Large Scale Central

BlueRail board

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

A few days ago I ordered a control board from BlueRail Trains.

http://bluerailtrains.com/

The first in what is supposed to be a number of inexpensive systems for controlling your trains from your phone or device.

Today, it arrived in the mail.

I attached a 9V battery to it, started up the software and it appeared on the home screen. Selecting it brought me to the throttle screen. There are three separate ‘skins’ you can use for the throttle, depending on taste.

Pulling out the right hand tab, you get some sound options.

There’s also a more detailed options and setup screen.

The sound comes out of your phone, or, optionally, a bluetooth-enabled speaker.

I wont have this in a locomotive for a couple of weeks, but so far its promising.

#2

I like that one, but now I’ll need to get an Iphone (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

So all the programming remains on the card?

How many cards can you Iphone be set to handle ?

#3

What happens if you get a phone call while your trains running?..(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#4

Ah ha! Finally, someone asks the all important question.

#5

I always wondered about that, with people using phones to run drones and trains.

“Let me put you on hold while I land my plane.”…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#6

Ken Brunt said:

I always wondered about that, with people using phones to run drones and trains.

“Let me put you on hold while I land my plane.”…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Not going to happen. Folks don’t ever put people on hold while they’re trying to maneuver in the parking lot. They’ll talk and operate at the same time and be good at neither.

#7

Hi Guys, last year at OPS 2015 I had our prototype Bluetooth app running on my NW-2 diesel. Joe used his Samsung Galaxy 5 phone. The cool thing is on the RailLinx system all you have to do is pop off the Lynx Board and pop in the Bluetooth board. Now you can operate with your device or the hand controller. The big issue for me was using a live phone. It would constantly be doing stuff other than running the trains. Maybe a tablet would be safer. I pulled the sim card out of my Motorola Razor and it was constantly confused looking for the network.

BlueRail with Bachmann’s investment has started to fully develop the capabilities using Bluetooth/app. This is definitely the future to appeal to the “younger modelers” and assure sales. The HO market has over millions of locos compared to G scale with a fraction. Our app is to show the flexibility of the RailLinx system for new and current operators. But we do not have a major manufacturer to fund the finished product. Trying to keep up with the many OS versions is a major challenge/cost. I believe it will be the HO/N manufacturers who will capture the volume of users first. Lets hope they expand into the larger scales. It is all about the money.

As G scale operators we are unique. We have a different requirements for operation outdoors than the smaller scales and I know we have more fun playing with our big trains. We have set the standard for reliable battery operation. The smaller scale are starting to see the benefits and offering battery systems. This could be the start of something good for the evolution of our hobby.

#8

Bruce Chandler said:

Ken Brunt said:

I always wondered about that, with people using phones to run drones and trains.

“Let me put you on hold while I land my plane.”…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Not going to happen. Folks don’t ever put people on hold while they’re trying to maneuver in the parking lot. They’ll talk and operate at the same time and be good at neither.

Can you imagine the fun if they ever add voice command to this system???

#9

So, when I call the person calling me a “S.O.B.”, my locomotive will…

#10

David Maynard said:

So, when I call the person calling me a “S.O.B.”, my locomotive will…

Stop on Bridge?(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#11

Since I’ve sold most all the “G” gauge stuff, I’ve joined an O gauge group of guys that run at our local mall and have been “playing around” with MTH’s DCS WiFi for O gauge for the past few months. I have an iPhone 6 which has the DCS APP for Apple on it and it works right nicely to control the MTH locomotives equipped with PS 2 and PS 3 receivers. I wanted to try using the Android APP so I purchased a $10 phone from Walmart and did not register it with any cell phone provider but instead downloaded the Android APP from my home network, linked it to the DCS Wifi network and I’m now able to run the MTH DCS controlled trains with the $10 phone rather than spending $150 or more for the remote DCS hand held. This is the phone I bought at this link…

TracFone Huawei H868C Prepaid Cell Phone

That way I don’t have to worry about anyone calling me on that cell while I’m running trains… (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)It aint’ never been activated for cell service, just train service…

#12

Wonder how many of those phones Stan can hang around his neck while taking pictures?

Sorry Stan, early days at Marty’s still flash through my mind. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#13

Ah yes, Ric… Them’s were the days. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)Fond memories… Even with all the hassle from Andy. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

It’s so very interesting to see what’s happening with the cell phone/wifi technology today. There’s something new all the time.

#14

Just a note of disclaimer… I wasn’t trying to derail the thread by mentioning the MTH DCS WiFi system. Just sharing what can be done with a $10 smart phone… (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#15

So it uses Bluetooth technology, correct? What would be the range distance?

I can operate my GoPro with a bluetooth app on my iPhone. Pause, record and see what I’m recording on the phone. But it doesn’t have much range.

Seems I’m limited to less than 20 feet. I’ll retest it.

Stan, WiFi needs a router, correct?

#16

John… Like the GoPro, the DCS WiFi has it’s own WiFi program through the WiFi Module (Router). With the GoPro, I used the Wifi on my trip to Zambia and was able to control the camera up to about 30 feet with the iPhone.

The DCS system has a bit more range and we’ve run up to 50 feet testing it in the mall. The DSC has it’s own WiFi module (Router) that’s connected to the TIU to control the trains. It’s quite a good system.

#17

I, too, queried the range issue when the subject first came up. Apparently Bluetooth now has a second mode/variant that works over longer distances and is designed for intermittent connections, like telling a loco to slow down.

#18

Yes, Pete. That’s correct… However, it’s always a very good idea to be able to have the locomotive in “visual” range so we can see what’s happening when we play with the buttons on the screen… (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#19

Me thinks I have a misunderstanding… My bad…

BlueRail is based on Blue tooth technology and MTH DCS is Wifi… Similar stuff but definitely different. My apologies for getting the 2 cornphuzed.

Again, my bad…

Blue Tooth vs Wif

#20

Stan,

Although they are different, the new Bluetooth option sounds a whole lot like wifi, with 100’ plus range.