TCS LT-50 User manual


LT-50 Quick Start Guide
Table of Contents
What’s In The Box 3
Specications 3
Connections 4
CongurationJumpers 5
GettingStarted 6
Setting Up the LT-50 6
UsingtheLT-50 7
PowerOn/O 7
MenuNavigation 7
The“Help”Button 7
Programmable Buttons 8
Maximum Number of Locos 8
Text Entry 9
Operations 10
The Drive Window 10
Select a Locomotive 10
Changing Directions 10
Using Loco Functions 11
Change Speed 11
Emergency Stop 11
Consisting 12
Yard Mode 13
LocomotiveRoster 14
DCCDecoderProgramming 15
RailCom® 16
Overview 16
RailCom®Requirements 17
CV29 RailCom®Conguration 17
Settings 18
Computer Interface 18-19
FactoryReset 19
WarrantyInformation 19
SupportandContact 19
2

What’s In The Box
• LT-50 handheld command station
• LT Panel (fascia panel)
• LT Panel fascia cover plate
• LT Panel assembly screws (2x)
• LT Panel mounting screws (4x)
• 2-pin screw terminal plug (Green) for DCC Track output
• Option jumpers (3x)
• RJ-45Cable(7ft/2.13M)
• LT-50 power supply (15V, 36W)
Specications
DCC System
• 1.4Acontinuous,2.8Apeakcurrentlimitwithsoftstart,congurablecurrent
limit, and load reporting
• Integrated RailCom® detector
• Programming Track over main output with automatic switchover, supporting
Direct, Paged, and Register modes
• DCC accessory control for addresses 1 - 2044
• Up to 20, 10-step Macros, including LCC accessory control
• Congurationthroughon-screenmenu
Throttle Features
• Handheld design based on the lightweight and ergonomic UWT-50
• Nine user-programmable buttons for convenient operations
• Encoder knob for throttle control and menu navigation
• PlainEnglishcongurationthroughmenu
• On-sceen help function
• Can be used as a throttle on LCC and NCE layouts
NMRALayoutCommandControl(LCC)Features
• LT-50-specicRJ-45jack(1x)
• RJ-45jackforLCCcommunicationthroughCAN-bus(3x)
• Expandable with additional LCC throttles (sold separately)
• 400ma LCC power injection points (2x)
• Low-powerDCCpassthrough(optionalwithconguration)
• CongurationthroughCAN-businterfacetoPC(soldseparately)
• Firmware updates via LCC interface
Moreinformationthancantintothisguidecanbefoundonline.
To read our comprehensive documentation, visit
docs.tcsdcc.com/wiki/LT-50 or use this QR code:
3

Connections
TheLT-50hasthefollowingexternalconnectionsandindicators.
(See the graphics on the next page to see where you can nd each of
these connections listed on the LT-50.)
“LT”:RJ-45jack(1x)
This jack must be used in order to allow the LT-50 to provide power
tothetrackoutput.UsinganyotherjackontheLTPanelwiththeLT-
50willnotpowerthetrackoutput.
The fascia cover plate has been designed so that it is not possible
to be screwed to the fascia board upside-down. If the fascia panel
board is installed with the RJ-45 connectors facing towards the oor,
you can ip the fascia cover plate to correctly show the LT-50 jack
position.
TrackOutput:2-pingreendetachablescrewterminal
ConnectonewirefromeachrailofyourMainlinetrack.Thisoutput
also doubles as the Programming Track which you may use to read
andwritetheaddressandothersettings(CV’s)ofDCCdecoders.
PowerIn:2.5mm*5.5mmbarreljack
ConnecttheTCS-providedpowersupplyhere.Donotuseanyother
powersupplies.
LCCConnectors:RJ-45jack(3x)
TheseconnectorssupportLCCCAN-bus.Thecurrentratingofeach
jack is marked on the fascia panel board, and has an arrow noting
whetheritisasupplier/passthrough,orconsumer.Upto400mAof
powercanbeprovidedtocertainsocketsbyconnectingthecongu-
rationjumpers.Usethefront-facingjackonlyforwiredLCCthrottles.
“TrackOn”LED:
The Track On LED will be lit RED when the fascia board has incom-
ingpowerfromthepowersupply.
The Track On LED will go GREEN when power is being provided to
theTrackOutput.
TheTrackOnLEDwillgoREDagainifthesystemisputintoE-OFF.
CongurationJumpers:
TherearethreejumpersprovidedwiththeLTPanel.Thesejumpers
can be used to connect circuits using the header on the LT Panel
board.Seethetableanddiagramstotherightformoreinformation.
4
WARNING: Use only the TCS-provided power supply with the
LT-50. This requirement guarantees device performance as
certied.

