Engine Driver Throttle

Well done! In the past I thought I wanted nothing to do with a smart phone throttle. Too clumsy I thought. Too complicated. Shows you how wrong you can be. This app makes me put the PowerCab on the shelf. The best part of it is the ability to label all the function buttons as defined in JMRI. It has layers of sophistication.

I've had this app for a while now, but didn't get to try it out until I got my Digitrax LnWi. Took it to the local N scale club layout at the Munster Train Depot. Had the LnWi hooked up in a minute and the app working in another two. I had previously installed it so I was already familiar with it. The only set-up issue I had was that the Engine Driver would not see the LnWi. I had to go to the WiFi settings on my Android phone and it found the LnWi and connected immediately. I started of using the single, right side, switching throttle. (There are many to select from in the app.) Selecting locos is as simple as typing their address. Worked perfect, right off the bat. I especially like the way the throttle releases locos. Just click release. No more multi-button presses like on a regular throttle. The only thing I didn't like is that with the switching throttle, you have one vertical slider for speed, with forward from the center, up and reverse from the center, down. The center off position is a bit vague, and you sometimes get the wrong direction for the first couple of speed steps. Might just be my big fingers. So far, I like it more that any of my other throttles. I will continue to experiment with selecting other styles of throttles in the app. OH yea. As I was running last night, a new young fellow, about 11 or 12 years old came into the train store with his Mom and joined the club. (The Northwest Indiana N Scalers) I was able to download the app onto her phone, set it up and he was running in 10 minutes. A really great app.

Love this app... though the last update is buggy. Running on android Samsung tablet and phone. Will crash as soon as an engine is selected requiring a restart and then it's fine. Will occasionally drive two engines on one road number, requiring to release the engine and reacquire it. Random program crashes with immediate restart but causing potential loss of control of engines during restart. Please fix the new bugs! Program was bullet proof prior to this last update.