Hi guys,
First post here on this forum. A while back I was looking into Ring Engineering's Railpro system and used some posts on here to help make my decision. I've had the system for a few months now and can now offer some feedback that I hope will be helpful to people here. First, a little background on my situation...I have no home layout, around 8-10 locomotives, only half with DCC decoders. The club uses Digitrax DCC that for the most part works well. We have issues if there are many trains running at the same time where locos become deaddressed or show up on someone else's throttle randomly. That became rather frustrating to me, as well as the whole process of speed matching. I decided that I was in a unique position to test the new Railpro system.
Here is my review based on my limited experience with it. This will probably change as I have more time to mess around with it and install it in more locomotives
These are my preliminary impressions. As I use it more I plan on creating some videos to help explain/show some of the things I'm talking about. I'm happy with the system and really enjoy using it.
That being said, I understand that Railpro is not for everyone. I wouldn't expect someone who is happy with DCC or has lots of money invested in it to want to switch. It is yet another great option for control out of many other great options. It works great for my situation because I do not have a lot of locos to switch over and I do not have a home layout. Railpro allows me to run at the club while avoiding their programming issues. No one at our club consists their locos to each other's so not being able to control the DCC locos is not a problem.
To sum it up Railpro is a great control scheme and lots of fun to use. It's not a 'DCC-Killer', as DCC is still a wonderful control scheme IMO. It is however a very viable option for those just starting out or who have a smaller collection. Hopefully this answer some questions that people have. I'll keep messing with it and make some videos.
Thanks,
Kevin
Thanks for the review Kevin. I've been following the RailPro system for a while and it's good to see a complete review from someone who has actually installed and used the system. Please make updates as your experience with the system continues.
Joe
Kevin, now that you have had the Rail Pro system for awhile would you recommend it to everyone. I am starting out fresh and have no other system to add to or delete. Frank
Watson - I've had it now for over a year and am very happy with my decision. Tim at Ring Engineering is excellent to correspond with if you have any questions or concerns about the products. I recommend giving him a call or shoot him an email. Customer service at RE is quite possibly the best I've seen.
My experience so far with Railpro has been very positive. I have installed it in a number of locomotives ranging from vintage Blue Box, to Athearn RTR, to Broadway Limited, Genesis, Atlas, and Kato. Most of the installs were with the older LM-1 module, which required some planning to get to fit properly in shorter 4-axle hood units. The new LM-2 module makes it easier, as it is much smaller than the old module. The best thing about Railpro for me is the ability to consist any locomotive to each other in any configuration. Speed matching was my biggest pet peeve with DCC, and this system solved that problem for me.
Control is smooth, the locomotives respond instantly and fluidly. I like the interface and the controller. It is on the large size, but I have not found it to be a problem using it one-handed, and I can also control locomotives and basic functions without looking at it. It would be nice to have a safety strap on it, but that would get in the way of putting it down on the layout or benchwork.
Ring Engineering is very interested in improving Railpro. All Railpro products can be upgraded with new software, patches, etc from the website. They are constantly providing new software updates for the locomotive modules, controller, power supply, etc. Most of these improve background things (eg stability) but some of the recent ones have added new functionality to the controller/modules. The sound library is still small, but is growing. Recently added prime mover sounds include the EMD 567 and GEVO. Tim is open to user-recorded sounds, as long as the recorder is okay with the sounds being distributed to all Railpro users. Basically the sound library is able to expand to whatever sounds are either created by RE or submitted by users. I really like the fact that I can add/delete any file from the locomotive modules and customize everything about them.
I also picked up their power supply (the PWR-75, the larger of the two power supplies) and it works perfectly. I have not tried their accessory modules or the smaller power supply. Also, I have the old model of the controller and have not tried the new model. The only differences between them are the newer one charges quicker, has more internal storage, a faster processor, and it is $100 less expensive.
I have nothing against DCC, in fact I recognize it is capable of doing some pretty involved things. However, after switching from DCC to Railpro I haven't ever felt the need to look back. I've thoroughly enjoyed Railpro and would recommend it. If you can find someone who has it near you it may be worth checking out. Otherwise I know that if you buy from the Ring Engineering website, you have a 30 trial period.
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
-Kevin
Kevin, any viedo on the use of the Railpro set up. I realize it has been a long time since I posted the original question. I still am looking at the Railpro setup. Thanks Watson
Watson - Yes, I do have a few videos I've made regarding use of Railpro. This first one was made a few years ago after I first got it. It gives a general idea of what the system is. Features have changed a bit since this video, but you get the idea:
This next video shows a quick installation, and then how to initially set up the basic functions on a module.
