Rail Pro

[mike33469]

Is anyone using Ring Engineering's Rail Pro, if so I'd like some opinions.  It looks very interesting and i'm thinking of switching.  Thanks

[oldline1]

Mike,

I recently was trying to make the decision to go RailPro or DCC and asked here for help. I found several modelers who use it and very much enjoy it. Many folks had good reasoning and many based their answers on emotion the way I saw it.

My research was that it was better in most ways than DCC. The ease of programming and speed matching is leaps and bounds better than DCC. The cost was basically the same either way. In my research I sent several emails to the people at RailPro asking various questions. I also watched several youTube videos. 

My conclusions were:

1.basically it's superior to DCC

2.their sound system is inferior to DCC

3.the people there seemed reluctant to help answer my questions and couldn't help me out

4.I bought a Digitrax EVO system and will use Tsunami's and maybe some TCS sound decoders. Tsunami's have the best sound I have heard and that's very important to me.

Good luck in your quest!

oldline1

[richg1998]

I have seen some positive reviews in the MRH forums and the seller is there also.

Google mrh railpro. I just did.

Also, google dcc railpro.

Rich

Rich

[Anonymous]

There is a forum of a RailPro user group [link removed by moderator]

Perhaps you can find answers to your questions.
Regards, Volker

[Paul3]

I've only tried it, but my experience with it left me both pros and cons.

Pro: MU'ing is a snap.  The speed matching is superb.  The display is nice and big with most common functions clearly marked.  Having a picture of your engine on the throttle is cool, and you don't have to remember the address; just click on the photo of your engine.  The power supply side is simple, and works on DC or DCC.

Con: The knob is at the bottom of the throttle, meaning you have to use it two-handed.  There is no button for direction, so there's no way to change direction without looking at the throttle and using two hands.  The above means that if you do operations and have paperwork (switch list/car cards), and/or use a radio to talk to the dispatcher, it becomes awkward at best, clumsy at worst.  When you have a lot of locos on the track, you have to scroll through them which takes more time than just punching in a 4-digit number.

But the major con is the expense.  Sure, the RailPro base system is very reasonable, but the real cost of DCC is in the decoders and RailPro is no different.  I have roughly $1000 worth of Digitrax system components that ran my 25x50' HO layout (3 throttles, one Zephyr w/ throttle, one radio receiver).  I have 100 locos.  At even the basic $20 ea., that's $2000 in decoders...twice the price of my DCC components.

To get the same from RailPro, 100 loco non-sound modules at $60 ea. would cost me $6000.  Since I have only spent roughly $3000 for DCC, it makes RailPro twice as expensive as DCC in my case.

So, I would recommend RailPro as a good add-on system for any DCC layout (if I had a spare $300 I'd buy one), but I would not recommend it as the sole system for anyone who has more than a couple dozen locos.  The price just gets way too high for what you get when you have more then a few locos.

[Stevert]

Paul3

Pro:   Having a picture of your engine on the throttle is cool, and you don't have to remember the address; just click on the photo of your engine. 

Unless all your locos are different models, this is definitely a "Con".

I have multiple GP38-2's in the same paint scheme on my layout because that's what the prototype rostered. 

So unless those pictures are large enough to make the road number immediately apparent (and maybe even if they are), I'm better off just punching in a road number than scrolling through a bunch of pictures and hoping I pick the right one.

[rrinker]

 That's my issue with RailPro AND those DCC systems that use a picture database to select the loco. I have nearly a dozen RS3's that will eventually all have decoders. They have decent size numbers decaled on the sides of the cab, or will. A small phooto appearing on a throttle - how big will the numbers be in the picture, will i be able to read them? The standard numeric DCC throttle, the numbers on the throttle display are much bigger than the decals on the loco, and easily readable.

 I fully get this makes sense in Europe where many locos have 6 or 7 digit numbers, of they have them at all, and obviously the DCC address range doesn't go up that high. But 1-9999 pretty much covers all North American railroads and the hint of what to punch in is right there in froont of you, printed on the loco itself. I suppose I could just load in pictures of the numbers - but now I am scrolling through dozens of entries to find the one I want when with a direct numeric entry like DCC it's worst case 6 button presses - Select Locoo, max of 4 numbers, and Enter. That beats scrolling through a list any day. Maybe if I only had 2 oor 3 locos... So yes, picture selection is a major con, not a pro. And I do not see how it makes things easier to operate.

 The MU thing with direct communication between the units to match speeds AI'll admit is pretty slick. I've only ever seen it with 2 powered locos - what about say 4 powered units, does it work the same way? The issue in DCC is blown way out of proportion, mostly in an attempt to make DCC look too complicated. Guess what, people whooked multiple powered units together long before DCC or any other command control system, and there was no way to adjust the running characteristics of each unit. Yet it worked fine unless the locos were way out of sync with each other. Sure, you can set up a speed trap and do all sorts of fine tuning with a DCC decoder by adjusting dozens of CVs. But the truth is, you don't have to. Just like DC, if they are reasonably close, they'll be fine if both now have decoders in them. You won't fry anything. You won't burn up the motor or the decoder. Event he BEMF doesn't hurt it. Locos with BEMF decoders that fight eash other do so because of excessive play in the drive line. Those locos will surge oon downgrades, too, running alone. The fix is to fix the mechanicals - add thust washers to keep the motor shaft, drive shafts, and worms from sliding back and forth as the load changes. That too has been an issue since DC days.

                                 --Randy

 

[SouthPenn]

In RailPro, you can put a label on the picture. 

I'll try to get a picture of my RailPro controller.