JumperPosition Description
(1)TERM
InsertthisjumpertoaddterminationtotheLCC-CANbus.
AnLCC-CANbusshouldhaveexactlytwo terminators,
withoneateachendofthebus.Thisjumpercan(optional-
ly)provideforoneoftherequiredterminators.Inpractical-
ity,averyshort(lessthan10ftor3m)LCC-CANbuscan
stillworkreliablywithoneterminator.
(2)N/A Notused.
(3&4)DCC/F
Insert these two jumpers to pass the low power DCC
signalsthroughtheLCCpanel(pins4&5oftheLCC-CAN
standard).
Remove these jumpers to disconnect the low power DCC
signalsfrompassingthroughthepanel.
TheLTPanelusestheNMRAS-9.1.2FullScaleInterface
CongurationJumpers
DCC/FSimpliedDiagram
5

Getting Started
TheLT-50isanext-generationNMRADCCandMärklin/Motorolacom-
mandstationfeaturingfullsupportforNMRALCCfeatureswithaplug-
and-play design, allowing you to get set up and running trains in just a
fewminutes.
Setting up the LT-50
Removeallofthepartsfromthebox.Setthebagofparts,LTPanel,and
FasciaCoverPlateaside.Donotconnectthepowersupplyyet.
FasciaBoardAssembly
1. Decide how you would like to orient the LT Panel (jacks up or jacks
down).Ifyouhavenotdonesoalready,drillholesinyourfasciatoac-
cepttheLTPanelandcoverplate.Note, a print-able templete can be
downloaded from the LT-50 product page on our website.
2. Connect the wires for your DCC track into the detachable 2-pin green
screwterminalblock.
3. Install the fascia cover plate onto the front of the LT Panel using the
twoincludedblackmachinescrews.Flipthecoverplateifneededto
matchtheorientationoftheboardasmentionedinstep1.Theholes
for the screws will only line up when the cover plate is oriented prop-
erly.DONOTforcethescrewsintotheholes.
4. Connect the detachable 2-pin green screw terminal into the Track
PoweroutputontheLTPanel.
5. ConnecttheprovidedpowersupplytotheDCinconnector.
6. Place the completed assembly into your fascia, and secure in place
usingthefourincludedblackwoodscrews.
LT-50Setup
1. RemovethetwisttiefromtheincludedRJ-45cable.
2. Plug one end of the RJ-45 cable into the jack on the LT Panel
labeledwiththeLTlogo.
3. PlugtheotherendoftheRJ-45cableintothebottomoftheLT-50.
If everything is connected properly, the LT-50 handheld will boot up in
approximately 3 seconds, and the Track Power LED should go Green to
indicatethattrackpowerisonline.Atthispoint,youarereadytoplace
locomotives on your tracks and run!
6
For additional setup instructions on how to connect the LT-50 to
a PC, see the Computer Interface section of this manual.

