I want the camera from the drone too, and an app where you get the driver's view and a few extra controls such as a 'dead man's switch' for modern era or lots of steam things for steam trains, with acceleration and deceleration simulated. This will make the minimal running time due to the battery acceptable.
Putting this together with parts from places like PCBway appeals more to me than normal scenic modelling. I am not looking to make my first billion from making model trains, I just want to see if it can be done.
The MVP is a basic locomotive, however, if it has the input data, then it can 'know' where it is on track to wait for signals, stop at stations or keep to a timetable.
The view could be augmented reality to paint in those stations and signals if the model railway owner can't afford the model ones.
I think that model trains need a reboot with an affordable locomotive that does not need hundreds, if not thousands of $$$ to get started with. Only boomers with their grandchildren's inheritance can afford model train sets. Children always want toys that are too old for them, rather than dumbed down for some child younger than themselves. The current entry level trains are generally Thomas the Tank Engine and that is not for everyone.
Please shoot me down in flames, or, if you know of any sensible 'mule' electronics I can borrow from a toy car or drone, please let me know.