Beutelevision » Model Railroading http://beutelevision.com/blog2 by Thomas Beutel Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:24:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Using Skype to control a model train http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2009/08/21/using-skype-to-control-a-model-train/ http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2009/08/21/using-skype-to-control-a-model-train/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:44:25 +0000 Thomas Beutel http://beutelevision.com/blog2/?p=159 Small wireless spy cameras are widely available, and there are even a few available specifically for HO-scale trains.

This got me to thinking about letting my cousin in Germany run a train on my train layout, using Skype. Why not? Connecting the camera receiver to my laptop is easy and Skype allows you to select the camera source for video chats. For controlling the train, I can use the open source JMRI framework.

The only integration problem to solve is how to expose the throttle controls to my cousin. I could hack something together on a web page and have him work the controls there.

But is there a way to build this on top of Skype? After all, Skype supports instant messaging, so throttle commands could travel back and forth over IM. Skype offers an API, but I haven’t yet delved deeply enough to know what kind of applications I can build on top of Skype.

More soon.

]]> http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2009/08/21/using-skype-to-control-a-model-train/feed/ 1 3-D Printed Netherlands Train Station in N-Scale http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/11/29/3-d-printed-netherlands-train-station-in-n-scale/ http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/11/29/3-d-printed-netherlands-train-station-in-n-scale/#comments Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:23:49 +0000 Thomas Beutel http://beutelevision.com/blog2/?p=121 Jeroen used Shapeways.com to print a three dimensional model of a train station. He has photos and a description of the pieces he received and how he is putting it together.

I am totally jazzed by the possibilities of creating 3D models and having them printed like this.

]]> http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/11/29/3-d-printed-netherlands-train-station-in-n-scale/feed/ 0 Geeks of 3D website http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/geeks-of-3d-website/ http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/geeks-of-3d-website/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:21:04 +0000 Thomas Beutel http://beutelevision.com/blog2/?p=99 Geeks3d is “All 3D Tech News, All The Time”, and they just covered the Shapeways announcement.

]]> http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/geeks-of-3d-website/feed/ 0 3D printing for model railroading? http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/3d-printing-for-model-railroading/ http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/3d-printing-for-model-railroading/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:55:43 +0000 Thomas Beutel http://beutelevision.com/blog2/?p=98 Shapeways looks really interesting. According to Technology Review you upload a 3-D design to the website, and 10 days and $50-$100 later, you receive a polymer version of your design.

I can see this as really handy for creating masters for items that I want to replicate in urethane or plaster, such as bridge parts or passenger car sides. Cool!

]]> http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2008/08/01/3d-printing-for-model-railroading/feed/ 0 Sources for Mantua Steam Locomotives http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2006/05/11/sources-for-mantua-steam-locomotives/ http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2006/05/11/sources-for-mantua-steam-locomotives/#comments Thu, 11 May 2006 14:34:35 +0000 Thomas Beutel http://www.beutelevision.com/blog/sources-for-mantua-steam-locomotives.html Mantua locomotives are among my favorites. These locos were first produced in the 1940’s and 50’s and are tough and reliable. Here are a couple resources for locos and parts.

Loco kits – http://www.jaystrains.com/HO-HOn3/Locomotives/hosteam.htm

Parts and remotoring – http://yardbirdtrains.com/index.htm

Remotoring – http://www.ablehobby.com/Alliance%20repower%20Parts.htm

]]> http://beutelevision.com/blog2/2006/05/11/sources-for-mantua-steam-locomotives/feed/ 0