WiThrottle App Reviews

We transfer money over €4 billion every month. We enable individual and business accounts to save 4 million Euros on bank transfer fees. Want to send free money abroad or transfer money abroad for free? Free international money transfer!

This Changes Everything!. I have to update my review (below) from 7 years ago; this Version 3 is incredible. The new features interface with Decoder Pro seamlessly and offer so much more. When I consider how much money I had spent on 3 DCC throttles, the price of this app seems to be much too low, since it offers more features than the throttles do with a much easier to use interface. What’s changed most since I first reviewed this app? Today when I visit my friends’ layouts, more often than not I’ll be operating trains with my iPhone. Thank you for continuing to improve WiThrottle. The original review: Until last year I had almost lost interest in model railroading. Here I was in the 21st century still running model trains with 19th century technology. Digital command control (DCC) changed all that -- suddenly model trains could be computerized. Then came the interface that allowed me to run my trains with my computer using free Decoder Pro software available at jmri.org. This was getting exciting. But nothing prepared me for this app. Imagine running your trains without wires, using the iPhone, iPod or iPad you already own! Speed up, slow down, reverse, blow the horn or turn on the lights, all with a tap on the screen. I had anticipated some difficulty in getting this setup to work (since it involved a hand-held device, a computer, two separate software programs and that leftover 19th century technology) but after downloading WiThrottle I was running trains in just a couple minutes on a very well thought out and intuitive interface. Just open a window in Decoder Pro and WiThrottle hooks right on, ready to go. Up until now, you've been able to have our friends over to look at your trains. Imagine how much more impressed they'll be when you can hand them your iPhone and let them actually operate a train!

Wow. Absolutely fantastic. Everything it's supposed to be. I've been a model railroader for over thirty years but I'm new to DCC. I use a Sprog III DCC system but I really wanted a wireless controller for operations. This is the answer. In no time I was running not just one but two locomotives at the same time. It is so cool using my iPhone as the controller. Super easy to use controls. You can choose different options on controller configurations and a split screen option to run two locos at once. It's great being able to follow my train around the layout. Thanks for this app. It is just about the most enjoyable one I have.

Great controller.. When I got a MTH j class I was annoyed to see I couldn't consist easily with my power cab. With this controller though in able to consist all the locos that I want. From whatever manufacturer. It's great. Super easy to use as well. Thanks!

Very Good. For what it does, it does it very well. Just follow the instructions and it worked. I'd like to see turnout controls, a way to juggle two locos on one screen and the ability to make and break consists. If it gets that, then it gets 5 stars.

Great. I love to control my Trains on my phone and my Laptop!

Unable to Operate JMRI Turnouts. There is a bug with controlling turnouts which I found out at my club. The app will not allow me to operate turnouts.

Good but could be better. A bit expensive for relatively few extra features. One draw back is that only a slide throttle is available, no SS control, which could easily be achieved.

It works great!. I use this app to control all the trains and switches in my layout. When friends come to visit, they can download the free lite version and join in on the fun! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could

Used to work great. WiThrottle (and Lite) will go nuts if you have network set to autodetect. Temporarily disabling wifi and then setting WiThrottle to manually enter network settings will work as a work around. Otherwise, still a great throttle program in need of some attention (updates).

Just the right size!. Using it reminds me of the first week of running trains with DCC with a silly grin the whole time. Visitors to our layout tours were amazed when handed the iPhone to run some trains. No problems so far. Can't wait to see what the upgrades will add. My choice would be the ability to throw turnouts.

The Gold Standard for Model Railroad controller apps. I've been using WiThrottle since June 2015, and have yet to be disappointed. At times, the app is more reliable than the NCE throttles used by my club, and it really shows.

User. Finally set-up the JMRI solution on an old laptop to run with an MRC system. Easier to do then I expected. Then I downloaded this app and it works better with the JMRI server than my MRC system does. I am no longer using the MRC handhelds. I do wish the volume buttons could adjust the speed up and down in 1 unit increments though!

