This is where on-board battery power will take over from DC. You could use the rails to trickle charge the batteries, indeed, just do this where motive power typically stands still, and then use some form of wireless control to tell the train what to do. (Look at
Protocab for a glimpse into the future, be nice to see some movement here!) You could also use DCC with "stay alive" circuits.
Hi Fella's,
What a great discussion.
The issue of having track-power in the garden, especially, seeing how successful the H&BLR has been (Battery and Live-Steam), still jars with me a little. Although I have a wonderful DCC set up waiting for me to fit, RC is still something that I know and I am comfortable with (I am even considering fitting such into one or two road vehicles).
The last time that we discussed RC on WT, I mentioned the issues surrounding battery size/power relative to eg. Heljan diesel outline locos power 'needs'. Mike has also - for DCC decoder fitment - very kindly took amperage readings of Heljan locos for us and Steph is refining that level of research too (both aspects of which could help with battery specs for a RC Heljan loco).
Also, in addition, it has come to light, that RC receivers from the likes of Deltang et al, are getting ever smaller and ever more cost effective, the same too with batteries (with the advent of such things as i-phones/i-pads et al.) and a lot has changed/become available - at reasonable prices - in the past year. I very much liked the red-arrow RC system yet the batteries required were too big and, also, required a lot of fitting into a Heljan loco (battery size is of course relative to loco/motor size/numbers of motors fitted etc etc. in whatever scale), yet as battery technology/prices improve maybe such is on the change thus making this method of control more viable. So perhaps now, as garden railway modellers, using locos designed for indoor track-power we have a better chance of using RC in them and being more successful with such.
The issue of 'glitching' needs looking into, as railway lines tend attenuate RC signals and can then cause issues such as 'the rusty bolt effect' (worse with damp/wet rails). I also have a suspicion that every-time, although such shouldn't, we are exposed to the introduction/update of the likes of WiFi, 3G/4G et al. such interferes with the then current ranges of RC kit, RC frequency ranges plays a role in such of course. The latest batch of RC kit has, by and large, overcome such things, for the time being that is, whether or not such technology now irradiates yer dangly bits is another matter though and this may not be known for the next 20 years or more!
DCC 'electronic flywheels' (capacitors) can also help ease challenges for DCC users in the garden though, so all is not lost (with plenty of feeds, jumper wires, or a BUS).
Simon, the Protocab system looks v'interesting
And I agree, Simon, less is more, I use, by and large, Canon's, Mashimas et al. I have seen those with eg. 120 Lima Cl37's in 4mm (all fitted with pancake type motors), yet less is more in terms of 7mm and quality, and VFM is a better approach in my book. 'We' all have to accept though what we are given/purchasing - unless we re-motor - with a purchase of a eg. RTR Heljan loco (and now possibly Dapol too). I have heard from various traders/retailers, that motor quality could be better in Heljan's in terms of amperage, efficiency and 'motor-matching' etc., yet mine all work well and I accord with Phill, if it aint broke, then dont fix it - life is too short
As I have yet to lay and wire track in the garden RC is still an option....I hope to have at least on RC controlled loco.
I also have a few ideas for a different form of point control - details to follow, slowly, in due course though
ATVB
CME