In February, 2022, I started looking into how model railroading had changed since I was last involved in the hobby in the late 1980s.
I “discovered” Dead Rail while on YouTube, and since it paralleled my main hobby, electrically powered, radio controlled airplanes, I was intrigued.
I read, and watched YouTube videos, about all of the Dead Rail systems that I could find.
I saw a YouTube video that contained information about, and showed, the inside of the body shell of a Walthers EMD GP15-1.
It looked like one of the systems would work in that loco.
I bought the Walthers Trainline HO Scale 1/87 Flyer Express Fast-Freight Train Set - CSX Transportation. To have something to run Dead Rail on.
https://www.walthers.com/trainline-trainset-2021-csx
While doing more research, LocoFi popped up in my searches regarding Dead Rail. After reading about how LocoFi worked, and the specifications for the system, it was really a no brainer to purchase it, above all the others, to be installed in the Walthers EMD GP15-1.
It would have been a super easy install if DC track power was used, as the motor was already isolated from the frame by the factory install of the motor and the lights are LEDs. It would have been a very simple process to remove the PCB for the lights and install LocoFi.
I have two of these locomotives now, and they both run very well on DC track power and battery power, right out of the box.
I wanted to add a battery for Dead Rail operation, which was complicated only by the fitment of a battery and LocoFi into the body shell.
The LocoFi module is in the rear with the speaker attached to it and the battery is forward of that. The rear LED was out of its socket when the photo was taken. It was easily popped back into place.
The LocoFi APP is very easy to use and configure and the module and speaker work like a charm.
tHere’s a short video of the Dead Rail locomotive running on my fancy layout. Sorry about the garbled talking at the end of the video. The wife decided to tell me she was leaving to go get our granddaughter just then.
Thanks to the LocoFi team for all of their help on this project.
Ken Myers
Hello Ken,
Welcome back to the hobby and thank you for sharing the deadrail install of LocoFi™ in the Walthers GP15-1. It's incredible to see how you've achieved fitting both the module and the battery under the shell of the locomotive itself.
We're glad to hear that it worked out well for you and that you like the app. It indeed is very easy to configure and play around with. LocoFi™ performs best with battery power as there are no "dirty track" issues to worry about.
Looking forward to further developments. As always, feel free to reach out in case of any other issues or concerns.
Best regards,
LocoFi™ Team