Works great on iPad. Love this app! I had trouble understanding how to connect it to the MRC transformer. Sent inquiry to support and heard back the next day. Great support! Got it connected and am enjoying it very much! The ‘Roster’ is great as I can set up a file for each locomotive and give the function keys a name instead of having to look at a sheet with the function number assignments.

A Perfect Addition!. Wow! All I can say is that I've been waiting a long time for someone to finally bring an app like this to life! While my current throttle (DT400) keeps me tethered to the layout, this app allows me to roam freely and follow my trains. The $10.00 they want for this app is a far cry from what it would cost to install a Digitrax UR92 radio receiver ($160) and the cheap UTR4 radio utility throttle ($129). My iPod Touch is probably going to be my go-to throttle from now on. Heck, between this and Decoder Pro (which is required, but free), my Digitrax throttle may soon become irrelevant. I look forward to future advances and updates to add even more capabilities.

Almost perfect. I pair this with the WiFi track module and train control couldn’t be simpler. The only things that would make this PERFECT for me an the display-type runs I prefer would be if the trains didn’t stop when the app closes (I.e. phone sleeps). Would absolutely make my day if they could solve for this.

Great App! (v1.2.1). Has some minor problems getting switch names and function labels from Decoder Pro, but otherwise functions perfectly! Exactly what I needed to add wireless throttles to our DCC controlled layout.

Good, but Better UI Would Make it Great. This is an awesome solution for a low-cost DCC soft throttle, especially when compared to the cost of some of the hard throttles out there. However, the user interface is garish and looks like it was put together with very little attention to the look & feel/aesthetics. Type is of various point sizes throughout and usually not well aligned. Graphics elements are extremely simple colored boxes - no gradients, shadows or anything but 90-degree right angles (everything is a simple rectangle). All of this combines to give the app a simplistic, almost toy-like appearance. It looks to the eye very much like this is an alpha version used for UI art concepting - not a final, marketed product. Really hoping an update comes along to give this awesome, indispensable tool a much-needed facelift.

The best way to control your model railroad ever!. I'm using it with NCE DCC. It took a little while to set up JMRI on an old PC, but now I can control my all my trains much easier than ever. I especially like the way it displays the custom function labels I created for all my sound functions in JMRI decoder Pro. I find with this it is also much easier to pick my DCC controlled turnouts, than it ever was with the NCE handheld controller. I use this APP every time I run my trains now. If you are ever wishing you had a wireless handheld, don't buy one, download this instead!

WiThrottle. Nice App I like controlling my trains with it. I hope they make an iPad version. With the screen size of the iPad a lot could be added. Thanks

Cool app!. This works exactly as advertised! It is nice to have an app that does what it is supposed to do.

Good app but needs to support way better. This app is great in all with everything you can do with it, but with esu decoders using up to 30+ functions it really limits you with their decoders. If the developers of WiThrottle are reading this please can you support this in the future so we can get past those limitations that we have now.

Great app!. This app works extremely well with my digitrax module. Response is immediate and is easier for me to use vice my dt400. I actually prefer my phone as a controller. I am able to control switches as easily as with a digitrax throttle. UI graphics are inconsequential to the operation of the functions and provide excellent responses. Keep the improvements coming.

Railroad revival!. Our older Digitrax system was due for new throttles, and setting up jmri and using iPods and smart phones was considerably cheaper! Turnout control is a totally awesome feature and everything works great together! It brought new life to this old railroad! Definitely a must have!

The perfect wireless throttle!. This app works great! Just wish it would show your layout with JMRI and switch orientation. Love it! Highly recommend!

J the M. Best App of 2009! It works as advertised, nice addition to the DCC System. Can't wait to see how things develop in the future. FYI app is installed on ITouch 2g, and is controlling a Digitrax DCC system through JMRI on a Windows XP Acer Netbook. Geek Factor, I give it a 10!

