e e.g lights. Locomotive Decoders can be fitted to accessories that have a motor as a drive for example the R8131 Hornby Operating Conveyor or the R813 Hornby Tipper set.

Occupancy Decoder

A unit that can detect the presence of a locomotive on a specific section of track and can provide the appropriate information as ‘return’ data.

Power Bus

Copper strip or wires that can relay power from a Power Booster to the track.

Power Booster/Power Station

A Power Booster or Power Station is as the name implies, there to provide a boost of power to the track. This can occur if a larger than normal quantity of locomotives are required to be running on the track at the same time. If the transformer already fitted cannot handle this number then it will be necessary to section the layout and fit a Power Booster. This Booster will not only provide more ampage to drive the locomotives but also boost the signals to the Decoders. All Boosters fitted must still be connected to the Power Station.

Programming

The process of assigning an Address to a locomotive or accessory (points or signals).The process of programming sends a signal containing a numerical identifier to the locomotive being programmed. Programming Track

A section of track isolated from the main layout purposely for programming locomotives. A Programming Track negates the requirement of removing other locomotives from the main layout.

Speed Steps

A variable voltage increase used to control motor speeds. Decoders can set the output power for each speed step.

Stall Current

Stall Current is the maximum current draw in amperes that a locomotive is capable of when stalled.If the armature of a motor is prevented from turning and the maximum voltage is applied the current draw of the motor is known as the "Stall Current". Throttle Notches

Determines whether a locomotive is controlled with 8,14, or 18 speed steps.

XpressNet

A high-speed communication protocol used for connecting Digital input devices together.

XpressNet (XBUS) Input Devices

Devices using the XpressNet protocol to control a digital layout.