Wangrow

Summary	Wangrow Electronics, defunct in 2003. Early DCC manufacturer.
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Device Types	Command Station, Booster, Throttle

Wangrow Electronics produced DCC systems, commonly the Wangrow SystemOne. The founder, Don Wangrow, passed away in June 2003. The Wangrow SystemOne was announced in late 1994, retailing for $879. In 1995 Wangrow announced a 4A seven function decoder for large scale locomotives.

The SystemOne consisted of the CSP-01 command station and SRB-01 booster and block reverser. A WCT-01 walk around controller was also included. Additional boosters were 249.50, throttles 183.50. Later the WCT-31 intermediate and WCT-11 throttles appeared.

In 1996 Wangrow released software in the form of Commando, which could restore the command station's settings, and LocoCommand, for automating layout operation.

Many of the parts used to construct their systems were OEMed from NCE. NCE did much of the design, software and construction for the Wangrow SystemOne, in fact, some early NCE systems shipped with Wangrow's SystemOne manual, as it was the only one available at the time.

With the introduction of the NCE PowerHousePro, NCE became independent of Wangrow for sales. NCE offered Wangrow the system, but he passed on selling it. In 1999 development began on their own software and radio throttles. A 10A system also appeared for $909.

With the death of Don Wangrow in 2003, the company was soon closed and dissolved by the investors.

RamFixx Technologies

RamFixx Technologies was a Canadian company based in Mississauga Ontario.

RamFixx introduced their RamTraxx DCC system, based around the Wangrow SystemOne and NCE technologies. The RamTraxx system featured a new innovation: both the command station and a 5A booster in the same package. By combining both units into one integrated unit, RamFixx was able to reduce the cost by 20%. Some of their advertisements claimed their system was the affordable choice.

RamTraxx offered an upgradable EPROM, total compatibility with SystemOne, and the ability to also use boosters from Lenz and Digitrax. Other features included addresses up to 9999, 250 locomotives or consists, up to 63 cabs, and 14/28/128 speed steps. One interesting feature was the keyed lock on the command station/booster. In terms of features, RamTraxx and SystemOne were full featured, top of the line systems in their day.

A complete system retailed for $689.95 in 1997. A basic system was 359.95, decoders were 44.95.

The system was marketed in 1995, and a few years later RamFixx Technologies closed. Wangrow Electronics purchased the assets in 1998.

Innovations

Wangrow's SystemOne appeared in mid-1994, with features such as four digit addresses, from 0 to 9999, programming on the main (POM), advanced consisting, and a data port (RS232) for easy interfacing with a computer.

Wangrow SystemOne command stations can be interfaced to a computer if it has the RS232 interface. The SystemOne is supported by JMRI.

Optional Analog Throttle

Some SystemOnes were equipped with an optional analog throttle adapter. A standard nine pin serial cable will not work. See the User's Manual for instructions on making a custom cable.

Manufacturer ID

Wangrow was assigned the manufacturer ID number of 12, RamFixx is 15.

For more information on this topic, visit Mark Gurries Website.

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