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JMRI: WiFi Connected Throttle

The WiThrottle window controls the connection between WiFi throttles, e.g. an iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android Phone, and JMRI.

It can be set to start automatically with the "Start Up" section in the "JMRI Preferences".

Preferences for the WiFi throttles can be found in the JMRI Preferences under the heading WiThrottle.

This utility broadcasts its connection information across all local networks, so it can be picked up by any device looking for the service. This eliminates having to enter connection information into the device. If the computer running JMRI is protected by a software firewall, you may need to add an exception for JMRI or disable the firewall to allow the WiFi throttle to connect.

When using a WiFi throttle, if the computer enters sleep mode, control will be lost. System preferences may need to be adjusted to prevent the computer from putting itself to sleep when it is inactive. EngineDriver for Android devices WiThrottle for Apple devices DigiTrains for Android devices

To use your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with JMRI as a throttle, you run the WiThrottle app on the iPhone or iPod Touch. The basic application is available for free download from the iTunes store.

To use your Android device with JMRI as a throttle, you run the Engine Driver app or Digitrains on the Android device. These free apps are available from the Google Play Store or the EngineDriver site

You can use any of these devices via the same or a different (remote) network than the one that your JMRI computer is running on. See below for more information on remote use of mobile devices.

The protocol is described on a separate page. For more on JMRI networking, see the networking technical page.

You can also use a web browser in your device to run trains if for some reason you can't install an app on the device.

Function Labels

Function labels can be customized for each roster entry through JMRI, using the Labels & Media button. These labels will then be displayed in place of the generic F1, F2... on the screen of the mobile device. The labels can be added when a new roster entry is created, or by editing an existing roster entry under the Function Labels tab.

Routes & Turnouts

The app can control any turnouts (and routes) that JMRI can control. NOTE: By default, EngineDriver only lists turnouts and routes which have User Names. This can be changed in EngineDriver Preferences.

Additionally, you can limit what turnouts appear. In JMRI, with the WiThrottle window active, there is a menu named WiThrottle. It has an item titled "Routes and Turnouts" that will let you pick which turnouts to display or hide.

Advanced Consisting

There are now two options for how Advanced (or Decoder Assisted) Consisting is handled. This can be selected from the WiThrottle portion of JMRI Preferences.

The default is NMRA Format. This will build a consist using NMRA consisting commands. It does not use any techniques specific to the connected DCC system. This allows WiFi throttles to work in a DCC manufacturer independent way. These consists may perform better for building and controlling with WiFi devices.

The second option is DCC Brand-Specific which will build consists in a manner where they will function as though built using a throttle from the DCC manufacturer. This will follow manufacturer specific features as to how consists are built and controlled. These consists should perform better when built with a WiFi device, but controlled by a throttle from the DCC manufacturer of your system.

Using A Remote Mobile Device Throttle

Typically, people using smartphones or tablets as throttles are physically in the same room as the layout they are controlling. Mobile device throttles, however, can be operated from anywhere in the world, significantly adding to the fun of model railroading by making it possible to share control of a layout with family or friends many miles away.

Setting up a mobile device throttle is straighforward, as discussed above. Apps such as the similarly named WiThrottle (for IOS devices) and EngineDriver (for Android devices) will either recognize that JMRI WiThrottle Server is transmitting or ask you to connect to the server manually by entering its IP address and port. The WiThrottle Server displays its broadcast IP address and port in the top section of the WiThrottle window. If you are using a typical home router, this will begin with 192 or 10 and consist of four parts, for example 192.168.0.103. This "internal" IP address will only be recognized by other devices connecting to the same local network.

Setting up for a remote mobile device throttle requires some additional steps. If the mobile device you are going to use as a throttle is connecting to a different network than your local network (as, for example, is obviously the case if the remote operator is in another city), that mobile device will have to be told the "external" or "public" address of your JMRI computer and a port number that will allow it to connect remotely to your JMRI computer. You can look up the public IP address for your local router either by logging into the router's administrative portal or using a browser on your JMRI computer to go to the web site WhatIsMyPublicIP.com or similar. You then have to create a link between that IP address and a port number to the internal IP address and port number of the JMRI WiThrottle Server. This is called "port forwarding" and needs to be set up on your local router. Setting up port forwarding varies with the model of router so we won't attempt to give specific instructions on how to do that. However, detailed instructions can usually be found on the internet and the topic has been addressed in the JMRI online forum as well.

Once you have determined the public address of your JMRI computer and set up port forwarding to the WiThrottle Server, you enter this information into the throttle app on your mobile device. You will know you have been successful when your mobile device's name appears in the WiThrottle Server window and your engine roster appears on your app.

TROUBLESHOOTING: if you get an error or your mobile device app doesn't appear to connect, check that you have the correct internal and public IP addresses (which may change from day to day due to the way your network router and internet service provider assign addresses), correct port number, and that you saved the port forwarding information to your router's memory.

Now all you have to do is provide a way for the remote engineer to talk with you and see your layout while he or she takes control of your JMRI-enabled layout via a mobile device throttle from anywhere in the world! [FYI: use FaceTime or Skype or some other video system that provides realtime communication for this purpose. It is generally not recommended to use remote monitoring cameras such as are used for baby monitoring or security cameras as most introduce a several second delay -- something that could lead to some very interesting railroad accidents!]