Train Engineer alternatives if it dies ?

[maxi-model]

Seems like there is a lot of latent concern around here regarding "What do I do if my Aristo' Train Engineer dies? " I certainly fall into that camp. It seems that neither Crest or Polk's Nextgen offer any on-going support on this product line now.

I do not want to get into DCC (cost) and Battery+R/C (cost again) - 12 locos and counting. But, I love the "walk-around" convenience. I'd like to be able to salvage what might be left if the transmitter dies (i.e. the speed controller). What suggestions do GCS'ers with experience have for this possibly inevitable situation. I have known no other system since starting 11 years ago, still on the same TX/RX combo I bought then.

Loved one suggestion 8) - Helmsman with a servo attached to the speed control knob.
Yours fearfully, not wishing to tempt fate, touch wood, Max

 

[a98087]

I only had a test/play with one of these the other day and was very impressed with the system, so much so I intend to make a replacement but using off the shelf 2.4 ghz RC equipment.

I've currently have a transmitter in the post and will purchase a power supply and esc in a few weeks time.


But having a walkabout system is a very nice, I can see why all the dcc boys love their massoth navigators!

Dan

 

[The Devonian]

I use the 27MHz. Train Engineer, I bought it direst from Aristo with a battery car.

I have wondered about the same question. I am not sure if I would take on the Revolution - my operating is simple and the railroad is small. I an run up to three locos - one at a time and use battery rather than track power although track power is still available of needed.. I have always avoided the smoke facility and sound - I get on well wit my neighbours.

I am sure that I would buy something manufactured in the UK should I need to replace the TE's. I will be looking around at the Exeter Show for something that would fit the bill.

Ross: surely even battery power need some form of controller - unless you want to keep bobbing up and down turning control knobs on locos.

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Max
What about the Aristocraft/Crest Revolution?
Handset plus 'super' base station gives the same as old TE TX/RX but working at 2.4ghz and also many more features and a much better handset.

The handset can also control multiple individual locos using on board decoders (come with generic sounds, diesel or steam) much like DCC..... Here the power can be straight from a transformer to track or via the 'super' base station (like a TE RX on steroids) or from on-board battery

 

[Madman]

If you are concerned about cost with battery operation, why not use a dedicated trailing car for the electronics and receiver. I've had excellent luck with G Scale Graphics equipment since I converted to battery power four years ago. Here is their website.

http://www.gscalegraphics.net

 

[maxi-model]

What I am getting at here is suggestions for a low(ish) cost direct replacement - an R/C speed controller, nothing else. Not Battery+R/C, not DCC or anything with flashing bells lights and whistles. Looked at the Revolution Mike but you need to remember to buy the linear module with it so I think things might get a bit costly if all you want is an R/C speed controller. Then again if and when my TE dies things may be very different by then.
Apologies if I am being a bit R/C, Max.

 

[muns]

How about connecting your track to the output of a RC Electronic Speed Controller, and a Receiver which takes power from a transformer and is controlled by one of those RCS handsets? The ESC, Receiver & Transformer would replace the Train Engineer base station. Just a thought from a non RC guy.

 

[Tony Walsham]

Pretty well any on board battery R/C ESC could be used to control the track voltage just like a TE does.
The problem is, to a one they are using a PWM output which does not play well with some LGB locos that have sound systems and all locos that have DCC decoders.
AristoCraft did make and sell a small PWM to Linear converter which may or may not be still available.
As I understand it, Crest are still offering a 15 amp trackside Controller for use with the Revolution handpiece. Albeit with pwm output.

 

[muns]

Thanks Tony, ESC's do PWM...did I not mention that I don't do RC

 

[maxi-model]

Erm........ESC ?Jargon buster please . PWM, I get that but is it ok to run dc Bachmann locos with it. I set my TE controller to linear due to the concerns expressed in the past about this. Do I really need to?

P.S. This thread was intended to promote a general repository for ideas for us folk wedded to our TE's in the event of terminal decline or dysfunction. Mines fine and dandy..........for the moment. Max.

 

[Beddhist]

ESC = electronic speed controller. Circuit for controlling electric motors.

 

[beavercreek]

Erm........ESC ?Jargon buster please . PWM, I get that but is it ok to run dc Bachmann locos with it. I set my TE controller to linear due to the concerns expressed in the past about this. Do I really need to?

