The Future of Model Railroading! BLUNAMI!

Check out ‪@SidsTrains‬ video which overviews installation of Blunami!
• REVOLUTIONARY TECH | I...
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[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

While I really enjoy my hand-held remotes, it does appear the use of apps on our phones to run our trains will be the way of the future. I am impressed with what modelers like Sid, Johnny (Audamus), Tristan, and others have done with Blunami. Very impressive. Thanks for another great video. Bill B.

[@tomrogers5516]

Blunami is a real game changer for the hobby. Not too many collectors have given it a good look imao, so I'm glad you took the time to introduce it today. I think it's a super technical advance.

[@justinp142]

I have 2 Blunami’s I need to install! Super excited!! Thanks to Sid’s Trains for his demonstration

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

We hope to see the result!

[@ChrisBookeBass]

I’ve only been in this hobby, a few of years. My first command control trains were only controlled with a phone, so I never had the experience of using the remote. I very much enjoy, using a phone or a pad to control the trains.

[@Dadified86]

Reminds me of Lionchief with more options. This is a great option for updating conventional engines to have “command control”. If I find my White Whale at York this year, that might be a fun way to bring it into the 21st century! Great video, Chris! Looking forward to seeing you at the show in a few weeks!

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

We really need a TrainWiki for simple repairs and installation of things like BlueNami.

[@wcmodelrailroad]

Great demonstration of Blunami Chris! I think something important to note is that you are actually changing variables (DCC CVs) on the engine itself so all settings are saved there and not in the app. This means whatever settings you make will be the same if you lend the engine out or have to reinstall the app.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

I have Blunami in 3 of my G scale steam locomotives. I like it and have purchased another decoder, now I just need to get the time to install it.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

The new high-tech electronics are interesting but what REALLY caught my attention was that 0-4-0 tank engine. You know, I've seen them around and haven't thought much of them but NOW I see the possibility of doing some custom paint jobs on 'em! Woo-hoo! It was certinly worth my time watching this video even if the Blunami tsunami never hits my layout. (By the way, they used to call them tidal waves before the Japanese word tsunami became fashionable. Know what tsunami means in Japanese? Tidal wave. 🤣)

[@johncrowley3722]

No command station... No TIU to fry out?! brilliant!

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks!

[@rogerstrate5727]

Ha ha ha, why don't you tell us what you really think Chris? Seriously, I have been watching other videos on the Blunami and I am very excited to see options like this that give the hobby some awesome choices and I think, like you, this could very well be an option for the future of this great hobby. Thanks for another great video.

[@spdixonme]

I have 2 Blunami locos and they are my favorites to operate. Blunami is excellent for the person who wants the feel like they are actually operating a real locomotive. It’s not for the person who just wants to just throw a a couple of switches to turn no the layout and then sit back and just watch the trains run.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@therosejewelrailroad489]

Seems like the way to go. I’m wondering if Lionel and MTH might just give in and have their locomotives come ready to go with this set up. Considering the time and money Lionel and MTH got invested into the next operating systems. They might consider going with a proven technology at some point and just focusing on making the locomotives better. It would be nice to have one system to run both brands.

[@asteroidrules]

MTH is close to it. Blunami is an extension of DCC, which MTH already supports. I've been fitting my locomotives with non-blunami DCC and it is a great upgrade.

[@TheTrainboard]

I love all of the customization you can do with different sounds, but my major gripe is the lack of integration with a smoke unit. - Ryan

[@rgoscale]

Looking forward to trying this one day on one of my locomotives!

[@jacksonthomas1851]

Very cool to see an HO tech be used in O.

[@davidkoehler136]

I think you will find, wireless control started in large scale

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

I had forgotten that I placed a preorder deposit on a CAB3, 26 months ago. I would never have guessed that it would take this long...and longer...for delivery. Pretty darned sad.

[@tristanmundis3040]

Very well done. A good basic overview of the system!

[@edstone7143]

Great video Chris. Thanks. The only drawback to Blunami that I have seen is its inability to control smoke units. I suspect that will soon be rectified.

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

Agreed! I think it's best for a diesel upgrade right now.

