...

Railpro remains on a level that is as of yet unsurpassed by DCC, having mastered duplex decoders.

In regards to

What you really mean is

This isn't a great mysterious process or anything complicated within the realm of electronics.  The arguement from the DCC crowd is that they would have to memorize huge long ten-twenty-thirty digit addresses and type them into their controller in order to run anything, but this means they are mentally welded to the process of mentally typing addresses into their throttles.  Typing out addresses to call out funcitons is a 1960s-1970s-1980s style computing process....

Tell me, right now, what is the long address for your application of MS Word on your computer?

The use of preaddressed icons is literally as old as Windows 3.1 or even perhaps Lisa.  Using this icon idea, Railpro handles that long address in the same manner where you and I don't have to remember anything more than the label we have created within our Railpro cab.  Railpro then allows you to build a profile for each locomotive, ahem, Control Module [stationary modules included] within your Cab and then access that profile by simply clicking the icon to activate it.  So Windows 3.1, that would make Ring's icon concept a 1992 idea, making it no less than twenty five year old technology?

I dare say the controller itself is already outmoded, where it would be easier to code an application for a smart phone, but for now this off-the-shelf control unit gives the people who want a knob their tactile control surface. But wait, what's this?

You don't say!  My smart phone had a micro USB port; add an adapter to the CI-1, plug it in, load the computer based software to my phone, and we have smartphone throttles...possibly?  Another step forward!

The DCC crossover is interesting, and it's...here?  Wow!  http://www.ringengineering.com/WhatsNew.htm

If you can fit them, I suppose now is the time to start packing Railpro LM-3Ss.  At 1.5" x 0.68" x 0.25", I dare say the biggest call of the season is smaller modules, for once this gets into the N scale/HOn3 realm, there'll be far less resistance.  Alas, the biggest crux seems to be a matter of "everything at once" and Ring can only do so many things at once!! 

I hope to see more Railpro systems in operation as time goes by.  Their decoders are digital magic at this point.

Railpro updates

Nice article Bruce.  I had the opportunity to run on Lee's layout just a few weeks ago and it was fantastic.  I have been a user of Railpro for years, but never in a large operation like that.  It was a great time.

You hinted in the article that DCC and Railpro compatibility may be coming....well, it is here.  Ring Engineering just released a major update that has been a while in the making, and Railpro/DCC compatibility are part of it.  Railpro modules are dual-mode, meaning you can enable them to be controlled by any DCC controller in addition to the Railpro controller.  This makes it so people can consist their Railpro locomotives with their DCC locomotives, rather than keeping them separate. Keep in mind that this means the Railpro locomotive will be limited to DCC consisting abilities and will not have the automatic load-sharing that Railpro has.  But this will make it so those with large DCC fleets can enjoy the benefits of both.

As part of the new update, there have been several brand-new prime mover files that have been released, as well as new control settings.  The prime mover files are recorded from real locomotives under load, and the sound handling scheme eliminates the common looping that is heard on many model locomotives.  You can set the load on the locomotive and mimic heavy tonnage, with the prime mover spooling up through multiple notches smoothly.  More prime movers are being recorded and edited currently.

Ring released a new video explaining some of the features.  View it here:

I'm thoroughly enjoying the new updates, and obviously enjoying Railpro as a whole.  The automatic consisting alone was enough to sell me on the system.  The rest of it is just more enjoyment.

-Kevin

Great Article Bruce!

Wow Bruce, what a great article about RailPro,

Thank you for taking the time to look at this system and put together this thoughtful overview.

Comments

Using the CI-1 with touch interfaces

There is only one problem with this idea currently. The HC Sim software is not touch friendly at this time. Hopefully that will change in the next release of this software, but as of today you must use the mouse scroll wheel to adjust the throttle and move sliders in the on screen controller.

New Updates

Thanks Kevin for bringing attention to the new updates. It's unfortunate that this article wasn't 1 month later as it then could have covered all the great new features in RailPro.

One of the best things about RailPro, besides the automatic speed matching) is that the hardware is so robust that updates are pretty-much software only. This means that almost anyone who has invested in RailPro equipment can update their software and be up and running with the newest features and sounds right away. I say anyone, because currently the new updates don't apply to first generation modules or controllers, the new software simply does not fit. Hopefully there will be a trade up program for these users in the near future.

Most people here know I am a RailPro user. I love it, it works as advertised.

I am also a RailPro dealer, for those interested, please check out the RailPro Page in my Online Store.