Using the LT-50
PowerOn/O
Plug the LT-50 into the LT-50 jack on the LT Panel to power up the
throttleintocommandstationmode.IfyouwouldliketousetheLT-50as
anormalLCCthrottle,connectitintoanyotherLCCport.Oncepowered
up, the throttle will display the main Drive Window - your dashboard for
locomotiveoperations.
In order to completely power down the LT-50, you must unplug it from the
fasciapanelboard,orunplugthepowersupply.
Track power can be managed using the E-STOP button as described in
the Emergency Stop section of this manual, or can be controlled via the
menu.Toviewthecurrenttrackpowerstatus,ortoturnthetrackpower
onoro,navigatetoMenu > Settings > Track Power
Menu Navigation
ThemenubuttonwillopentheLT-50mainmenu.Therearefunc-
tions and options in the menu that can customize your user experience
andarehelpfulforthrottleoperations.
Navigatingthemainmenucanbeperformedinavarietyofways.Using
the thumb switches or the knob (encoder version only) will navigate up or
downthroughmenuitemsoneatatime.Thecurrentmenuitemwillbe
highlighted.
Eachmenuoptioncorrespondstoanumerickeypadbutton.Pressingthe
corresponding button will immediately select that numbered menu option,
evenifthatmenuoptionisnotvisibleonscreen.Ifyouchoosetoscroll
for a menu option, press the Enter , the Select button or push
eitherthumbswitchinward.Ifyouwouldliketoknowwhatamenuoption
does,presstoconsultthehelptext.
When you are in a submenu, you can press the menu button to
navigatebackuptothepreviousmenu.
The “Help” Button
The LT-50 menu structure contains on-screen information that explains
mostmenuoptionsandoperations.Toaccessthesetips,youmaypress
the button at any time to access the help text for the currently high-
lightedmenuoption.
Ascrollbarwillappearontherightsideofthescreenifmoretextis
available.Scrollupordowntoseeadditionaltextbyusingtheknobor
eitherthumbswitch.
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Pressing the help button on the Drive Window will bring up the
FunctionHelpWindow.Thisscreendisplaysallavailablefunction
buttons,whattheydo,andtheirstatus(on/o).Thisfeaturewillonly
display named functions for each function number if the selected
locomotivehasarosterentrywhosefunctionshavebeendenedin
Menu > Settings > Roster Settings > Functions.
Programmable Buttons
There are nine buttons on the LT-50 that can be assigned operations
bytheuser.Thesebuttonscanbecustomizedtoperformanoperation
dierentfromtheirdefaultassignment.Theone,two,three,and
four “dot” buttons will always identify their action with an on-screen
description.Ifthedescriptionisblank,noactionisassignedtothat
button.
Youcanaccessbuttonconguration
options via the “Throttle Settings”
menu(,8,1,1).Theprogrammable
buttons will adjust based on the settings
in your throttle and selected locomotive’s
roster entry (if the selected loco has a
rosterentry).Ifyouselectalocomotive
without roster data, the buttons will return
to their defaults and/or will not display
functionnames.
Theninthprogrammablebuttonisusedbypressingdowntheknob.
Maximum Number of Locos
ThenominalcurrentlimitoftheLT-50is1.4Acontinuous.TheLT-50
willshutoautomaticallyonceasetthermalcutoutisreached,andwill
automaticallyresumeonceithascooleddown.Below,wehaveincluded
a table for some examples of exaggerated load values which can help
you determine approximately how many individual locomotives you can
operatesimultaneously.Notethatyouwilllikelybeabletorunmorethan
thespeciedMaximum.Yourloads/resultswillvary.
LocoScale&Status TypicalCurrentDraw MaximumLocoCount
(AllScales)Idle/Stationary 0.05A-0.10A 15 - 25
(AllScales)Idle/StationaryWith
Sound 0.15A-0.25A 5 - 10
(N) Under Heavy Load 0.15A-0.35A 5 - 10
(N) Under Heavy Load w/Sound 0.30A-0.50A 3 - 5
(H0) Under Load 0.25A-0.75A 3 - 6
(H0) Under Load w/Sound 0.35A-1.00A 2 - 4
8
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Text Entry
TheLT-50hasatextentryinterfacethatisusedtollouttext-based
elds.Wheneverthethrottlerequirestextinput,itwilldisplaythetext
entryinterface.Anexamplefornamingalocointherosterisshown(A).
Within the text entry interface, the knob or left thumb switch adjusts the
positionofthehighlightedcharacter.Movethecursortotherstchar-
acteryouwanttoenter,thenusethebuttonto‘Add’thatcharacter.
If you make a mistake, you can delete a character using the backspace
thumbswitchbutton.Youmaynavigatethroughyourenteredtextus-
ingthedirectionbutton.
The right thumb switch moves the cursor up or down one whole line at a
time.Therightthumbswitchalsoadvancesthecursortootherpagesof
characters.Toquicklyswitchbetweenuppercaseandlowercaseletters,
usetheShiftkey.
Afully-enteredloconameisshownabove(B). Letters and special char-
acterscanallbeenteredwiththetextentryinterface.Numbersdonot
display within the text entry screen and can be entered directly with the
throttlekeypad.
Whenyouhavenishedenteringtext,pressSaveorEnter.
Flashlight
TheLT-50featuresabuilt-inashlightwithtwoultra-brightLEDs.Toturn
theashlightonando,pressmenuthenbutton0.Theashlight
feature can also be programmed to any of the Programmable Buttons.
A. B.
9