Another quick video showing some of the stock Railpro sounds.
I've never posted videos on this forum before so hopefully they work.
In a nut shell, what is RailPro and what it is used for. That would be a helpful so that we have a clue before diving into the details of your review!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 In a nut shell, what is RailPro and what it is used for. That would be a helpful so that we have a clue before diving into the details of your review!
Sure, no problem. Railpro is a control system made by Ring Engineering, the company who makes the HO scale EOT devices. It was designed from the ground up to provide the user with a pretty straightforward and simple way to control model trains. It is NOT DCC and does not use CV's or any of the old code. It does however utilize the NMRA 9-pin plug with standard wire colors for easy of installation.
The system is radio controlled, meaning that commands are sent directly from the controller to the locomotives through the air. Power is supplied through the rails, but battery power can be used if you can find a battery small enough to work (you'll also need a battery charging circuit if you are wanting to go this route). Railpro power supplies output 14.2 regulated DC, but the locomotives can be used on DCC-powered track without a problem. Note that the locomotives will not respond to DCC commands.
Each Railpro component has direct radio which means they can all send back information to the controller. This allows the user to see in real time status on the locomotives, power supplies, accessories, etc. Even more important, it allows hassle-free MU consisting. The locomotives send back real-time info on their load and speed, and all other locomotives in the consist adjust accordingly so that all locomotives equally share the load. I find it much easier than trying to speed match with DCC.
All Railpro products can be updated with new software. This means new features can be added, new sounds, new functions, etc. It's pretty straightforward.
A little more than a nutshell there, but hopefully that gives you a basic idea of what it is.
thanks for the viedo on Railpro. Looks like the setup I could use. One last question, whats your opion on the battery, and the recharging time. So far that is the only thing about this controller that bothers me. Thanks again for the viedo, nice job. Watson.
I have the old (1st gen) version of the controller and the batteries take a while to charge...probably close to 2 hours or more if it's completely dead. The 2nd gen controller charges about twice as fast from what I understand. Battery life is dependant on what you are doing. Just running trains will make it last for quite a while. If you are loading large sound files (prime movers for example) the battery will drain much quicker. I normally plug my controller in once a week to top off the battery and keep it ready to go.
Thanks for the summary. Looks like a step in the direction of R/C for trains. Interesting. I've already invested into a Digitrax DCC system but some may find Rail-Pro good for them!
Just wanted to chime in on the RE customer support. It is the best I have ever seen, also. I have an old LM-1 that just would not update to REV 1-09 (known issue). Spent a few hours trying. I finally wrote RE support, and 2 hours later I get a phone call from Tim. He's "concerned that I'm spending too much time on this problem, and not having fun...". LOL, unbelievable! He gives me some detailed tips/instructions over the phone that had worked for others with the problem, but my LM-1 wouldn't budge. I sent it in, and got it back in less than 2 weeks, no charge.
FRPF: Ring is working on software that will allow us to make our own pictures and sound files. He told me in November, and he was hoping to have it out by Xmas. Didn't make it. He did ask me at the time if I wanted to beta test, but I was just too busy with the video, museum and club commitments. So, I don't think it will be long now, RP fans. I got a UP E8 horn file that I am dying to use.
DC
http://uphonation.com
DC, indeed it shouldn't be much longer before the software is released. I've been doing some beta testing on it for the past several months and have helped eliminate some bugs and tweak things. It is a ton of fun to record your own sounds, edit them, and load them onto your locomotives. It opens a whole new realm of prototype modeling for me. The ability to load your own locomotive pictures is also very nice. Basically the new program puts all the software updating, custom file making/loading, and new features all in one package.
The basic program is pretty much done, I think Ring is just wrapping up loose ends and figuring out some logistical things. Hopefully within a month or two it'll be released.
Kevin and DC Did you buy your systems from Tim or from someone else and I take it Tim doesn't mind answering questions if you don't buy it from him.
I am in the process of putting up another layout because we sold our house and are now in a condo and I have a Lenz system now. I saw another review on the Rail Pro and it looks like it is what I am looking for. Not as confusing or as much to do as there is with DCC.
Duke
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
Duke - You can buy the system from places like Yankee Dabbler and Traintek LLC. The cost is lower than buying direct. I've bought all my stuff from Yankee Dabbler and have never had any issues. Good prices, good service.
