Train Simulator Controller: Dashboard Prototype Part 4, All the Panels
In the last few months of my three-year development of a UK Class 800-inspired train simulator, I have focused on prototyping the physical panels that make up the simulator. I had previously developed a flexible CAN bus controller that could be used with all of the simulator’s instruments and controls, then built daughterboards that could connect it to speedometers, a Class 365 power/brake controller (PBC), a GSM-R Driver’s Control Panel (DCP), a scratch-built TPWS control panel, and much more. In parallel, I had sketched out and reverse-engineered the dimensions of the panels of a real Class 80x from photos, then constructed a cardboard prototype to iterate on the size and proportions of the panels. In more recent blog posts, I have showed turning the cardboard version into a CAD model and laser-cut hardboard pieces, followed by gluing together and testing the resulting center console.
Having nailed down the process of turning my cardboard experiments and sketches into hardboard prototypes, I wanted to see the hardboard versions of the four remaining panels constructed. I have not yet completed the electronics for all of these panels, or even collected all the buttons and switches that I need, but with panels prototyped, I could be unblocked to pursue two parallel paths: replacing the hardboard prototypes with sturdier, thicker wood or metal panels, and continuing to collect the additional components I would need. Therefore, I next needed to estimate dimensions, compute angles, and create CAD designs of the next four panels:
- The right-hand panel, containing the right side door controls, electric and diesel control, horn, GSM-R DCP, and other controls.
- The left side door controls.
- The CCTV monitors
- The left-hand panel containing headlight, cab light, and HVAC controls
Notably, I have not yet selected the four LCDs (two of which are touchscreens) that will be in the final version: the TCMS screen, the ETCS screen, and the two CCTV monitors. For now, the two empty apertures for the CCTV monitors have affectionately been termed the “cat holes”, anticipated to be tempting for for curious cats, while the panels that will hold the two touchscreens are blanked out.
In late December, the laser-cut and CNC-milled panels and supports arrived, and I wasted no time gluing it all together to see just how big the final simulator will be. In a recent video from UK train company LNER, railway historian Tim Dunn tried out an official LNER Class 801 simulator, and commented “[you] could sell these [simulators …] imagine going to my boyfriend saying, ‘Hi, darling. I’ve got a new train simulator. This is taking up the entire bedroom, BTW.’” That sentiment hit uncomfortably close to home, but I’m hopeful that my current modular design will at least allow this simulator to be disassembled and stored easily: the largest piece will be half of the supporting table, a flat sheet that fits inside a 1.5 meter x 0.5 meter rectangle.
Next up, I will fabricate the desk that these components sit on, while continuing to fabricate the control boards for the controls on these panels. Look for more updates soon!
