I have fully transitioned to the dark side and am performing the dark arts of using a computer to change my points using WiFi as well as a display board to show their setting. I ventured into the world of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots to help me write the programs. I can say that AI really isn't that intelligent but does have its uses for a non computer person to write programs. https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com/p/using-raspberry-pi-for-control-work-in.html https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com/p/train-signal-and-point-setting-board.html Warning both the links contain dark side language so if you do not want to be infected do not read it.
Good to hear someone else is using AI for programming. I was using Copilot initially and it was very helpful but as Graeme says be prepared for errors and ask it to check things if they don't seem right or it just doesn't work. Also it doesn't save the info after you close it unless you sign in to MS. I now use ChatGPT as it does save its answers so you can go back through it's history. Again mistakes are common so when you ask it to write code request it checks maybe 3 sources. The AI of your choice will usually explain the coding and add a certain amount textual help within the code.
I signed up for a subscription with "Coding Fleet" which give access to multiple AI models I'm especially fond of "Claude Thinking" as it seems to be the most accurate.
I am one of the operating crew on my friends Surf Line layout. All of the points (turnouts) are operated via an Ipad using touch screen. Each location has an individual page for easy navigation and the track diagram is shown on screen live. This is awesome to use as when you select a point, the switch changes from green (indicates through route) to orange, indicating the diverging route. To return the point back to normal, you simply touch the orange point indicator or touch one of the two screen touch pads at the bottom right of the screen to reset the main back to either the Santa Fe road or the Southern Pacific road. See a short video on our Facebook page here : https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19zYcqcsfj/ Cheers, Gary.
