TCS LT-50 User manual

LT-50 Quick Start Guide
Table of Contents
What’s In The Box 3
Specications      3
Connections 4
CongurationJumpers     5
GettingStarted      6
Setting Up the LT-50 6
UsingtheLT-50      7
 PowerOn/O󰀨     7
 MenuNavigation     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
LocomotiveRoster     14
DCCDecoderProgramming    15
RailCom®       16
Overview 16
RailCom®Requirements    17
CV29 RailCom®Conguration   17
Settings       18
Computer Interface 18-19
FactoryReset      19
WarrantyInformation     19
SupportandContact     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-45Cable(7ft/2.13M)
• LT-50 power supply (15V, 36W)
Specications
DCC System
• 1.4Acontinuous,2.8Apeakcurrentlimitwithsoftstart,congurablecurrent
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
• Congurationthroughon-screenmenu
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
• PlainEnglishcongurationthroughmenu
• On-sceen help function
• Can be used as a throttle on LCC and NCE layouts
NMRALayoutCommandControl(LCC)Features
• LT-50-specicRJ-45jack(1x)
• RJ-45jackforLCCcommunicationthroughCAN-bus(3x)
• Expandable with additional LCC throttles (sold separately)
• 400ma LCC power injection points (2x)
• Low-powerDCCpassthrough(optionalwithconguration)
• CongurationthroughCAN-businterfacetoPC(soldseparately)
• Firmware updates via LCC interface
Moreinformationthancantintothisguidecanbefoundonline.
To read our comprehensive documentation, visit
docs.tcsdcc.com/wiki/LT-50 or use this QR code:
3

Connections
TheLT-50hasthefollowingexternalconnectionsandindicators.
(See the graphics on the next page to see where you can nd each of
these connections listed on the LT-50.)
“LT”:RJ-45jack(1x)
This jack must be used in order to allow the LT-50 to provide power
tothetrackoutput.UsinganyotherjackontheLTPanelwiththeLT-
50willnotpowerthetrackoutput.
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.
TrackOutput:2-pingreendetachablescrewterminal
ConnectonewirefromeachrailofyourMainlinetrack.Thisoutput
also doubles as the Programming Track which you may use to read
andwritetheaddressandothersettings(CV’s)ofDCCdecoders.
PowerIn:2.5mm*5.5mmbarreljack
ConnecttheTCS-providedpowersupplyhere.Donotuseanyother
powersupplies.
LCCConnectors:RJ-45jack(3x)
TheseconnectorssupportLCCCAN-bus.Thecurrentratingofeach
jack is marked on the fascia panel board, and has an arrow noting
whetheritisasupplier/passthrough,orconsumer.Upto400mAof
powercanbeprovidedtocertainsocketsbyconnectingthecongu-
rationjumpers.Usethefront-facingjackonlyforwiredLCCthrottles.
“TrackOn”LED:
The Track On LED will be lit RED when the fascia board has incom-
ingpowerfromthepowersupply.
The Track On LED will go GREEN when power is being provided to
theTrackOutput.
TheTrackOnLEDwillgoREDagainifthesystemisputintoE-OFF.
CongurationJumpers:
TherearethreejumpersprovidedwiththeLTPanel.Thesejumpers
can be used to connect circuits using the header on the LT Panel
board.Seethetableanddiagramstotherightformoreinformation.
4
WARNING: Use only the TCS-provided power supply with the
LT-50. This requirement guarantees device performance as
certied.

JumperPosition Description
(1)TERM
InsertthisjumpertoaddterminationtotheLCC-CANbus.
AnLCC-CANbusshouldhaveexactlytwo terminators,
withoneateachendofthebus.Thisjumpercan(optional-
ly)provideforoneoftherequiredterminators.Inpractical-
ity,averyshort(lessthan10ftor3m)LCC-CANbuscan
stillworkreliablywithoneterminator.
(2)N/A Notused.
(3&4)DCC/F
Insert these two jumpers to pass the low power DCC
signalsthroughtheLCCpanel(pins4&5oftheLCC-CAN
standard).
Remove these jumpers to disconnect the low power DCC
signalsfrompassingthroughthepanel.
