BlueRail Trains offers control boards that use bluetooth technology to wirelessly control model trains via a tablet or smartphone. The BlueRail Trains app has now been updated to include consisting and speed matching functionality. Check out this quick demo with Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala. Be sure to also check out the other BlueRail and Bachmann E-Z App reviews and videos under “Related Articles” below the video player.
Video: BlueRail Trains consisting and speed matching
By Angela Cotey | July 19, 2017
| Last updated on February 11, 2021
Online extra from the September 2017 Model Railroader
Re: Nick Sheridan
My understanding is that while BlueRail doesn’t provide onboard sound, it does provide sound at the smart device that is serving as the throttle. Were I to use the system, I would then pass the sound from the device to a bluetooth speaker.
To Mike Schmidt: They will remain speed matched. However, remember that these trains both also have BlueRail Trains control boards installed, not DCC decoders. BlueRail boards will work on DC and DCC layouts.
Thanks for watching,
Dana Kawala
Senior editor
Sorry – great idea but not interested until it does sound.
Will the locos speed matched this way remain matched with other systems, such as visiting other layouts ??
Sounds like a easy way to speed match. I would agree with Jesse Hermes about the use of an IR sensor; and further make it applicable to all DCC decoders and control units.
Since it’s bluetooth and bi-directional, they should take this one step further. Put a small IR sensor/camera in the bottom of each locomotive and watch the ties roll by (similar to how a computer mouse knows how fast you are moving it) to get the true travel speed of the locomotive and speed match automatically.