I am reminded about a layout plan I saw in MRR in the 1960-1970 era by John Armstrong. He had 3 different layouts for the same railroad depending on whether the operator liked to be an "engineer" (and just run an individual train), "conductor" (and liked to do a lot of switching to various industries) and as a dispatcher (who just liked to run the whole system).
I suspect the "engineer" types who have a lot of bells and whistles on their locos and the "dispatcher" types who previously had to have a complicated CTC board built, will like the smart phone app and those engineers and conductor types who mainly run conventional engines will not find it as appealing.
Little Tommy
SotaPop A tablet such as an iPad will work too, correct? ... Some of us might need a larger print option! ... ?
A tablet such as an iPad will work too, correct? ... Some of us might need a larger print option! ... ?
One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.
I really think the phone can replace everything no need to go any where talk to anyone. You never have to leave your house as long as you have a smart phone.
Firelock76 No thanks. I LIKE conventional. So I'm a fossil. So what?
No thanks. I LIKE conventional.
So I'm a fossil. So what?
Ok here is my thoughts on this subject. I have it and can run all my trains from my cell and it does control the horn and bell better then remote and I like the control of the speed better . it would be better if they had all the features working.
Agree. The iPhone control will probably appeal to the younger set.
My company flip phone was recently replaced with a smart phone. The boss asked me how I liked it a couple of days after I received it. Told him that I didn't. He asked why. I told him that I don't trust machinery where most of the operations are not controlled with real buttons.
The look on his face after that answer was priceless!
I'll also add that we all have different preferances and we all run our railroads accordingly.
I think it will appeal to younger people who have grown up using a GUI for everything. It will be a natural way for them to control their trains, and if it makes the hobby more appealing for them, so much the better. Those of us who came from an era where knobs, switches and levers controlled stuff will perhaps be less likely to use an app on a smartphone for running trains. I believe there is a place in the hobby for both styles of control.
So, take that for what it is worth... especially considering it comes from a guy that has to wind up his O gauge trains...
James
Just like peanut butter & jelly,,, it's not for everyone.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
Heh, heh... I'll apologize in advance. This is a video I made for the Marx Group when the subject came up about operating via tablet... 5 years ago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3rrXscVsVI
- James
Give me a traditional transformer any day.
Maybe an occasional remote....
This could be the next step with train control. Just uses the wifi. What do you guys/gals think about it?
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