TheLTPanelusestheNMRAS-9.1.2FullScaleInterface
CongurationJumpers
DCC/FSimpliedDiagram
5

Getting Started
TheLT-50isanext-generationNMRADCCandMärklin/Motorolacom-
mandstationfeaturingfullsupportforNMRALCCfeatureswithaplug-
and-play design, allowing you to get set up and running trains in just a
fewminutes.
Setting up the LT-50
Removeallofthepartsfromthebox.Setthebagofparts,LTPanel,and
FasciaCoverPlateaside.Donotconnectthepowersupplyyet.
FasciaBoardAssembly
1. Decide how you would like to orient the LT Panel (jacks up or jacks
down).Ifyouhavenotdonesoalready,drillholesinyourfasciatoac-
cepttheLTPanelandcoverplate.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
screwterminalblock.
3. Install the fascia cover plate onto the front of the LT Panel using the
twoincludedblackmachinescrews.Flipthecoverplateifneededto
matchtheorientationoftheboardasmentionedinstep1.Theholes
for the screws will only line up when the cover plate is oriented prop-
erly.DONOTforcethescrewsintotheholes.
4. Connect the detachable 2-pin green screw terminal into the Track
PoweroutputontheLTPanel.
5. ConnecttheprovidedpowersupplytotheDCinconnector.
6. Place the completed assembly into your fascia, and secure in place
usingthefourincludedblackwoodscrews.
LT-50Setup
1. RemovethetwisttiefromtheincludedRJ-45cable.
2. Plug one end of the RJ-45 cable into the jack on the LT Panel
labeledwiththeLTlogo.
3. PlugtheotherendoftheRJ-45cableintothebottomoftheLT-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
indicatethattrackpowerisonline.Atthispoint,youarereadytoplace
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
PowerOn/O󰀨
Plug the LT-50 into the LT-50 jack on the LT Panel to power up the
throttleintocommandstationmode.IfyouwouldliketousetheLT-50as
anormalLCCthrottle,connectitintoanyotherLCCport.Oncepowered
up, the throttle will display the main Drive Window - your dashboard for
locomotiveoperations.
In order to completely power down the LT-50, you must unplug it from the
fasciapanelboard,orunplugthepowersupply.
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.Toviewthecurrenttrackpowerstatus,ortoturnthetrackpower
onoro󰀨,navigatetoMenu > Settings > Track Power
Menu Navigation
ThemenubuttonwillopentheLT-50mainmenu.Therearefunc-
tions and options in the menu that can customize your user experience
andarehelpfulforthrottleoperations.
Navigatingthemainmenucanbeperformedinavarietyofways.Using
the thumb switches or the knob (encoder version only) will navigate up or
downthroughmenuitemsoneatatime.Thecurrentmenuitemwillbe
highlighted.
Eachmenuoptioncorrespondstoanumerickeypadbutton.Pressingthe
corresponding button will immediately select that numbered menu option,
evenifthatmenuoptionisnotvisibleonscreen.Ifyouchoosetoscroll
for a menu option, press the Enter , the Select button or push
eitherthumbswitchinward.Ifyouwouldliketoknowwhatamenuoption
does,presstoconsultthehelptext.
When you are in a submenu, you can press the menu button to
navigatebackuptothepreviousmenu.
The “Help” Button
The LT-50 menu structure contains on-screen information that explains
mostmenuoptionsandoperations.Toaccessthesetips,youmaypress
the button at any time to access the help text for the currently high-
lightedmenuoption.
Ascrollbarwillappearontherightsideofthescreenifmoretextis
available.Scrollupordowntoseeadditionaltextbyusingtheknobor
eitherthumbswitch.
7
?
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Pressing the help button on the Drive Window will bring up the
FunctionHelpWindow.Thisscreendisplaysallavailablefunction
buttons,whattheydo,andtheirstatus(on/o󰀨).Thisfeaturewillonly
display named functions for each function number if the selected
locomotivehasarosterentrywhosefunctionshavebeendenedin
Menu > Settings > Roster Settings > Functions.
