Frequently Asked Questions
about the Railroad Control Interface

Isn't the RCI similar to several other systems?  Not Really! RCI is the only system which provides complete support for conventional (non-DCC) locomotives. It can also be a valuable addition to DCC-based layouts, providing block detection, signaling, and control of turnouts and other motorized devices. The RCI distributes functionality so the PC can do high level management functions, while each RCI card handles the details and critical timing functions.  RCI provides a modular approach with a complete, integrated family of products.  

What does "complete support" mean? RCI is the only system that can provide computerized block throttles economically, allowing implementation of a Computer Block Control system.  CBC allows more trains to be run, with greatly simplified wiring, and far fewer components than Cab Relay systems. Other systems are designed primarily for turning outputs on and off, but can only provide variable track power by adding expensive throttle cards appended to output cards; and adding block detection requires even more cards.  With our CBC-8, you get eight throttles and eight detectors on a single, compact card that's loaded with features.  Compare the total system cost of doing computerized block control and detection with RCI, versus cab control (with banks of relay cards) using other systems. You'll see that our CBC-based  system does much more for far less.

Why do you charge "extra" for providing assembled and tested cards? More than 80% of our customers buy pre-assembled and tested cards, and these cards are priced very competitively with other systems. However, some railroaders would rather spend time than money, and many actually enjoy building electronic kits. So we offer our system in kit form at a discount for those who would prefer to build their own.

What if my kit doesn't work after I assemble it?  What about Warranty? This has actually happened, once, in the past three years.  Our policy has always been complete customer satisfaction. So we will replace your kit immediately with a fully assembled and tested unit, or provide replacement parts - your choice. And, we don't look at the calendar if you return a card (kit or pre-assembled) for repair -- it's fixed at no cost, regardless of how long you've owned it.

Why do your standard outputs only provide 0.15 amps versus 10 amps for some other systems? The choice of using electronic outputs rather than relays provides a number of benefits: more functionality, lower power consumption, and more compact circuitry. You can't do variable intensity lighting, color mixing (for searchlight signals), or variable speed motor control with relays. And try to imagine a card (like our O-48) with 48 relays for output - it would be the size of a small chess board!

A majority of the powered items on the typical railroad (e.g.  signals, crossing flashers, stall-motor switch machines) draw less than 0.1 amp; LEDs are 0.02 amps.  For those few situations where you need higher power, such as solenoid-operated turnouts, we offer modular, attachable solutions. And - although you could run a train by just using a relay to start and stop it, do you really want to? Control of trains requires throttles, and we offer several excellent throttles for train control.

What can I do with an IO-48 or IO-24 without buying add-ons? Even with our starter kits (IO-48 or IO-24 and RS-4 interface) alone, you can connect and use all the following railroad items: Any type of signal, including searchlight, stall-motor turnouts (e.g. Tortise) or any similar low-current motor, crossing flashers, single lights (flashing, or on/off control), external 12-volt relays to switch heavy loads, or any other electronic device that has compatible inputs. Inputs can include simple contacts, such as switches and pushbuttons, magnetic reed switches, photocells, infrared detectors, and pre-built block detectors or optical detectors from any manufacturer. 

How do I connect devices to your system?  Our IO-48 and O-48 have plug-in connectors which require that you crimp wires into terminals and insert them into standard Molex housings. This was a request of many customers with medium to large layouts. They wanted to be able to swap out a board if necessary, without trying to unscrew 50 wires, and attempting to get them all reconnected correctly. And, Molex terminals are compact, rugged, and widely available. We actually offer the best of both worlds with our screw terminal converters which allow the flexibility of screw terminals with the plug-in convenience of Molex connectors. Since our newest cards, the CBC-8 and IO-24, have fewer connections to make, we've simplified hookup by providing screw terminals right on the cards. And we've recently added "flexi-connectors" which allow a choice of three ways to do your wiring (direct soldering, crimp terminals, or screw terminals) while adding built-in resistors for signals and turnout motors, AND plug-in convenience!

Aren't there "hidden" costs for PC interface and add-on boards?  Our IO-48 starter package includes everything you need to get started (see question above), including the PC interface, cable, output test card, and input test card for only $170 (assembled). This starter package provides 16 inputs and 32 outputs, enough for a modest sized layout. We also offer an even less expensive starter kit, featuring the IO-24 card.   You will need to add a power supply and a serial cable (available from any Radio Shack store).  As we have always stated, you need to examine the total system cost  for your entire layout, not just the cost of the first small card. Our high-density circuitry provides the lowest cost for any layout that needs more than a handful of input and outputs.

Why don't you provide control software for the PC to operate your RCI cards?   Railroad & Co. software provides nearly everything on our "wish list" for a control system, with more to come.  We have packages available that include Railroad and Co. at a great price.  You will soon have the option of using our very own Railroad Operator control system, which provides simplified setup and operation, at no cost to purchasers of RCI hardware.

In addition, many modelers want or need to develop custom software solutions for their railroads. We support this effort with easy to use interfaces, extensive documentation, and complete demo programs.

What kind of computer do I need to operate the RCI system? Nearly any computer capable of communicating through a serial port at 19200 or 38400 baud can be used to operate the RCI network. This includes Windows, DOS, or even Linux-based PCs.  Newer systems without a serial port will require an USB to serial converter. 

Can't I do everything with my DCC system?  Yes, and no.  While DCC systems are becoming more capable with the availability of stationary decoders and input sensing, RCI often can provide block detection, signaling, turnout control, and operation of other accessories at a lower cost per function. A separate control system like RCI also reduces the workload on the command station and the DCC communication network, resulting in better overall system performance. Examine the capabilities of your DCC system very carefully before deciding which way to go. A PC-based system like Railroad and Co. can easily support multiple interfaces and coordinate activities between RCI and your DCC system.

Is RCI reliable enough to control critical functions on my railroad?  The RCI system contains several features to ensure ultra-reliable control. The RS-485 network used by RCI is inherently resistant to electrical noise, even when using low cost cabling. Each message sent by the controlling PC has a check byte embedded in it that is validated by the receiving card. The card address and command code must also be valid, or the message will not be acted on. Every message is positively acknowledged and will be retransmitted if not acknowledged within a few milliseconds. Compare this to other systems on the market, which just ASSUME that the data is being transmitted correctly, and have no means of catching or correcting transmission errors. 

Inbound messages from an RCI card to the PC are checked and validated in a similar manner. Also, each card will automatically reset its communication interface if a partial or garbled message is received. And, each card has a watchdog timer that will reset the entire card in the remote chance that a malfunction occurs. In an actual test we performed, an RCI network was run for more than 48 hours - transmitting and receiving over one hundred million messages - without a single error. 

In addition, all RCI cards have an on-board filtered, regulated 5 volt power supply which provides rock-steady operating voltage for the card's logic (especially important for microprocessors).  Running 5 volt power around a large layout, as is required by some other systems, invites noise pickup and unreliable operation.