B-106
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The CS-105 is an intelligently-designed DCC command station with LCC integration as well as a built-in RailCom® detector. Thoughtfully designed to outperform in every area, the CS-105 is the perfect DCC command station for newcomers, or layout builders or renovators looking for a highly-capable command station with the latest and greatest technology available.
The CS-105 Command Station from TCS is the new DCC standard for model railroads. This system brings a new level of operational convenience to DCC, especially when paired with a UWT-100. The CS-105 also features a wide range of new features compared to the competition. "Soft Start" as well as configurable short circuit detection for the mainline track output decreases the likelihood of burning up fouled decoders as well. Instead of spending time with your head in a manual trying to understand your system, you can consult the intuitive configuration interface of the CS-105 through a TCS throttle such as the UWT-100, allowing you to focus on the important things - operating and enjoying your trains! We are confident that the CS-105 will quickly become your favorite command station to use.
Also included in the package with the CS-105, power supply, and AC cord are two LCC terminators, detachable track power connector, and detachable programming track connector.
| This product has two Power Supply options: 12 Volts or 15 Volts
Click on one of the options below to shop: | ||
| 12V Power Supply | 15V Power Supply | |
Power Supply Selection: When selecting a power supply voltage, you choice should depend on two factors: 1) Modeling Scale 2) Maximum loco speed. For smaller scales such as Z, N, TT, etc., the 12V supply is recommended. The 12V supply is also acceptable for larger scales such as HO; however, if you like to run your trains at higher speeds the 15V supply increases the maximum voltage available to the motor, allowing your models to reach higher top speeds. This is particularly beneficial to modelers of bullet trains and other high-speed passenger services. Both power supply options are rated to supply the CS-105 with up to 5 Amperes of continuous current all day long!
Small Package; Big Power
The CS-105 is not only feature-packed, but also highly capable with plenty of horsepower for your railroad. The CS-105 has a user-configurable short circuit protection algorithm and current limit up to 5 Amperes. Unlike many systems on the market, when we say "5A continuous" we mean it! The CS-105 can supply up to 5 Amperes of current to your railroad all day and all night long. The CS-105 can also simultaneously operate up to 260 individual locomotives (consisted or solo) thanks to a highly-intelligent packet handler and "stack" management algorithm.
Auxiliary Boosters
5 Amps not enough? We understand. That's why we offer auxiliary boosters such as the B-106! Expand out your current capacity while maintaining your RailCom® network using the LCC-enabled B-106 auxiliary booster. Already have a large layout with boosters you don't want to upgrade yet? No problem! The CS-105 can be integrated into existing ecosystems such as Lenz, NCE, Digitrax, and more using our Booster Adapter (sold separately).
Multiple Connection Modes
The CS-105 can be used as a standalone access point for WiFi throttles such as the UWT-50, but can also connect to an auxiliary AP (router) to expand the network and maximum number of throttle connections. In addition to WiFi throttles, wired throttles such as the LT-50 and T-50 wired LCC throttles can be connected through the LCC Can Bus. But that's not all! The "Aux Cabs" jack on the CS-105 allows you to connect and use some other manufacturers' throttles (such as NCE, Ramtraxx, SystemOne, and more) with the CS-105. Add-on devices such as the "LCC-LocoNet Gateway" from RR-CirKits can also be used to interface Digitrax throttles and a PC.
LCC Integration
LCC Bus connections on the command station allow for direct interfacing with LCC layout devices and modules. You can communicate with any LCC system to control switches, adjust layout lighting, and anything else that the LCC bus is connected to.
RailCom® Integration
RailCom enables bi-directional communication between the command station and decoders. This allows for read-back of CVs while programming on the mainline. The inclusion of RailCom opens up significant opportunities for future features and expansion.
RailCom® is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik, GmbH
Consisting
Consisting doesn’t have to be difficult, intimidating, or complicated! The CS-105 features a simple consisting interface where users can make, modify, and break up consists in mere seconds. The CS-105's consisting system also features new and unique configuration options for consisted engines which will make your consisting experience more realistic than ever without having to spend hours setting it up!
