• 1
    Watch the Video

    Watch the video to know how it should work.

  • 2
    Get All the Stuff

    Here is the list of all the parts and components required for this project:

    • An Arduino microcontroller
    • An L293N motor driver module
    • A 'sensored' track
    • A 12-volt DC power source with a current capacity of at least 1A(1000mA)
    • 6 male to female jumper wires (3 to connect the motor driver's signal inputs to the output pins of the Arduino board and the other 3 to connect the 'sensored' track's terminals to the Arduino board.)
    • 4 male to male jumper wires(2 to connect the motor driver board to power and the other two to connect the motor drive's outputs to track power.)
    • A crosshead screwdriver
    • A computer(obviously ; )
    • A suitable USB cable to connect the Arduino board to the computer
  • 3
    Program the Arduino Microcontroller

    Make sure to go through the program carefully to understand how it works, later it will be fun to tweak it and make your own modifications.

    /*
 * Arduino program to control a model train running in a basic oval loop with the help of a feedback sensor.
 * Made by Tech Build: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNy7DyfhSD9jsQEgNwETp9g?sub_confirmation=1
 * 
 */

int s; //Integer variable to store train's speed in the range from 0 to 255.
int maxSpeed = 140;//Integer variable to store the maximum speed the train will reach.
int t = 5; //Time delay(pause, in seconds) between each loop of operation, from start to stop.

void motor_go(){
 if(s>=1&&s<=255){
  digitalWrite(9,LOW);
  digitalWrite(8,HIGH);
  analogWrite(10,s);
 }
 if(s<=-1&&s>=-255){
  digitalWrite(8,LOW);
  digitalWrite(9,HIGH);
  analogWrite(10,-s);
 }
 if(s==0){
  digitalWrite(9,LOW);
  digitalWrite(8,LOW);
  analogWrite(10,s);
 }
 
 
}

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  pinMode(10,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(9,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(8,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(A0,INPUT);

  delay(2000);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

  for(s=0;s<=30;s++){ //Providing low voltage to the tracks to just turn on th locomotive's lights.
    motor_go();
    delay(10);
  }

  delay(4000);

  for(s=s;s<=50;s++){ //Starting the train.
    motor_go();
    delay(500);
  }

  delay(5000);

  for(s=s;s<=80;s++){ //Speeding up a bit.
    motor_go();
    delay(500);
  }

  delay(1000);

  while(digitalRead(A0)==LOW); //Wait for the train to cross the 'sensored' track.

  for(s=s;s<=maxSpeed;s++){ //Speeding up the train to maximum speed value set in the beginning.
    motor_go();
    delay(500);
  }

  delay(1000);
  while(digitalRead(A0)==LOW); //Wait for the train to cross the 'sensored' track.

  delay(2000);

  for(s=s;s!=100;s--){ //Slow down the train a bit.
    motor_go();
    delay(1000);
  }

  delay(4000);
  while(digitalRead(A0)==LOW); //Wait for the train to cross the 'sensored' track.

  for(s=s;s!=80;s--){ //Slow down the train furthur.
    motor_go();
    delay(500);
  }

  delay(4000);

  for(s=s;s!=60;s--){ //Slow down the train, preparing to stop.
    motor_go();
    delay(500);
  }
  delay(1000);
  while(digitalRead(A0)==LOW); //Wait for the train to cross the 'sensored' track.

  delay(1000);
  
  for(s=s;s!=20;s--){ //Reduce the voltage on the tracks to just let the locomotive lights turned on.
    motor_go();
    delay(250);
  }

  delay(1000);

  for(s=s;s!=0;s--){ //Stop the power supply to the track and power down the locomotive.
    motor_go();
    delay(125/2);
  }

  delay(1000*t); //Wait for the set time before starting all over again.
}