Pricing

Pricing isn't covered in the article, but I want to point out that RailPro is an inexpensive way to get into high qualitiy wireless control too.

Street Prices for the Starter Kit (power sully and controller) are around $299. If you don't need the power supply, The stand alone controller is around $229, and sound modules are around $75. You can get started with the Computer Interface and a sound module for about $100.

RailPro User Group

For existing RailPro users, as well as anyone interested in learning more about RailPro, there is an active User Group online at http://rpug.pdc.ca

Feel free to check it out!

So, when will we see TCS,

So, when will we see TCS, ESU, ect make Railpro compatible decoders? 

Or, see BLI, Atlas, Kato ,ect have the option to purchase a Railpro equipped locomotive.  

Decoders

Since Railpro is proprietary, unless they make the standard public domain (like Lenz did to jump start DCC) or a manufacturer licenses the software, ain't gonna happen.

Great Question...

I wouldn't hold my breath, but Now that the LM decoder series natively supports DCC the possibility of that is a lot higher.

Another question

Many newer locos have DCC integrated into their lightboards.  There is no DCC plug.  I would assume that the entire board will have to be removed and the Railpro module hardwired in.  Is that correct?

John C

DCC vs DCC Ready (DC)

Most manufacturers offer DCC and DCC-Ready versions of their locomotives.

Ideally you want a DCC Ready unit for RailPro but if there is not one available, then you would need to hardwire the Module. Many people prefer to remove the DCC Ready boards too.

With DCC Compatibility...

Some may remember a previous thread where I had issues with the proprietary nature of RailPro.

With the introduction of DCC compatibility in the LM-3S and LM-2S, a good chunk of that hesitation is going away. 

I may be making an investment soon.

BLI

Broadway Limited is a frustrating exception to this though. In my quest to build a 1961 Rock Island Twin Star Rocket I needed a good E8 for the point. Looking at both the older Proto and the current BLI the latter required the least amount of body modifications though they were still significant. Having to buy a DC/DCC Sound equipped locomotive and then remove and discard the guts wasn't ideal but necessary in this case. I've emailed them more than once requesting strictly DCC ready locomotives in their lineup. As Bill stated most however do offer such. Intermountain even sold me two GP10's that had been modified to DC only per my request.

Jacob

"With the introduction of DCC

    It doesn't sound like they Railpro controller can run DCC engines though and that's the compatibility needed.  If we have Tsunami or Loc sound DCC engines and want to keep them that way we'd need backwards compatibility. I can't see many guys wanting to run Rail pro module equipped engines with DCC but I see lots of guys with large fleets of DCC engines that might try a Railpro system if they didn't have to swap out all their decoders? For now I see a two controller situation developing, guys with DCC will keep it til it needs replacing or they die and new guys or old guys needing a replacement control system will consider Railpro, it's not ideal but that's the way DCC gradually replaced DC block control. I don't have to worry about it as I don't run multiple engines on trains so Railpro has little appeal compared to DCC....DaveB

I'm more concerned with my engines running.

DaveB,

I think we may have slightly different philosophies here, which is fine, if we were all the same it would be boring.

In my case, I do not foresee the end of DCC, or perhaps eventually something that will be backwards compatible with DCC - which it sounds like you would like Railpro to be - interesting thoughts pop into my mind about how to do that there. I have also recently spent a fair amount of money and time upgrading the decoders in about half of my fleet. So DCC is going to be part of my life for quite awhile in the future. And I have several DCC throttles that work with my system.

So what this does is lower the bar to beginning the conversion process - I can start getting LM-3S (I hope he's looking at adding this feature to the less expensive non-sound LM-3 as well) modules without needing an HC-2, just an inexpensive CI-1. And if it turns out I don't have enough HC-2's, well, I can still run the locomotives via DCC. I don't really see myself doing the computer throttle thing.

Because that's what it comes down to - making sure that I can run the locomotives.

As for your solution, I'm thinking about some sort of box that could talk to multiple HC-2's and take their inputs and output it to JMRI as if they were Wi-Throttles. I wonder if Tim has ever thought of something like that?

LM-3

Both the Sound and Non sound versions of the LM's are DCC enabled.

The only differences between the LM-3 and LM-3S module is the sound circuitry and the price.

How is the Railpro sound in

How is the Railpro sound in comparison to a TCS or Loksound decoder? Railpro does look like a nice system. 

Railpro and DCC, Sound

@Dave - There really wouldn't be much of a point to having a Railpro controller (HC-2) control DCC locomotives.  The DCC locomotives are incapable of transmitting any information back to the HC-2, which is the entire basis of Railpro control.  Essentially (if I understand you correctly) what you are wanting is to have the Railpro controller do the same thing that a DCC controller does.  You may as just use a DCC controller to control DCC locos, as it is much less expensive. 

