I am new to DCC and have been doing a lot of reading and browsing to learn all about it. During this process, a question came to mind. Has anyone ever attempted to use a true remote control technology for model railroading? I am no electronics wizard, but it seems that if scale model airplanes can be flown using RC, why couldn't model trains be controlled by RC? It seems that DCC is close to RC already, except that DCC still requires complicated wiring and several electronic components to operate.
I am sure I am not the first person to think of this, and would like to hear what others have to say on the subject.
dellis
Welcome to the forum. Nope, you are not the first to think about it, the subject comes up fairly regularly on here, just last week someone was asking about using Blue Tooth as the radio control.
In answer to your question it already exist for the larger scales. Many G gauge garden layouts are essentially radio control.
The problem for the smaller scales is the size of the receiver/antenna needed for the reliable reception and transmission (it would have to be 2 way) but most importantly the power source. Battery technology has not reached a point where cost and size are not issues for small locos. BTW, the current Lego Trains run using RC on unpowered tracks. The biggest complaint from the adult Lego trains guys is that the batteries simply don't last well and that it really spoils their efforts to run display layouts at train- shows.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
to the forum.
The simple answer to your question is that yes, people have. I once read a letter sent in to MR about a guy who way experimenting with it. However, he said it was a lot of work with little reward over DCC aside from not having to worry about dirty track and such (he also made them battery powered), which is easily avoidable and/or controlable. I think that, in fact, it would also take more electrical components to use RC for control than simple DCC.
I hope this answered your question.
sfb
If I had G scale outdoors I wuld not hesitate to use one fo the RC systems with on-board batteries. No worries over dirty track or runnign wires for feeders all over the place, although with the rail clamps and the large size of G scale track you don;t need nearly the feeders you do with smaller scales where the track is small relative to the wire. Some of the RC systems are DCC/DCC compatible - such that they often have an 8 pin conenctor to plug a sound decoder in. Another step up in super capacitor design and it might be possible to do this in HO scale, probbaly a LONG way off for N scale. A super cap, with some places where the track is powered to charge it back up. Required fuel and water stops, anyone? One last gasp as the super cap drops below enough power to run the loco motor - for a steam loco anyway - a nice loud boiler explosion sound effect.
--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'm not sure I would agree that DCC requires complicated wiring and several electronic components to operate. The wiring does not have to be any more complicated than DC although it does allow you to expand the functionality as needed (signals, transponding, turnouts, etc). I would even go so far as to say the wiring is less complicated than DC as you no longer need block switches.
Of course it we're talking mobile decoder installation and / or programming, that's a whole different story.
dellis It seems that DCC is close to RC already, except that DCC still requires complicated wiring and several electronic components to operate. dellis
It seems that DCC is close to RC already, except that DCC still requires complicated wiring and several electronic components to operate.
dellis,
Both DC and DCC wiring can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Just like DC, DCC only needs two wires going to the track to operate a locomotive. However, depending on the size and complexity of your layout, feeder wires may be required so that you don't suffer voltage drop.
As far as components for DCC, you need the following 4 things:
Most commonly, the command station and booster are designed into one enclosure, which the throttle or command bus is plugged into.
I have an NCE Power Cab where the command station, booster, and throttle are rolled-up-into-one. Although It does have its limitations in this configuration, it is simple but versatile and very portable. Wireless, however, is the ultimate in portability.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
dellis I am new to DCC and have been doing a lot of reading and browsing to learn all about it. During this process, a question came to mind. Has anyone ever attempted to use a true remote control technology for model railroading? I am no electronics wizard, but it seems that if scale model airplanes can be flown using RC, why couldn't model trains be controlled by RC? It seems that DCC is close to RC already, except that DCC still requires complicated wiring and several electronic components to operate. I am sure I am not the first person to think of this, and would like to hear what others have to say on the subject. dellis
As others have pointed out, such products do already exist in various forms. Direct to the train radio control is very popular in large scale, be it with battery power or constant track power like DCC.
A similar system does exist for HO but is limited to only one size receiver that will not fit in the smallest of locos.
A new direct radio system offered for large scale has many of the same advanced control features of DCC. That is the Train Engineer Revolution by Aristo Craft. Word is thay are working on HO size receivers for the T.E.R.
Battery power is not yety practical in small scales, but direct radio with constant track power is and has been for a while now. Direct radio does have the possible advantage of reducing some of the under layout infrastructure typical with DCC on large layouts - BUT, if one whats detection and signaling, track wiring infrastructure will still be required.
A vist to the large scale forum or the Aristo web site and forum would provide you lots of info on direct radio.
And, radio is also available as a means of providing wireless throttles for more conventional DC systems. Aristo Craft also sells therse products. Their original 10 Channel Train Engineer and the the Train Engineer Revolution can be used as trackside radio control throttles for any scale.
I use the original 10 channel Train Engineer with a system of advanced DC cab control. range and speed control are very good.
Direct radio, maybe using DCC protocols, or not, may be the next wave once batteries advance to allow onboard power and possible thru the rail charging. Track could be powered, always keeping batteries up, but constant pickup would not be required so dirty track and reversing sections could be delt with in different ways than currenty done.
Sheldon
I have a lot of experienc with RC Flying, over 40 years worth. Using 2.4 gzh technology interference isnt a problem. Some very small park fliers use small receivers and they may fit into som HO engines. I would think that A and B units would work ok. The Antenna for 2.4 is pretty short.
Batteries are the single biggest issue in this case. Most batteries that may fit in HO will give 10-15 minutes of operation. Perhaps a bit more but not a lot more. This is using Li Ion batteries. I don't know the power requirements for the engines so I cant give an estimate of the batter size of say 1000 or 2000 mah or larger.
Battery power is improving all the time but its still a long way from what we would want in small trains IMHO.