Robin2

Very helpful,

Thanks Giles.

if you have a look at this page, you'll see a large range of discussion, including quite a few examples of actual built RC installs

http://freerails.com/view_forum.php?id=45

Particularly these two threads might be of interest

http://freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=1221&forum_id=45

http://freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=4451&forum_id=45

One way or another, most aspects of the subject are probably covered here....

I discovered there was a previous long thread on this subject with many of the same contributors. Wouldn't it have been much more sensible to continue that discussion rather than start a new one. At the very least there should be cross references between the two

 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/64384-any-other-ways-of-controlling-model-trains/

Taking both threads together there has been an awful lot of discussion of the merits and demerits and the commercial viability of radio control but as far as I can see the only working example in a small scale is the youtube clip at the bottom of this link

http://www.deltang.co.uk/rx45-v5.htm

It's all too easy to make a long list of must-haves that effectively rule out new options. As I think I said earlier all I want is a system where my n-gauge locos can move very slowly without fear of stalling. I only have 3 locos and I will worry about the problems of controlling 7 if I ever get to the stage of owning 6. With a small number of locos it is feasible to have a separate controller for each.

I don't have room for a continuous run so it would be sufficient to have a few minutes of run-time between charges. And in principle most of the tracks could carry top-up charging current so that the batteries should be fully charged most of the time.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who has "built" a radio control system from components in O-gauge or smaller. (As far as I can see standard aircraft systems with servos and normal batteries etc can be used on larger gauges).

Thanks,

I will look back over Ron's posts.

Regarding "inappropriate R/C equipment" ... If it's legal, it works and I can afford it how could it be inappropriate?

I think I was really hoping you would take a few paragraphs to describe the sort of system you consider appropriate because it would be very useful for a newcomer to have an expert's view (I mean this seriously).

...R

I was referring to the fact, as pointed out by Ron, that R/C systems specifically designed for model railways have been available for some time. Up to recently these have been aimed mostly at the larger gauges, but there are now commercially available systems for H0 and larger.

Unfortunately, it seems these are not street legal in the EU.

 

By "square wheel", I was referring to the attempts to use inappropriate R/C kit for this application.

 

 

 

"..let off the hook" ?

I'm not on any hook thank you.

I don't disagree with your comments but I'm not sure why you included my post in your reply as only the person I referred to (Oakydoke) is in a position to explain his own comments. 

I fear, now, that he will feel he has been let off the hook, but I hope not as I would like to hear his opinion.

...R

I can think of at least three reasons:

 

1. If we just kept to the early solutions we'd all be driving Model-T fords and riding in parliamentary carriages.

2. It's a hobby and some people like to experiment with these things, just as some people like scratchbuilding or kitbuilding even though a RTR model is available.

3. Someone thinks the existing solutions aren't what they want and think they can do better.

Where are they "already available in some form"?

And in what form?

What have you in mind with your "square wheel" reference?

...R

If solutions to this requirement are already available in some form, why are people busy trying to reinvent the wheel, so to speak and trying to make a square wheel work in the process?

I have been wondering whether it would be possible to break up one of the small (and cheap) model helis and replace all of the "works" in a loco with it. If so that would be much the same price as adding a DCC chip. The little helis have "batteries" that recharge very quickly so it should be possible to have a few live-rail charging points on a layout.

I've done nothing about this because the mechanisms are too big for an N gauge tank loco. But it looks like they should fit in an OO gauge loco.

One shortcoming may be that the very cheap systems have a very limited number of "frequencies" so only 2 or 3 locos could be controlled simultaneously.

Someone in another topic drew my attention to the DT systems which (to my amateur eye) look very interesting. All I want is my locos to move slowly without stalling.

Someone on this topic has said the DT systems "are rubbish" without any explanation for his opinion. Perhaps if he sees this he would be kind enough to explain. As far as I can see the DT systems have the capability to operate some auxiliary features. I have no interest in DCC sound. Even in O gauge locos it is far from realistic. It needs large floor based loudspeakers and a big amplifier. (Imagine the sound from competing layouts at exhibitions