There’s an App for That Remember, too, that addition-
al apps can make a smart device even more useful during an oper- ating session. Need a fast clock? As the saying
goes, “There’s an app for that.” My iPod Touch throttle is also loaded with apps for a scale ruler, WiTh- rottle (for visits to layouts where that’s the primary throttle app in use), and a scale speed calculator. In addition, the device came
with several useful features as standard. These include a note- pad — a great way to keep track of bad orders or other points for post-session debriefings. Of course, there’s an impressive, built-in digital camera to take pho- tos and videos during operating sessions, because who doesn’t like to do that?
A Complement – Not a Replacement Is it time to sell all my conven-
tional throttles? The short answer is, “No.” TouchCab is a complement to
the traditional throttles, not a re- placement. It’s a great way to add wireless throttles to a layout — and can even be used as the pri- mary throttles during an operat- ing session. However, I still plan to keep a traditional Lenz LH100 keypad throttle handy (and a sec- ond one in reserve). For starters, I still require a full-function throttle for program- ming decoders. TouchCab is a throttle — nothing more. In addition, manufacturers like
Apple regularly update the operat- ing systems for modern wireless devices, and it’s possible a throttle app might no longer work proper- ly, or at all, after such an update. Perhaps the developer needs time to update their app to the new op- erating system’s requirements. Worse, it could be a permanent error. I should stress that Apple has
updated the operating system on my wireless devices several
times in the past couple of years, and I have not had any issues with TouchCab. Should such an issue ever arise, I would still want to be able to operate my lay- out while the developer sorts out the problem.
Geek Appeal I enjoy using a 21st
Century throttle app to run the steam locomo- tive-powered trains on my 1950s-era layout. It’s functional and intuitive, and there’s a cool factor that appeals to my inner geek. I’m excited by the idea
that throttle apps can be upgraded as new features are introduced to DCC without requiring costly investment in hardware. I also like that such up- grades can simply and quickly be downloaded from the Inter- net instead of sending hardware to a manufacturer for upgrading. Finally, I think this is a great way for round-robin groups and club layouts to add a large num- ber of robust wireless throttles relatively inexpensively. After all, many of us already have the re- quired throttle hardware in our pockets.
Easy Menus TouchCab’s menus are easy to use. As the au- thor explains, it’s pos- sible to assign a name as well as an address to a decoder and use icons on the function buttons. Also, the ability to asso- ciate a name with a DCC address is handy if the equipment’s road number does not work well with traditional addressing conventions. The author’s Burro Crane is a good example — the model is not equipped with a road number.
I’ve been running trains via
throttle app for a couple of years now, and I’m very pleased with the results. I hope sharing my experiences will help others decide whether adding a wire- less throttle app — TouchCab, WiThrottle or something else — to their operating sessions is something they would like to explore.
Wallet Case While a wallet-style case is less ergonomic than the protective back- ing plate, it provides a handy spot for an engi- neer’s cheat sheet, with everything from notes on headlight, bell, and whistle use to speed re- strictions and the loca- tion of commonly used functions. TouchCab can control up to 29 func- tions (laid out in groups of eight on multiple screens). It can also be used to control turnouts and signals or other ac- cessories, although the author does not use these capabilities on his layout.
AUGUST 2015 43
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