From a trade show conversation between exhibitors at Bauma, a very simple solution for automation emerged, which is described here.

The Joe Schwarz Vitrinenmanufaktur manufactures display cases for model railway enthusiasts and collectors:

Vitrine Joe Schwarz

Joe Schwarz's wish was that something should also move in the display case shown at the trade show. However, investing in a large digital control unit seemed too expensive to him.

With CTC, such a shuttle train operation can be implemented easily and cost-effectively. The following components are required:

  • 2x CTC-Turnout-Module
  • 1x CTC-Loco-Module, in this case the CTC-Loco-Module-PluX22 with an ESU installation adapter
  • 1x IR receiver for the locomotive
  • 4x IR beacon kit
  • Power supply for the track - in this case already available (Märklin MobileStation)
  • WiFi router - in this case provided via a CTC-Router

The track plan consists of a line that starts as a single track, becomes double-track in the middle, and ends as a single track again:

Gleisplan Vitrine

The concept involves 2 IR beacons at the respective turning points, as well as one beacon each in the parallel tracks in the middle. The turnouts are initially set so that the train uses one track on the outward journey and the other on the return journey along the parallel section. As befits a Swiss railway, the train always travels on the left.

Since no switching logic is required, all beacons can be configured statically. All you need to do is place a locomotive on the track, set its direction clockwise, and press the automatic operation button. The locomotive will then run back and forth until you stop it by clicking the automatic button again or turning off the power.

The installation is very simple. First, install a CTC-Turnout-Module in each of the two turnouts. Then install the four IR beacons in the tracks and connect them to the two turnout modules.

Next, you can start with the configuration. The two beacons at the endpoints are given the locomotive command "Return journey" ("R" or "r") in the "cmd" parameter and the waiting time in seconds in the "cmdDist" parameter:

Wende-Balise

The beacons in the middle are given the locomotive command "Brake to minimum speed" ("M" or "m") in the "cmd" parameter and the distance in centimeters in the "cmdDist" parameter (about 5 cm less than the distance to the turning beacon):

Brems-Balise

Note: The associated documentation can be found