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Rail-Lynx wireless system
I’ve seen the Rail-Lynx system in operation at a prestigious layout where it was developed and it was very impressive. The most impressive thing was how user friendly it was to use. I haven’t ordered one for my new layout yet but I have plans to do so in the future.
I have been a Rail Lynx user since being inspired by it’s simplicity. I have operated many times on the UCW of Lee Nicholas. I have never seen the system fail even under the extreme long sessions we have on the UCW. I have the system for my own layout. I absolutely think that anyone who is confused by DCC, should investigate Rail Lynx. The advantage of wireless non-tethered control totally consumes my desire for any other control system. I can follow my train at my liesure around the layout.
Thanks Dana for the review. It was factual, and will go a long ways to let people know there are other options for independent loco control. I love the system myself. It is simple and it works great. It does everything I want a digital command control system to do. Thanks again.
Steve Moore
Utah
I have been fooling around with radio control of a locomotive using model airplane radio control componants for control and batteries for the power. Could this system be powered by a 12 volt onboard battery? If so, it would make the locomotive independent of the track power. Great for a switcher.
I have been struggling with whether to move to DCC from my current DC layout, and was intrigued by what appears to be a third option using Rail Lynx. I will definitely give the system careful consideration before making a final decision. Thanks for the clear, helpful review.
Sounds good, tell me more.
I was introduced to Rail Lynx when I became an operator on the UCW of Lee Nicholas. Subsequently I acquired a system with 6 throttles for the Ascape Tennsion & Sulphur Gulch Railroad. The system is almost flawless and installation is a breeze. It is so easy to teach new operators how to use the system. I’m in the process of reconstructing the ATSGRR in a new home. I’m just to the of beginning to wire the railroad and once again am pleased with the simplicity of the system. Try it you’ll be converted.
Lee has operated his with an on board battery so I suspect he will comment on this application.
Hello Dana, I ordered a Rail-Link system last week and I am going to try to take it to a different level. I plan to hard wire all my F3’s, F7’s, GP7’s and GP9’s to a mating F3-B unit. The B-units will have an 18-cell AAA rechargeable battery pack inside. I figure I should get a 3-Hr run time form each charge. I will also do the same for all my steam locos and the smallest locos I will be replaced their tender with a larger one if needed. I plan to set up charging tracks off the turntable, the track next to the water tank and the coaling tower so when those fuel hungry power units need refueling into the service yard they will go. I currently use a Digitrax system now but I hope to end up with no track power at all except for the charging tracks. To start I will charge through the B-unit or tender rail pickups but eventually I would like to go with two small brass buttons mounted in the lower back section of the B-unit and tenders that will mate with spring loaded buttons on the rail end bumpers to charge through eliminating all track power however that concept is a wait and see. I have an idea for an off-board sound system but that will have to wait also.
Shawn, with Rail-Link was very helpful and was able to answer all my questions with in an hour or so through email or on the spot over the phone.
Thanks Shawn.
Thanks Dana. Just getting to part of wiring my N scale operations which I’ve been stuck in decision making for several months. As mentioned, your article appears factual and another option for me.
Sounds pretty good! I hope they’ll be at the Nation Train Show in Hartford this July. I’ll certainly look them up. As yet I have no system in play and would like to consider their equipment.
I have Digitrax on my layout since it first came out. It has it’s ups and downs but I like it. However Rail-Lynx sound good, any one that has not installed DCC yet mite want to look at this
I find the concept very sound. I’m sure it is a better option for all of us, who are reluctant to commit our layouts to the total change necessary for DCC. I feel that it is a option well worth checking out?
I assume that while operating Rail-Lynx fitted loco’s, the analogue throttles would be set to power the track? With all of the layout set to the same direction or polarity? I must point out that this is only how I assume that the system would function, and may be in error,as I have had no experience with the system.
I am impressed by the earlier comments regarding battery power being available to operate a rail-Lynx equipped loco. Many possibilities there.
What is the advantage of a system that still requires receiver (as opposed to decoder) installation in each locomotive?
Thank you, Dana. I have been waiting for this review for some time. Our round robin group has been using Rail-Lynx for close to 20 yrs and finds it extremely enjoyable, simple and reliable. It is great for straight-forward multiple train operation. One thing I would add is that you want to have a standard white tile ceiling. Just hold the throttle naturally as it is tethered around your neck and let the signal bounce of the ceiling. You do not have to aim at all. If your engine is anywhere in front of you, the engine will respond. So, operate and watch your turnouts! One warning: be sure you can live without sound!