Great App but does not work with my phone. I have this app running on some older iphones and it works just great. I love the interface. I have absolutely no complaint about this in that respect. This app is my favorite way to run trains. In fact I have sold some of my Digitrax throttles because this is such a great app. But, my iPhone XR running latest iOS will not connect to the server (I am using Digitrax LNWI). It can’t find the LNWI no matter what (even putting in the IP address). If that could get fixed I would be a real happy camper!

It’s great but falls short of the android version.. Really great throttle and super easy to use. But need when standing next to an android user iOS version needs some help and quick.

It's great! One suggestion for the next revision.... If you have a DCC layout, do yourself a huge favor and get familiar with JMRI then GET THIS APP! It's really a great addition to the railroad. My only suggestion for improvement, is to allow screen rotation. My switch panel is drawn in landscape, and it's akward to rotate the ipad from portrait (throttle mode) to land scape (web server mode) to manipulate switches. Keep up the great work!

Love this app. I have a LocoNet compatible system and have thought about buying a wireless throttle. When I saw the annoucement for this app, I decided to try it out immediately since its just small fraction of the cost of a dedicated wireless throttle. It worked flawlessly on the very first go. I had no problem installing it on my iPod Touch. Its great to be able to follow my train around the layout. In terms of bang-for-the buck, this app can't be beat!

Great App if you do not have a wireless system. I find it very cool to be able to use my Iphone to control my layout. The sliding Function keys is a nice feature as well.

works great.. awesome app, very simple to use. minor glitchy unresponsive throttle slider for me but otherwise great app. wish it had dcc-ex functions and customizable features like the free android app.

Man, this is one sweet app!. For $10 I get the power of a dedicated wireless throttle on my existing iPhone?!? I LOVE it!

Amazing Innovation. This app is amazing and is going to be transformative of the way that model trains are controlled. a $10 app is much more affordable than a bunch of $180 throttles and a UR92. I was absolutely amazing when I saw a modular club using it, and they let me take control of a switcher with my iPod Touch. Yard mode is really slick, and makes switching easier than on the Digitrax throttles. It is easier to use than a dedicated throttle, and is easier for non train enthusiasts to use, since they are used to the iPod Touch interface. This will be partially replacing my DT400Rs and UR91. Wifi is also a lot more reliable, and has more options for boosting the signal than Digitrax's wireless system. I'd really like to see multiple train control, consisting, Ops mode programming, and switch control in this though. Maybe a $15 Pro version with all of that stuff?

Great app for the price and name. This app fits our studio needs perfectly. We have more trains than Digitrax throttles (Who woulda thunk it?) and the WiThrottle throttles work great with our Linux dispatch centre. The disconnect auto-stop is great, but I'd love to be able to throw switches. Who knows, maybe soon we can have on-cab signalling, block announcement, maybe even iPhone dispatching! Great app. A way to disable the auto-stop would be nice (HTML switch control)

Wonderful App. This is the best $10 app I have purchased. This app works seamlessly with JMRI and made my transition to DCC a joy. For anyone interested in the model railroad hobby this is a top notch app because it is intuitive, flexible and works with on most iPad and iPhones. Save time and energy by investing in this first before purchasing more expensive radio stations for wireless control. Beware you will need to invest in some hardware before using this product. It is not a stand-alone app. Do a little homework to maximize the enjoyment.

Works great. Controls my digitrax system, and just works. Easy to use.

Works like a charm!. All I can say is WOW! It took about 10 minutes to set up and works like a charm. I prefer it to any of my Digitrax throttles. I have only one comment/question. When switching locks, rather than stopping the current loco, could it be left running at it's last setting? The only reason I gave it 4 not 5 stars is that I'm sure there are updates and improvments to come.

Absolutely amazing!. I just tried the Lite version and was so impressed that I immediately bought the full program. Used with JMRI 3.2 on an old Acer desktop running Windows XP Pro and an NCE USB interface to an NCE Power Cab DCC system (v.1.28c). The only hiccup was the driver install for the USB interface and that was resolved quickly. Still trying to figure out how to label the function buttons, but I suspect that is done thru the JMRI which I have yet to fully explore.

