The model railway is controlled by the ECOS DCC Command Station touch screen controller by ESU electronic solutions of Ulm GmbH & Co. KG

See      http://www.esu.eu/en

It is situated in a roof loft approximately 6m * 3m. From the beginning the intention was to take advantage of the developments for digital control. I consider this approach offers the user an enhanced capability for control.

To see photos of the layout and a track plan click on 'Model Layout'. For typical screen shots of the ECOS see 'ECOS Screens'. Do give your views by clicking on 'Feedback'.

The scale is "N" gauge and routes  are set on the ECOS to avoid collisions and trains running into points set against them that cause short circuits to shut down the system. Once a route is set other routes that conflict are no longer set as active.

It is such a pleasure to touch the screen of the ESU's ECOS DCC command station and see 16 points change to let a train through on the main line. Recently LDT's RM GB 8 occupancy S88 detectors have been introduced so that the ECOS system can set the route for a train when it occupies the section of track that is being monitored.  Computer control using the RailRoad & Co software is now possible with the track plan on the PC screen showing which track is occupied. 

The ECOS by ESU DCC command station is one of a new generation of systems using a touch screen plus a built in PC interface with regular software updates from the manufacturer. It can also take the output from any existing DCC system to avoid making it redundant. A remote control radio handset is now available.

Since early in 2009 I have the ability to have up to 16 track plans with points and routes set by simply touching the screen. Each track plan is connected by touch screen links. A track plan symbol is available for every type of digital accessory such as points and signals.