Full-Text Menus
The settings of the CS-105 can be accessed through a TCS throttle or JMRI. Configuration menus and options are listed in full words and phrases. No guess work or manuals needed! Use the [?] button on the TCS throttle keypad in any menu to access help text for that menu item. The throttle will display a simple description of the highlighted option. Help is always one button press away!
Programming Options
Take advantage of several different programming options with the TCS Command Station. RailCom® programming on the mainline allows for live CV read-back without the need for a dedicated programming track! Or, you may use an isolated programming track to use Direct or Paged mode programming. The TCS CS-105 Command Station does not require an add-on "programming booster" for programming operations, unlike some command stations offered today, and older-generation systems available in the past.
When programming a decoder, the TCS throttle can display information about the CV down to the individual bit, giving users the ability to further understand and visualize CV's, and manipulate them at the bit level, which is especially useful for CV's used to configure multiple options, such as CV29 or CV61. In addition, when using a TCS throttle, you may press the Help button after entering a a NMRA standard CV number to display a "plain text" explanation of the CV and what it does.* TCS is striving to offer the most user-friendly programming interface possible, while not compromising the operational capabilities in favor of "simplicity."
Easily Updatable
Field-update your software to add new features to your command station from the comfort of your own home. And don't worry, you won't lose your settings or your roster!
Contents
Specifications
DCC System
- 5 Ampere continuous current rating with soft start, configurable current limit, and load reporting
- Up to 260 locomotives running simultaneously
- Up to 300 10-step Macros using both DCC and LCC accessories
- Integrated RailCom® detector on Mainline and Programming Track
- Global detector for compatible Boosters, supporting “Ops” CV reads
- Dedicated Programming Track output with automatic switchover, supporting Direct, Paged, and Register modes
Throttle Support
- Up to 4 LCC WiFi throttles via on-board WiFi Access Point (AP)
- Up to 10 LCC WiFi throttles via external WiFi Access Point (Router)
- Up to 250 LCC throttles, wired or via auxiliary LCC WiFi base stations
- Up to 62 Cab Bus (NCE wired and wireless, Ramtraxx, and SystemOne) throttles and accessories via AUX RJ-11 jack, including ISE ProtoThrottle™ and WifiTrax WFD-30/31 WiThrottle Protocol Bridge
- Up to 31 XpressNet™ (Lenz, Roco, ZTC, etc.) throttles and accessories via AUX RJ-11 jack (starting from software version 2.0)
For more information about throttle capacity, please see CS-105 Throttle and Device Capacity.
For more information on the behaviour of your NCE throttle(s) when using the Aux Cab bus, please see Cab Bus.
NMRA Layout Command Control (LCC) Features
- Dual RJ-45 jack for LCC communication through CAN-bus
- 400mA output current per LCC port
- Built-in WiFi LCC computer interface
- Plain English configuration via TCS throttles or a PC
- Supports various DCC boosters connected via LCC cable
- Global RailCom® transmissions over LCC for supporting Boosters
- Firmware updates via WiFi or LCC interface
Physical Overview
The CS-105 features a case design which is symmetrical in nature, meaning that it can be mounted or oriented in just about any way you could possibly need to, even vertically! TCS does advise against having any obstruction on the vented sides of the case in order to allow for passive air flow, however. We will be referring to these vented sides as Side A and Side B, since what the “back” and “front” are are up to you.
Side A features: 1) Single RJ-11 jack 2) Tactile push button 3) Single red LED.
Side B features: 1) Green 3-pin connector with detachable screw terminal 2) Black 2-pin connector with detachable screw terminal 3) DC Power input jack 4) Dual RJ-45 LCC connector with four LEDs
The purpose of the LEDs is described in detail in the section below.
Status LED's
The CS-105 includes a total of five LEDs for providing information about the device’s status. The LEDs are also used during configuration as described in the Push Button Configuration section. Additionally, both the user and TCS support can use these LEDs in order to Troubleshoot issues.
