DCC Impulses

Bruce - Another app I've found very useful is the Woodland Scenics app 'Model Scaler'. While commercially based, it is still extremely helpful while scratch building from plans where actual dimensions (1'=1') are given.  You can vary what scale you wish to reduce the dimension to or work backwards to see if a piece of material  would be oversized in real life. 

You get a bit of advertising with the app, but it's free and one of the most useful I've found!

Jim Little

Vernon BC

Another camera use

I have found that at times I have something I want to read that is just out of range or too small for my eyes or glasses. I hold my iPhone 6+ up, take a photo and then bring it back to where I can read it.  That works well on price tags on things on the top shelf that are just out of reach, too, when shopping. 

I usually take photos of model locomotive 'innards' before I tear it down to add a decoder or lights.  Great reference for short memories. 

 Another great column, Bruce.  You're always my first read.

Karl Scribner

Note taking apps

I use Evernote to organize my research for my layout. I can add free text notes, save photos, download articles, pictures or webpages from the internet into it. The search feature and the use of tags really helps to find all those snipets I use to have on scraps of paper all over. The premium version even allows me to share my notebooks with anyone who is interested. 

There is quite a number of similar apps you could use.

BD Kaiserslautern Notebook

I've also had fun with the Model Speed app, especially with our modular layout at train shows. Fun to show the difference between a slow freight at 60 km/hr and the TGV flying past at 300 km/hr.

MRH app?

So i grabbed the MRH app, which seems good - but i cant get Trainmasters content to work in it - It shows all the shows, but I cant get any of it work, they seem like just static images. I also, didnt find a way to login to my TMTV account. Did i miss something?

MRH app

Not to hijack the thread, but I downloaded the MRH app for Android and found no way to log in also. 

I have used the movie camera on phone to record a problem spot in my trackwork that is at an odd viewing angle to see what is going on.

Scale Mate

excellent article, Bruce, as always!
I am still using an android cellephone, but read MRH mostly on iPad via GoodReader.
I prefer that over reading it online.

There is an app called Scale Mate which has a similar way of messuring speeds.

Like Tommy I use EverNote much also in taking notes, grabbing pictures or websites of interesting stuff for my layout.
And like Tim and Paul, I have not been able to watch TrainMastersTV via the MRH app. So what is the secret?

iphone 6 camera

The most interesting use of the camera is the Slo-Mo video for model train passes. To see HO consists go by with the cars swaying like the prototypes is pretty cool. Unfortunately the shutter speed is perfectly timed to catch 60 Hz "buzz" from lighting, so that will keep your videos from winning any awards. But if your layout or module is outside: bonus. Additionally, old Athearns growl along almost like the real ones in Slo-Mo playback.

MRH App

I've sent off an email to Joe telling him to drop by here regarding the MRH app. Since he's pretty busy at the NMRA convention/train show, it may be awhile. 

Thanks Jeff!

Much appreciated. MRH app seems very cool - If i can access my TMTV content through it, that would be great

what's an iphone?

what's an iphone?

Chooch Cam

Great article from Bruce on I-Phone apps.

Another use for the I-phone, mainly for large scale modelers, and if you don't mind not filming inside tunnels or overhead obstructions, is to use it as a chooch-camera for your layout. Mount the phone on a depressed-center flat car and see what things look like from the cab - okay, a little above the cab! 

I also like to take photos, at various angles, of the valve gear, rods, and various washers of my steamers, so I'll know how they go back after etching and painting.

Bruce is an excellent writer.

Bruce P. is an excellent writer.  I look forward to every single column.  He presents a technical subject in a very personal and easy to understand way.

--Tom Cox

Thanks, Tom and ...

all of you for your kind words and sharing your ideas.

 I've downloaded Evernote and am going to play with it.

I have used the camera as eye extensions, too. Like looking for serial numbers on components in a stack of equipment. Don't move the equipment just shove the camera in there and take a picture.

 I hope Joe weighs in soon on the MRH app. I never had a problem playing Trainmasters videos.

Not sure ...

iPhone car

MInuteman Scale Models makes a kit for a car designed to hold an iPhone. Actually, because Apple's been changing the size of the iPhone lately, they have three:  http://www.minutemanscalemodels.com/category-s/158.htm

Good news

Good news ... we will be releasing an updated version of the MRH app that looks better than ever and has the needed functionality on the listed TMTV videos (you can get to the site to watch the videos).

If you would like a preview of the updated app, just download the 3D Issue App Portal app and enter this preview code: e3ab09cd

Once you get to the detailed description of the TMTV video you're interested in, scroll down and select the plus sign ... voila! You're on the TMTV site, and you can play the preview or you can log in and watch the video.

The app

Where should we offer feedback on it? 

Start a new thread

Start a new thread, Jeff.

iPhone DCC Review

Bruce,

You usually go out of your way to evaluate competing products when you do a review.  You did not do this in this column so the column is severely lacking in content and applicability. Many of us have other smart phones that would benefit from your "wisdom". Hopefully you will get back on track with your next column.

Ed Robinson

Keep in mind ...

Keep in mind there's dozens of different mobile devices and it's impossible for Bruce to test them all. In the past, Bruce has only discussed the model railroading DCC products he's actually managed to get access to. That's pretty easy in the model railroading space because it's generally just a a few products.

Unfortunately, MRH (and Bruce) will be unable to do an extensive test of mobile devices because the vendor scope is so large. For that, we will need to rely on you, our readers, posting your specific device experiences for the benefit of us all.

RE: iPhone DCC Review

Ed -

I'm sorry your are disappointed. As I said at the beginning "this will NOT be fair and blanced." [emphasis added]

I ONLY discuss what I've used myself. I had a hard time getting Engine Driver installed on a fellow club member's Android. So, I'm obviously NOT the person to discuss them.

That's why I suggested folks share their experiences BOTH in other iPhone Apps and Apps for other brands here.

What experience do you have to share, Ed? This is your blog as much as it is mine.

BTW, if you want to influence future columns, you need to think a lot further in the future. I'm finishing September now.

apps for android phones

One I use the most is the Digitrax app. You can get it free on the Digitrax website or in the app store. It has a cross reference  for most model train types, and what Digitrax decoder to use. Also if you have a Digitrax decoder it will tell you which locomotive its best used in.

Engine driver app

I use the engine driver app on my Android phone.

There is no pay version of engine driver. The free version allows you to operate two trains on separate throttles and has easy consisting as well. I found it easy to load the app on my phone and have assisted several of my club members to load it on their phones as well. Most of my club members are pleased with it but some do not like the slide type throttle. It works quite well on our club layout with digitrax and jmri and also on my home test track with a sprog unit and jmri. Although the sprog unit only allows only one throttle so I can only operate one train at a time at home.

Paul/

Engine driver for android

I have installed it on both a phone running android 2.3, and a tablet running 4.2.  All I did to install was open the Google play store, icon looks like a briefcase with a multi-colored (majority blue) triangle, search for engine driver and tap install.

The other three or four people I have seen install the app did the same thing, not sure why Bruce had a hard time installing it on a friends phone.  One thing I can think of is terminology, I think most do not refer to the Google Play store as the app store, that is an iDevice terminology.  Although to confuse matters Amazon has an app store that you can install on your android devices, but last time I checked engine driver was not available there.