LEGO Train Controller

An Arduino library for controlling LEGO Powered Up trains with automated layouts, sensor-based automation, and intelligent routing.

Features

• Multi-train management - Control multiple LEGO Powered Up trains simultaneously
• Sensor integration - Support for light sensors and reed switch sensors
• Track switch control - Automated control of track switches via relays
• Position tracking - Advanced position tracking with collision avoidance
• Action sequencing - Complex automated behaviors with sequential actions

Hardware Requirements

• Arduino ESP32 or compatible microcontroller
• One or more LEGO Powered Up train hubs
• Optional: Reed switch sensors for position detection
• Optional: Relay modules for track switch control

Installation

Arduino IDE Library Manager

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries
3. Search for "LEGO Train Controller"
4. Click "Install"

Manual Installation

1. Download the library as a ZIP file from GitHub
2. In Arduino IDE: Sketch > Include Library > Add .ZIP Library
3. Select the downloaded ZIP file

Dependencies

This library requires:

• NimBLE-Arduino
• Legoino

Quick Start

#include <LegoTrainController.h>

// Create controller instance
LegoTrainController trainController;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  
  // Initialize the library
  trainController.begin();
  
  // Create sensor locations
  SensorLocation westStation("WEST_STATION", 1);
  SensorLocation eastStation("EAST_STATION", 2);
  SensorLocation bridgeEntrance("BRIDGE_ENTRANCE", 3);
  
  // Add a train with starting position
  size_t trainIndex = trainController.addTrain("MyTrain", PoweredUpHubPort::B, westStation);
  
  // Add sensors using locations
  trainController.addReedSwitchSensor(D9, westStation);
  trainController.addReedSwitchSensor(D10, eastStation);
  trainController.addReedSwitchSensor(D11, bridgeEntrance);
  
  // Start the train
  trainController.setTrainSpeed(trainIndex, 30);
}

void loop() {
  trainController.update();
}

Examples

The library includes several examples:

• BasicTrainControl - Simple train control with manual commands
• MultiTrainSystem - Advanced multi-train automation with sensors and switches

API Reference

Core Functions

begin()

Initialize the train controller system. Call this in setup().

bool success = trainController.begin();

update()

Main update loop. Call this in loop().

trainController.update();

Train Management

addTrain(hubName, motorPort, initialPosition)

Add a train to the system.

// Create a starting location
SensorLocation depot("DEPOT", 1);
size_t trainIndex = trainController.addTrain("MyTrain", PoweredUpHubPort::B, depot);

setTrainSpeed(trainIndex, speed)

Set train speed (-100 to 100, negative for reverse).

trainController.setTrainSpeed(0, 50); // 50% forward
trainController.setTrainSpeed(0, -30); // 30% reverse

stopTrain(trainIndex)

Stop a specific train.

trainController.stopTrain(0);

Sensor Management

addReedSwitchSensor(pin, location)

Add a reed switch sensor at a track position.

// Create sensor location
SensorLocation station("MAIN_STATION", 10);
trainController.addReedSwitchSensor(D9, station);

addLightSensor(pin, threshold, location)

Add a light sensor with detection threshold.

// Create sensor locations for tunnels and bridges
SensorLocation westTunnel("WEST_TUNNEL", 15);
SensorLocation tunnelEntry("TUNNEL_ENTRY", 20);

trainController.addLightSensor(A0, 50, westTunnel);
trainController.addLightSensor(A1, 30, tunnelEntry);

Track Layout

addTrackSegment(location, nextForward, nextReverse, trainIndex)

Define track topology for position tracking.

// Create custom locations for track layout
SensorLocation westStation("WEST_STATION", 1);
SensorLocation eastStation("EAST_STATION", 2);
SensorLocation westTunnel("WEST_TUNNEL", 3);

trainController.addTrackSegment(
  westStation,
  eastStation,
  westTunnel,
  0 // train index
);

Automated Actions

addStopAction(location, trainIndex, speed)

Make train stop when reaching a sensor location.

// Create station location
SensorLocation mainStation("MAIN_STATION", 5);
trainController.addStopAction(mainStation, 0, 0);

addSequentialAction(location, trainIndex, actionConfigs)

Execute a sequence of actions at a sensor location.

// Create turnaround location
SensorLocation turnaround("TURNAROUND_POINT", 25);

std::vector<ActionConfig> actions;
actions.push_back(ActionConfig(TrainActionType::STOP));
actions.push_back(ActionConfig(TrainActionType::REVERSE));
trainController.addSequentialAction(turnaround, 0, actions);

Advanced Features

Sensor Locations

Create custom sensor locations for flexible track layouts:

// Create locations with descriptive names and unique IDs
SensorLocation bridgeEntry("BRIDGE_ENTRANCE", 100);
SensorLocation tunnelExit("TUNNEL_EXIT", 101);
SensorLocation maintenanceBay("MAINTENANCE_BAY", 200);

// Use them with sensors
trainController.addReedSwitchSensor(D8, bridgeEntry);
trainController.addLightSensor(A2, 40, tunnelExit);

// Use them in track layout
trainController.addTrackSegment(bridgeEntry, tunnelExit, maintenanceBay, 0);

Multiple Trains

The library supports multiple trains with collision avoidance:

// Create starting positions for each train
SensorLocation westStation("WEST_STATION", 10);
SensorLocation eastStation("EAST_STATION", 20);
SensorLocation depot("MAINTENANCE_DEPOT", 200);

size_t train1 = trainController.addTrain("Train1", PoweredUpHubPort::B, westStation);
size_t train2 = trainController.addTrain("Train2", PoweredUpHubPort::B, eastStation);
size_t train3 = trainController.addTrain("Train3", PoweredUpHubPort::B, depot);

Switch Control

Control track switches with relay modules:

int switchId = trainController.addSwitch(D5, SwitchPositions::STRAIGHT);
trainController.operateSwitch(switchId, SwitchPositions::DIVERGED);

Position Tracking

Advanced position tracking with automatic direction detection:

int position = trainController.getTrainPosition(0);
bool connected = trainController.isTrainConnected(0);

Troubleshooting

Debug Output

Enable debug output to troubleshoot issues:

trainController.enableDebug(true);
trainController.printStatus();

Contributing

Contributions are welcome, especially if you can port this over to new platforms.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License (see the LICENSE file for details).

Acknowledgments

• Legoino Library for LEGO Powered Up communication
• NimBLE-Arduino for Bluetooth Low Energy support