[@asteroidrules]

You can probably DIY it with some relays. Soundtraxx's regular DCC decoders come with a couple of outputs that can be used to drive relays.

[@nishrus93]

I got to have smoke. Add smoke control and it becomes a winner

[@TehBellcarl]

Seems perfect for Williams engines.

[@Guytrains]

Love all the technology 👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂

[@curtishoman7867]

Personal Preference ----- DCS NOT Legacy. Blunami becomes quite expensive if you are converting all your engines and accessories.

[@DeerbrookSouthernRR]

I have that exact engine and I thought wow this would be so cool to put a chip in but I doubt it would fit. Thanks for confirming that it will

[@scottfrezza3573]

Might be a game changer ! I could see early tmcc and Proto sound locomotives benefiting from this, while being affordable to newer hobbyists.

[@prhf]

No Smoke controller to do sound synchronized chuffing with smoke output and you are limited to 4 amps of motor stall current. Protosound 3 upgrade kits are $200 and PS32 stacker kits will replace bad PS2 boards directly with very little effort. However, these would be excellent upgrades for Williams & Menards engines and I agree that the phone apps will be a segway to getting kids involved with model trains going forward.

[@fairestofthemalllocomotive4802]

Well literally yesterday I was wondering if those 0-4-0s could fit Blunami! Thanks for answering Chris great video!

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

These must be very small boards to fit in a small engine. Maybe refit old conventional control engines to command control? 🤷🏻‍♂️😃👊

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Great video!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video 😊

[@mikesamericanflyertrains]

Thanks for another awesome and very informative video. After watching your video as well as Audamus Trains video on Blunami, my interest is piqued. The extensive features and options are compelling but, like you, I would need a skilled friend to do the upgrade. I’ve used the LionChief/FlyerChief app from my cell and tablet, but miss the tactile feel of a handheld remote. With that said, I do have the Base 3 on preorder and realize I will be using an app with it, so there’s that. The future looks interesting for model railroading for sure!

[@unclebuck5592]

Lots of info about the blunami. This is the first time that I heard of it. If you are going to toss out your DCS and Cab 2 systems, let me know, I'm interested in both of those systems.

[@joecarlson6428]

Can Blunami be added to a Postwar steam locomotive like the 685 steam or the 2348 GP9?

[@SignalLightProductions]

Really exciting technology! I'm also considering converting my 3rd Rail Chargers to Blunami. Is there a Cummins prime mover sound set? At least we could get the right horn and bell.

[@johnandrus3901]

A very nice and informative review. Sid, over on his channel, did a nice tutorial on installation and how it works. It would be nice, though, if it would work on post-war AC locomotives. I only have one DC engine, which is an MTH Rail King Southern Ps-4 Pacific. I like the sounds, smoke and electronic E-unit. I'm planning on adding a few electronic E-units, but until they come out with Blunami for AC engines, I'll have to wait for all of the bells and whistles. Once again, a great video, as always.

[@daveprasse6643]

Awesome test ! My MTH engines will be getting this convetsion ... love my Lionel Legacy and wont be converting them ...

[@ganrailroad]

Lionel and mth are aware of blunami. With the base 3 and wtiu both companies will within several years make all of these features available without having to tear apart the engine. You might have to pay a little extra to access the extra features. I just started back in the hobby buying new engines 4 years ago, and have been using the app on a phone, and tablet as well as the universal remote, you get used to the app and rarely look at the screen.

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, can you use any bt receiver with the blunami app? .Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@davidkoehler136]

I think you will love it! But then again I do dead rail!

[@keithneal3253]

If I ran Lionel or MTH I would seriously think about acquiring this company. They seem to do a better job developing sound and control technology.

[@daivdwalker2374]

What's reverb?

[@doubleutubefan5]

So would Blue nami be able to run a legacy engine or would there need to be board changes done

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

You’d need to swap the board

[@daivdwalker2374]

Do you need 2 buy a Blunami board or chip 4 the Locomotive too? And how much are those?

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

Yes, that's all you need to buy, the app is free.

[@arthurs5704]

I have a non operating MTH proto 2.0 and a Lionel> Does this BLUNAMI replace those control boards i n those engines?

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

Sure can!