Operations
The Drive Window provides an overview
of your currently selected locomotive
andotherimportantstatusindicators.
When no locomotive is selected, an “E”
will be displayed in the top left corner
whichstandsfor“Empty”.Ifyouhadpreviouslyacquiredalocomotive
addresspriortopoweringdown,thethrottlewillattempttore-acquireit.
Inordertooperatealocomotive,usetheSelectLocomotivebutton.
By default, pressing the left thumb switch inwards defaults to the
quick recall function which will swap between the two most recently used
locomotives.
SelectALocomotive
Press the button on the keypad to access the locomotive selection
screen.Usersaregiventwooptionsforselectingalocomotive.
1.Enterthecabnumbermanuallyusingthenumericalkeypad.
2.IfyouhavearosterstoredintheLT-50,youcanstartenteringthe
addresstolteryouravailableoptions.Usethethumbswitchesorknob
to navigate to the desired locomotive, then press the Enter button
orathumbswitchinwardstoselectitandreturntotheDriveWindow.
Toassumecontrolofadierentlocomotive,pressthelocomotive
buttononthekeypadagain.
Reverse Direction
The direction of the locomotive is indicated by the arrow displayed under
thecabnumber.Theupwardfacingarrowindicatestheunitwilltravel
in its forward direction, and the downward facing arrow indicates it will
travelinreverse.Usersmaychangethedirectionoftheunitbyusingthe
ReverseDirectionbuttondirectlybelowtheknob.
10
Pro Tip: If you would like to relinquish control of your currently
selected address, enter the Menu and select “Operations”
followed by “Release”. Once a locomotive address has been
released, it will become the rst option available in the recall list.

Using Loco Functions
Pressing the numerical buttons on the keypad will operate the function
assignedtothatnumberonyourlocomotive.Whenafunctionisturned
on,thefunctionnumberwillbedisplayedonthescreen.
Toselecthigherfunctionnumbersthan9,presstheShiftbutton.
Thenewfunctionpageselectedwill“persist.”Youmustpressthe
Shiftbuttonagaininordertocontinuethroughfunctionpages.This
was designed to allow for easy repeated operation of higher-number
functions.Ontheleftsideofthescreen,asmall“1”or“2”willindicate
that you are controlling higher functions: 1 for F10 - F19, or 2 for F20 -
F28.
Change Speed
When the command station is powered up, all locomotives will be set to
speedzero,forward,withallfunctionso.Tobeginrunningatrain,select
a locomotive as described in the Select A Locomotive section.Toadjust
the speed of the active locomotive, rotate the knob clockwise to increase
speed,andcounterclockwisetodecreasethespeed.Thethrottlewill
always display 128 speed step mode but can still control locomotives
operatingin28speedstepmode.Rotatingtheknobmorequicklywill
changethespeedmorequickly.
Emergency Stop
TheLT-50hasaunique3-StageEmergencyStopfunction.Thesethree
stages are described below:
Stage1: Press the E-Stop button once to bring your current locomotive
toastop.
Stage2: Quickly press the E-Stop button again to stop all of the
locomotivesonthelayout.
Stage3: Quickly press the E-Stop button a third time to turn track power
ocompletely.
When E-STOP is initially pressed, a small countdown timer will appear
inthedrivewindow.PressingtheE-STOPbuttonagainbeforethetimer
runsoutwillescalatetheE-STOPtothenextstage.Toreleaseanyof
thesestagesofE-STOP,waituntilthecountdownhasnishedandpress
theE-STOPbuttonagain.
You can choose to enable or disable any of these three stages from be-
ingoperable.Forexample,youmaywishtousetheE-STOPbuttonfor
trackpoweronly.Tocongurethisfeature,navigateto:
Menu > Settings > Throttle Settings > E-Stop Settings
11

