Why should I choose CTC if I already have a decoder with a central unit and a Wi-Fi mouse?
In this case, the arguments for CTC are a collection of many small advantages:
- Automation with CTC requires only a few components: beacons in the track and IR receivers or NFC readers in the locomotive.
- If no automation is yet in place, switching to CTC can even be significantly cheaper than retrofitting the digital system.
- The beacons can be installed in an existing layout without removing the track.
- With CTC, all commands are reported back, meaning the app shows a turnout as switched only after it has confirmed execution of the switching command.
- The communication between CTC and the locomotive via Wi-Fi is much less susceptible to interference than with a digital system, especially if the tracks are not particularly clean (garden railroad).
- CTC enables play with train protection, meaning you can drive manually and the locomotive still obeys red signals and speed limits.
- Configuration of CTC is conveniently done via the PC app. CTC does not require cryptic CV values and addresses.
- The bandwidth of Wi-Fi is at least 5,000 times greater than with a digital system. Overload in communication between app and locomotives is thus a thing of the past.
- When expanding, most of the effort for wiring is eliminated.
- CTC is future-proof because it is completely open (open-source) and uses only open standards.
- CTC allows almost any mixed operation with analog and digital locomotives, turnouts, and signals, meaning you can start with just one CTC module.
Can I use my Multimaus for CTC as well?
No, the Multimaus (with cable) does not work with CTC. Since CTC has no central unit, there is also no way to plug in a hand controller.
However, the CTC PC app can behave like a Z21 central unit and thus supports all Wi-Fi hand controllers that understand the Z21 LAN protocol. We have specifically tested the Roco Wi-Fi mouse and the LoDi-Con from LokstoreDigital .
More on this in the operating manual, chapter 8.3 .
My locomotive is not yet digital or has an older decoder. How do I install CTC then?
You install a CTC locomotive module in the locomotive. In the case of an older digital decoder, it is removed.
More on this topic can be found on the "Locomotive conversion" page .
I want to keep the sound in my locomotive, which is integrated in the decoder. How does that work with CTC, since the decoder with sound is replaced by the CTC decoder?
In this case, the original decoder remains in the locomotive and the CTC locomotive module is installed between the track and the decoder.
More on this topic can be found in the datasheet "CTC locomotive module DCC" .
Does CTC have the same feature set as a decoder, e.g., shunting mode, speed limiting, curve settings, etc.?
Yes, the feature set is comparable to a standard decoder.
Do I absolutely need the capacitor, since it is often said that a capacitor can interfere with the digital signal?
Yes, the buffer capacitor is absolutely necessary if the power supply is AC, and in all other cases it is highly recommended for trouble-free operation of CTC.
Since our buffer capacitor is located behind the rectifier, it should not affect the digital signal.
Where do I connect a (pulsed) steam generator?
A steam generator is connected to a switching output with sufficient power, just like lights or electric uncouplers. The switching outputs of the small locomotive modules provide approx. 0.5 A, and the CTC locomotive module G2 provides 1.2 A.
What power do the modules have? Garden railroad locomotives can easily consume 3 to 4 A for the motor alone, and accessories like steam, lighting, etc. can easily consume an additional 2 A.
The available power of the switching outputs can be found in the datasheets of the modules. An overview is provided on the page CTC locomotive modules .
The CTC locomotive module G2 has two separate motor connections with 3.5 A peak or 6 A peak respectively. According to our experience, the 3.5 A peak has so far been sufficient for all LGB locomotives. Only the TEE from PIKO required the larger locomotive module with 6 A peak.
If in doubt, you can always try the smaller locomotive module first. The motor outputs of all CTC locomotive modules switch off in case of overload, which is usually noticeable by the motor "stuttering."
What is the difference between CTC and PI-Rail?
PI-Rail is the open-source base of the CTC products published under open-source. On the PI-Rail project pages on GitLab , you will find the complete source code of the CTC app and the firmware of the CTC modules.
CTC (Clever Train Control) primarily provides ready-to-use modules for locomotives, turnouts, signals, etc., as well as consulting and the service of converting to CTC.
Why does CTC require direct current? Märklin runs on AC.
CTC works with DC, AC, and digital current. The motor is controlled with pulsed direct current (PWM). This is not a problem, as Märklin motors have always been suitable for direct current.
With AC, it is important to ensure that the buffer capacitors on the modules are large enough to generate the DC voltage required for the processor. The current CTC turnout modules and CTC multi-I/O boards have a sufficiently dimensioned buffer capacitor.
A larger buffer capacitor should also be installed in the locomotives.
Can the layout also be operated with PC control software?
PC control software that supports the Z21 LAN protocol can generally communicate with CTC, but it does not fully exploit CTC’s potential.
As of version 6, iTrain can directly address CTC modules for the first time. The CTC and iTrain teams work closely together to further expand this support.
