Digitrax Command Stations
In the last half of 2016 Digitrax shook things up a bit in its product line by discontinuing two of their longest-lived command stations (the DCS100 and DCS200) and introducing the DCS210 and the DCS240. Since that time, they have released improved versions of both of these new command stations and redesigned the Zephyr command station.
The DCS100/200 models had a nearly twenty year run, and while still perfectly serviceable command stations, were due for an updating. Twenty years is a very long time for any component to be manufactured in the electronics industry.
Further, Digitrax has been gradually moving to designs which can have their firmware updated using software downloaded from their web site. The Zephyr Xtra was the first Digitrax command station to have this capability.
To clarify the differences between the various recently-produced command stations at a fairly high level, I have put together the following table that summarizes their features. It is based on a combination of personal experience and published specifications, and is not intended to be a highly technical review.
DB150 | DCS50 Zephyr |
DCS51 Zephyr Xtra |
DCS52 Zephyr Express |
DCS100 | DCS200 | DCS210 | DCS210+ | DCS240 | DCS240+ | |
Manufactured | 1999-2017 | 2006-2010 | 2010-2019 | 2019- | 1996-2016 | 2000-2016 | 2016-2020 | 2020- | 2016-2022 | 2022- |
Maximum Amperage on Track | 5 Amps | 2.5 Amps | 3 Amps | 3 Amps | 5 Amps | 8 Amps | 5 Amps, 8 Amps1 |
5 Amps, 8 Amps1 |
5 Amps, 8 Amps1 |
5 Amps, 8 Amps1 |
Maximum Simultaneous Locomotives/Throttles (Slots) | 22 | 10/122 | 20/222 | 20/222 | 120 | 120 | 100 | 100 | 4003/100 | 4003/100 |
Number of LocoNet Sockets | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Jump Ports | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Built-In Throttle | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - |
Built-In Computer Interface | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Front Panel Loco Slot Clear Button | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Program Decoder CV Values | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Read Decoder CV Values | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
DB150 | DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DCS100 | DCS200 | DCS210 | DCS210+ | DCS240 | DCS240+ | |
Separate Programming Track | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Ability to Use Programming Track While Running Trains | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Increased Power to Programming Track4 | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
- | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Enhanced Programming Track Support for Power Extender-Equipped Decoders | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Switch-Selected Maximum Output Voltage (Scale Selection Switch) | ![]() |
- | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Software-Adjustable Voltage Trim5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Hardware-Adjustable Voltage Trim (Internal) | ![]() |
- | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
- | - | - | - |
Downloadable Firmware Updates | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
- | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Batteryless Non-Volatile Memory | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
- | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Auto-Shutdown of Track Power on Loss of Command Signal | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
DB150 | DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DCS100 | DCS200 | DCS210 | DCS210+ | DCS240 | DCS240+ | |
Command Station Contention Detection7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Command Station-Stored Routes | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Command Station-Stored "Easy Routes"8 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Built-In Fast Clock | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
"Advanced LocoNet Device" Command Station9 | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Supports DT100/DT200 2-digit Address Aliasing10 | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
- | - | - | - |
Four-Digit LED Display | - | ![]() |
![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Color LCD Display | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - |
Loco Reset Button11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Built-In Transponding Read-Back on Command Station Track Output | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Continuous Refresh of Functions F0 through F28 | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Input Voltage | 12-20VAC/ 15-28VDC |
15VAC | 13.8VDC | 13.8VDC | 12-20VAC/ 15-28VDC |
12-20VAC/ 15-28VDC |
13.8-25VDC | 13.8-25VDC | 13.8-25VDC | 13.8-25VDC |
DB150 | DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DCS100 | DCS200 | DCS210 | DCS210+ | DCS240 | DCS240+ |
Notes
--Fritz Milhaupt, July 2023
This web site is neither associated with nor endorsed by Digitrax, Inc., which accepts no responsibility for its content.