Tim is happy to answer any questions you may have regardless of whether or not you bought the system from him or not. He usually will get back to you within a day. Other Railpro users, like myself, are happy to answer what we can as well.
Kevin That is where I was thinking of buying it and thanks for getting back to me. I am thinking I will be ready to get one in about a month,maybe sooner.
For me, the single greatest bug in DCC ops is dropout due to electrical contact between the various running surfaces or wipers. If DCC had a quick, effective, and cheap way to get locomotives across small gaps or bad sections, assuming wipers were in good condition across locomotives, it would solve my #1 aggravation. I wouldn't contemplate another system unless they could solve that problem, one that even Ring Engineering doesn't seem to have tackled as of yet.
Or....have I missed something?
See what happens when I build a really big layout, but power dropouts have never been an issue for me.
The next stage is on-board batteries. With Li-ion batteries like now being used in electric motor RC planes and helicopters, there's enough energy density to do it, in HO, at least in larger size locos. The key will be having sufficient on board battery capacity for a loco to complete a typical run - 15 minutes may be OK when flying an airplane, but we need more than 15 minutes per charge for running trains. I still say the key is a combination of both. Power the rails where there are no issues - like nice straigh tangent track, don;t even bother power wyes and reverse loops. Besides the battery, there is also a charging system as part of the on board circuitry. While the train runs on the plain simple track, it is charging the battery, or at least not discharging it, then when it goes into the more complext areas where power is left off for simplicity in wiring, it runs off the battery. So while the loco may be on the move for an hour or two, it may only need to use battery power for 10-15 minutes of that.
Of course, keep alives for DCC are getting there. With 20-30 seconds of power after loss of contact - if that can't get over your dead spot, you have some serious problems somewhere.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I just completed my first install of a LM-2S in about 30 minutes. The first time I also opened up a Kato locomotive and I used an 8-pin to. JST plug. I don't have sound in the locomotive yet thinking about an iPhone or sugar cube speaker. I laid down an oval with snap-track (no layout yet) and hooked up the starter kit and I had the locomotive up and running in just over an hour. It was really simple and now I just need to get some more locomotives up and going or start a layout.
Selector - Indeed, that is an aggravation that we all face. That is, unless one is using onboard battery power. The thing that Railpro does differently is it takes the control signal out of the rails and puts it in the air. The rails carry power only. You can still get drop-outs...I do. It happens when the track is dirty or on locos where the pickup is questionable. It will happen more if you are running sound. I almost never have a drop-out when the sound is off. So yes, it is still something that we struggle with, and it'll continue to be that way as long as power is in the rails.
Railpro doesn't care where the power comes from. You could use battery power if you wanted...I know some users already do that. I believe you need to place a charging circuit or similar between that and the Railpro module. I know that Ring Engineering is considering making their own circuitry and batteries at some point. Right now though, they feel that battery technology is not quite where it needs to be to make it easily accessible in our hobby. I tend to agree with them.
Randy - Do you mean LiPo instead of Li-ion? I might have it wrong but I thought the R/C hobbies were moving to LiPo.
Batteries have gotten smaller, which is great. However, most are still too big to easily fit in a standard HO scale hood unit. It would be near impossible to fit alongside a good speaker, decoder/module, wires and resistors for lights, etc. In addition you'll need a way to charge the battery as well. LiPo's are very sensitive from what I understand, and require special chargers to charge them correctly (so I'm not sure if charging through the track would work?). Without that you run the very real risk of damaging the battery, which can then quickly escalate into a full-on fire. I've seen pictures of the aftermath and it is not good. To be safe, LiPo's should be charged in fireproof containers, and under constant supervision...meaning you need to be present while it's charging. I believe if they discharge too much or are charged too much there is also the risk of damage and fire. All in all it isn't really something that I'm excited about. Technology always advances and I'm sure it won't be long before many of these issues are worked out. I do believe battery power would be great....just maybe not yet for me.
I'm not an expert on batteries so take what I said with a grain of salt. I spent some time over at some R/C boards learning about some of the issues back when I was considering trying LiPo. After some research I decided now was not the time. I recommend anyone interested in battery power to research and see if it will work for them.
I'd ask that if people want to discuss batteries further, apart from the Railpro discussion, that we make another thread. I'd like to keep this thread on topic about Railpro.
Yes, I meant LiPo. They can be touchy on recharge, but the circuits to charge them safely are small, simple, and well known. Tam Valley DRS and NWSL Stanton both have battery options, as far as I know, only the Stanton has a recharge from the rails option at the moment.