[@zackthies7877]

Im not to keen on phone operation i think legacy was at its peak with the cab2

[@trekkeruss]

I assume you could use cheap tablets or bluetooth music players.

[@markericson6418]

Can you have both in 1 engine?

[@markericson6418]

P.S. what’s up with Phillies gear?

[@camaschris4196]

Tigers are the team to follow 😂

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

Good question, my understanding is that you can only have one control system.

[@MrStevesTrains]

Ehh? I’m good. Just sticking to my originals. -Thanks

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

So sick of all this crap with all the electronics. Running trains with the phone 📱 give me a break. Most of us are not trying to operate a club sized layout by yourself. All the electronics make the hobby expensive. I have 4 loops, no switches , no hills. Just conventional control. Electronics have a short service life and a short short shelf life as well. All the sound crap becomes loud and botheresome when running trains. Train nuts are born not made. People not interested in trains won't become interested in them simply because now you can run them on your phone 📱. All the electronics crap is expensive to repair or replace. Ridiculous prices won't encourage people to join the hobby.

[@Dadified86]

Plenty of folks joining the hobby and aren’t deterred from electronics. If we stay in conventional yes it will be cheaper but the interactive element with engines, the control you’re able to use, I see it as a progression of all the interactive accessories and animated scenes that bring more life to a layout overall. Conventional is still able to be used on all of the engines, even brand new ones. The simplicity is nice to have, but the way forward is not to limit options but give more people more ways to enjoy them.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@Dadified86 Lionel has changed control systems 4 times in 25 years. New control systems can run older locos but old systems can't access the features of the new ones so you have to expensively upgrade to the new ones. People used to run trains for fun and relaxation now you need a college degree in electronics.

[@johnandrus3901]

I do agree, somewhat. I have all conventional and it is just fine. I think that operating with your phone can be pretty distracting, because you will be scrolling through different screens while operating, instead of actually watching the trains. At least with the remotes, once you learn where each button is, you can hold them in your hand and press a button or turn a knob, without looking. I would, though, like to add electronic E-units, whistles and new-style, fan driven smoke units, to some of my engines. They do wire right in and you can put the old units back in, if need be. The only non-post-war and MPC locomotive that I have is an MTH Ps-4 Pacific, which I run conventionally. The reversing unit is much better than an E-unit and the whistle is fine, too. It would be nice to have a sound-set that has the traditional Lionel whistle, though, which I still enjoy.

[@johnandrus3901]

@@Dadified86 I can see your point. The problem is, to me, that you will have your face buried in the phone, to change screens and scroll to find what you are looking for. A remote in your hand is easier. It is like typing, once you know the keys, you don't have to look. It may be the future, but it doesn't mean that it is better. Love your channel, by the way.

[@Dadified86]

@@frankmarkovcijr5459 im literally at my layout relaxing running all of these on command. Haven’t upgraded a thing and some of my engines are around that 25-year-old mark. Lionchief, TMCC, Legacy, I have three running at once on the main line and one on the separate elevated line. Just switching between engines to change speed or blow a whistle or make em talk. I come down here to unwind and relax from work. No degree here 📜

[@valchavez9163]

That is horse crap....shame on you for doing this video.....lionel and mth is killing this hobby..let alone the high prices they charge for their locos and cars.......think about it......

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

What do their prices have to do with this video? Blunami offers the opportunity for people to upgrade locomotives and bypass Lionel or MTH.

[@prhf]

@@ChrissTrainsandThings You still have to buy the locomotive from one of the major manufacturers. IF you could get them to sell it without electronics as "Blunami Ready" the high cost is still the same by the time you add a Blunami upgrade kit. I'd like them to make a Bluetooth add-on for MTH PS3 engine to use the Bluenami app with existing MTH DCC decoders in PS3 engines. This would cost so much less than a full Blunami upgrade.

[@UrMomsChauffer]

Figured it was just a matter of time before these apps started showing up. My question is, how much data would be used on your device, if you have several locos stored on there. Go Phils!!!

[@gigasaurus]

The data all lives in the decoder (and can be edited with your smart device), so there is really no limit on how many trains you control with one phone/tablet.