RailPro: E XT E N D E D!! D E E XT E EN ND DED! T X E XT E ENDED! E XT E N D E D ! E XT E N D E D ! E XT E N D E D ! E XT E N D E D ! Reader Feedback (click here)
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– by Jeff Shultz
RH was recently provided with a Ring Engineering (www.ringengineering.com/ RailPro.htm) RailPro system. Unlike DCC, RailPro uses radio signals to send commands directly to your locomotives. There are no command stations or signals through the rails. MRH received an HC-1 handheld throttle/controller and several locomotives with RailPro LM-1 locomotive modules (the equivalent of a DCC decoder) installed. The locomotives also included RailMaster speakers. All that is needed in addition to this is track power. Since all of the layouts
Page 52 • Jan 2012 MRH
wireless locomotive command system
on which I’d be running the RailProequipped locomotives were DCC equipped, I depended on their DCC systems for track power instead of using a RailPro PWR-75 model railroad power supply. RailPro is compatible with DCC systems putting less than 20 volts peak-to-peak on the track. HO layouts shouldn’t have a problem with this. For larger scales, it would be best to measure the voltage. Both DCC and RailPro equipped locomotives can be operated simultaneously though DCC locos can’t be controlled with a RailPro throttle and vice-versa.
HC-1 handheld controller The RailPro HC-1 box contained the locomotive controller (figure 1), a battery charger, USB cable, and user manual. The HC-1 throttle weighs 10.8oz (306 grams) and measures roughly 3-1/3” x 6” x 1-1/4” thick. Instead of the buttons and rotary switches usually found on a DCC throttle, the HC-1 has only three physical controls: power on button 1-1/2” diameter metal throttle knob 2-1/4” x 3” color touch screen There is no external antenna and the rechargeable battery is permanently installed. According to Ring Engineering, battery life from a charge should
First Look – RailPro wireless train control, page 1
Figure 1: HC-1 RailPro throttle.
Figure 2: RailPro splash screen.
be more than 12 hours with screen brightness set to dim and between 6 to 9 hours for more typical use. This pretty much matched my experience with the unit – the first charge only lasted a couple of hours, but after a recharge, I found myself wondering when the battery was finally going to run out. I used it for an afternoon running trains for an open house and for around 3 hours on Joe Fugate’s Siskiy-
ou Line layout while making the video at the end of this First Look. Several weeks later the battery life indicator still shows just under half charge. When you press the Power On button, you are greeted with the RailPro splash screen (figure 2). Tapping this screen takes you to the Main Page (figure 3) from which you can select among “Locomotives,” “Turnouts,” “Accessories,”
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