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Running trains with a kindle?

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  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 23 posts
Posted by eric2448 on Thursday, June 19, 2014 1:04 PM

I can say that I personally use the Android Engine Driver app on my Kindle with JMRI on my home WIFI. It works great. Like others say, you need JMRI running the WI Throttle Server on a computer connected to a wireless network. It takes some time to set up but has run flawlessly for me.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 10:06 AM

What they said above.  However, the place to start is with JMRI.  Your DCC system needs to have a serial or USB connection port.  Then you need to be able to connect your layout to your computer, and JMRI does that.

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,932 posts
Posted by Stevert on Monday, June 16, 2014 1:32 PM

There is an app for ipads/iphones, etc (WiThrottle) and a similar one (Engine Driver) for Android devices that both work with JMRI.  Of course, you also need a control system on your layout that JMRI can talk to.  

Since the Kindle runs a heavily-customized version of Android, it may be possible to use Engine Driver on those devices.  I guess it depends on just how much customization (read: locking down) Amazon has done to it.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Monday, June 16, 2014 12:48 PM

I don't know about the Kindle, but there are apps for smart phones to do this. You need a WIFI signal,JMRI and a computer interface for it to work.   Joe

  • Member since
    June 2011
  • 158 posts
Running trains with a kindle?
Posted by Old Fat Robert on Monday, June 16, 2014 12:33 PM

I heard a rumor that one can operate model trains with a particular app for kindle style readers. Can anyone shed some light in this for me? Thank you.

Old fat Robert

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