Consisting
It is common for operators to create and disband Multiple Unit “MU”
consistsduringoperatingsessions.TheLT-50featuresasimple
method for quickly creating and managing consists that is completely
selfcontainedintheLT-50.Theconsistwillbesavedintheinternal
storage of the LT-50, and will be available even after powering down the
system.AnyLCCthrottlecanselectalocomotiveinaconsist,andwill
automaticallydriveallconsistedengines.
Function buttons can be sent either to the currently selected locomotive
(CurrentCab),oralllocomotivesintheconsist.Thiscanbecongured
as described later in the Locomotive Rostersection.
The LT-50 consisting system is capable of controlling the speed,
direction,andfunctionsforalllocomotiveswithinaconsist.Theinternal
consisting system can be used in conjunction with or independently of
decoder-basedCV19consists.
The TCS consisting system features “in-cab control” which allows the
usertoselecttheleadlocomotiveoftheconsist,eectivelyputtingyou
“inthecab”asanoperator.TheEnterbuttoncanbeusedto
quicklypagethroughconsistmembersandselecttheactivecab.
Managing Consists
Whenaconsistiscreated,thecurrentcabaddresswillbecometherst
memberofthatconsist.Thefollowingoptionsinthe“Consisting”menu
canbeusedtomanageconsists.
AddLocoToConsist
Enter the address of the locomotive to be added, or select from the
Recall/Rosterlist.Pressingthebuttonwhileenteringtheaddress
changesthedirectionofthelocomotivebeingaddedwithintheconsist.
ViewCurrentConsist
Shows all members of current consist and their direction within the
consist.Selectingalocomotivefromtheconsistprovidesoptionsto
switchtothatcab,removethatmember,orchangedirection.
ClearCurrentConsist
Disbandstheconsist,returningalllocomotivestoindependentoperation.
ConsistFunctions
Determines what functions are assigned to the consist or to the selected
cab.
12

Yard Mode
Yard Mode is a special operations mode of the LT-50 that is suited
especiallyforswitchingmovements.Bydefault,thethreedotbutton
isconguredtoenable/disableyardmodefromthemainDriveWindow.
Yard Mode allows users to quickly and conveniently switch between a
forward speed, a stopped locomotive, and a backwards speed using only
thethumbswitches.Wheninyardmode,thedirectionindicatoronthe
DriveWindowwillshowaletter“Y”insteadofanarrow.
To drive the locomotive forward, press and hold either thumb switch in
theupposition.Thelocomotivewilldriveforwardaslongasthethumb
switchisheldintheupposition.Todriveinreverse,pressandholdthe
thumbswitchinthedownpositions.Releasingthethumbswitchwill
returnthespeedtozeroandthelocomotivewillcometoastop.
LatchingSpeed
Users may “latch” or lock in the current directions and speed of the loco-
motive by quickly double pressing either thumb switch in the up or down
position.Thiscanbeusefulifanoperatorneedstodriveforalonger
distance.Thelocomotivewillmaintainspeedanddirectionuntileither
thumbswitchispressedupordownagain,releasingthelatch.
SpeedAdjustment
Yardmodedefaultspeedscanbechangedduringoperation.Usethe
knob while holding either of the thumb switches in the up or down
position,orwhenthelocomotiveisinthe“latched”state.Thespeedfor
theleftandrightthumbswitchescanbeadjustedindependently.The
speedadjustmentswillberetaineduntilthethrottleispoweredo.
The default speed is the same as the Fast Increment/Decrement setting,
whichcanbemodiedifdesired.(,8,1,3,1)
13

