Hi David
I¡¯m a UK modeller too, and a JMRI user. I¡¯m struggling to work out why you are looking at DCC++ on an arduino when you already have a?Dijikeijs DR5000. The DR5000 will act as the DCC signal supply and will connect directly to a PC running JMRI. The DR5000 already supports various feedback systems so all you need to add will be appropriate feedback detectors to whichever feedback system takes your fancy. I may be wrong here, but I?don¡¯t think the DCC++ solution supports a feedback bus.
Block detection is expensive¡The DR4088?isn¡¯t a bad option though, giving 16 channels for around ?50.
Another option that might reduce costs is using the Megapoints system for both turnout control and feedback. I¡¯m guessing that since you are planning a loft layout it?won¡¯t be small¡¡.lots of turnouts, blocks and signals? Megapoints can handle 192 turnouts or signals from a single DCC module, and also has a 192 channel feedback system. The feedback currently doesn¡¯t interface to JMRI, but a new computer control module is very close to release. Overall the?mega points?system?isn¡¯t cheap, but on a large layout can reduce the unit cost of powering turnouts and signals.?4 aspect colour lights might be a bit of a challenge. I¡¯m using?mega points to drive UK semaphore signals, but extending this to 4 aspect?·É´Ç³Ü±ô»å²Ô¡¯³Ù be straightforward. However Dave Fenton at Megapoints may have something up his sleeve so its always worth asking him.
Have you explored the TrainTech 4 aspect signal system? This would give you an easy route to a working signalling system, but?·É´Ç³Ü±ô»å²Ô¡¯³Ù?report the?signal setting or occupancy to JMRi.
Kevin
