Large Scale Central

BlueRail Trains

General Discussion
#1

This morning I received an update from BlueRail trains.

Hello from BlueRail Trains. I know its been a while since our last email. Let me fill you in on all the things that have been going on at BlueRail. We’ve released some nice upgrades on the Android side including many improvements to sound and customizability (in both steam and diesel). We have made similar upgrades to Bachmann E-Z App as well to support Bachmann’s new E-Z App steam trains. We have been working hard on and are very close to adding consisting to the app. To celebrate the impending release of consisting we have also added some bundle pricing in the online store. If you buy 2 boards you’ll receive a $5 discount on each board. If you purchase 5 boards you’ll receive a $10 discount on each board. For Black Friday we have added the coupon code “BLUEFRIDAY” which will give an extra $5 off (valid through November). The other big exciting project BlueRail has been absorbed in is creating the technology for our bluetooth protocol to communicate with DCC and sound decoders. We think this is a worthwhile direction that opens the door to many possibilities. I didn’t want to manufacture more boards or products until we built a bluetoooth to DCC bridge, and we are on the verge of having that working. I receive many emails about narrower, smaller and higher amperage boards. I felt it wisest to resist the temptation to quickly put out another board until DCC was under our belt. All future boards will benefit from this, and I hope the hobby will as well. I will post more details on YouTube and the facebook page. If you live in Australia or New Zealand we have enabled shipping to those territories on the website. Shipping to Australia is $15. Please consider coordinating with a friend and taking advantage of our new quantity discounts. In Europe and the UK boards may be purchased from http://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/. I apologize for taking so long since the last communication. Consisting and DCC have been time consuming developments, which are best announced when you get them working. I feel like this Christmas and as 2017 begins, bluetooth will have crossed the hump as a viable train control technology and I’m really excited about direction of product development in this coming year given our most recent developments. David Rees BlueRail Trains BlueRail Online store: http://bluerailtrains.mybigcommerce.com/

#2

Not to high jack the thread but their is a another option for smart phone control called the Blutom. I just go it t and hooked up the Bluetom. (Very Similar to the Bluerail I believe, except this is still a work in progress but will have a lot of the same features). Some guy on the train FB groups is building them. It works off an app on Android phones for now. Eventually it will work on Iphones as well. His goal is to make the receiver for under $40. I got one of his demos for $45. It plugs into the Aristo plug and play. I used the revolution adapter board to make it work with my sons non plug and play. So far it works great and affordable. Here is the FB page https://www.facebook.com/GScaleBT/?fref=ts

He also runs a web page. You might be able to get info here. http://gscale.net/ Just another option for smart phone control.

#3

I want to control my trains with my rotary phone. When are they coming out with that system? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

#4

So, the “Dead Rail Kit,” gives one a 11.1V 450 mAh battery. Is this tech for H0? Can it be used for Large Scale?

#5

I have a BlueRail board in my Davenport (see http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25795/blue-rail-board) Works great

#6

David Maynard said:

I want to control my trains with my rotary phone. When are they coming out with that system? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

I think Nokia is working on it…

#7

Cool.

#8

Bob McCown said:

I have a BlueRail board in my Davenport (see http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25795/blue-rail-board) Works great

Well, that’s good to know. I took a look at their site, but couldn’t fine anything that specified how many volts or amps the board could handle without releasing the magic smoke. Did I miss something? Have they said?

#9

Steve Featherkile said:

Bob McCown said:

I have a BlueRail board in my Davenport (see http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25795/blue-rail-board) Works great

Well, that’s good to know. I took a look at their site, but couldn’t fine anything that specified how many volts or amps the board could handle without releasing the magic smoke. Did I miss something? Have they said?

You missed it. From their website…

“Using Bluetooth smart you can control as many Bluetooth trains as you want simultaneously using any powered track system (22 volts or less DC/DCC) or battery.”

#10

I attended a clinic given by BlueRail. The primary difference they described between BlueRail and other products (like BluTom) is that they have spent over 1200 hours developing their software and firmware. The other products in this category are primarily hardware with a starter app. This development time has been made possible greatly because of their relationship with Bachmann, which gives them the ability to piggyback development. I look forward to seeing where this all goes.

#11

I got the same e-mail. I had been anxiously awaiting the higher amperage board until I Spoke to Don Sweet at the Greenbergs show this past weekend. He told me about an RF system from Ring Engineering called Railpro http://www.ringengineering.com/ After mulling over the site and watching every video I could find on Youtube, I’m sold! Too me, it looks to be the ultimate control system. The modules ($99) include (free) HD quality sound and the controller and software look amazing! When choosing a locomotive you actually click on a picture of your own model! Unfortunately, Although they are working on one for G scale, They currently only have a 1 Amp board. I emailed them and they said they hope to have one early next year.

#12

David Maynard said:

I want to control my trains with my rotary phone. When are they coming out with that system? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

It’s coming, but it’ll only work on roundy-round layouts. :wink:

Later,

K

#13

Kevin Strong said:

David Maynard said:

I want to control my trains with my rotary phone. When are they coming out with that system? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

It’s coming, but it’ll only work on roundy-round layouts. :wink:

Later,

K

You beat me to it Kevin, I was hurrying through the posts to send that commment then saw yours.