GENERAL:
LCC is the NMRA STANDARD for a near-plug ‘n’ play system of electronic modules that interface with JMRI and Panel Pro to control a model railroad. The system is available from RR-CirKits (rr-cirkits.com) and possibly other companies.
HARDWARE:
Modules from RR-CirKits include:
LCC Buffer-USB: connection from PC to LCC bus via USB port (REQUIRED)
Tower LCC: 16 input/output lines similar to Arduino in that each is user-defined as input or output. Inputs can be buttons, sensors, Outputs can be signals to control tortoise switch machines, crossing gates/indicators, signals, and indicator lights.
Signal LCC: Used for signalling when more than two signalling aspects are to be activated. (Optional)
Block Occupancy Detector (BOD)-8 : Up to 8 remote current detection devices can be attached. Detected signals are passed on to the Tower LCC module.
Stall Motor Driver (SMD)-8: Up to 8 tortoises (or other) can be controlled with signals from a Tower LCC signalling the SMD to activate tortoise in one direction or the other.
LCC Power-point: Powers the LCC bus and various nodes on the system. Additional units may be required for large systems or long LCC buses.
LCC Terminator Pair: Small “Snubber-like” devices to terminate each end of the LCC bus.
RJ45/Ethernet cables: Connect various modules together serially.
10-wire Ribbon Cable: Connect BOD-8 to Tower LCC
RESOURCES:
https://groups.io/g/layoutcommandcontrol NMRA Users Group for LCC
https://openlcb.org/ FORUM
A CONSIDERATION
There is discussion on the OpenLCB forum regarding working LCC with various DCC Systems, but, I have not found any statement yet that declares it compatible. In other words, if you have stationary decoders such as “Hare” or the Digitrax DS-64 (quad) you can use a DCC throttle to control turnouts, etc. With LCC you use JMRI loaded on a PC.
Do the two systems converse? Or, does LCC replace the ability to control turnouts with DCC? More research is needed.
Folks at Tony’s Train Exchange stated that you can control a turnout with both computer-generated (JMRI) LCC commands and via DCC commands from a throttle. This is important if you would like to control a layout via the PC when by oneself and still be able to allow group operation where each conductor/engineer team controls the powered turnouts manually or via throttle.
Model Train Operations 