Central Station 60212 Reloaded V. 3.3.3 (a. k. a. CS1 reloaded or CS1R)

This is a review, this is not an attempt to write a manual.

I only use the CS1 to run my trains and cannot say anything about the Shuttle Train feature, S88 feedback and other areas.
I'm trying to write a neutral review in the first part, giving my personal reflections in the second part.


Here's a photo of the CS1 reloaded:

The display is monochrome with orange backlights. Display resolution is QVGA (320 x 240 pixels).
The photo is not very good, in reality the display has a better contrast.

Here's a "faked" screen shot (screen shots come out black on white, orange was added by me):


While I think the orange looks better, the remaining screen shots will be black on white:


This is an image at the true size of 320 x 240 (but because this is too small on current high-resolution computer displays, the other screenshots are resized to 200 %):


So back to the re-sized image: on the left I selected a DCC loco, on the right an mfx loco:

I prefer 28 speed steps for locos (for DCC locos I can choose between 14, 28, and 126 speed steps, for mfx between 28 and 126 speed steps).
Functions F0 through F7 can be selected either using the black keys beside the display or with the touch screen. F8 through F15 (F19 for DCC locos) can be activated via touch screen only.

I cleared the right controller and placed an mfx loco on the track (the gauge control in the upper left corner shows the progress of mfx registration):

A complete mfx registration takes about one minute because CS1/CS1R reads the whole set of mfx information during the registration; later all settings can be changed without requiring further reading of mfx settings.

Registration has finished and there is an "M4" button next to each controller that can be used to select the loco for that controller:

"M4" is the name ESU uses for mfx - same protocol, only different names.

After pressing the "M4" button for the right controller, the new mfx loco is shown there (using 126 speed steps and with the default loco symbol):


After switching to 28 speed steps and with a different loco image, it looks like this:


One feature I use a lot: the button at the bottom right in the middle (with the two locos and two arrows) allows to swap the locos between the two controller:

If there is only one loco running, I normally have it on the right controller. With two locos running: right controller, right track; left controller, left track.

Another nice feature: the Multi Mode: you see speed and direction of five locos and can use the function keys for the selected loco.

Very useful when shunting involves more than two locos.

Here I selected an empty slot:


The loco selection screen:

Here you see locos in a list, either sorted by name (button "ABC"), optionally with active (i. e. running) locos first (button "(A)") or sorted by address (button "123").
This screen provides many different filters: The buttons "1", "2", and "3" are your three favourite lists.
The loco buttons "Steam", "Diesel", and "Electric" filter locos by propulsion.
And the most selective filter is the address field on the right. I entered "85" and the CS1R only shows locos that have this address (mfx locos are selected by there MM address even though the address is not used for running; therefore it's no problem that the BR 85 (mfx) and the BR 185 both have address 85).

Here's the screen with the newly selected BR 185 on the left (using M14 with 14 speed steps because the new hobby decoders do not support more speed steps) and with a BR 120 on the right (it's Märklin #37538, a loco that came with a pre-installed ESU OEM decoder that supports 28 speed steps).


Here you see the Edit Loco screen for the BR 120.

The check boxes "Loco list 1" through "Loco list 3" are used for filtering in the loco selection; any combination can be set.

The available protocols (part 1 of 2):


The available protocols (part 2 of 2):


The loco image selection list (showing user-defined locos here):


An on-screen keyboard is used to edit the name of the loco:


Function keys can be modified here (symbols are selected from the lists):

Version 3.3.3 supports 20 functions for DCC locos and 16 functions for mfx locos.

I won't show all loco settings. Here's the screen where you specify acceleration and braking times (shown as seconds, not as register values) and speed:


The current monitor of the CS1R, showing current and track voltage.

The CS1 reloaded package includes an adjustable wide-range switching mode power supply (input 100 through 240 V AC, output 15 through 21 V DC stabilized, max. 5 A).

The keyboard screen with the four "digital" turnouts I have on my layout:

CS1R supports up to 2048 accessories, so I'm not near the limit yet ...

The "layout" I created for my four turnouts:


Here's how my turnouts look on the real layout (but I couldn't find a symmetric representation in the CS1R):


The General Settings of the CS1R:

Brightness and contrast of the display can be adjusted here and the limit of the booster can be set (it's 4 A for CS1R while the CS1 before the upgrade was limited to 2.8 A).

Part 1 of the languages list (German is missing, but is also on the list):


Part 2 of the languages list:

I only tested German and English.

The devices screen:


Connected Mobile Stations are also listed as devices here:

CS1R version 3.3.3 supports MS1s only (MS2 cannot be used with CS1 version 3.3.3).

