Fig.1                                                                        Fig. 2                     

     Size: 2' x 8'

    Scale: HO

    Era: Any

     Type: Technical Demonstration

     Built: 2003

     Description:  A demonstration of Digital Command Control (DCC) and automatic block control has been developed, and is being exhibited at train shows. The demonstration module is 8’ by 3’. All the equipment required to implement block control is above the baseboard, to illustrate what is required by way of the technology. There is no scenery.

     A commercial DCC Command Station (CS) is used to control track power in the usual way. All throttles connected with the CS are deactivated, and control is exercised through a serial link from a Smart Throttle (ST). Most of the user input to the ST is through a mouse, which controls a cursor on a graphics LCD, part of the ST. The ST receives sensor data from the track, and outputs signal and turnout commands.

      Figure 1-The figure is a high-level block diagram of the system.

   Figure 2-The photograph shows the Command Station on the left (EasyDCCÔ) and the Smart Throttle on the right, with the mouse and mouse pad on the far right. Enquiries may be directed to John Waller.