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2 layers32.3 × 52.5 mmTrain, the printed circuit board in 3D

The ESP32 code is built using platformio. Get the VS Code extension or install it and use: - pio run to build - pio run -t upload to upload

Size
32.3 × 52.5 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
3
Nets
21
Pads
62
Tracks, vias
51, 3
Pours
2
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
Created
6 Mar 2025
Updated
20 Mar 2025

Overview

Train is an open-source printed circuit board by fkwilken, from the fkwilken/524_train_hacking repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 32.3 × 52.5 mm with 3 parts on 21 nets, routed with 51 tracks and 3 vias.

It is built around the E01-ML01DP5. Its parts include 2 connectors and 1 IC.

Main components

1

README

README.md

Lionel Train Hacking Project

ESP32 / NRF24 Transmitter

The ESP32 code is built using platformio. Get the VS Code extension or install it and use:

  • pio run to build
  • pio run -t upload to upload

The NRF transmitter chip is driven using the RF24 arduino library.

  • To change the frequency, use radio.setChannel(offset);, where offset is the integer frequency offset from 2400 Mhz.
  • To jam the pairing, use radio.setChannel(40); to broadcast at the pairing frequency of 2440 Mhz.
  • To jam the train while it is running, use an SDR to find the approximate frequency that the train is running on
    • Use one transmitter board to jam the pairing frequency, 2440 Mhz
    • Reprogram a second transmitter board to jam the actively running frequency. For example, if you see activity at 2420 Mhz, set the channel to 20.

PCB

image

Parts

3
QtyValueFootprintReferences
1Conn_01x10Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x10_P2.54mm_VerticalJ2
1E01-ML01DP5train:E01-ML01DP5J1
1M5STAMP-C3/C3Utrain:M5STAMP-C3C3UU1

Questions

How big is the Train PCB?

It measures 32.3 × 52.5 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Train use?

3 parts, built around the E01-ML01DP5. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the Train KiCad files?

From the fkwilken/524_train_hacking repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/train/train.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/train/train.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Train design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask fkwilken before reusing the design.

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