The following assumes that the CTC system is set up and configured according to the descriptions for the starter kit.
When powering on the CTC components, it is essential to ensure that the WiFi router is turned on and operational first. Then, the railway layout can be powered on.
The CTC app detects the PI-Rail WiFi and connects to the CTC modules. The configuration of the modules is read out. In the chosen starter kit example, the CTC app found one locomotive (BR365), two turnouts, and two semaphore signals. The configuration of the locomotive was read out, resulting in the specific image of the locomotive, as well as its name and further configuration information, which will be reviewed later. The track plan - here called “Starterkit_1” - is stored in one of the configured turnout modules (Demo-W-right) and was also read out. That also contains the information about the semaphore signals.
After the CTC app is started, the initial screen shows the “Modules” window:
The window with the tabs for “Modules, Locos, Control, Control Panel, and Sensors” allows access to the individual functional groups:
- Modules: Here, the list of all found modules and their key parameters appear. Their configuration can also be accessed directly from here.
- Locos: All found locomotives appear here, the locomotive highlighted in gray is the selected locomotive (see also “Control”)
- Control: The control window for the selected locomotive appears here (see “Locos”).
- Control Panel: The controllable modules of the track layout, such as turnouts, signals, etc., are displayed here. Additionally, the IR balises are marked on the track layout.
- Schedules: The schedules for the automated train operation are edited and accessed here.
- Sensors: All sensors are shown here. In this case, each locomotive has an infrared sensor. The sensors receive the messages from the IR balises integrated into the track.
Via the menu bar, another control panel can be opened with “View” and “Show Left Panel”. The panel windows can be moved to ensure they are well visible. Selecting “Control” for the left panel and “Control Panel” for the right panel results in:
The “Control” tab offers control over the selected locomotive (when the “Locos” tab is selected):
The “Control Panel” tab provides access to turnouts and signals (and optionally other drives if present).
The switching functions are executed with the individual switch buttons as follows:
Turnouts and signals can alternatively also be switched directly on the track plan:
In the initial operation of the layout, the BR365 locomotive can now run, the control of the turnouts allows for entry into the station track or running on the passing track. The signals can also be switched. It is apparent that the locomotive does not react to the position of the signals; the train must be manually stopped in the “Control” window or prompted to continue.
Further configuration steps are necessary for the locomotive to slow down and stop in front of a signal set to “Stop.” For this, the IR balises are used.