Programmable Buttons
There are nine buttons on the LT-50 that can be assigned operations
bytheuser.Thesebuttonscanbecustomizedtoperformanoperation
di󰀨erentfromtheirdefaultassignment.Theone,two,three,and
four “dot” buttons will always identify their action with an on-screen
description.Ifthedescriptionisblank,noactionisassignedtothat
button.
Youcanaccessbuttonconguration
options via the “Throttle Settings”
menu(,8,1,1).Theprogrammable
buttons will adjust based on the settings
in your throttle and selected locomotive’s
roster entry (if the selected loco has a
rosterentry).Ifyouselectalocomotive
without roster data, the buttons will return
to their defaults and/or will not display
functionnames.
Theninthprogrammablebuttonisusedbypressingdowntheknob.
Maximum Number of Locos
ThenominalcurrentlimitoftheLT-50is1.4Acontinuous.TheLT-50
willshuto󰀨automaticallyonceasetthermalcutoutisreached,andwill
automaticallyresumeonceithascooleddown.Below,wehaveincluded
a table for some examples of exaggerated load values which can help
you determine approximately how many individual locomotives you can
operatesimultaneously.Notethatyouwilllikelybeabletorunmorethan
thespeciedMaximum.Yourloads/resultswillvary.
LocoScale&Status TypicalCurrentDraw MaximumLocoCount
(AllScales)Idle/Stationary 0.05A-0.10A 15 - 25
(AllScales)Idle/StationaryWith
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
TheLT-50hasatextentryinterfacethatisusedtollouttext-based
elds.Wheneverthethrottlerequirestextinput,itwilldisplaythetext
entryinterface.Anexamplefornamingalocointherosterisshown(A).
Within the text entry interface, the knob or left thumb switch adjusts the
positionofthehighlightedcharacter.Movethecursortotherstchar-
acteryouwanttoenter,thenusethebuttonto‘Add’thatcharacter.
If you make a mistake, you can delete a character using the backspace
thumbswitchbutton.Youmaynavigatethroughyourenteredtextus-
ingthedirectionbutton.
The right thumb switch moves the cursor up or down one whole line at a
time.Therightthumbswitchalsoadvancesthecursortootherpagesof
characters.Toquicklyswitchbetweenuppercaseandlowercaseletters,
usetheShiftkey.
Afully-enteredloconameisshownabove(B). Letters and special char-
acterscanallbeenteredwiththetextentryinterface.Numbersdonot
display within the text entry screen and can be entered directly with the
throttlekeypad.
Whenyouhavenishedenteringtext,pressSaveorEnter.
Flashlight
TheLT-50featuresabuilt-inashlightwithtwoultra-brightLEDs.Toturn
theashlightonando󰀨,pressmenuthenbutton0.Theashlight
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
andotherimportantstatusindicators.
When no locomotive is selected, an “E”
will be displayed in the top left corner
whichstandsfor“Empty”.Ifyouhadpreviouslyacquiredalocomotive
addresspriortopoweringdown,thethrottlewillattempttore-acquireit.
Inordertooperatealocomotive,usetheSelectLocomotivebutton.
By default, pressing the left thumb switch inwards defaults to the
quick recall function which will swap between the two most recently used
locomotives.
SelectALocomotive
Press the button on the keypad to access the locomotive selection
screen.Usersaregiventwooptionsforselectingalocomotive.
1.Enterthecabnumbermanuallyusingthenumericalkeypad.
2.IfyouhavearosterstoredintheLT-50,youcanstartenteringthe
addresstolteryouravailableoptions.Usethethumbswitchesorknob
to navigate to the desired locomotive, then press the Enter button
orathumbswitchinwardstoselectitandreturntotheDriveWindow.
Toassumecontrolofadi󰀨erentlocomotive,pressthelocomotive
buttononthekeypadagain.
Reverse Direction
The direction of the locomotive is indicated by the arrow displayed under
thecabnumber.Theupwardfacingarrowindicatestheunitwilltravel
in its forward direction, and the downward facing arrow indicates it will
travelinreverse.Usersmaychangethedirectionoftheunitbyusingthe
ReverseDirectionbuttondirectlybelowtheknob.
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
assignedtothatnumberonyourlocomotive.Whenafunctionisturned
on,thefunctionnumberwillbedisplayedonthescreen.
Toselecthigherfunctionnumbersthan9,presstheShiftbutton.
