DCC Portal

The Digital Command Control (DCC) system is a standard for operating model railroads. However, it’s not the only one. For example, the original analog systems are still used in many model railways. With these systems, speed and direction is controlled by changing the voltage on the track. In addition, a number of competing digital control systems has been developed.

• Digital Command System (DCS): MTH Electric Trains (a Columbia, Maryland-based company) developed DCS for O scale 3-rail and HO scale trains. Very similar to DCC, its main advantage lies in setting up multiple MTH ProtoSound 2.0 (PS2.0) engines on the same track. This standard is not licensed to any other company, and cannot operate Lionel Trainmaster Command Control (TMCC) trains directly. However, the two systems can be used together on the same track.
• Hornby Zero 1: Hornby developed this system, which offered control for up to 16 locomotives and 99 accessories, in the late 1970s. Other late-1970s introduced systems (from other companies) include Dynatrol, Rail-Command 816, PROTRAC, and SALOTA 5300.
• Mrklin Digital: This was one of the earliest digital control systems, first made commercially available in Europe in 1985 and in America a year later. The original system offered control for up to 80 trains and 256 accessories, with 14 speed steps. Speed controllers and decoders were used to set speeds and braking/acceleration delays, respectively.
• Selectrix: Another early system developed by the German company Dhler & Haas for manufacturer Trix. Selectrix was standardized by MOROP (the European association that federates national associations of both real and model railroad enthusisasts) in 1999, and several manufacturers have supported the standard. The system’s features include being fully synchronized and bi-directional.
• Trainmaster Command Control: The digital control system developed by Lionel was financially backed by Neil Young during its development stages. TMCC trains can run simultaneously with non-TMCC trains, but in most other respects is very similar to the DCC standard.

Today, many digital systems are connected to computers running specialized software. This gives users even more options and control when it comes to setting up their railroads. One of the best-known software programs is the Open Source project known as Rocrail. Using a server-client system, users can control their railroads from a single computer or any other machine connected by home network or internet. Rocrail supports a number of competing control systems, including Digitrax LocoNet, Hornby Elite, Roconet, ESU ECoS, Littfinski HSI88, OpenDCC, Selectrix, Dinamo, and Zimo.