DCCExpress-Mini

⚠️ Under development ⚠️

This project is a customized fork of the DCC-EX CommandStation-EX project, built specifically for ESP32-based systems. The goal is to provide a standalone wireless DCC control system with a mobile-friendly user interface, file management, and real-time communication.

Related project: DCCExpress

🚀 Features

• 🚂 EX-CSB1 ESP32 based command station
• 🌐 Built-in web server with Bootstrap UI optimized for mobile devices
• 📡 WebSocket support for real-time control and feedback
• ✏️ Fully editable loco list (image, name, address, speed, functions)
• 🛠️ Function editor with momentary toggles and customizable labels
• 🗃️ LittleFS storage for persistent config, loco data, and file uploads
• 🗂️ File manager interface for maintaining and organizing files
• ✅ Locos
• ✅ Turnouts
• ⌛Route Manager

✅ What you need to do

1. Configure your hardware and network settings
   Open the config.h file and adjust it according to your setup (e.g. connected devices, Wi-Fi credentials).
   Don’t forget to add the following directive to enable the web server:

   #define HTTP

2. Compile and upload the firmware
   Use PlatformIO or the command line to build and flash the firmware to your ESP32 device.

3. Upload the web interface (data folder)
   Upload the contents of the data/ folder using:

   > pio run -e ESP32 --target uploadfs

   Or use the "Upload Filesystem Image" option from the PlatformIO menu.

   ⚠️ Make sure to run these commands from the directory where your
   `platformio.ini` file is located.
   

Web Interface & Client-Side Development

⚠️ NodeJS must be installed ⚠️

• Install

> cd DCCExpress
DCCExpress> npm install

• Dev

DCCExpress> npm run dev

• Build to Data

DCCExpress> npm run build
DCCExpress> cd ..
> pio run -e ESP32 --target uploadfs

• Or Build + Upload to EXCSB1

DCCExpress> npm run upload

🛠️ Changes in This Fork

1. WebServer and WebSocket implementation

   • Added an embedded HTTP server with LittleFS/SD card file hosting
   • Added WebSocket support via AsyncWebSocket for real-time communication with clients
   • UI pages (e.g., loco control, file manager) are now loaded from the device

2. Serial output redirection (USB_SERIAL)

   • Replaced USB_SERIAL with a HTTPSerialWrapper class
   • This wrapper forwards all serial output to both the original stream and all connected WebSocket clients.
   • Useful for debugging or monitoring system messages over the network

🖼️ Images