What is DCC?

DCC stands for Digital Command Control. It’s a standard used in model railroading that allows multiple locomotives to be independently controlled on the same section of track. National Model Railroad Association developed and maintains the DCC standards used by most manufacturers. For many hobbyists, DCC is the model railroad equivalent of moving from an old analog telephone system to a modern digital network. It transformed layouts from “control the track” to “control each locomotive individually.”

DCC Commander

DCC Commander is a mobile control center for Digital Command Control (DCC) model railroads, allowing operators to control locomotives, turnouts, routes, and layout functions from their iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Features include:

• Controlling locomotives (up to 10 throttles per screen)
• Throwing turnouts
• Communicating with JMRI (WiThrottle-compatible communications) and compatible command stations
• Communicating with DCC-EX command stations directly
• Managing layout operations from a mobile device (iOS and Android)
• Building layout schematics
• Using swipe gestures to route locomotives along a layout

Tutorials and Setup

DCC-EX

• Building a DCC-EX Command Station
• Installing DCC-EX Firmware
• Adding and Configuration Turnouts in DCC-EX

JMRI

• Installing the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) Software
• Running JMRI and WiThrottle Server

DCC Commander

• Installing DCC Commander (iOS/Android)
• DCC Commander Initial Configruation
• Running trains
• Building a Layout
• Controlling a Layout
• Connecting to Different Layouts

Building a DCC-EX command station is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get started with DCC. If you’re comfortable with basic electronics or have built an Arduino project before, you’ll find the process straightforward. For a deeper dive into DCC-EX, including build-versus-buy considerations and the many available hardware options, visit the DCC-EX website.

If you’d rather skip the research, build a DCC-EX command station with well defined parts and get trains running, this guide is for you. The following sections describe a simple DCC-EX command station configuration that works well for most model railroaders. You’ll find a complete parts list along with easy-to-follow assembly instructions.

If you’d rather skip assembling your own DCC-EX command station then you can purchase a pre-assembled unit directly from the DCC-EX group or one of their resellers.

Parts List

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• Arduino Mega 2560 R3 Board
• DC Motor Driver Board
• ESP8266 WIFI Shield
• 9 Volt Arduino Power Supply
• 12 Volt Track Power Supply
• Jumper Wires
• Power Plug Connector
• 20 AWG Power Hookup Wire

Connect Arduino to Motor Driver

TODO

Connect WiFi to Motor Driver

TODO

Connect Jumper Leads

TODO

Build Power Plug

TODO

Build Track Connector Leads

TODO