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Jargon Buster

Digital Command Control Systems Comparison Table

Jump directly to a specific system using the drop down menu, or browse the page by scrolling down and across.

Panning over entries with a icon will reveal additional infomation or an image.

System Name

Pan over the system name for an image of the system and a link to the manufacturers website.

Max Throttles

This column states the maximum number of throttles/cabs which can be connected to the system at any time.

Supplied
Throttle

This column states whether the throttle supplied with a system is a hand held device or is built into the base unit. Pan over the area to see an image of the supplied throttle.

Speed
Control

States the main method of speed control used for the system, such as knob, lever, thumb wheel, or buttons.

Max
Trains

Max Trains states the maximum number of trains a system can run simultaneously, in this case a single train may consist of more than one loco where decoder assisted consisting is used.

Address Range 2/4 Digit

The address range is the highest addressable number for a decoder which a system can program and call up to operate. The column also states whether a system uses 2 or 4 digit addressing.

Non decoder equipped loco

This column states whether a system is able to run a non decoder equipped loco. Systems with Railcom require a modification to the loco before running it without a decoder, this is noted for these systems. Further details on this can be viewed at Lenz' Railcom FAQ Page.

Max Consists

Depending on what type of consisting a system uses the number of consists OR loco's in a consist may be limited, this column states those limits for each system.

Consisting Supported

This column states what type of consisting a system supports, most systems support either Command Station Assisted, or Decoder Assisted conisting, or both. Explanations of these terms can be found in the Jargon Buster.

Speed
Steps

Shows whether a system supports 14, 28, or 128 speed steps, or a combination of the three.

Functions

States which and how many functions a system supports.

Max
Current

This column shows the maximum current available from a single booster with each system.

Software Upgrade

Whether or not an upgrade to the command station software is possible.

Feedback

Feedback enables accessory decoders and block detectors to 'feedback' infomation to the command station and throttles. This column shows which systems support this feature.

Communications BUS

The communications BUS (comBUS) is the way a system's throttles, command station, and other devices talk to each other. Some systems use a restricted basic comBUS, while others use a more full featured future proof comBUS. Links to explanations of the various comBUSes are made available in this column.

Computer Interface

States if a system can be connected to a computer for decoder programming and layout control.

Non
NMRA
systems

Some systems are able to operate decoders/modules which are not NMRA DCC compliant, such as those used in Hornby Zero-1, and Marklin Digital. Support for non NMRA compliant decoders is shown in this column.

Auto Shuffle
Train/Signal
Speed Control

Not to be confused with Lenz' ABC, further details can be found in the Jargon Buster.

Bi-Directional Communication

Bi-Directional Communication has been available from Digitrax for a number of years in the form of their Transponding. Railcom is a newer version of Bi-Directional Communication which has recently become available, which method a system supports, if any, is shown in this column. Further details are available in the Jargon Buster.

CV
Readback

This column shows whether a system can readback a decoders CV's on the programming track.

Programming on the Main/Ops Mode Programming

Shows which systems are able to program a decoder on a layout without interupting operations or moving the loco to a seperate programming track.

Seperate
Programming
Track

Systems with a seperate programming track allow for decoder programming and testing away from the main layout, or in a siding which does not interupt the rest of the layout.

This column shows the maximum number of switches, points, or accessories a system can control.

Max
Switches/points

Bachmann
EZ Command*

Bachmann Website

Base Unit

Knob

10
2

Yes

None

9
F0-F8

None

Digitrax
Zephyr*

Digitrax Website

Base Unit

Lever

9999
2/4

yes

10 Consists

Both

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

2.5

Yes

LocoNET

Yes

Transponding

Yes

999

Hornby
Select*

Hornby Website

Base Unit

Knob

60
2

Yes

60 Loco's

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

1 upgradable to 4

Yes?

Yes

XpressNET

Yes?

Lenz Compact*
Atlas Master*


Lenz Website	Atlas Website

Base Unit

Knob

100
2

Yes

99 Consists

Decoder Assisted

14/28/128

5
F0-F4

2.5

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

While a computer can control a layout using a Lenz Compact, some features of computer control can not be used due to the lack of feedback.

MRC
Prodigy Express*

MRC Website

Hand Held

Knob

9999
2/4

20 Consists

Decoder Assisted

14/28/128

16
F0-F15

1.6

MRC Throttle BUS

Yes

Supported but
number unknown

NCE
Power Cab*

NCE Website

Hand Held

Buttons and Thumb Wheel

9999
2/4

20 Consists

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes?

Yes

Requires an upgrade to system.

Yes

This system can operate 2044 accessory decoders, as well as 2044 special signal decoders

2044x2

Roco
Lok Maus 2*

Website unavailable, try this Review

Hand-Held

Knob
Centre Off

99
2

None

14/28/128

5
F0-F4

2.7

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

10772 Roco Digital Route Control

256 (requires
seperate controller)

Top of Page

CVP
EasyDCC

CVP Website

Base Unit

Knob

255

9999
2/4

Yes

256 Consists

Both

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

Yes

No?

EasyDCC

Yes

2048

Digitrax
Super Chief

Digitrax Website

120

Hand-Held

Buttons and 2 Knobs per Throttle

120

9999
2/4

yes

120 Consists

Both

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Digitrax are planning an upgrade to 19 functions F0-F18.