Locomotive Roster
The LT-50 can store information and settings for each locomotive (by DCC
address)initsinternalmemory.Toviewandeditthesesettings,usethefollowing
procedure:
1. Selectthelocomotiveonathrottle(e.g.byaddress).
2. On the LT-50, navigate to Menu > Settings > Roster Settings
Alternatively, if connected to JMRI, go to Menu > LCC > Congure Nodes
Select the entry from the new window with your locomotive’s DCC address
or name, then select “Open Conguration Dialog”.
The Roster Settings are saved for the given locomotive in the LT-50, and applied
toeverythrottlethatselectsthatlocomotive.IntheRosterSettings,youcan
specify the following information:
• Name:Whenspecied,thistextwillappearonthethrottlesinsteadoftheDCC
address.Youcansetaroadandcabnumber,oratypedesignation.
• User Description: You can put additional notes here, such as the owner’s
name(foraclublayout).TheTCSthrottlesdonotdisplaythistext,butitis
visiblewhengoingintotheRosterSettingsorinJMRI.
• Speed Step Mode: Choose between 28/128-speed-step-mode for DCC
decoders,orbetweenprotocolversionIandIIforMärklin/Motoroladecoders.
Note: Throttles will always display 128 speed steps, independently of the
speed step mode used for the track.
• Functions > F1 to F28:Congurationperfunctionbutton.
• Youcanspecifywhateachfunctiondoestohelptheoperators.Select
“Display”topickfromalistofcommonfunctions,orifyoudon’tndyour
functionthere,thenenteranytextintothe“Description”eld.Operators
can see the function list on TCS throttles by pressing on the drive
screen or selecting Menu > Operations > Loco Function List.
• Momentary functions are active so long as the button is pressed, and
turnedowhenthebuttonisreleased(defaultforF2/Horn).Latching
functions(defaultforallotherfunctions)turnonforapress,thenturno
forthenextpress.
• Consistfunctionsareactivatedonallengineswhenrunningaconsist.
ThisisthedefaultsettingforF3-F28.FunctionssuchasBrake,Notch
Up,orMomentumshouldbesetlikethistoinuenceallenginesinthe
consist.Current Cab Only functions (default F0-F2) activate only on one
locomotive,therstinthedisplayonthethrottle.FunctionssuchasHorn,
Bell,orDitchLightsshouldbesetlikethisforprototypicaloperations.
• F0 > MU Switch:Automaticallycontrolsyourlocos’headlightsforprototypical
operationinMU’s/consists.MoreinformationcanbefoundintheCS-105
CompleteGuide.
14
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DCC Decoder Programming
The CV Programming menu on TCS throttles allows you to change the settings
ofDCCdecoders,suchastheDCCAddressorCongurationVariables(CV’s).
Afterchoosingtheprogrammingscreen,entertheCVnumber(1to1024),(A)
then press the Read button to view the current setting in your decoder (B).
ScrolldownoncetoedittheValueeld,orscrolldowntwicetohighlightthebit
decompositionofthecurrentvalue.Usebuttons0to7toturnonandotheindi-
vidualbits.Thethrottlewillautomaticallyadduptheindividualnumbers(C).
Finally,pressthekeytowritethenewvaluetothedecoder.
Mainline Programming
In this mode the currently selected locomotive will be programmed while it is on
thelayout.Thisisalsocalled“Operations”modeprogrammingor“Ops”forshort.
The LT-50 uses RailCom®to read the current value of variables, which is very
fastandconvenient.However,iftheDCCdecoderdoesnotsupportRailCom,or
RailComisdisabled,thenanerrormessagewillbeshown.Newvaluescanbe
writtenintothedecoderevenwithoutRailComsupport,butcannotbereadback.
Programming Track
To use the programming track, enter the Menu, and choose CV Programming
fromthelistofoptions.IfyouchooseProgramming Track or DCC Address from
the CV Programming menu, The LT-50 automatically switches the Track Output
fromMainlinetoProgrammingTrack.Locomotivesusuallymoveslightlyforward
orbackwardswhenreadingandwritingvariables.
DCCAddress
FromtheCVprogrammingmenuoftheTCSthrottle,choose“DCCAddress”
fromthelistofoptions.Thethrottlewillguideyouthroughtheprocess.Thisfea-
turecanbeusedtoconvenientlycheckorsettheDCCAddressofadecoder.To
usethisfeature,thelocomotivehastobeplacedontheProgrammingTrack.The
TCSthrottlewillrstreadanddisplaythecurrentaddress(es).Select“SetShort
Address”ifthedesiredaddressisbetween1and127.Select“SetLongAddress”
to set the DCC address to a 4-digit format (typically a number between 128 and
9999).YoucanalsoclearaCV19consistaddressbyusingthe“ClearConsist
Address”option.
15
A. B. C.
!!!WARNING!!! When using the programming track, you must
remove all locomotives from the track except the one you
intend to program.