The properties of the Mobile Station where you select the ten locos that will show on the Mobile Station:

Loco selection uses the same filters we already saw on the other screen, only the address filter is not available.

Now the locos are selected and the list was sorted using the up and down buttons:


This is how the screen looks after selecting a loco that is currently active on the Mobile Station:

I can see speed and active functions, but cannot change anything.

By the way: look at function key 5 on the left side:

The famous "squealing brakes off" function, sometimes only called "squealing brakes" has caused a lot irritation.
The symbol currently in use with CS1R shows pretty good what this function does (but you still have to activate the operating sounds to hear the brakes).

Back to setup:

With "Show numbers of existing functions" you get these small numbers next to each function symbol. Since some locos have 8 or more speaker symbols on the screen for their various sound functions, these numbers make it easier when you reference the loco manual.
And "Immediate stop of DCC locos at direction change" is another "cool" feature (as long as it is turned off): When I change the direction of a running DCC or mfx loco, the loco will stop using its braking delay, will then change direction and accelerate also with its delay.
I love this and use it very often: I wait till the loco is on a turnout, then I change its direction (I use long braking delays so the loco stops behind the turnout) and switch the turnout - and that's all.
MM locos do not support this; so MM locos still must be set to 0, then wait till it stops, then reverse the direction and accelerate again - with DCC and mfx loco a single click does it.
Because the delays are used, I can even change the speed before or after reversing - makes no difference if I do it quickly enough.

The setup screen showing my four turnouts with their German default names (normally my CS1R "speaks" German, but I used English for the review).


The Track Signals screen also has new features after the upgrade:

mfx (called "M4" here) can be turned off allowing mfx locos to be run with the MM protocol (if you want to do this - for whatever reason you may have (this allows testing locos that won't register automatically)).
"Create assymmetric track signal" (sic) reduces the flickering of lights for locos with 6080 or 6090 decoder (the problem is not the decoder, but the wiring of the lamps but it's a problem that all locos with 6080 or 6090 decoder and light bulbs share).
I never tried Selectrix. All my decoders that support Selectrix also support DCC so I use them with DCC.

The Network settings, here used without DHCP (while I was using a crossed cable between PC and CS1R):


After wiring CS1R to my DSL router, I could use DHCP:


The Shuttle Train screen:

I never tested this feature so I cannot comment it.

This is the setup screen used to program DCC decoders:

Works pretty good (but I can still do it faster using the real keys of my Intellibox than using the touch screen of the CS1R).

The screen where you program MM decoders (reading is not supported):


CS1R can search for the address of MM decoders (in the range 1 through 255; the motor is turned on to detect the loco):


Access Authorization:

(I never used this; probably good for trade fairs, shop displays and to prevent "damage" by children)

I never used this screen, either:

So far I never had to delete all locos.

And finally the Info screen:

The serial number has been faked ...

When connected to a PC or a network, a browser can be used to access the CS1R.
Here's the Start page with an Info screen:


CS1R allows to download objects lists (including the loco list) to be downloaded in Excel format:


You can upload and/or download your own loco images:

CS1R and ECoS 50000 only support small monochrome images, the new ECoS 50200 with colour display supports thumbnail photos.

Here's a part of my user-defined loco image list:


Firmware updates are uploaded through the web browser:

Usually there is one major upgrade per quarter.

Web browser is also used to create backups:


You probably guessed it: the web browser is also used to restore those backups:


You can click on "Display" to see the screen contents of the CS1R (embedded in the frame of an ECoS):

The contents are update periodically.

Function Mapping
The CS1 supported function mapping for mfx decoders with version 2.0.3 (maybe even earlier).
The function mapping screen is a large grid: at the top are the available functions (function outputs such as lights, ABD on/off, shunting mode, sounds for sound decoders).

The "+" buttons at the top row came with CS1R, but even with the "unreloaded" CS1 you could click there to change the intensity and mode of the lights.

For an mfx decoder it looks like this:

Light intensity can be set from 0 through 255, 153 is 60 %.

For an ESU DCC decoder it looks like this:

Biggest difference: light intensity can only be set in the range 0 through 15.


