The Following Projects are made available with the intention of helping you build a functional and interesting layout.

Some projects have been featured in magazine articles, a few have been adapted from books, numerous projects have been submitted to this site by their authors, while the origin of some remain unknown  – Applicable credit is due to you all..

Understandably not everyone has the tools/skills or even care to build their own electronic circuits- some people may not have the time, resources or just prefer to purchase a module that “just works” .. So if these projects seem interesting, but you prefer to purchase Ready to use commercial products, then have a look at my Electronic Modules page to get you started.

You can also have a look at the list of Suppliers that may assist you in obtaining parts, components and/or kits for DCC projects.

All Projects / Circuits presented here are intended to solve specific modelling problems or provide a desired control function(s).

A Special note about Arduino and “OpenDCC”:

• The Arduino project provides a nice and friendly IDE along with a tidy library package mechanism that makes development of new and exciting Model Railway electronic projects possible.
• The OpenDCC Project exists to develop Open Source projects based on the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) Digital Command Control (DCC) protocols.
• The hardware designs and firmware source code are licensed under the GNU Public License Version 2

I have added a separate page on Suppliers that may assist you in obtaining parts, components and/or kits for DCC projects.

Train Control

Nano S88 XPressNet Command Station TMW DCC System DCC Mini Booster DCC Mini Station DCC Command Control Station Wireless DCC Throttle LOLBooster Xpressnet junction (5Port) ORB1 – Booster ORD-1 – Booster/Driver ATLAS DCC Controller 3A DCC Booster          AC / DC Throttles Simple 1A Throttle Another 1A DC Throttle Jonathan Scotts Proportional-Integral-Differential Train Controller II Jonathan Scotts P684SV Train Controller Jonathan Scotts Computerised Train Controller with Braking and Two Operating Modes Jonathan Scotts Proportional-Integral-Differential Train Controller with Autostop Jonathan Scotts Electronic Train Control Negative-Resistance Train Controller SuperClipper Switchable-Resistance Analog Train Controller PaceMatic DC Throttle (Peter Thorne) Throttle Output Scaler High Current Walkaround Throttle Basic Throttle with Tethered walkaround Memory Walkaround Throttle Simple DC Reversing Circuit

Recommended Reading Basic Wiring Trouble Free Wiring Booster Network Wiring Review of Model Railway Controllers

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To get the most of DCC projects, you probably should acquire some knowledge about the “Bits and Bytes” and other Technical details related to DCC. – these articles will get you started :

The DCC Protocol DCC Decoder Data DCC Standard CV Definitions for Mobile Decoders DCC CV Values DCC Bits, Bytes, HEX and what this means DCC and the Feedback Busses

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TRAIN DETECTION

General Purpose Block Detector Basic Light Detection Circuits Infrared Proximity Detection Simple Laser Pointer Detection Simple Day/Night Detection DCC Block Detection (OPTOISOLATOR) Inductive Train Detection 4 Block Occupancy Detector S88 Occupancy Detection S88 Occupancy Detection – IR Laser Pointer Train Detector Comparator Block Detection (for AC and DCC) Optoisolator Block Detector Block Occupancy helper Circuit Block Occupancy Detector using Coils Chopped Infra-red Block Detector ORF-1 Current Sensing Block Detection Simple Optical Block Detection Circuit TWAC & MOMENTUM ADD-ON for POWER PACKS

Recommended Reading: Block Detection Train Detection

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SIGNALLING

2 Aspect Signal (Reed switch)LED – Regulated Power 1 Traffic Light Driver Traffic Light Sequencer Model Lighthouse Turnout Position Indicator 2 Aspect Semaphore Decoder 3 Aspect Semaphore Decoder 4 Aspect Semaphore Decoder SWISS (Helvetic) Signal Decoder Signal Decoder (open Decoder) Signalling Feedback – Status of the Signal Signalling Electronic Circuits Turnout Position Indicator Circuits 3-WIRE RELAY-BASED INDICATOR CIRCUIT for CDU 3-WIRE RELAY-BASED INDICATOR CIRCUIT for CDU/multi COMMON-ANODE LED INDICATORS for CD SUPPLY BIPOLAR/BICOLOR LED INDICATORS for CD SUPPLY

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ANIMATION

Grade Crossing Flashing LED Crossing (adjustable time) Flashing LED (very simple) Generic Flasher Basic Road Traffic Signals Single Traffic Light Simulator 4Way Intersection Traffic Light Simulator FRED Light (Flashing Rear End Device) – DCC FRED – REAR END (DC + DCC) Flickering Light Arc Welder Simulation Rotating Beacon Fast Clock (Mechanical Hand) Occupancy detector with Grade Crossing Timed Station Stops Cone Flasher – using flashing LEDs Flashing Crossing Blinking LEDs from AC

