Ha, thank you, that,s very kind! Regards, Chris

[@pwilliamssa]

Brilliant!

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thank you!! Regards, Chris

[@richardwalker_]

I am enjoying seeing this being built up. Did you have a project plan originally or has it just ‘evolved’ as you think of new and possible implementations? Knob box is so intuitive…. ha; ‘knob’.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Interesting question - absolutely no plan at all! It all stemmed from a conversation with a friend, he'd volunteered and done a few days on some of Pete Waterman's layouts. He'd absolutely enjoyed it, but said that all control was done using tablets (maybe Z21 if I remember correctly) and he'd felt disconnected from the trains he was controlling. I'd only ever used tablets for train control up to that point so thought, well maybe I'll look into using something tactile instead. That's what led to that first plank of wood with a couple of knobs on it. I found I very much preferred the tactile control so the rest has been a journey into designing what's right for me, in terms of functionality. Regards, Chris

[@Madonsteamrailways]

The layout looks lovely!! Is it DCC or analog?

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Hi - thank you - it's DCC!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I’m very interested in trains, and have three working trains that sound like trains rather than running silently. I have both types of trains in my collection.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

I think DCC sound is a very clever technology but - sadly, not something I've found myself particularly interested in.... yet!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

By the way, did you know that you could run both digital AND analog? All you need is the ANEMODEL LD101 controller and you can do it with single controller simplicity!!

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

I did not! Thanks for the tip!

[@AdaptiveSystems]

now add a wifi camera to the train cabin, and stream to it to a pc controlled by the ps2 train controller, from "Densha de Go!" and make a new video. .

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

That's something actually that we've had quite a lot of discussion about already, as it happens! Thanks for mentioning the controller, I wasn't aware of them, but it perhaps looks a bit toy-like! Regards, Chris

[@AdaptiveSystems]

@@WirenwoodModelRailway well i'm sure you have enough modelling skill to use it as a base to make it more realistic....haha