shortliner Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 http://resources.bachmanntrains.com/ihobby2014/html5/index.html?page=1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Reichert Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 This could be much more than just wireless control. There is no mention of needing a DCC system or decoder. So this could be a direct bypass of the whole concept and practice of DCC. The other point I'm curious about is the claim that it "realistic dynamic sound is broadcast thru your bluetooth smart device". Does that mean they are not using sound decoders, but a local app for sound on the device - or receiving sound from the decoder and sending that back by wireless to the iphone? Note they are selling diesels with sound decoders for $200 apiece on the next page. So maybe thye are going for two separate systems. One for "toy train sets" and one for the DCC "railroad modeller" community. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
switcher 1 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Playmobil have had radio controlled (G scale) 'models' (with sounds) quite cheaply (£100'ish) for a while now, so I'm not surprised to see it finally coming to 'true' models. Bluetooth is short range (about 20ft max, I think), so maybe you will have to walk alongside your loco when operating on a large Freemo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Comments about range may be answered here http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19712 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Can't access the link in the OP from here at work (the Net Nanny says no) - but from what I've read elsewhere this is not DCC, it's direct bluetooth control of a loco, but you can run it on a DCC layout however (i'm unclear as to whether it still uses track power but no signal, to my mind that would sound more reliable than battery at present?) Either way, IF control is good enough to use with scale models rather than train sets it could be quite a useful development for Freemo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Henriksen Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 More info is available from the manufacturer website, though not a lot. Requires power from the track, either DC or DCC, to power the decoder board and motors. Board (at least for 3rd party use) is shown to simply plug into a standard DCC socket using an adapter cable. No indication as to whether the sound is from the app on the iOS device, or via the locomotive, though I wouldn't expect much given the toy like nature of what they are showing - additional apps to "play" trains with. Biggest issue - they highlight it is "patent pending" giving an indication they intend to keep it to themselves, which means if they go out of business or anything else you are out of luck when the iOS apps disappear. See Bluerail trains - http://bluerailtrains.com/intro.cfm - there is a demo video on the front page. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 More info is available from the manufacturer website, though not a lot. Requires power from the track, either DC or DCC, to power the decoder board and motors. Board (at least for 3rd party use) is shown to simply plug into a standard DCC socket using an adapter cable. No indication as to whether the sound is from the app on the iOS device, or via the locomotive, though I wouldn't expect much given the toy like nature of what they are showing - additional apps to "play" trains with. Biggest issue - they highlight it is "patent pending" giving an indication they intend to keep it to themselves, which means if they go out of business or anything else you are out of luck when the iOS apps disappear. See Bluerail trains - http://bluerailtrains.com/intro.cfm - there is a demo video on the front page. I think overlaying on DCC is more logical, you wouldn't be able to use it in the same block as a DC train as you'd want the power on full (presumably!) all the time, that's inherent on DCC. Couple more thoughts come to mind... * Sound through the phone would mean that at home when you were running you could wear headphones, and get full immersive stereo sound. * If all you do is just bluetooth connect to the loco and there is no security, it wouldn't be suitable for use at any kind of public event, as anyone nearby could just grab control of a loco! * Big query - can you consist - a must have for many, probably most US outline users! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
switcher 1 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Bluerailtrains => a diesel that sounds like a steamer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Ha Ha all you DCC'ers - your flash systems will be consigned to the museum along with CD, the Longbow and the Cutlass.............whilst those of us too stupid or bone idle to work it out will soon have one mystery black box that does it all for us including buying the rolling stock it thinks we need................................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 including buying the rolling stock it thinks we need................................ At least, that's what you'll tell SWMBO... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 There are a few similarities with the RailPro system. Direct wireless communication to/from the locos. Power from the track, DC or DCC. Utilising the existing DCC sockets to plug in the proprietary decoder TX/RX modules. Otherwise this BlueRail/E-Z App system looks to be quite basic and aimed squarely at kids (toy trains). The website talks about games being devised for this system and about model railroading for kids rather than being the preserve of old men. There's no reason why it can't be developed further though, but it'll be a proprietary system with all the attendant risks for the consumer that brings. DC power will likely be full power all the time, as with other similar products. So no DC locos on the layout. I'm guessing that operation on a DCC powered layout, should allow simultaneous use of DCC and BlueRail on the same track, but neither control system being able to control the other systems trains. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 but it'll be a proprietary system with all the attendant risks for the consumer that brings. Although unlike Railpro, here the infrastructure is basically just a phone app and a chip...if the chips are comparable to DCC ones, that's a very low bar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Henriksen Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Its not on the front page yet but the host of the podcast Model Rail Radio - http://modelrailradio.com/ - has released a special episode that is just under 20 minutes long and is an interview with the guy behind BlueRail. The episode can be found in the RSS feed or iTunes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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