With Railpro's current dual-mode capability, those with large DCC fleets do not have to choose one or the other.  If they really want to consist a Railpro locomotive with a DCC locomotive they can do that.  Keep in mind though, and this is important, DCC is not capable of automatically load-sharing like Railpro does.  You will need to do traditional speed-matching so the Railpro locomotive runs with the DCC locomotive.  My guess is that most who try out and see the true abilities of Railpro's load-sharing will find that they don't really want to bother speed matching DCC anymore.

@Tim - See the video above for a sample of the new sounds.  I'm sure there will be a few users who will make videos of the other sounds (myself included).  The new crop of sounds are simply fantastic.  It's what Railpro has been needing for quite some time.

-Kevin

RailPro Sound Quality

Tim, sound is more objective than not but I think the new Ultimate Series sounds are now the new industry benchmark and exceed anything currently offered.

Jacob

 "There really wouldn't be

The point would be transition. A guy with a lot of tsunami equipped engines would not want to change them all to Railpro modules. So if he could buy a Railpro controller and run his existing engines with it he could then put Railpro a module in any new engines he buys. Having to run DCC control along with Railpro is not nearly as attractive as having Railpro do everything alone during the transition period ( which might last for decades). Keep in mind that most guys with lots of engines are quite happy with the way they operate on DCC so there's little incentive to spend money on new engine control modules when their decoders are working fine. In practice the ease of consisting is not as important as it first appears because experienced folks who need it have already figured it out. Newbies and guys who constantly change their consists will find consisting ease more important than the great mass of existing DCC users, so Railpro needs to make it easier for existing DCC users to convert. Once the hype of newness wears off guys are gonna be asking "do I really need to spend money on this or are my trains running fine as is?" .......DaveB 

@Dave

With the current dual-mode capabilities of Railpro, you can do what you are saying.  If an operator has many DCC-equipped locomotives, then he surely has DCC controllers.  He can keep all of that and start installing Railpro into new locomotive like you said, and control those locomotives with the DCC controllers, with an inexpensive CI-1 from Railpro, or with a full fledged HC-2.  This would allow someone to ease into Railpro while still retaining the functionality of their current DCC fleet.  There really isn't a need to have the Railpro controller control DCC locomotives, at least from my perspective.

Regardless, the new features that just came out for Railpro are exciting.  I'm glad to see these updates finally see the light of day.

-Kevin

Risk

Since I am in N scale, for me, the new features are academic. But I see them as more of an enabler of an exit strategy from a Railpro system to a DCC system.  

If I had a significant number of Railpro equipped locomotives, once upgraded, I can now operate them with my new DCC system without having to convert all of the decoders.

This makes it less of a risk to invest in a proprietary system that only has one source. I could go RailPro for a while,  and if I didn't like it, all of my dual-mode locos would work in my new DCC system.

gs

Back to Bruce's Question

Great article thanks Bruce.  I for one would love to see an in depth review that gives an impartial assessment of how Rail Pro and DCC/DC/Dead Rail might co habit in the future.

It would be nice if comments to your article didn't descend back into the tired old DCC vs RP debate

Why DCC in RailPro??

RailPro is built around technology that doesn't exist in DCC. So why does RailPro now support DCC?

The answer is not as obvious as it seems.

Sure, there are possible benefits to those wanting to convert to RP slowly, but that's not why DCC has been added to RP.

Sure, there is the argument to be made that having DCC built in means that if you decide to abandon RailPro you can still go back to DCC without changing modules again, but that's not why DCC has been added to RP.

The reason is Because It Can.

The RailPro module is so robust and the sound technology is so good in the underlying hardware that, by adding DCC capabilities to the RailPro module, Ring Engineering has created a compelling product that will appeal to diehard DCC users based on its top quality abilities in sound and motion control AND the ease with which it can be programmed via the Computer Interface.

Even though the diehard DCC user may never use the the hallmark feature of the RailPro product, automatic speedmatching, the rest of the features available in DCC mode at the $75 price point are possibly so compelling that this decoder could make inroads as a DCC decoder in its own right. When that happens, you can bet the RailPro community will benefit with even more amazing features.

Nice discussion, folks!

Love to see the comments and sharing of ideas.

That has been missing from the threads related to a few of my columns this year. Makes a fella feel proud when folks jump in and chat.

Thanks.