BigFred: Mobile DCC Throttle for Model Railroads

BigFred turns your phone or tablet into a full-featured DCC throttle over your local network. Drive locomotives, manage your fleet, and coordinate with other operators.

BigFred is a modern DCC throttle system that runs entirely in your web browser over your local network. Open the app on any phone, tablet, or desktop, select your locomotive, and drive — no app store required. BigFred supports Roco/Fleischmann Z21, LocoNet (serial and TCP), and WiThrottle command stations, and lets multiple operators share the same layout at the same time.

Quick Start

Log in, add your first locomotive, and drive in minutes

Key Concepts

Layouts, vehicles, trains, interlockings, and leases explained

Throttle Guide

Drive locomotives, build consists, and use the full throttle UI

Admin Guide

Install BigFred, configure command stations, and manage users

Get started in four steps

1. Open BigFred in your browser

   Navigate to the BigFred URL on your local network (for example http://192.168.0.10:8080). You will see the login page.

2. Log in with your credentials

   Enter your username and PIN. Your administrator will provide your login details. On a fresh install the default account is admin / 123456 — change the PIN immediately.

3. Add a vehicle to your roster

   Go to My Vehicles and register your locomotive’s DCC address and name. Optionally assign function labels (lights, horn, bell, etc.).

4. Drive

   Open the Throttle page, select your locomotive, pick a command station, and use the on-screen slider or a gamepad to set speed and direction.

What BigFred can do

Web Throttle

Drive any DCC locomotive from a phone or tablet without installing an app. Full-screen throttle UI with function buttons and speed slider.

Train Consists

Couple multiple vehicles into a train and drive them as a single unit with synchronized speed scaling.

Lease System

Lend control of a locomotive to another operator for a set duration and speed limit. Great for club sessions.

Interlockings

Coordinate entry and departure at busy locations with the interlocking and signalman features and built-in radio chat.

Remote Handsets

Accept connections from physical Z21 handsets and WiThrottle apps and pair them to locomotives in your roster.

Decoder Programming

Read and write CVs, program addresses, adjust volume and brightness, and reset decoders from the loco CLI.