When will remote, wireless control of trains come on the market? It would seem so simple and so much fun.
If I understand him correctly, I believe Randy Rinker would tell you that it can be done now, and without too much hassle.
Well, you still have to provide power to the tracks through wires, but the hand-held control units can be either a fixed base station, a tethered (portable, but wired on a cable) or fully wireless like a TV remote. A number of manufacturers make these now, particularly for DCC. Lenz even makes an adapter to turn a wireless telephone receiver into a train controller.
Sure - the Athearn Challenger has a wireless remote for the MRC sound board. In larger scales there’s several option currently on the market that use radio control with individual receivers in each loco.
It’s probably just a matter of time with HO. There currently is an infrared system that fits easily in HO locos, next step would be RF wireless so you aren’t restricted to line of sight.
–Randy
And I am waiting for the ultimate wireless control…power unit built or retrofitted into the engine and or tender. With battery technology advancing more and more each year with, smaller batteries, longer lasting between charges, and more powerful batteries…it is only a matter of time…now lets see, I turn 68 in 17 days, will I live long enough to see it? What do you guys think ? LOL
It was done over 25 years ago if memory serves.
Somebody did an article in RMC back in the late 70’s where they took a multiple unit set of SP F-units and put batteries, a can motor, and a model airplane RC unit in them. It was even a cover article.
Available at train stores everywhere. The problem, as was just discussed in a thread on the general discussion forum, is the battery. That is why DCC is such a good compromise. Let DCC power the trains through the track but run them from wireless throttles. I use the CVP system as → http://www.cvpusa.com/wireless_throttle_rf1300.php
It’s already here in DC (analog) and DCC (digital command control). Currently I use radio controls for my DC railroad with Aristo Craft’s Engineer System. Next week I’ll be switching to NCE’s radio controlled DCC system.
There are other versions out which control the engine direct via infrared or radio.