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17 replies

Android Control of Your Layout

HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member

Lionel’s new Layout Control System looks pretty cool, but I have had the ability to operate my engines, switches and accessories from my computer for about 8 years and from my Android phone for about 3 years.  I have written my own Windows software and Android app.  It’s much cheaper than Lionel’s Layout Control System.  If you want to operate your engines, switches and accessories from your Android powered mobile device all you need is my Android app (available on the Play Store for $4.99), my Windows app (available on ebay for $29.95 ), a wi-fi network which you probably already have and an off the shelf serial cable to connect your computer to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

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HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:

That is AWESOME. But will it control MTH?

If MTH products can interpret Lionel TMCC codes then it might work.  I don't know much about MTH.

 

Your Android powered mobile device connect to your wireless router via wi-fi.  My Android app sends the commands over your network to your PC/laptop which must be running my Windows application.  The Windows application receives these commands and sends them out any DB-9 or USB port (COM PORT) you choose.  This port must be connected to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

Last edited by Harvy
FlashFlashOGR Forum Member

The Bluetrain app is a free download for your Android phone. The only thing else you need is a RS232 to Bluetooth adapter plugged into the serial port of your command base. You can probably find one for under $25. The only drawbacks are that you can only connect one Android device to your base at a time and its TMCC only. No Legacy specific commands or DCS commands.

The app itself just emulates the buttons and controls of a CAB1. You can also store loco/train descriptions within the app so all you have to do is pull up the menu and select the train you want.

 

I've exchanged some emails with the creator and it seems he wont be offering any updates or adding features to the app. So it is what it is until someone else picks it up and makes changes or updates.

Last edited by Flash
NT Nicks TrainsOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:

That is AWESOME. But will it control MTH?

If MTH products can interpret Lionel TMCC codes then it might work.  I don't know much about MTH.

 

Your Android powered mobile device connect to your wireless router via wi-fi.  My Android app sends the commands over your network to your PC/laptop which must be running my Windows application.  The Windows application receives these commands and sends them out any DB-9 or USB port (COM PORT) you choose.  This port must be connected to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

Interesting, what people do is they connect their tmcc bases to their dcs systems to run tmcc in tmcc mode using the dcs system (legacy can only run in tmcc mode, bummer.) Could the dcs base convert the signals into dcs readable signals, or isn't this possible?

 

P.S. I love your idea. Saw that on ebay but didn't take much notice. Thanks

HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member

I’ve looked at the Bluetrain Android app.  It’s basically a copy of the CAB-1.  My Windows application provides a nice user interface to make functions like adding devices, creating lash-ups and routes much easier.  Once these devices have been added to the database and you start my Android app, it will automatically grab them from the database and populate the appropriate dropdowns on your Android device.  This allows you to select whatever device you want to control easily.  You can also connect as many Android powered mobile devices as you want at the same time.

 

Last edited by Harvy
HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:

That is AWESOME. But will it control MTH?

If MTH products can interpret Lionel TMCC codes then it might work.  I don't know much about MTH.

 

Your Android powered mobile device connect to your wireless router via wi-fi.  My Android app sends the commands over your network to your PC/laptop which must be running my Windows application.  The Windows application receives these commands and sends them out any DB-9 or USB port (COM PORT) you choose.  This port must be connected to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

Interesting, what people do is they connect their tmcc bases to their dcs systems to run tmcc in tmcc mode using the dcs system (legacy can only run in tmcc mode, bummer.) Could the dcs base convert the signals into dcs readable signals, or isn't this possible?

 

P.S. I love your idea. Saw that on ebay but didn't take much notice. Thanks

I don't know.  All I can tell you is that my app sends out commands in TMCC format.  If you want to try my Windows app and it doesn't work to your satisfaction I will give you a full refund.

 

 

 

 

NT Nicks TrainsOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:

That is AWESOME. But will it control MTH?

If MTH products can interpret Lionel TMCC codes then it might work.  I don't know much about MTH.

