Large Scale Central

Poll: What do you use?

Electronics
#1

I am really curious what/how everyone runs on here after my weekend learning about what most of the NHGRS members use. So, lets talk about it here, but I’d also love to actually take a poll and see what most people utilize…

  • What type of power/control do you use?
  • What system do you use, if battery & r/c?

I am currently using an R/C system that I buy from the UK. But, I’ve been told of a few that are simpler to install (only one board for everything) and some, like Blunami, that can be controlled on your phone. But, I’m thinking of switching to a different system and I’d like to get some thoughts first.

Thanks everyone!

The Poll

#2

I also found this thread from quite a while ago, which I still need to read in full:

#3

Hi John, I’ll start and provide some history of the evolution.

I began with Track Power using the Aristo Train Engineer. I quickly discovered I needed to break the RR into power blocks to allow more than1 train on the layout at once.

Using the same TE system, I moved the receiver to a gondola car and used a drill battery for early experiments with battery power. Results were promising.

Wanting to continue down the road with battery, I purchased the early Rail Boss system from G-Scale graphics. I ended up converting 4 locos to that system and used it with a 2 stick RC radio.

For years Don Sweet lobbied me to try RailPro. After years of resisting the move, I finally took a small step and equipped one loco and used their computer interface to control it. A friend from the NHGRS loaned my his RailPro hand controller allowing me to move my experiment out of the train room.

I was very impressed with RailPro, even more so when I began building multiple loco consists. RailPro allowed me the multiple loco control I had been wanting since I first started. Today I have 7 RailPro and battery equipped locos and a RailPro trail car for locos I don’t want to do a full install on.

This video is a great demonstration of a RailPro multiple loco train. I’m starting it where where the 6 loco train runs by. If you have 6 minutes, watch it from the beginning!

Edit to add: I also experimented with one of the smartphone based systems. It worked well, but I’m a person who needs tactile feedback from the controller. I do lots of switching where I don’t look at the controller while adjusting the speed. Hard to do that with a phone.

#4

I started with an Aristocraft Train Engineer for control and a Crest switchable 12 amp transformer.
I switched to the Revolution and a base unit that uses the Crest unit.
I have one small LGB loco that uses the Piko RC battery setup.
I have 3 engines that are Battery RC with the Revo control.

#5

I started with battery/RC in the 1990s using NiCad batteries from my RC car days, and the early RCS systems. Went over to Revolution when they came out, and LiOn batteries. Been using that since. I also am starting to dabble in track power DCC.

#6

My first indoor layout was track power with an LGB transformer. (early 1980’s)
Then Aristo train engineer.
I built my outdoor layout for Battery RC operation from the beginning. (early 2000)
I started with Airwire/Phoenix battery power.
I have been converting to RailPro / Battery for the last couple years.

#7

Jon,
Thank you for all the details and especially the edit. I am basically considering either RailPro from Don (I talked to him for a little while on Saturday) or a Soundtraxx system. A major advantage to both of these from what I’m doing now is the all-in-one board. I never thought I’d be so concerned about being able to control different lights/sounds until I was running with other members on Sunday. So, being able to do more in one board is 100% a plus.
The idea of tactile control makes sense to me, too. While I do like the idea of convenience of using a smart phone, I wonder what it’d be like if someone called me when I need to stop an engine.
Seems that many modelers are using RailPro.

@capecodtodd @rmccown-admin Can either of you tell me what the Revo system is like to use?

#8

I’m a ‘want actual buttons’ guy myself which is why I like the Revo handheld. I’m not thrilled that how the engine behaves is stored on the throttle, and not in the locomotive. So each handheld you have has to be programmed for each locomotive you have. But overall I like it.

#9

I like the Revo over the Railpro because the Revo has a base unit and I use that to control the entire layout. With my power I can have 3-5 trains running at once but if I hit the stop they all stop.
The Revo is a bit limited with sounds. I have a battery powered RS3 that used the Revo for control and sound. The sound is a bell and a horn activated by pushing a button on the remote. The horn is only a crossing and not a friendly toot toot. The diesel RPM rumble depends on the speed/voltage applied. My Shay has a Revo on it and I used a Phoenix sound board with it. My other battery powered is also track powered and it uses a Revo with sounds from a Sierra board.

I do think the Railpro is far superior to the Revo but it costs more and you need to put a decoder in to each engine. The sound files are also better with Railpro in that you can download them.

If you plan on only having a few engines I’d go with Railpro but if you want a fleet of engines it could get pricey. If you want more options go with the Railpro.
The Revo is simple to use. You first choose the engine that you have previously linked by name, push the power up button and it goes. There is a little indicator on the screen that tells you direction and to reverse you hit the opposite button, the engine slows depending on the step increments you programmed in, the same goes for the throttle increases, the engine stops and then reverses. To ring the bell you press the corresponding button that you selected in the programming and it rings for several seconds.
It is pretty basic but a big leap over the original Train Engineer.

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#10

John
I use the KISS method ( keep it simple stupid)
I have two loops and each is run by an Aristo train engine
I like running MOW trains so keeping the track clean is not a problem

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I would go with Don he knows his stuff and I think you get a break being in the NHgroup .
If the TE give up RailPro would be my next choice

#11

John,
you should take one step back into the theoretical.
what do you want?
do you want to see or show off trains? or do you want to move trains?
if you want to see trains - simple DC or DCC are for you. (others should tell about DCC)

if you want to move trains - count your avayable hands.
if you need one hand for a drink and the other for a smoke - in reality you don’t want to move trains (by yourself that is)
drinks, smokes plus controls make for nice Addams Family layouts.
(that would be an interesting, but expensive way to play with trains)

#12

I have always been RC/Battery. Used RCS Austrailia’s stuff. I am switching however to RailBoss from Gscale Graphics. I have no experience with it yet, but it comes recommended from the folks here and is a simple system which I like. Will be starting to convert at least a couple locos over this winter.