P.S. This thread was intended to promote a general repository for ideas for us folk wedded to our TE's in the event of terminal decline or dysfunction. Mines fine and dandy..........for the moment. Max.

Hi Max
I have used TE PWC (PWM) for my Bachmann locos (Annies, Climaxes, Shays etc) with no problem at all. In fact even the ones with on-board old Soundtraxx Sierra sound boards behaved impeccably. The benefit of it was that the lights worked at full level and the sound card back-up battery charged quicker!

 

[Neil Robinson]

George Schreyer's web site has a diagram that shows the function of the T.E.'s Linear/Pulse switch.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/te_programming.html

Go down to Train Engineer Output Leakage Problems.

For pulse the large capacitor is connected across the power supply input to the T.E. and for linear it's connected across the output to the track immediately prior to the polarity reversing relay.

This appears to work well and I can't imagine why a similar arrangement shouldn't work with other brands of ESCs. However I don't produce ESCs! I suggest anyone wishing to use this with pulse sensitive electronics such as those found in LGB locos contacts a reputable manufacturer to discus this idea with them prior to purchase.

 

[vsmith]

I use the simpler Basic Train Engineer (BTE) RC controller, I have been fretting that one day it will go phoom, but last train show I was at, a vendor had a complete NOS BTE package. I snatched that right up even though I had already blown my show budget. I reasoned I would probably never see another one of these ever again, given Aristos druthers. its safely stored away as a back-up.

 

[The Devonian]

For those who read or participate on other fora - especially the Stateside ones, will be aware of the very interesting thread about train control using 'smart 'phones or similar. Not being one who uses these small hand devices I may not have used the correct terminology. I am always amazed that the death rate of jay walkers using these devices is still small. There has to be some alert drivers I guess.

THe discussion in the thread is somewhat above my head. My mobile, which I rarely use, is a few years old. But it is a developing technology it seems so when I need a new phone/and or/ train controller maybe this will be what I will be considering. Hopefully that will not be in the near future.

 

[Beddhist]

I can think of two reasons why I would not want to use a smartphone to control my trains:

the touch screen times out after a short time, requiring a horizontal swipe.

no buttons: you need to look at the device to see what you are doing when changing speed, for example.

 

[maxi-model]

I have used TE PWC (PWM) for my Bachmann locos (Annies, Climaxes, Shays etc) with no problem at all. In fact even the ones with on-board old Soundtraxx Sierra sound boards behaved impeccably. The benefit of it was that the lights worked at full level and the sound card back-up battery charged quicker!

Back from hol's in N Wales. Thanks for that Mike. I'll switch my TE controller back to PWM operation as all my track powered locos are Bachmann.

Now, given that I can use an ESC with a default PWM output, do I get this right - All I have to do as an alternative to a TE is get an ESC, say a Mac 5, interpose it between my Crest transformer and track (not forgetting the fuse protection) and hitch it to a suitable RX, say Spectrum, and control the loco speed from my existing Spectrum Dx6 for a walk around facility. Yes ? Max.

 

[Bideford Light]

Back from hol's in N Wales. Thanks for that Mike. I'll switch my TE controller back to PWM operation as all my track powered locos are Bachmann.

Now, given that I can use an ESC with a default PWM output, do I get this right - All I have to do as an alternative to a TE is get an ESC, say a Mac 5, interpose it between my Crest transformer and track (not forgetting the fuse protection) and hitch it to a suitable RX, say Spectrum, and control the loco speed from my existing Spectrum Dx6 for a walk around facility. Yes ? Max.

Max, Like you I have the Train Engineer hand unit working to the receiver/controller which sits between a large Gaugemaster power supply and the track. The Train Engineer is unreliable, particularly the slow down key.

Are you saying that I just need a Mac5 Electronic Speed Controller and say a Spectrum Radio Control hand set to replace the Train Engineer?

 

[maxi-model]

Are you saying that I just need a Mac5 Electronic Speed Controller and say a Spectrum Radio Control hand set to replace the Train Engineer?

Well, nobody has replied and said no to that one. And it seems in previous posts that is the recommendation. Subject to what make of locos you are running -Bachmann certainly yes, LGB probably no.

So a Spectrum TX & RX + a MAC 5, with the required fuse for protection and there's the fix. Check with the likes of Brian Jones and it seems to be the solution if your TE gives up the ghost.

Then there is always son of TE the Revolution. Max.

 

[stockers]

or just Ebay a replacement TE