RailCom®
RailComisabi-directionaldatacommunicationstechnologydened
byNMRAStandardS-9.3.2andRailCommunityRCN-217.RailCom
enables bi-directional communication between the command station
and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is
exclusivelyinonedirection(fromtheCommandStationtotheDecoder).
TheinclusionofRailComopensupsignicantopportunitiesforfuture
featuresandexpansion.Forexample,theuseofRailComallowsforreal-
timeread-backofCV’swhileprogrammingonthemainline.Intraditional
DCC, you would only be able to write to a CV, whereas with RailCom,
writingandreadingonthemainlinearebothpossible.
Some other possibilities such as live feedback on a throttle for fuel or
water level, temperature, and many other statistics are also unlocked
withRailComtechnology.Blockdetectionbecomesmoreintegrated
with RailCom as well, including the possibility of knowing who or what
isoccupyingablock,ratherthanjustknowingablockisoccupied.This
datacouldbeusedfurthertoaideinautomationsetupsandmacros.A
eetofrollingstockcouldalsobeequippedwithbasicRailComdecoders
tokeeptrackofcarsinyardsortrains.Thepotentialapplications
for RailCom are still being explored, and is an untapped wealth of
possibilities!
RailCom is a highly-responsive system as well, allowing up to ~126
individual operations per second (depending on the available DCC
bandwidth) at a bit-rate of 250Kbps by introducing a very brief
interruptiontotheDCCtrackpower.Duringthisinterruption,theRailCom
detector on the Command Station will send or receive information to and
fromthedecoder.
!!!IMPORTANT!!!“RailCom®” and “RailComPlus®” are not the same
thing! RailCom®isstandardizedbytheNMRAandRailCommunity.
RailComPlusisanexpandedversionorRailComwhichwasmodied
andexpandeduponbyESU(ElectronicSolutionsUlmGmbH&Co.).
The expanded featureset created by ESU is not available in any
publisheddocumentationorstandards.Assuch,TCSisnotcapable
ofdevelopingourproductstoincorporatetheseunpublishedfeatures.
Similarly, TCS cannot guarantee that all features of an ESU decoder
featuring RailComPlus will operate correctly on a TCS command station
withRailComsuchastheLT-50.
16

RailCom®Requirements
In order to make use of RailCom, some requirements have to be met:
1. The Command Station must provide a RailCom cutout and have a
waytohandleRailComcommunicationtrac.(TheLT-50doesthis.)
2. RailComCutoutmustbeenabled.Youcanndthisinthesettings:
DCC System Settings > Advanced > RailCom Cutout > Enabled
3. ThedecodermustsupportRailCom.
A)Supportinghardwareisphysicallyonthedecoder.Checkyour
decoder literature, or our online wiki resources: docs.tcsdcc.com
Fornon-TCSdecoders,askyourmanufacturer.
B) RailCom enabled in CV29, Bit 3 (see below)
4. RailCom-addressedfeedbackmustbeenabledinthedecoder.CV28
bit2mustbeset.(TypicalvaluesareCV28=3orCV28=131)Ifyou’re
unsure, you can place the locomotive on the Programming Track to
readthevalueofCV28.ATCSUWTwillshowyouwhichbitsareset.
5. The locomotive must be on the track directly connected to the LT-50’s
Mainlinetrackoutput.
CV29 RailCom®Conguration
To enable RailCom on a TCS decoder, start by reading the value of
CV29.Comparethevaluetothechartshownbelowandreprogramas
necessary.MoreinfocanbefoundontheTCSWikiSupport - RailCom®
17
CV29Conguration
Bit Feature Description Value
0 “Forward” Direction
This setting can be used to invert the polarity
of the motor when the decoder receives a “for-
ward” direction command (in DCC mode only)
1
1 Speed Step Mode When enabled, 128 speed step mode is active 2
2Analog(DC)Mode The decoder will operate when DC power is
applied only if this setting is enabled 4
3 Enable RailCom® This setting determines whether the decoder
will send or receive information over RailCom 8
43-Point Speed
Curve
This setting will disable CV 5 and CV 6 if
enabled 16
5AddressType When this setting is enabled, the decoder will
use a 4-digit “long” address 32
Note: Support for RailCom® via CV29, as well as the default
value of CV29 will vary based on the specic decoder and the
decoder manufacturer. Use this information only as a guide.

