HO scale model trains provide a vehicle for curriculum fusion between electrical engineering and computer science

Abstract

Model trains provide an ideal vehicle for promoting digital computer design concepts while simultaneously integrating the computer science and computer engineering curriculums. The authors' research employed two categories of HO scale model train systems. The first was the traditional version available at most hobby shops. The second was an intelligent version which uses independent microprocessors in each cab for advanced control. Each system proved well suited for certain specific lab objectives, and together spanned the applications spectrum. Model trains have also helped to energize the curriculum fusion process. There are numerous reasons for using model trains in a computer science and electrical engineering curriculum. Model trains stimulate student interest because they are fun and can be used to simulate complex systems. Model trains have proven to be a flexible tool, being utilized in the basic digital logic course through the capstone design project. Considering the relatively small cost of a model train set, model trains can be a cost effective tool to model such things as a state machine, collision avoidance, and deadlock avoidance.