25 years ago...

...the model railway world opened its doors to digital technology. However, to this day this has remained a one-way street: A thick stream of information flows from the command station to the decoders - but nothing comes back. It's time to change that. Enough talking - let's see some action:

The working group

We have joined forces with other well-known manufacturers in the DCC industry to ensure that our customers can benefit from the wealth of opportunities afforded by the latest information technology. This cooperation ensures that we avoid double efforts and incompatibilities. In doing so we further the development of 'RailCom'- supported applications. The efficient transfer of information from the decoders to the command station via 'RailCom' (also known as 'bi-directional communication') adequately supplements the DCC standard, the world's leading data protocol for model railways.

RailCom is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik GmbH

RailCom & Digital plus

As in real life, Digital plus recognises the status of points and tracks and sends this information to the command station which, in turn, sends it to the connected input devices via the XpressNet. Status feedback is particularly advantageous if a model railway layout is controlled with a PC via the Digital plus interface. There is no need for the PC programme to query the status itself as it receives this information automatically. This procedure saves time and improves the programme's response speed.

Status information does not indicate what caused a certain status. In case of blind sections, however, it is interesting to know not only which tracks are occupied but which trains occupy them. This is where RailCom comes in. At any point on a model railway layout, the locomotive transmits its address and other data, independent of whether it is stopping or moving!

RailCom comprises a transmitter module (installed inside the locomotive) and an address display. This display also supplies the monitored track section. Gold decoders are already fitted with a RailCom transmitter module. Locomotives equipped with decoders can be retrofitted accordingly.

The special advantage of the RailCom technology:

no additional components need to be installed on the outside of the locomotive
data transmission is not impacted, regardless of where the RailCom-able decoder is installed inside the locomotive
no extra space is required as components are already integrated in the Gold decoder
there is no need for additional wiring
no separate programming of a transmitter component
particularly suitable for small gauges
transmission of information is independent of the locomotiveís position or status
no receiver modules on the layout disturbing

RailCom transmitter module LRC100

One transmitter module LRC100 is required for every locomotive whose address is to be read out, unless the decoder installed inside the locomotive is already fitted with one of these modules. Simply connect the transmitter module to the locomotive's track contacts. Thanks to its compact size, the transmitter module may be installed in almost any locomotive.

RailCom address display LRC120

This 4-digit display serves to depict the address of the locomotive located in a monitored track section. Installation is possible anywhere on the layout, for example inside a signal box.

Requirements

Only the command station-cum-amplifier LZV100, the command station LZ100 (from version 3.5 or higher) in combination with the amplifier LV102, or the amplifier LV102 on its own satisfy the technical requirements for RailCom. This is because RailCom requires a 'blanking interval' in the data flow to the track that can only be created by the amplifier which forms part of the LZV100 or the amplifier LV102.

Older amplifiers, such as the LV100, LV101 or LV200 as well as the amplifier component of the compact, are unable to create this blanking interval and are therefore unsuitable for RailCom operation.

When using RailCom, a conventional, analogue locomotive cannot be operated in the digital system.