Fantastic!. What a great app for us train junkies. I have a digitrax system with two wireless throttles. This app is as good as the the digitrax versions. Can't wait to see what else is added. Turnout control would be good. Keep up the good work.

Amazing app. Best $10 I have spent in a long time!. Using with MRC Prodigy Express Squared with Wi-Fi Module. I can see and easily control 4 locomotives from my iPad at one time. No switching screens, no switching back and forth.

WiThrottle. Great app. Saves having to buy separate controllers for my Digitrax Zephyr.

Works great until you change focus to another app.. This app does everything I want as long as my phone doesn't go to sleep or I change focus to a different app. When that happens connection to the JMRI server drops and I have to reconnect. This is a problem if I get a text or phone call or want to look something up while running my loco. Other apps don't stop if they go to the background. Not sure why this one does.

Did you know that you can earn 25 USD from our site just by registering? Get $25 for free by joining Payoneer!

Great stuff. Best train app ever

WiThrottle JMRI Wireless Interface. This is an excellent app for users of the JMRI model railroad control program. It enables users to control their model railroads locomotives speed and direction at the slide or a tap on the intelligently designed screen throttle. A tap on the named function buttons allows the control of the headlight, and on sound equipped loco’s, the full control of all the sounds available from the model. Preset routes can be changed by simply tapping the route on the screen as can any turnout, which immediately receives feedback of its state (if implemented on the layout) making yard work a breeze. Setting up or adding another loco to a consist is as simple as selecting it from your roster which is automatically up loaded to your device from the JMRI program. This is a top, well developed application.

awesome app. Trialed this app, then purchased. I run with JMRI & digitrax PR3 on a small layout. Perfect for switching and running up to 3 trains when used with Zephyr. Absolutely no need to spend money on wireless control, or indeed another tethered controller.

Great app. Been using it for 2 weeks now with JMRI and Lenz DCC with up to 5 WiThrottle in use at once - 3 iPhones and 2 iPod Touches. Works well with Tsunami sound decoders and if you use the brake function, best to remap from F11 to F5 so it is on same pane as lights and horn/whistle. See Tsunamu user guide for how to remap brake function.

Imagine you at your best. All the time. Picture yourself at your sharpest and most productive. Your most alert and focused. Your most lucid, creative and confident. At work. At play. In every area of your life. Add Mind Lab Pro® v4.0 to your daily routine and uncap your true potential. Buy Now!

Great just needs support. Love this app. It just needs a few connection bug fixes again. With JMRI updating Frequently this app needs to update as well. Thanks guys.

Great app!. Controlling trains from my iPhone, need I say anything more? Features/upgrades I would love to see is support for landscape orientation and perhaps the ability to show more than two throttles on iPads/iPad Minis.

Not impressed. As so often happens it seems that changes are made just to make changes. This is not an improvement over earlier versions of WiThrottle imho. The earlier versions of WiThrottle we simpler,more intuitive and had a better user-interface. This latest version is not nearly as intuitive and the user-interface is much more clumsy....not too much fun. Overly complex and clunky.

Works great! Highly recommend!!. I don't know about earlier versions, but this version is so simple to use! Took me some time to figure out that you have to keep swiping right to get to your turnouts and routes. I'm running a Raspberry Pi with a Pi-Sprog and have had no issues at all with this app connecting to my JMRI. JMRI is about of a learning curve but the WiThrottle app is super easy to use! I highly recommend!

Not good. If it would worked I would like it will not log on :(

Nice but needs updating. Nice little app but needs to be updated to keep it functional with jmri. Had to go back to jmri 5.0 because this app would not connect to jmri 5.2

Adsterra is the most preferred ad network for those looking for an alternative to AdSense. Adsterra is the ideal choice for new sites with low daily traffic. In order to advertise on the site in Adsterra, like other ad networks, a certain traffic limit, domain age, etc. is required. There are no strict rules. Sign up!