Finally, there is a simple way to add realism to your layout! It doesn't matter the size, scale or whether it is a small home layout or in a large museum. LTAC ( Layout Time Animation

Control) allows the user to add animation / automation control to their layout. From simply controlling relays, to triggering anything from animation accessories, LTAC does the job! LTAC

plays sounds and uses the X-10 home automation control to automate room lighting so that you can have automatic changing of time from day to night on the layout. Best of all, the system can

be as simple or complex as the user wishes. Millhouse River Studios wanted to design a system that doesn’t require advanced knowledge of computers to use. The system is

programmed by creating a basic text document. You simply type out your commands in the text document, like seen in (Fig. 1), save that text file, and, with our software and programmer, load

that text file. The program puts your commands into our hardware to control your devices. Commands can also be more complex, as seen in (Fig. 2).

The system has several components to it (Fig. 3) . The main heart to the system is our LTAC controller module and controller base. The controller module is removable from the base.

Once it is installed on your layout and wired to whatever you are controlling, if you decide you want to change your programmed sequence you can easily unplug it from the base. You then

plug it into the programmer, load the new time sequence, then reinstall it back on the layout. The system also has the ability to have two different controller modules programmed with two

totally different scenarios on each. It is convenient and easy to swap them out as you like. LTAC works two different ways. First, the system can play the programmed sequence and

then repeat. LTAC can also work with the master time clock for the layout and the events you programmed are driven by the time of day on the layout. In this time driven method, the time

clock runs as a fast clock, allowing the user to set the time compression for 24 hours to pass on the layout. For instance, you may have visitors over to see and/or run trains on your layout.

LTAC allows you to run a 24 hour day over the course of just an hour or maybe 2 days in an hour. The time compression is up to you. It can automatically play and trigger anything from the

room lights dimming and brightening to the building and street lights turning on and off automatically. It is all based on what you have programmed for each controller module. Small

time displays are also available that can be placed around the layout or in buildings ( for O scale) for quick reference of time.

Eventually, LTAC sound modules will be available that you can load sound files onto that will work with the system to automatically play your sounds based on the time of day. Imagine

that factory whistle that sounds at lunch time, a dog barking, crickets chirping at night or the bustle of street traffic in the city. You can program your sounds for the specific time of day you

want them to play, leading to a more realistic sound experience. Rather than having to push buttons or flip switches to make things happen on the layout, now it can be automated so that

you can concentrate on running trains and let LTAC handle creating the lifelike realism of the layout. All of our LTAC boards can be linked together with the modular communication cords or

they can be run as stand alone devices. Extender boards are also available (see Fig. 3). These boards have multiple functions . They can be used as a simple way to tie in all those

switches and buttons that you use to trigger devices on the layout . This lets you add these into the LTAC system. These boards can also be used in conjunction

with our relay boards to expand the system up to 8 relays. Another advanced feature to our extender boards is that it can use the switch or button inputs to trigger

a LTAC sequence of events. For instance, a lift bridge could be driven by an infrared sensor that is triggered when a train approaches the bridge.

It would then start a sequence of events such as sounding a horn, triggering a set of bridge lights to flash, and then playing a sound file of motors lifting the bridge.

Only your imagination is the limit of what you can do. The LTAC controller modules allow for hundreds of events to be programmed into each

module, each with a customized trigger time. Since the system is modular you can have as many or as few parts of the system hooked up to your layout.

Our goal at Millhouse River Studios is to have a affordable system that is as simple as the end user needs it to be.

The Millhouse River Studios base system package includes our software and USB programmer, a controller module with base, an X-10 controller and two of our 4 relay boards for $279.99 (Fig4).

If you do not wish to control room lighting, the system is available without the X-10 controller for $270.00

 The X-10 controller allows you to send your time commands to UL listed X-10 devices such as dimmers, or outlets that you would purchase from home stores or online that

would replace your layout room light switches.