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FEEDBACK SYSTEMS

S88 Feedback Module RS Bus Feedback Interface System RS Feedback Circuit XpressNet with RS Feedback LocoNet for non Digitrax layouts RS Feedback Circuit (8 input) 8 Input with RS Feedback Optical Control Panel – DCC Optical Control Panel – RS

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COMPUTER INTERFACING

S88 Computer Interface RailCom Data Display RailCom Display Netbox – Multi X-Bus XpressNet LokMaus 2 CDE MiniMaus SimpleMaus X-Bus TCO XpressNet Interface XpressNet with S88 DCC LocoNet Interface

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ACCESSORY DECODERS

Accessory Decoder for Motor Turnouts Accessory Decoder for KATO single-coil Turnouts Accessory Decoder for Triple Motor Turnout Accessory Decoder (solid state) Open Decoder ORA-1 Accessory Decoder ORA-2 Multi purpose Accessory Decoder Turntable / Fiddle Yard Controller Fiddle Yard Controller TMW DCC Accessory Decoder ROCO Wreck Crane Controller

Recommended Reading: Introduction to Turnout Control Wiring Turnouts DCC & Turnouts Decoders and Switch Machines

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LIGHTING & LIGHTING DECODERS

Lighting Effects Decoder Function Decoder Electroluminescent Ligting LED Strip Ligting Day/Night Infra-red Detection Infra-red Proximity Detection, Infra-red Proximity Detection 2 Constant Intensity Lighting for Locomotives and Coaches Directional Caboose Marker Lights Constant Car Lighting Easy Car Lighting

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OTHER DECODERS

Decoder Function Actuator DCC Auto Reverser Reverser & Breakers for DCC LED Switch Indicator Automatic Railroad Crossing Controller Installing LED’s with DCC Decoders Improving the BD8 , BD8 PSU DCC Decoder – 16 Relays DCC Turntable DCC Turntable -with gearbox DCC Turntable -with LCD DCC Turntable – with break function DCC Turntable – with stepper motor DCC Turntable – Ardiuno

MISC CIRCUITS

Capacitor Discharge Unit CDU 2 (higher output power) CDU 2A (2A Max output) Point Motor Driver Servo Point Motor Driver Overload Detection (simple, with buzzer)

TESTING & TOOLS

DCC Engine Code Tester F1 – F4 Tester DCC Function Tester DCC Polarity Checker DCC Track Monitor Universal Track Tester Grade Crossing – Tester Rescue of Faulty Decoders Diode Matrix (made easy) True RMS Ammeter

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Train Electrical System Train Electrical System – LIGHTS Coach Electrical System Wiring Locomotives Track & Wire Resistance DCC Wiring for Gardens CDU (Capacitive Discharge Unit) CDU – Higher Current Quick Power Supplies 3A Power Supply Overload Indicator

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ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

Basic Electronics – Introduction Resistor Color Coding Infra Red Sensors Diode as Voltage Drop Detectors Introduction to Oscilloscope, Using an Oscilloscope

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ARDUINO & MPU’s

Arduino – Power Arduino – LEDS Arduino – Kknobs Arduino – Buttons and Switches Arduino – Optimising Memory use Arduino and Model Railroading Arduino RFID Project 1 Arduino Sound Module (LocoNet) Arduino -Alternative DCC library

As I extensively make use of Arduino for all sorts of projects, I have created a separate Arduino Projects page, where I will be posting various projects..

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PIC PROGRAMMING

Introduction to Microcontrollers Introduction to PIC Programming, Examples The PIC 16Fxx

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Disclaimer & Caveat Lector

• You are welcome to build, test, adapt, expand and/or otherwise utilize these for personal use- Free of Charge. However, you should note that Commercial use of these Projects and or circuits most probably violates the intellectual property of the original Authors, and if this is your intention, then please obtain written consent from the Author(s) or copyright holder(s) – this site does not grant you any commercial license, approval or consent in any way!
• While I do touch on wiring in between these pages, there are really excellent resources on the subject for you to explore, with the DCC Wiki project pages a good starting point.

• While all these projects and circuits have been built by many hobbyist over many years,  Nobody makes any claims as to the quality or usefulness of the Projects and or circuits presented here. These Projects/circuits should work as stated and shouldn’t be dangerous to persons or property when used in their intended manner
• As far as is know, None of the Projects and/or Circuits presented here violates any copyright -but in the event that you find anything, please let us know and we will remove it immediately.
• Please remember that we do not make any money from the information, the website and have no financial interest in any company that does
• We simply list projects that are or have been made freely available to the public and hope that the information will help people to enjoy the hobby

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Page Credit: Stéfan Stoltz