Additional Information
CS1 is no longer maintained by Märklin. Software version 2.0.4 is the latest release published by Märklin and still available for download.
CS1 us limited to 2.8 A booster output.
The CS1R package includes a crossed Ethernet cable (used for direct connections between CS1 and a PC) and a 90 VA power supply, a plastic pen for the touchpad and a CD-R created for the serial number of your CS1.
The upgrade software supports German only as far as I know. I pushed the CD-R in, pressed "Next" a couple of times, then I had to wait about 15 minutes and the upgrade was done.
Language can be a problem if errors occur during setup (but there are at least two fora in the world where you can ask for help).
CS1R is much faster than CS1 when it comes to switching screens. It brings many new features such a Multi Mode, DCC support, direction change with ABD for running locos, 28 speed steps for mfx locos, easy function mapping for ESU DCC decoders.
I never had batteries in my CS1, that's why you see the battery with the question mark on the screen shots. CS1 won't forget anything without batteries as long as it's always shut down properly. With fresh batteries, you can simply pull the plug and the CS1 will shut down automatically.
Currently a CS1R cannot be used as a slave with a CS2. A CS1 can be the slave of a CS2.
Both CS1 and CS1R can use a CS2 as slave connected to the sniffer port.
MS2s can be used if connected to the sniffer port, they cannot be connected to the Mobile Station ports of the CS1/CS1R.

Comparing CS1R and CS2
Both CS1R version 3.3.3 and CS2 version 1.5.0 support function mapping for mfx decoders.
CS1R also supports function mapping for ESU DCC decoders.
CS1R reduces the flickering of light bulbs in locos with 6080 or 6090 decoders.
CS1R allows mfx decoders to be used with 28 speed steps. mfx can be switched off.
CS1R supports Selectrix.

Personal Reflections
Some say that ECoS, CS1 reloaded, CS1 are for techies. Maybe I'm a techie, but I like the CS1R and I find the UI quite intuitive (with very few exceptions) and could use almost everything without using the manual.
I find the CS2 slightly less intuitive, but I also managed to use it with a little trial and error.

CS1R Features I Miss When Using a CS2
I like the loco selection screen of the CS1/CS1R much better (but I also use the Windows Explorer in Details mode only): all locos in a single row, sorted by name or by address. CS2 shows them in a grid, much like the Icons view of the Windows Explorer. Some may prefer that view, but I know the name of the loco I'm looking for and a sorted list in a single row is the fastest way to find it. The filtering helps a lot: when looking for a Diesel, there are only Diesel locos in the list, same for steam or electric. This makes scrolling much more easy.
When I change the direction of a driving mfx or DCC loco, it will slow down with its braking delay, then reverse the direction, and then accelerate with its delay (does not work for MM locos).
CS2 uses about 64 virtual speed steps for all locos: those with 14 physical speed steps and those with 126 physical speed steps. Some may prefer it that way, but I prefer the way CS1R works: if the loco runs with 14 speed steps, then it takes 14 clicks on the knob from standstill to full speed, with 126 speed steps it takes more clicks (but I never use more than 28 speed steps). This allows me to keep my eyes on the loco and still have good control over its speed by counting the clicks.
Just like with the CS2, speed can be selected by clicking on the dial - the number of speed steps makes no difference then.

CS2 Features I Miss When Using a CS1R
There is nothing that I really miss, but the CS2 has some advantages.
CS2 offers two ways to update the firmware: from an USB stick or live from the Internet (if connected e. g. to a DSL router). CS1 and CS1R allow updates only through the web browser UI.
USB can be used to connect mouse, PC keyboard, and USB sticks (for updates and/or backups).
I never tried a keyboard and prefer pen on the touch screen over mouse (but mouse can be used to rescue a mis-calibrated touch screen).
Clicking on the dial to select the loco speed works slightly better with CS2 than with CS1R.

Conclusions, Recommendations
CS1R and CS2 have much the same features. If you want photo-realistic loco images, go for CS2 or ECoS 50200. If loco names as text are enough for you, then CS1R or ECoS could be affordable alternatives.
If you want direct control over loco speed steps, try CS1/CS1R or any ECoS. If you prefer an UI that tries to hide the differences between decoders, go for the CS2.
CS2 shows locos for selection in a grid (6 columns, 5 rows). You can have either a "most recently used" list sorted by last usage (this is a default) or a full list sorted by name. If you have more than 30 locos, there will be more than one page. The list cannot be filtered, so if you have more than 30 locos you must find the right page, then locate the loco on that page.
A screen shot can be found here:
http://www.andreas-huste...bdd6ffff8130fffffff0.jpg
I find it easier to find the right loco with the CS1R - especially for large collections.

I prefer the CS1R over the CS2. They do basically the same things in similar ways, but I find CS1R more user-friendly and better suited to my needs and my taste - despite the low-res monochrome screen.
CS2 does some things a different way - and it also has it supporters.

But there are many areas I haven't explored yet: I don't use S88 feedback, I don't use the Shuttle Train feature, I don't use PC control.