 

Your Android powered mobile device connect to your wireless router via wi-fi.  My Android app sends the commands over your network to your PC/laptop which must be running my Windows application.  The Windows application receives these commands and sends them out any DB-9 or USB port (COM PORT) you choose.  This port must be connected to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

Interesting, what people do is they connect their tmcc bases to their dcs systems to run tmcc in tmcc mode using the dcs system (legacy can only run in tmcc mode, bummer.) Could the dcs base convert the signals into dcs readable signals, or isn't this possible?

 

P.S. I love your idea. Saw that on ebay but didn't take much notice. Thanks

I don't know.  All I can tell you is that my app sends out commands in TMCC format.  If you want to try my Windows app and it doesn't work to your satisfaction I will give you a full refund.

 

 

 

 

I will try it, I don't think that refund will be necessary.

HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Nicks Trains:

That is AWESOME. But will it control MTH?

If MTH products can interpret Lionel TMCC codes then it might work.  I don't know much about MTH.

 

Your Android powered mobile device connect to your wireless router via wi-fi.  My Android app sends the commands over your network to your PC/laptop which must be running my Windows application.  The Windows application receives these commands and sends them out any DB-9 or USB port (COM PORT) you choose.  This port must be connected to your TMCC or LCS base unit.

Interesting, what people do is they connect their tmcc bases to their dcs systems to run tmcc in tmcc mode using the dcs system (legacy can only run in tmcc mode, bummer.) Could the dcs base convert the signals into dcs readable signals, or isn't this possible?

 

P.S. I love your idea. Saw that on ebay but didn't take much notice. Thanks

I don't know.  All I can tell you is that my app sends out commands in TMCC format.  If you want to try my Windows app and it doesn't work to your satisfaction I will give you a full refund.

 

 

 

 

I will try it, I don't think that refund will be necessary.

Great!  Thanks.  Just click on the ebay link in my original post to purchase and I will email it to you sometime today.

AGHRMattAGHRMattOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER
The App sounds interesting in that it takes a slightly different approach to communication with a TMCC command base.
 
The Bluetrain app was upgraded to communicate via WiFi to the Lionel LCS WiFi receiver. We've been using it for the past year with pretty good results. Because it's WiFi, multiple devices can communicate with the LCS WiFi.
 
I've also used the Bluetrain app with a Bluetooth-to-serial adapter. The catch as mentioned above is that there's a one-to-one connection to the Bluetooth receiver, plus there's the issue of range.
Last edited by AGHRMatt
HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by bigdodgetrain:

seeing how Lionel released the Legacy code are you going to build a Legacy app?

I have no plans to at this time, but my app will work with the Legacy Control System and Legacy engines.  You just won't be able to use the additional Legacy Control System features.

gunrunnerjohngunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Originally Posted by Harvy:
Originally Posted by Flyboy62:

Harvy:

 

I too would be interested in your software if it supported Legacy.  Maybe we can generate enough interest here to motivate you to tackle the project

dick

 

Well it does work with LCS and Legacy engines, you just won't be able to access the few additional commands that Legacy offers.

How exactly does it "work" with LCS? 

When I say it works with LCS I mean the Legacy Control System and not the Layout Control System.  I don't know why Lionel created two systems with the same Acronym.  Does that answer your question?

 Yep, and I replied in your new thread since this really has nothing to do with the Lionel LCS.

 

HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
I looked into the Legacy protocol again and it specifically states the Legacy base cannot directly receive Legacy formatted commands (TMCC2) through it's DB9 Serial port unlike the TMCC base can.  It says you must have either the Wi-Fi module or the SER2 module.  This discourages me even more from writing software that supports Legacy.
HarvyHarvyOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Why?  The SER2 is a pretty cheap unit, and if someone wants the added functionality, I doubt that would be a stumbling block.

 

Becasue I would also have to buy the Legacy Control System #990 and the cable to connect it to the Wi-Fi module.  Also, there are about a bazillion commands in the Legacy protocol.  I just don't have the time to code all that.

Last edited by Harvy

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