John,

Yes!  See the NMRA web site for the specs for the DCC (digital command
control) system.  This is a standard that several mfgs are using.  There
are a few web sites with info on how to build your own.  Here are a few links:


DCC Decoder using a PIC16C84:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Dprobst/railroad.htm

NMRA standards:
http://users.vnet.net/paulrver/st_welco.html

PIC based command station that uses the PC for loco
control
http://www.users.bigpond.com/pbhandary/sj_home.html

My web page that will soon have info on my PIC based command station that
doesn't need a PC to run it.
http://home1.gte.net/cramer/

Hope this helps.

Norm


At 12:40 PM 12/4/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Is there some simple circuit for using the 2 rails of the model railroad
as the network connection (ie: PICs on the engine receiving commands via
the rails)?
>
>Is there a simple but cheap alternative to this method?
>
>RF seems like extra work, circuitry and expense.
>
>John Mullan
>
>