With the layout now connected to the computer we can set up a JMRI Web Server to use Wifi throttles such as a smart phone or even allow remote operations through the web.

To start a web server with JMRI open and connected to the NCE system navigate to Actions>Start Wi Throttle Server

You’ll see this window note down the IP Address and port number (highlighted in yellow). In this example the IP address is 192.168.0.31 and the port is 12090. This IP address is internal to your home network, don’t panic your router firewall will prevent access to anyone from outside your home gaining access to your layout.

Now JMRI is running and allowing any device with WiThrottle or Engine Driver or any other supported app to connect to your computer and through it the layout. So lets in this example use the Android app Engine Driver.

When opening the app your device will either have found the server or you can enter the IP address and port number at the top as shown above. Hit connect and then you should be able to aquire a locomotive on your layout. If you have entered your roster into JMRI then you can see all locomotives in your roster rather than entering the DCC address.

Back over on the PC we can see how many wifi throttles we have connected on the WiThrottle screen.

This is a great way to add more throttles to your layout and to the basic NCE PowerCab system which limits you to only having 4 cabs.

I hope youhave found this useful, its not a huge step from here to remote ops so we’ll cover that in a future post.

For now, stay safe and keep working on your railroads.