#13

My first Gscale loco was battery r/c - the infamous first generation, battery powered Bachmann 4-6-0. I have never run track-powered.

I then dabbled in Revolution Train Engineer, putting a trackside unit in the tender of my 4-6-2 Aristo Pacific. And a 5495 (?) Onboard RX in an Aristo C-16, which is still running, btw. That must have been early 2000s. The next major conversion was an Accucraft EBT #12, using Soundtraxx Sierra sound and the RCS RX/TX, I think.

After a lot of live steamers, I realized the advantage of the RCS DSM2 protocol as it allows you to use different TX (Spektrum if you like sticks, RCS if you prefer knobs,) and 3rd party receivers. To this day I have not had a bad RX - just ones with bad documentation.

So I converted a few electric locos using RCS TX and DSM2 RX with a Viper ESC supplied by RCS. Many of them use a sound board from MyLocoSound in the UK, which are supported here by G Scale Graphics.

I got a modern Crest Revo 2.4Ghz rig, complete, with Sierra sound, in an estate sale, and it is squeezed in the tender of a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-0 [not the original tender.] Since then I have used the Revo board in a few instances.

I also tried a Blutooth when it first came out, but the HO boards just shut down when I ran. Finally, I have a WiFi RX board that emulates a regular RX, and I had no problems with that either.
Both these systems used a phone, and I never had the problems of not being able to read the screen, etc.

My opinions? Crest Revolution 2.4Ghz works fine, though the sound options are limited. I’m waiting to try a Blunami 4408 with some power in it, but the price makes me pause.

#14

I run track power with the railroad divided into 23 blocks and each block is controllable by any of three wireless AristoCraft Train Engineers allowing me to set up different patterns. The TEs are powered by Meanwell 24 volt, 12.5 amp “transformers.”

Additionally, each of the TEs has its own reversing unit built into the control panel that can be switched in. This way a train can go back and forth between any two opposite facing spurs because they all have diode protection.

We actually run 7 trains “simultaneously” with two sharing one TE at the same time, two more performing a station “leap frog” (alternating) in different directions, sharing a second TE, and three trains running point-to-point sharing the third TE.

I also have one Engine that can run from track power or using an onboard LiIon battery with an on-board TE. This engine is nice for getting the track clean enough, under battery power, to let the track cleaner engine do its thing.

#15

I use RailPro/battery and it does more than I need but has a few key features I felt were important to me.
#1 2-way communication - The remote shows the battery level in real time of each engine. Also if there is a fault, You get an idea of what happened. Example: There was a kid running on our layout this past weekend who got an “Output short” message when he attempted to turn on the headlights. Train didn’t stop - it just let him know.
#2 Tactile speed control - I love that I can hang the controller around my neck and not need to look at the screen while running. Emergency stop is a quick spin which I believe is faster than finding and pressing a button.
#3 Simple consisting - Select the locos by tapping pictures of the models and they will run as one unit. The locos communicate with each other wirelessly and share the load.
#4 High quality sound and modules are not locked to any type of sound so I can move them around if needed.

#16

airwire. it has more functions than i will ever learn.

excellent installation instructions

and im in too deep to change

discloosure: i am a roundy-rounder

#17

For many years I was stuck in the DC/Sierra Sound world with Nimd/NiCad batteries with the RCS of Australia elite throttle. 4 button, size of a pack of cards. Ran them for many years.

Then one day I started hearing about Iowa Scaled Engineering 's new product “Protothrottle.” (PT) A realistic miniature controller that replicated a EMD control stand on a locomotive. ProtoThrottle

It was mind blowing seeing pictures during the beta testing online. Then I saw it in person and ran a HO train train on a less than 10’ layout. It brought me right back into the cab of a locomotive.

I knew then I wouldn’t be using anything else to control my locomotives. But big problem. The PT ran off DCC and I was a dyed in the wool DC guy. I even thought about switching scales and going back to HO.

THEN IT HAPPENED…

Martin Sant @martan was sharing about how he came up with his Airwire receiver and I got the crazy idea of asking Martin if he would look into seeing what it would take to make something for the PT to make it dead rail. Initially he wasn’t sure. But then we found out that ISE had a loaner PT that they can ship out to potential customers to try out. Martin got on the list and I remember the email when he sent me a message saying he got it to work and wanted to know if I’d help test.

I’m pretty sure that same day, I ripped out my old RCS and Sierra stuff and bought ESU decoders. I went with ESU because of the programming method of using your computer and 90% of the folks running the PT had/have ESU LokSound decoders.

I fried a few boards on accident and I think I helped Martin beta test. And then bought more to convert the rest of my fleet.

Now Martin even has 7.5" guys using his stuff to run the PT!
http://blueridgeengineering.net/

That’s my story. Best hobby purchase ever. When I run trains I feel like I’m back in the cab.

So easy my then 5 year old could run it.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZXqXiVbESMY?si=gMamwYIrcD43O0Jk

#18

I was involved with Martin’s development testing too. I was testing a system similar to Blunami that used bluetooth via an app to drive a simple RC ESC. That is how I became sure I didn’t want a phone (or tablet in my case) based system. I even tried hot gluing guides on the screen to try and make it touch only capable, but didn’t have much luck with that.

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