Yes

LocoNET

Yes

Marklin

Yes

Transponding

Yes

999

Digitrax
Super Empire Builder

Digitrax Website

Hand-Held

Buttons and 2 Knobs per Throttle

9999
2/4

yes

22 Consists

Both

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

Yes

LocoNET

Yes

Transponding

Yes

999

ESU
ECoS

ESU Website

Base Unit

Knob 2 per throttle

9999
2/4

32 Consists

Both

14/28/128

20
F0f/r-F18

4.0

Yes

ECoS Link/Ethernet

Yes

Marklin

Railcom

Yes

2048

Fleischmann
Twin Center
Uhlenbrock Intellibox

Fleischmann Website

Base Unit

Knob
2 per Throttle

199

9999
2/4

8 Consists

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

Yes

LocoNET

Yes

Transponding

Yes

2000

Hornby
Elite

Hornby Website

Base Unit

Knob

255
2/4

Hornby have indicated that the Elite will only be able to address decoders with 3 digit addresses, this would indicate a non standard 4 digit addressing ability.

Yes

Wiring modifications will need to be made to all non decoder equipped loco's if Railcom is in use.

256 Loco's

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

Railcom

Yes

255

Lenz
Set 90

Lenz Website

Hand-Held

Knob

256

9999
2/4

Yes

Wiring modifications will need to be made to all non decoder equipped loco's if Railcom is in use.

256 Consists

Both

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

Railcom

Yes

1000

Top of Page

Lenz
Set 100

Lenz Website

Hand-Held

Buttons

256

9999
2/4

Yes

Wiring modifications will need to be made to all non decoder equipped loco's if Railcom is in use.

256 Consists

Both

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

Railcom

Yes

1024

Lenz
Set LI

Lenz Website

No Limit

PC/PDA

Touch Screen

256

9999
2/4

Yes

Wiring modifications will need to be made to all non decoder equipped loco's if Railcom is in use.

256 Consists

Both

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes

XpressNET &
Wireless Ethernet

Yes

Railcom

Yes

1024

LGB
MTS

LGB Website

Hand-Held

Knob

23
2

Yes

None

LGB-BUS

Yes

128

Massoth
1200 series

Massoth Website

Hand-Held

Knob

10000 + 239
2/4

10000 loco addresses, 239 additional addresses for wagons with functions.

Yes

16x4

This system supports a maximum of 16 consists, with up to 4 loco's per consist.

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

17
F0-F16

Yes

DiMax

Yes

2048

M.E.R.G.
DIY DCC

MERG Website

Hand-Held

Knob

99
2

Yes

4 Consists

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

4
F0-F3

Yes

MERG DCC BUS

None

MRC/ Gaugemaster
Prodigy Advance


MRC Website	Gaugemaster Website

Hand-Held

Knobs & Buttons

9999
2/4

99 Consists

Decoder Assisted

14/28/128

20
F0-F19

3.5

Yes

MRC Throttle BUS

Yes

255

NCE
Power House Pro

NCE Website

Hand-Held

Buttons and Thumb Wheel

250

9999
2/4

127 Consists

Both

14/28/128

13
F0-F12

Yes

NCE Cab BUS

Yes

2044

Top of Page

Roco
MultiMouse

Roco Website

Hand-Held

Knob
Centre Off

9999
2/4

Yes

None

14/28/128

20
F0f/r-F18

2.7

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

1024

Zimo
MX31

Zimo Website

30+

Hand-Held

Slider

256

10239
4

256 Loco's

Command Station Assisted

128

10 or 2x8A

Yes

115 kbit/s CAN bus

Yes

unlimited

ZTC
511

ZTC Website

Base Unit

Lever

9999
2/4

Yes

16 Loco's

Command Station Assisted

14/28/128

9
F0-F8

Yes

XpressNET

Yes

Zero-1

Yes

1000

Other Digital Control Systems

System Name

Max
Throttles

Supplied
Throttle

Speed
Control

Max
Trains

Address
Range
2/4 Digit

Non decoder
equipped loco

Max Consists

Consisting
Supported

Speed
Steps

Functions

Max
Current

Software
Upgrade

Feedback

Communications
BUS

Computer
Interface

Non
NMRA
Systems

Auto Shuffle
Train/Signal
Speed Control

Bi-Directional
Communication

CV
Readback

Programming on the
Main/Ops Mode
Programming

Seperate
Programming
Track

Max
Switches/points

Marklin
Digital

Marklin Website

Base Unit

Knob

80
2

None

2.5

Marklin Motorola

Yes

Marklin Only

256

Top of Page

			*These systems are aimed primarily at the first time DCC user, and are ideal as starter sets. Entries with a ? are not known, or have not been confirmed This page was last updated on the 1st of September 2007. Assistance in keeping this table up to date is always appreciated, you can submit new and updated infomation directly to the Webmaster. Thankyou to the many people at Model Rail Forum, Railway Modelling Web, and nScale.net as well as the many other modellers and system manufacturers for their assistance in compiling this table. You are welcome to link to this page from your site, but please do not copy this table.

This page is copyright 2007 p4me.net