Which control software would you recommend?
We can clearly recommend iTrain , as from version 6 it directly supports CTC. Additionally, iTrain is one of the few PC control systems that, like CTC, runs on all common platforms, not just Windows.
Do already digitized locomotives, cranes, etc. need to be converted?
Yes, if you want to operate them via the CTC app.
However, you can control locomotives, turnouts, etc. via the existing digital central unit on a layout and simultaneously control CTC-converted locomotives and turnouts with the CTC app. However, the two systems are not aware of each other, meaning that automated processes are only possible to a very limited extent.
If you use a PC control software like iTrain, you can integrate both CTC and your old digital central unit in it. This allows for limited mixed operation.
Do I then no longer need a central unit?
Correct – CTC works entirely without a central unit. You only need a power supply (track or battery) and a Wi-Fi router .
What is the purpose of the CTC multi-I/O board?
The CTC multi-I/O board is comparable to a CTC turnout module , but has 8 instead of 4 switching outputs and additionally 4 sensor inputs as well as 2 connections for model servos.
What should be considered with old metal tracks, plastic tracks, and infrared transmitters?
The infrared transmitters must be mounted between the sleepers. With metal and C tracks, holes must therefore be drilled in the rails.
We are currently experimenting with thin electronic films. If this works, the infrared diodes can also be placed on the sleepers. This would eliminate the need for drilling.
Are infrared transmitters indispensable for control?
CTC also supports classic sensor concepts such as track switches and reed relays. The CTC multi-I/O board has four connections for this purpose.
However, you then lose the extended capabilities of the infrared transmitters:
- Automatic stopping before a signal
- Reliable position display in the track diagram
- Display of the average speed of the locomotive in the app
- Automatic calibration of the motor sensor of the locomotive
- Automatic detection of the position of the locomotives
Are the circuit boards of turnouts, infrared, I/O boards, etc. supplied in housings?
- For the CTC turnout module , there is a holder for easy mounting on the plate if it is not installed in C track.
- The CTC multi-I/O board has two holes for screwing.
- The CTC turnout module G2 is supplied with a housing.
- The CTC IR beacons have matching holes for the pins in C track. These can be drilled out to screw the board in place.
Can locomotives with coreless or sine-wave drives also be converted?
Our current locomotive modules cannot do this directly. However, with the help of a separate driver module, this should basically not be a problem. A suitable locomotive module is already in planning – please contact us if needed.
Is the protocol for the locomotive decoders available, i.e., which commands control the locomotives?
Yes – the entire software is published under open-source under the name PI-Rail on GitLab . You can therefore use any combination of modules purchased from CTC, CTC software, and your own developments.
The documentation for the protocol is also available in the GitLab repository.
By the way, we always welcome anyone who wants to contribute to PI-Rail (the technical basis for CTC).
I can't seem to find the CTC app for Android/iOS in the App Store. Is the app called something else?
Unfortunately, there are many products with "CTC" in their name. On our download page you will find direct links to the correct pages in the respective app stores.
How do I connect lighting and signals to CTC modules?
You can connect lighting and signals to the switching outputs of the CTC-Multi-I/O board (or the CTC turnout module): one output per light. LEDs should come with appropriate resistors for the lighting or signal.
However, for Viessmann signals, make sure they are not the ones with "multiplex connection" (item no. 47xx). These cannot be connected directly to a CTC module but must be connected to the Viessmann multiplexer instead. You can then connect the multiplexer's pushbutton inputs to the switching outputs of CTC modules.
New Märklin signals can soon be controlled via DCC using a suitable CTC module.
Automatic stopping: Do I have a so-called braking section/acceleration function that makes the locomotive slow down to a stop before a signal and accelerate again when the signal turns green?
With CTC, beacons (IR transmitters or NFC tags) are installed in the track, which can be done without removing the track. These beacons inform the locomotive (similar to ETCS in mainline railways) about the next event, e.g., a red signal in 60 cm or reduced speed from here. The locomotive then automatically slows down gently or comes to a stop.
See the article "Automated driving with CTC4" .
Does the system detect occupied tracks in automatic mode and set turnouts so that neither flank nor head-on movements are possible?
CTC knows about blocks and marks them as occupied. This can be used for automation but requires appropriate configuration. CTC does not do this automatically.
In CTC, routes can be defined. When setting a route, you can include the switching commands (signals to red, turnouts to set) required for flank protection and collision prevention.
If signals are linked to beacons, a locomotive cannot pass a red signal.
Speed controller: Can I make the locomotive automatically accelerate to a predefined speed?
Yes, in CTC you can set the speed and then press the Play/Pause button. The locomotive will then accelerate to that speed. Pressing the Play/Pause button again will brake the locomotive to a standstill. The set speed is retained in the controller.