[Anonymous]

Stevert

Unless all your locos are different models, this is definitely a "Con". I have multiple GP38-2's in the same paint scheme on my layout because that's what the prototype rostered.

If you look at the handheld on the RailPro website you see a UP diesel. Below is the road number clearly legible.

If I understood correctly you can use your own photo which you could edit with the described results.
Regards, Volker

[pdcweb]

For those interested in learning more about Railpro, there is an active RailPro User Group, just google "railpro user group" to find it.

 

[K-Pack]

There are a few threads on here that discuss Railpro in depth.  I have commented on many of them.  For the sake of ease, I'll comment on this one as well so you don't have to go digging.  Also, my comments will be more up to date than the ones I made before.

First off, Google "Railpro User Group".  There you will find a forum of dedicated Railpro users who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  There is a lot of great information there, some of it very in-depth.

I have been using Railpro since 2011 and have loved it.  I started with DCC but got sick of the hassle of speed matching, as well as constant problems with glitches in the system (club layout).  Went Railpro and never looked back.

As mentioned by others here there are strengths and weaknesses to Railpro, as with any system.  The obvious strengths are (as mentioned before) the ability of Railpro to have two-way communication.  DCC does not do this (in limited form in some cases, yes, but not anything like Railpro).  The two-way communication is what allows Railpro to automatically load-share between locomotives.  That is probably one of finest features of Railpro.

MU'ing (consisting) in Railpro is simple.  Each locomotive has a set value for the full load motor current that is set with a simple, automatic test.  When setting up a consist, tap on the locomotives you want in the order you want them, and that's it.  Railpro does the rest.  The locomotives will each communicate in real-time back to the throttle how hard they are working, and the controller then sends out information to each locomotive to balance the load across all of them.  All this happens instantaeously and continuously.  Any locomotive can be consisted to any others, and there isn't really a practical limit to how many you can consist together.  Watch more videos of Railpro trains on Youtube.  I have several on there that show 3+1, 6, etc all consisted together and running.  Search "Railpro manifest DPU" on Youtube.

Questions were brought about selecting the locomotive via the locomotive picture.  Again, watch the videos showing how Railpro works.  Pictures are loaded by the user (sounds can be too for that matter), and pictures are labeled.  If all of your locomotives are the same type, it is easy to read the label on the picture.  Some guys will make a picture of a numberboard and use that in lieu of locomotive picture.  Easy to see and select.  Keep in mind that Railpro's software is constantly updated and new features are always added and tweaked.  For example, it is likely that the "locomotive picture" selection process will be replaced/enhanced with a list type selection, making it easier for those with large fleets.

The controller is indeed large, but I've gotten so used to it that most of the time I will operate it with one hand.  I know where the main functions are on the screen and can change direction and control the throttle without looking.  Some Railpro users have added an attachment on the end of the throttle that allows them to clip it on their belt, a lanyard, etc to aid in holding the throttle while doing paperwork.  I'll probably be doing something similar, but most of the time I just put my throttle in my pocket while doing paperwork.

The downside currently with Railpro is the sound library needs work.  The prime mover files are not on par with current DCC offerings, but that is likely to soon change.  New sounds are currently in process and should hopefully be released soon.  Again, everything in Railpro can be updated with new software.  New sounds can easily be downloaded, updated software that adds new functionality is the same.

In short, I'm obviously a fan of Railpro.  I like it and will continue to enjoy it.  Am I worried about Ring Engineering closing up shop?  Nope.  They've been around for a long time and will continue to be around.  Will I go back to DCC?  Nope.  DCC has a lot of great qualities, but during my time using it I had no fun running trains.  Railpro has been far more enjoyable for me.  Everyone has their opinions regarding what they like and that's fine.  For me Railpro is what I prefer.

-Kevin

[lifeontheranch]

Another RailPro user here. I completely agree with Kevin's summary.

A DCC vs RailPro debate could, and probably will, rage on forever. One could argue point-counterpoint, techy details, and what-ifs until the cows come home. I would posit the more important criteria is how each technology impacts your enjoyment of the hobby today.

A feature of RailPro that I have come to very much appreciate and adds greatly to my operating enjoyment is the user interface on the throttle. It is graphical, intuitive, and logically arranged. Exactly how a user interface should be. There is nothing to remember, nothing to configure, no cryptic symbols, and no need to refer to the instruction manual. Turn it on and it just works, no instruction needed. Automation as it should be. Simple on the outside, complex on the inside. I like that.

The ability to buy a new locomotive of any brand, plug a RP module into the DCC connector, place it on the layout, do a one-time stall test, and never have to do anything ever again is a very nice feature. With no intervention on my part, the new loco will automatically run in consist with every and any other locomotive on the layout regardless of how they are lashed up. This adds to my hobby enjoyment. Watching coupler slack being maintained in real time on a long distributed power train is almost mesmerizing. The fact that I didn't have to do anything to make it happen is icing on the cake.

If you value ease of use yet still want all of DCC's functionality (and more) RailPro is likely a good choice for you. If belonging to the mainstream crowd is important then perhaps RailPro is not a good choice.

 

[tloc52]

Another happy user of RailPro. Very satisfied and as both Allan and Kevin have stated very easy to use. I have used CVP products and currently have 3 locomotives coded up to their battery operated Airwire. I am also a user of Bluerail with one locomotive. RailPro is by far the easiest IMO to use. If you own a fleet of DCC equipped locos does not mean you can't run RailPro . You just need a RailPro decoder and The RailPro throttle, no command system needed.

But what ever you use for control, if you are enjoying running trains, Happy Railroading.

TomO