On Side A of the CS-105 there is a single red Power LED. This LED is constantly on whenever the CS-105 has incoming power. On Side B, the dual RJ-45 LCC connector has the remaining four LEDs in a Yellow, Green, Yellow, Green pattern as shown below:
Normal Operation
| (From L to R) | CS | Booster |
| LED 1 - Yellow
closest to the barrel jack |
Track Power
- solid on: track power on - solid off: track power off - fast blink, short circuit - slow blink: thermal overload | |
| LED 2 - Green | CAN Active and LCC Activity
- solid on: CAN bus connected - solid off: CAN bus disconnected - blink: LCC activity (TX) | |
| LED 3 - Yellow | WiFi Status
- blink: searching / connecting - constant off, AP mode - constant on, client mode |
Incoming DCC signal
- on DCC signal present - off DCC signal absent |
| LED 4 - Green | WiFi/LCC Full - Either:
- 4 WiFi clients (on) - 10 LCC sockets (on) |
Identify LED
Press button in CDI - LED comes on for 30 seconds |
| LED 4 - Green
(upon crash) |
Blink Codes | |
Bootloader
When the device is in Firmware Upgrade mode, LED 1 and LED 4 are alternately blinking like a grade crossing. LED 2 (LCC) and LED 3 (WiFi) are operating as normal.
Track Output
The CS-105 track output can be driven from a wide range of voltages. The output voltage of the system to the track will be the same as the input voltage. The output voltage of the system can be displayed at any time from a TCS throttle as described in the Configuration section of this manual.
The built-in DCC track output booster of the CS-105 is designed for a continuous capacity of 5 Amps. This output is also compatible with the Märklin/Motorola protocol, and both protocols can be in use at the same time. The CS-105 may be used to power any scale, but it is important to ensure that you are capable of powering your layout with the system. In some cases, one or more add-on devices such as the TCS B-106 Booster may be necessary in order to supply some extra current capacity. Modern N and HO scale locomotive motors are typically very efficient, even under load. Below, we have included a table for some examples of typical load values which can help you determine if the CS-105 is capable of supplying your typical operation by itself:
| Locomotive Type | Typical Current Draw | Locomotive Max Count (Typical) |
| Idle/Stationary | 0.05A - 0.10A | 50 - 100 |
| Idle/Stationary with sound | 0.15A - 0.25A | 20 - 33 |
| N scale under load | 0.15A - 0.35A | 14 - 33 |
| N scale under load with sound | 0.30A - 0.50A | 10 - 16 |
| HO scale under load | 0.25A - 0.50A | 10 - 20 |
| HO scale under load with sound | 0.35A - 0.65A | 7 - 14 |
Note that the values in the table above are very generalized. Your results will vary for your own locomotives. Some older HO and N scale locomotives used much less efficient motors and can subsequently draw more current. The built in booster has the ability to measure track current, and this feature can be used to characterize a given locomotive for its typical current draw.
The built in booster is equipped with a soft-start mechanism to automatically limit the inrush current symptomatic of older first generation sound decoders. Additional external boosters may be added to the system for supplemental power, always be sure to include the booster common shown in the diagram below (green wire):
RailCom®
RailCom is a bi-directional data communications technology found in The NMRA Recommended Practices RP S-9.3.1 and S-9.3.2. RailCom enables bi-directional communication between the command station and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is done exclusively in one direction (from the Command Station to the Decoder). The inclusion of RailCom opens up significant opportunities for future features and expansion. For example, the use of RailCom allows for real-time read-back of CVs 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/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 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 fleet 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! What will you do with RailCom and the CS-105?
RailCom is a highly-responsive system as well, allowing up to ~126 individual operations per second (depending on the available DCC bandwidth) at a bitrate 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. Please refer to our online documentation on the TCS Wiki for more information on RailCom, including prerequisites, configuration options, and hardware support within TCS’ product lines. Support - RailCom®
