Getting Arduino/Teensy microcontrollers to talk to RailDriver.dll?

[trmike999]

Hi All,

I recently got a Teensy board. Works pretty good. But I got curious...

I've seen certain people make special controllers that actually interact with the game, and people make special programs (like ThirdRails), all using RailDriver.dll / RailDriver64.dll to interface with the game itself.

The problem though is that Arduino/Teensys can't really directly work with .dll files directly since they can't handle windows-based code or something along the lines of that. Because of this, you need an inbetween program to communicate between RW and the Arduino/Teensy itself.

I've been trying to search for a program to do this, but I haven't had much luck. Most things I've found had dead websites or were just completely unavailable. I tried using the wayback machine, but that didn't work either.

The only available program I could find so far was on facebook while I was trying to see how someone got their cab simulator working with railworks. The only problem is that it's in Czech, and I can't read it. I don't want to try messing with it since I'm sort of worried I'll screw up my drivers or something. (Are outside links allowed here?)

My current idea if I can get this to work is to create an external cab signal display. I'm mostly doing this for fun, but it's also a neat idea when your camera is outside the cab and you want to know if the cab signal switches on you all the sudden.

I've created a basic concept so far. It has a cutout switch and a lamp test button. Here's what it looks like:

Off.jpg

And here's what it looks like doing a Lamp Test:

LampTest.jpg

Any ideas? I'm not too experienced with this here, so I figured I'd ask around and see if anyone has any possible solutions. I could give the Czech program a go, but I'd need a translator so I don't screw up my computer

[trev123]

Maybe ask on the rail driver forums. http://forum.xkeys.com/forum/viewcategory.php?2

[trmike999]

Maybe ask on the rail driver forums. http://forum.xkeys.com/forum/viewcategory.php?2

Hmm, I could, but it looks like the forum has been overrun by spam bots trying to sell foot massages...

Although, I don't think that'd be the right place to ask since it only deals with RailDriver itself. I'm just looking for some program (or any other ideas) to communicate between the micro-controller and the train sim itself.
Sorry if I made that sound confusing

[trmike999]

Quick update on this

I tried using both the Czech program and this other program called "TSConductor" that I found on a german website. Neither could work with the .dll for some reason. I tried checking to make sure that the .dll wasn't corrupt by using Macroworks with my raildriver...and it worked.
So macroworks can work with the .dll, yet other programs can't...I wonder why that is.

Unless if I can figure something out, this puts a dead halt to my project idea. Bummer

[MacGe]

Hi fellows,

I have me registered extra for this topic. I'm a man from Germany who is interested in American railways (from prototype to models to virtual).

I had used "TSConductor" for years. But with the unsupported TS 64bit, I have switched to "TS-Bridge". I wrote the program "TS-Fireman" its similar to "Raildriver Joystick Interface". It converts Joystick inputs into TCP commands.

But back to the communication via TCP. There are two versions of the TCP-server, one for 64bit (TS-Bridge x64) and another for 32bit (TS-Bridge x86). It has the same commands.
GetControllerListExtended(FLAT)
GetControllerListExtended(RAW)
GetLocoName()
GetControllerValue(ControllerID;0)
GetControllerValueMultiplyRaw(ControllerID:ControllerID:ControllerID) answer: ControllerID:ControllerValue::ControllerID:ControllerValue::ControllerID:ControllerValue::
SetControllerValue(ControllerID;0)

I am also working on an Arduino project. The Arduino as a TCP client works fine, but sometimes there are connection issues. I had no success with the Czech program. So I wrote a small program as a test that sends a value via COM. Currently, it's the speed, but everything is possible. My sample sketches you will find at the German forum "Rail-Sim.de". Also my small TS_TCP_and_COM program. It was formerly a test for my planned locomotive information display in American style (IFD).

[gehringerg]

Have you gotten any further on your quest to get the signal indications ?
I too am looking for a way to read the current signal, but the Raildriver API does not have any functions to return the current signal's value.

[MacGe]

You can only get the data via RailDriver.dll that the loco has. There is a program named "Raildriver and Joystick Interface" that can do more. For this, you must modify the loco script (LUA?). I haven't tried it. I don't want to edit the files.

Currently, I make some tests with my new TCP2COM program that can send up to 9 values via COM.

[BB22210]

Hello,
Did you succeed in interfacing your console with TS2020 finally?
I am also looking to create a new console without a raildriver, based on Arduino, as I did with OpenRails where the features are 99% operational.
see at : https://www.facebook.com/AlpiSim

Any advice ?

Rgds
BB22210

[MacGe]

If you build a console based on Arduino, you just have to make sure that it works as a joystick interface with 32 buttons for input. Then you can integrate it into the TS very easily. With the help of "Raildriver and Joystick Interface" or my "TS-Fireman with TS-Bridge". With the latter, I can accurately transfer all functions (5 axis and 32 buttons) from my driver console/control stand to the TS. The "Raildriver and Joystick Interface" is more extensive and in some areas better (keyword: irregulated notch lever).

For the output on an Arduino I have written the program (TCP to COM) for Windows, but the part on the Arduino is still missing. Unfortunately, I still have no time for this.

[BB22210]

Hello,
Thanks for your quick reply.
If things are clear for OpenRails (ORTS) where 99% datas can be exchanged, something escapes me in the overall connection architecture between the PC / TS and the Arduino.
Do you have a schema / diagram which explains graphically what must be connected between the arduino, its ino and libs, the dll and TS, and what protocols are used ?

Then, in the second step, how will you get ALL the PWM data from TS and then send them to the Ammeters, voltmeters or manometers (servos or stepmotors) ?
Do we have to developpe our own C# or Python program to make datas transfer works ?

Rgds
BB22210

[MacGe]

Hi,

I use the TCP server "TS-Bridge". This is connected to the RailDriver.dll and provides and changes its data.

For the input, I use an Arcaze, but an Arduino also works. This is configured as an HID device and connected to the PC as a joystick. This should allow 6 axes and 32 buttons for input. My program "TS-Fireman" converts joystick input to TCP messages which are sent to TS via TS-Bridge. For this, each loco is configured individually. The other possibility would be the "Raildriver and Joystick Interface", but I can't say anything about its configs, because I don't use it.

For the output, I wrote some small sketches (ino). I had also tried to run the Arduino as a TCP client, with little success. Therefore I wrote the program TCP2COM. But now the software part for the Arduino is still missing. All my achievements to output the data with the Arduino you can find here: My topic at the German Rail-Sim Board. So far I have only worked out the control of LEDs and a moving coil instrument (Ammeter as speedometer via PWM).

I use the scripting language AutoIt to write my Windows programs. Programming is a hobby, not my profession. I'm a craftsman.