Poor Man's Throttle
James Theimer Utilities iPhoneiPadiPod touch
Poor Man's Throttle is a free Utilities app for iPhone and iPad by James Theimer. Rated 5.0/5 from 4 ratings. Requires iOS 15.0. Updated October 28, 2026.
- Rating
- 5.0
- 4 ratings
- Price
- Free
- on the App Store
- Size
- 113 MB
- Age 4+
- Updated
- Oct 28
- 2026 · v4.2.12
Screenshots
About Poor Man's Throttle
FREE DIY Wireless Model Train Control — Built for Hobbyists, **Poor Man’s Throttleturns your smartphone into a wireless throttle for model trains. Designed formodel railroad hobbyists, makers, and DIY builders**, the app allows you to control a locomotive using inexpensive electronics instead of costly commercial control systems. With simple ESP32-based hardware, your phone becomes asmooth, responsive wireless throttle**. --- Smooth Motor Control Many traditional DC transformers struggle with low-speed operation. Locomotives often: • hum at low speeds • start with weak torque • move in jerky steps Poor Man’s Throttle solves this by usingPWM motor control (Pulse Width Modulation)instead of simply lowering voltage. This allows locomotives to: • start smoothly • run at extremely slow speeds • maintain strong torque • eliminate most transformer hum --- Wireless Smartphone Control Control your locomotive directly from your phone. Features include: • Speed control • Forward direction • Reverse direction • Stop • Additional command support Because control is wireless, you canwalk around your layout while operating trains**, just like with professional wireless throttle systems. --- A Major Upgrade for Traditional DC Layouts Poor Man’s Throttle works especially well with classic DC transformers. Instead of using the transformer to regulate speed, the transformer is set tofull powerwhile Poor Man’s Throttle performs the motor control using PWM. This approach provides: • smoother slow-speed operation • higher starting torque • reduced transformer noise • modern wireless control for classic layouts --- Perfect for Dead-Rail Builders The system also works extremely well withdead-rail locomotivespowered by onboard batteries. Builders commonly use: • cordless tool batteries (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, etc.) • lithium battery packs • LiPo or lithium-ion cells • NiMH packs • other hobby batteries This flexibility allows hobbyists to useinexpensive, widely available power sources**. --- A DIY System That Costs Around $20 A typical Poor Man’s Throttle hardware build costs about: • ESP32 development board • IBT-2 motor driver • 5V logic power module Total hardware cost is oftenaround $20 per locomotive**. Many builders already have some of these parts available. --- Built for the Model Railroad Community Poor Man’s Throttle was created to makewireless train control accessible to everyone**. Instead of expensive proprietary systems, this project focuses on: • simple hardware • open DIY building • affordable components • sharing knowledge with the hobby community The goal is simple: **Give model railroaders a powerful wireless throttle they can build themselves.** --- Who This App Is For This app is ideal for: • model railroad hobbyists • dead-rail builders • DC layout operators • electronics makers and tinkerers • DIY train control enthusiasts Bothbeginner buildersandadvanced hobbyistscan use the system. --- Learn More Hardware build guides, documentation, and project information are available through the Poor Man’s Throttle project resources. https://github.com/jamocle/PoorMansThrottle-DIY/blob/main/README.md Build your own throttle. Control your trains wirelessly. Keep the hobby affordable.
What’s new
Version 4.2.12 · Updated October 28, 2026
### Version 4.2.12 * **Lockout Mode** PMT now supports lockout mode so only the device that has it locked may connect to it. * **Misc refinements and bug squashing** The code monkey has been busy (me). ### Version 4.2.11 * **New FX Commands** Added Firmware Run Script and Firmware Run Script Repeat. ### Version 4.2.10 * **New App diagnostic mode** Now the app can be in diagnostic mode as well to capture anything that happens in PMT. * **Fixed issues with older iPads**. Some older iPads had issues with rendering output controls. This is fixed. ### Version 4.2.9 * **Security Enhancements** Modified the code to stop from sessions being stolen. * **Physical Screen Organization Updates** The system allows for the buttons to be re-organized in the physical screen. ### Version 4.2.7 * **Grade Crossing Sounds** Added support for Grade crossing sounds. ### Version 4.2.6 * **Diagnosis Mode Available** Added diagnostic script inside the app to help with diagnosing problems. ### Version 4.2.5 * **Made Connecting to a throttle more efficient** Now CV's will only be loaded when the app senses they need to be loaded. Faster connect and throttle entry times. ### Version 4.2.4 * **Added RESTful Support** PMT can now integrate with RESTful API's or any HTTP(s) endpoint for even more integration possibilities. ### Version 4.2.3 * **Added support for Remote Commands** Now an FX command can be mapped to a remote Command Relay where the target device is instructed to tell another device to perform a command. * **Enhanced Bulk Transfer Resilience** The BTP (Bulk Transfer Protocol) is more resilient. * **FX Reorder enhancements** Reordering sometimes caused saving issues. now the reordering uses a quiescing strategy to eliminate this issue. * **Added DISCONNECT** App script token to disconnect the current session and return the user back to the scan screen. ### Version 4.2.0 * **Enhanced Output Control Reconciliation** Enhanced reconciliation of controls for to help older iOS devices show updated data. * **Wifi SSID Chooser** The app now will allow you to choose your Wifi SSID from a list. ### Version 4.1.10 * **Fixed WIFI password saving for some Android users** Some Android users were unable to save passwords. ### Version 4.1.3 * **Added support for Urdu language in Pakistan** Pakistan residents are using PMT!! * **Fixed some localization issues** Some vestigial words weren't being translated and now fixed. ### Version 4.1.2 * **Enhanced User Interface for Throttle and Feather Brake** Modified to support Realistic Mode for Feather Brake and enhanced telemetry for UI information. * **Added Switcher Mode as a selectable Physical Control** Users can now assign switcher mode to an HID key. * **Added battery saving view for physical throttle** The physical throttle view can now go into battery saving mode for the smart device. * **Added support for Min Reverse Throttle** The app now supports min throttle for reverse and has a wizard to guide the user into setting it properly. * **Fixed password Timeout issue** Some users were experiencing timeouts when saving Wifi password. ### Version 4.1.0 * **Added Device Command** Now the command slideout on throttle screens can contain buttons to control other devices like switch modules, Horns on other locos, etc. * **FX Output Control Name persistence** Now the full name of a command control is fully persisted on the app. ### Version 4.0.0 * **Physical Throttle Support** Now any physical HID compatible device can be used along with PMT to control Locomotives and your layout. * **Version History Added** The full version history is added to the global configuration page
App privacy
The developer, James Theimer, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Alternatives to Poor Man's Throttle
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