Settings
To access the LT-50’s Settings in JMRI, use the following steps:
1. Connect JMRI to the LCC network as described in the Computer Interface
sectionbelow.
2. InJMRI,selectthe“LCC”menuoption,then“CongureNodes”.
3. Expand the line that shows the LT-50 with your serial number, and click “Open
CongurationDialog”
4. Openorclosethesegmentsindividuallyasneeded.
5. Eachindividualsettingcomeswithanaccompanyinghelptext.
6. Afterchangingasetting,presstheWritebuttontosavethenewvalue.
7. Changescomeineectwhenyouclosethedialog,orpressinthebottom
eld“More…”>“UpdateComplete”.
Select Menu > Settings > DCC System Settings to access the LT-50’s Set-
tings on a TCS throttle, To see the help text for any menu item, highlight it and
pressthebutton.
User Info Settings: Customizes the name of the LT-50 as it appears in the JMRI
dialog.
Macros:Viewandeditcommandstationmacros.Macrosexecuteaseriesof
actions such as setting turnouts for a given route, and can be triggered from TCS
throttlesorLCCmessages.
Status: Displays various information and measurements about the LT-50, such
astrackvoltage,currentloadandnumberoflocomotivesinuse.Thevaluesare
read-onlyandchangingthemhasnoeect.
System Settings > Track Output: Customizes the short circuit detection current
limit and delay to balance between safety and the needs of certain DCC circuit
breakers.AnLCCindicator,suchasalightorbuzzer,canbelinkedtotheLT-50
toalertwhenthereisashortcircuit.
System Settings > Advanced: Customizes the command station and DCC-
related functionality, such as enabling or disabling the Programming Track or
the RailCom® Cut-outfeature.Throttleheartbeatscanbeconguredhere.The
Heartbeat feature will stop a running locomotive when a wireless throttle runs out
ofbatteryoroutofsignalrange.
Computer Interface
Toupdatedevicermware,ordocongurationsviaJMRI,youwillneedtocon-
necttheLT-50toaPC.Todothis,youneedtopurchaseaUSB-LCCadapter,
suchastheRR-CirKitsLCCBuer-USB™andconnectaRJ-45cablebetween
oneoftheopenLCCportsontheLT-50fasciaboardandtheUSB-LCCadapter.
Refer to the manual of the USB interface for driver installation instructions for
yourcomputer.
UsingthewiredLCCcablingandaUSB-LCCadapter,congureJMRIasshown
in the screenshot on the next page
18
?
WARNING: Do not wire your computer’s network port
directly to the connectors marked with the LCC logo!

Factory Reset
If for any reason the device encounters a problem that it cannot recover from, the LED
ashlightblinksadiagnosticcode,whichmaybehelpfultoTCSsupport.Ifyouencounter
thiscondition,itcanbeclearedbyremovingpower.
In the event that a power cycle of the LT-50 does not solve the problem, a factory reset
maybeperformed.NavigatetoMenu > Settings > Factory Reset.Performingafactory
resetwilleraseallusersettingsandrosterdata.Ifyouwanttobackupyourrosterdata,
seetheCompleteGuideforinstructions.
Copyrights and Trademarks
ThisdocumentisprotectedunderCopyright©TrainControlSystems,Inc2022.
TheLCClogoisaregisteredtrademarkoftheNationalModelRailroadAssociation.
RailCom®isaregisteredtrademarkofLenzElektronikGmbH.
RailComPlus®isaregisteredtrademarkofElectronicSolutionsUlmGmbH&Co.
JMRI®isaregisteredtrademarkofRobertG.Jacobsen.
Anyunattributedcopyrightsandtrademarksareunintentionalandshouldbebroughttothe
attentionofTrainControlSystems,Inc.forcorrection.
Warranty Information
TrainControlSystems,Inc.warrantsthisproducttobefreefromdefectsinworkmanship
and materials, under normal use and conditions, for a period of one (1) year from the origi-
nalinvoicedate.Pleasevisitourwebsiteforadditionalwarrantyinformation.
Support and Contact
If you experience issues with your LT-50, or would like to speak with a technical support
representative,pleasecontactus.
(267)733-3408
19
NOTE: the Serial port eld will likely be dierent on your computer
This example shows typical settings. Your conguration may vary.

FormoreinformationaboutyourLT-50device,pleasevisitourwebsite.
LT-50QSGRevisedJuly2022
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