Thenewfunctionpageselectedwill“persist.”Youmustpressthe
Shiftbuttonagaininordertocontinuethroughfunctionpages.This
was designed to allow for easy repeated operation of higher-number
functions.Ontheleftsideofthescreen,asmall“1”or“2”willindicate
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
speedzero,forward,withallfunctionso󰀨.Tobeginrunningatrain,select
a locomotive as described in the Select A Locomotive section.Toadjust
the speed of the active locomotive, rotate the knob clockwise to increase
speed,andcounterclockwisetodecreasethespeed.Thethrottlewill
always display 128 speed step mode but can still control locomotives
operatingin28speedstepmode.Rotatingtheknobmorequicklywill
changethespeedmorequickly.
Emergency Stop
TheLT-50hasaunique3-StageEmergencyStopfunction.Thesethree
stages are described below:
Stage1: Press the E-Stop button once to bring your current locomotive
 toastop.
Stage2: Quickly press the E-Stop button again to stop all of the
 locomotivesonthelayout.
Stage3: Quickly press the E-Stop button a third time to turn track power
 o󰀨completely.
When E-STOP is initially pressed, a small countdown timer will appear
inthedrivewindow.PressingtheE-STOPbuttonagainbeforethetimer
runsoutwillescalatetheE-STOPtothenextstage.Toreleaseanyof
thesestagesofE-STOP,waituntilthecountdownhasnishedandpress
theE-STOPbuttonagain.
You can choose to enable or disable any of these three stages from be-
ingoperable.Forexample,youmaywishtousetheE-STOPbuttonfor
trackpoweronly.Tocongurethisfeature,navigateto:
Menu > Settings > Throttle Settings > E-Stop Settings
11

Consisting
It is common for operators to create and disband Multiple Unit “MU”
consistsduringoperatingsessions.TheLT-50featuresasimple
method for quickly creating and managing consists that is completely
selfcontainedintheLT-50.Theconsistwillbesavedintheinternal
storage of the LT-50, and will be available even after powering down the
system.AnyLCCthrottlecanselectalocomotiveinaconsist,andwill
automaticallydriveallconsistedengines.
Function buttons can be sent either to the currently selected locomotive
(CurrentCab),oralllocomotivesintheconsist.Thiscanbecongured
as described later in the Locomotive Rostersection.
The LT-50 consisting system is capable of controlling the speed,
direction,andfunctionsforalllocomotiveswithinaconsist.Theinternal
consisting system can be used in conjunction with or independently of
decoder-basedCV19consists.
The TCS consisting system features “in-cab control” which allows the
usertoselecttheleadlocomotiveoftheconsist,e󰀨ectivelyputtingyou
“inthecab”asanoperator.TheEnterbuttoncanbeusedto
quicklypagethroughconsistmembersandselecttheactivecab.
Managing Consists
Whenaconsistiscreated,thecurrentcabaddresswillbecometherst
memberofthatconsist.Thefollowingoptionsinthe“Consisting”menu
canbeusedtomanageconsists.
AddLocoToConsist
Enter the address of the locomotive to be added, or select from the
Recall/Rosterlist.Pressingthebuttonwhileenteringtheaddress
changesthedirectionofthelocomotivebeingaddedwithintheconsist.
ViewCurrentConsist
Shows all members of current consist and their direction within the
consist.Selectingalocomotivefromtheconsistprovidesoptionsto
switchtothatcab,removethatmember,orchangedirection.
ClearCurrentConsist
Disbandstheconsist,returningalllocomotivestoindependentoperation.
ConsistFunctions
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
especiallyforswitchingmovements.Bydefault,thethreedotbutton
isconguredtoenable/disableyardmodefromthemainDriveWindow.
Yard Mode allows users to quickly and conveniently switch between a
forward speed, a stopped locomotive, and a backwards speed using only
thethumbswitches.Wheninyardmode,thedirectionindicatoronthe
DriveWindowwillshowaletter“Y”insteadofanarrow.
To drive the locomotive forward, press and hold either thumb switch in
theupposition.Thelocomotivewilldriveforwardaslongasthethumb
switchisheldintheupposition.Todriveinreverse,pressandholdthe
thumbswitchinthedownpositions.Releasingthethumbswitchwill
returnthespeedtozeroandthelocomotivewillcometoastop.
