Wireless model railroad control system

A method for wirelessly controlling a model railroad device, comprising:

• providing a model railroad device with a wireless transceiver circuit, the wireless transceiver circuit including
• a control circuit, configured for controlling operation of the model railroad device;
• and
• a communication unit, configured for bidirectional communication between the wireless transceiver circuit and a general purpose wireless smart device;
• and
• transmitting control signals, effective to control the control circuit, from a general purpose wireless smart device to the wireless transceiver circuit, the general purpose wireless smart device having control software comprising programming code for bidirectional wireless communication with the wireless transceiver circuit.

A model railroad locomotive, comprising:

• a motor, configured to drive a set of locomotive wheels upon rails using electrical power transmitted through the rails;
• and
• a wireless transceiver circuit, including
• a control circuit, configured for controlling the motor;
• and
• a communication unit, configured for bidirectional communication between the wireless transceiver circuit and a general purpose wireless smart device;
• the wireless transceiver circuit adapted for wireless communication with a general purpose wireless smart device having software comprising programming code for allowing user commands entered via the general purpose wireless smart device to control the control circuit.