LatchingSpeed
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.Thiscanbeusefulifanoperatorneedstodriveforalonger
distance.Thelocomotivewillmaintainspeedanddirectionuntileither
thumbswitchispressedupordownagain,releasingthelatch.
SpeedAdjustment
Yardmodedefaultspeedscanbechangedduringoperation.Usethe
knob while holding either of the thumb switches in the up or down
position,orwhenthelocomotiveisinthe“latched”state.Thespeedfor
theleftandrightthumbswitchescanbeadjustedindependently.The
speedadjustmentswillberetaineduntilthethrottleispoweredo󰀨.
The default speed is the same as the Fast Increment/Decrement setting,
whichcanbemodiedifdesired.(,8,1,3,1)
13

Locomotive Roster
The LT-50 can store information and settings for each locomotive (by DCC
address)initsinternalmemory.Toviewandeditthesesettings,usethefollowing
procedure:
1. Selectthelocomotiveonathrottle(e.g.byaddress).
2. On the LT-50, navigate to Menu > Settings > Roster Settings
Alternatively, if connected to JMRI, go to Menu > LCC > Congure Nodes
Select the entry from the new window with your locomotive’s DCC address
or name, then select “Open Conguration Dialog”.
The Roster Settings are saved for the given locomotive in the LT-50, and applied
toeverythrottlethatselectsthatlocomotive.IntheRosterSettings,youcan
specify the following information:
• Name:Whenspecied,thistextwillappearonthethrottlesinsteadoftheDCC
address.Youcansetaroadandcabnumber,oratypedesignation.
• User Description: You can put additional notes here, such as the owner’s
name(foraclublayout).TheTCSthrottlesdonotdisplaythistext,butitis
visiblewhengoingintotheRosterSettingsorinJMRI.
• Speed Step Mode: Choose between 28/128-speed-step-mode for DCC
decoders,orbetweenprotocolversionIandIIforMärklin/Motoroladecoders.
Note: Throttles will always display 128 speed steps, independently of the
speed step mode used for the track.
• Functions > F1 to F28:Congurationperfunctionbutton.
• Youcanspecifywhateachfunctiondoestohelptheoperators.Select
“Display”topickfromalistofcommonfunctions,orifyoudon’tndyour
functionthere,thenenteranytextintothe“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
turnedo󰀨whenthebuttonisreleased(defaultforF2/Horn).Latching
functions(defaultforallotherfunctions)turnonforapress,thenturno󰀨
forthenextpress.
• Consistfunctionsareactivatedonallengineswhenrunningaconsist.
ThisisthedefaultsettingforF3-F28.FunctionssuchasBrake,Notch
Up,orMomentumshouldbesetlikethistoinuenceallenginesinthe
consist.Current Cab Only functions (default F0-F2) activate only on one
locomotive,therstinthedisplayonthethrottle.FunctionssuchasHorn,
Bell,orDitchLightsshouldbesetlikethisforprototypicaloperations.
• F0 > MU Switch:Automaticallycontrolsyourlocos’headlightsforprototypical
operationinMU’s/consists.MoreinformationcanbefoundintheCS-105
CompleteGuide.
14
?

DCC Decoder Programming
The CV Programming menu on TCS throttles allows you to change the settings
ofDCCdecoders,suchastheDCCAddressorCongurationVariables(CV’s).
Afterchoosingtheprogrammingscreen,entertheCVnumber(1to1024),(A)
then press the Read button to view the current setting in your decoder (B).
ScrolldownoncetoedittheValueeld,orscrolldowntwicetohighlightthebit
decompositionofthecurrentvalue.Usebuttons0to7toturnonando󰀨theindi-
vidualbits.Thethrottlewillautomaticallyadduptheindividualnumbers(C).
Finally,pressthekeytowritethenewvaluetothedecoder.
Mainline Programming
In this mode the currently selected locomotive will be programmed while it is on
thelayout.Thisisalsocalled“Operations”modeprogrammingor“Ops”forshort.
The LT-50 uses RailCom®to read the current value of variables, which is very
fastandconvenient.However,iftheDCCdecoderdoesnotsupportRailCom,or
RailComisdisabled,thenanerrormessagewillbeshown.Newvaluescanbe
writtenintothedecoderevenwithoutRailComsupport,butcannotbereadback.
Programming Track
To use the programming track, enter the Menu, and choose CV Programming
fromthelistofoptions.IfyouchooseProgramming Track or DCC Address from
the CV Programming menu, The LT-50 automatically switches the Track Output
fromMainlinetoProgrammingTrack.Locomotivesusuallymoveslightlyforward
orbackwardswhenreadingandwritingvariables.
DCCAddress
FromtheCVprogrammingmenuoftheTCSthrottle,choose“DCCAddress”
fromthelistofoptions.Thethrottlewillguideyouthroughtheprocess.Thisfea-
turecanbeusedtoconvenientlycheckorsettheDCCAddressofadecoder.To
usethisfeature,thelocomotivehastobeplacedontheProgrammingTrack.The
TCSthrottlewillrstreadanddisplaythecurrentaddress(es).Select“SetShort
Address”ifthedesiredaddressisbetween1and127.Select“SetLongAddress”
to set the DCC address to a 4-digit format (typically a number between 128 and
9999).YoucanalsoclearaCV19consistaddressbyusingthe“ClearConsist
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®
RailComisabi-directionaldatacommunicationstechnologydened
byNMRAStandardS-9.3.2andRailCommunityRCN-217.RailCom
enables bi-directional communication between the command station
and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is
exclusivelyinonedirection(fromtheCommandStationtotheDecoder).
TheinclusionofRailComopensupsignicantopportunitiesforfuture
featuresandexpansion.Forexample,theuseofRailComallowsforreal-
timeread-backofCV’swhileprogrammingonthemainline.Intraditional
DCC, you would only be able to write to a CV, whereas with RailCom,
writingandreadingonthemainlinearebothpossible.
Some other possibilities such as live feedback on a throttle for fuel or
water level, temperature, and many other statistics are also unlocked
withRailComtechnology.Blockdetectionbecomesmoreintegrated
with RailCom as well, including the possibility of knowing who or what
isoccupyingablock,ratherthanjustknowingablockisoccupied.This
datacouldbeusedfurthertoaideinautomationsetupsandmacros.A
eetofrollingstockcouldalsobeequippedwithbasicRailComdecoders
tokeeptrackofcarsinyardsortrains.Thepotentialapplications
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
interruptiontotheDCCtrackpower.Duringthisinterruption,theRailCom
detector on the Command Station will send or receive information to and
fromthedecoder.
!!!IMPORTANT!!!“RailCom®” and “RailComPlus®” are not the same
thing! RailCom®isstandardizedbytheNMRAandRailCommunity.
RailComPlusisanexpandedversionorRailComwhichwasmodied
andexpandeduponbyESU(ElectronicSolutionsUlmGmbH&Co.).
The expanded featureset created by ESU is not available in any
publisheddocumentationorstandards.Assuch,TCSisnotcapable
ofdevelopingourproductstoincorporatetheseunpublishedfeatures.
Similarly, TCS cannot guarantee that all features of an ESU decoder
featuring RailComPlus will operate correctly on a TCS command station
withRailComsuchastheLT-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
waytohandleRailComcommunicationtra󰀩c.(TheLT-50doesthis.)
2. RailComCutoutmustbeenabled.Youcanndthisinthesettings:
DCC System Settings > Advanced > RailCom Cutout > Enabled
3. ThedecodermustsupportRailCom.
A)Supportinghardwareisphysicallyonthedecoder.Checkyour
decoder literature, or our online wiki resources: docs.tcsdcc.com
Fornon-TCSdecoders,askyourmanufacturer.
B) RailCom enabled in CV29, Bit 3 (see below)
4. RailCom-addressedfeedbackmustbeenabledinthedecoder.CV28
bit2mustbeset.(TypicalvaluesareCV28=3orCV28=131)Ifyou’re
unsure, you can place the locomotive on the Programming Track to
readthevalueofCV28.ATCSUWTwillshowyouwhichbitsareset.
5. The locomotive must be on the track directly connected to the LT-50’s
Mainlinetrackoutput.
CV29 RailCom®Conguration
To enable RailCom on a TCS decoder, start by reading the value of
CV29.Comparethevaluetothechartshownbelowandreprogramas
necessary.MoreinfocanbefoundontheTCSWikiSupport - RailCom®
17
CV29Conguration
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
5AddressType 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 specic 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
sectionbelow.
2. InJMRI,selectthe“LCC”menuoption,then“CongureNodes”.
3. Expand the line that shows the LT-50 with your serial number, and click “Open
CongurationDialog”
4. Openorclosethesegmentsindividuallyasneeded.
5. Eachindividualsettingcomeswithanaccompanyinghelptext.
6. Afterchangingasetting,presstheWritebuttontosavethenewvalue.
7. Changescomeine󰀨ectwhenyouclosethedialog,orpressinthebottom
eld“More…”>“UpdateComplete”.
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
pressthebutton.
User Info Settings: Customizes the name of the LT-50 as it appears in the JMRI
dialog.
Macros:Viewandeditcommandstationmacros.Macrosexecuteaseriesof
actions such as setting turnouts for a given route, and can be triggered from TCS
throttlesorLCCmessages.
Status: Displays various information and measurements about the LT-50, such
astrackvoltage,currentloadandnumberoflocomotivesinuse.Thevaluesare
read-onlyandchangingthemhasnoe󰀨ect.
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.AnLCCindicator,suchasalightorbuzzer,canbelinkedtotheLT-50
toalertwhenthereisashortcircuit.
System Settings > Advanced: Customizes the command station and DCC-
related functionality, such as enabling or disabling the Programming Track or
the RailCom® Cut-outfeature.Throttleheartbeatscanbeconguredhere.The
Heartbeat feature will stop a running locomotive when a wireless throttle runs out
ofbatteryoroutofsignalrange.
Computer Interface
Toupdatedevicermware,ordocongurationsviaJMRI,youwillneedtocon-
necttheLT-50toaPC.Todothis,youneedtopurchaseaUSB-LCCadapter,
suchastheRR-CirKitsLCCBu󰀨er-USB™andconnectaRJ-45cablebetween
oneoftheopenLCCportsontheLT-50fasciaboardandtheUSB-LCCadapter.
Refer to the manual of the USB interface for driver installation instructions for
yourcomputer.
UsingthewiredLCCcablingandaUSB-LCCadapter,congureJMRIasshown
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
ashlightblinksadiagnosticcode,whichmaybehelpfultoTCSsupport.Ifyouencounter
thiscondition,itcanbeclearedbyremovingpower.
In the event that a power cycle of the LT-50 does not solve the problem, a factory reset
maybeperformed.NavigatetoMenu > Settings > Factory Reset.Performingafactory
resetwilleraseallusersettingsandrosterdata.Ifyouwanttobackupyourrosterdata,
seetheCompleteGuideforinstructions.
Copyrights and Trademarks
ThisdocumentisprotectedunderCopyright©TrainControlSystems,Inc2022.
TheLCClogoisaregisteredtrademarkoftheNationalModelRailroadAssociation.
RailCom®isaregisteredtrademarkofLenzElektronikGmbH.
RailComPlus®isaregisteredtrademarkofElectronicSolutionsUlmGmbH&Co.
JMRI®isaregisteredtrademarkofRobertG.Jacobsen.
Anyunattributedcopyrightsandtrademarksareunintentionalandshouldbebroughttothe
attentionofTrainControlSystems,Inc.forcorrection.
Warranty Information
TrainControlSystems,Inc.warrantsthisproducttobefreefromdefectsinworkmanship
and materials, under normal use and conditions, for a period of one (1) year from the origi-
nalinvoicedate.Pleasevisitourwebsiteforadditionalwarrantyinformation.
Support and Contact
If you experience issues with your LT-50, or would like to speak with a technical support
representative,pleasecontactus.
[email protected]
(267)733-3408
19
NOTE: the Serial port eld will likely be dierent on your computer
This example shows typical settings. Your conguration may vary.

FormoreinformationaboutyourLT-50device,pleasevisitourwebsite.
LT-50QSGRevisedJuly2022