I just got the word that Marklin USA is finally ready to upgrade customer's CS. Visit www.marklin.com for information (should be posted by Friday end of day) or contact your favorite M* dealer for more information.

To recap, CS upgrade will enable the following functionality:


In addition to the programming of routes, the update also includes a connection for the s88 feedback module to provide feedback on operating status, along with connections for digital devices of the
predecessor generation, 6021 Control Unit as well as the 6015/6017 Booster. Furthermore, from now on the Central Station will also include push/pull train control. It will also be possible to activate
the stop command for the locomotive and the function for brake squealing via a soft key located directly on the touch screen monitor. The Central Station has also expanded back-up functions:
Thanks to storage capability on the computer, user settings and data can be backed up and read back in.

Customers will receive $10 coupon from Marklin USA to recoup shipping charges.

Mike

Great news for our American friends!

(some) Elaboration offered - why the promotional spin leaves out so much is beyond me


In addition to the programming of routes
- That can optionally be triggered via a s88 input (aka memory)

, the update also includes a connection for the s88 feedback module
- that uses the same familiar s88 cable/connection
- BUT with added enforcement of using a separate return(ground) feed
to provide feedback on operating status
- (nothing new here)

, along with
- ONE WAY (parasitic/sniffer monitoring of the red/brown output of the 602x)
connections for digital devices of the predecessor generation, 6021 Control Unit
- Using a 2 pin connector Plug supplied with upgrade into the newly added module under the 60212

as well as the
- ONE WAY (no mfx feedback capable)
6015/6017 Booster
- Using an new adapter cable supplied with upgrade into the newly added module under the 60212.

Furthermore, from now on the Central Station will also include push/pull train control.
- (Well - not really a good description - Shuttle is better) What the feature provides is the ability to define a locomotive (consist/train) so that it oscilates backwards and forward along a section of track between 2 points (2 x s88 sensor inputs)
- Note: additional s88 (2 inputs) required for this to work
- Note: relies on individual decoders intertia setting for stopping smoothly.
- Note: A train allocated to this mode cannot be manually controlled once started(i.e. speed tuning - in fact you have to set the speed before allocation). However the terminating sensors can concurrently be used for memory/route functions
- Note: No provision for intemediate halt/pause

It will also be possible to activate the stop command for the locomotive and the function for brake squealing via a soft key located directly on the touch screen monitor.
- I believe this statement is trying to encapsulate 2 featues/fixes
-- 1) the ability to issue a single "stop" operation by simply touching the speed graph THUS avoiding the tedious rotation the throttle which sometime does not actually get to zero (128 steps etc - hard to see)
-- 2) Ensures "obvious" recognition by decoders, with the squeeling brake feature, that the locomotive is "Really" stopping. This is hard to detect if using the rotating throttle because the system is constantly sending out speed changes (e.g. speed 100, 50,25,20,15,5,0 over the second (or so) it takes to turn the knob) and the last step to 0 may be "considered" a simple speed tweak rather than a brake.
- this is NOT the same as an "emergency stop without reversing". However another "soft key", touching the "<"Rev/">"Fwd icons, allows for sudden reversing and resumption to original speed setting WITHOUT nicely/smoothly slowing down or accelerating

The Central Station has also expanded back-up functions:
- expanded ??. This probably relates to the fact that the CS itself only stores one configuration while a number of configurations can be maintained on a PC. This allows for changes to be loaded into the operational configuration as the layout requirements change. Examples might include ...
-- a club controller that uses a single CS for different layouts (i.e. turnout/signal address/name differrences).
-- running sessions that use a differrent roster of locomotives (and you do not want to clog up the loco selection screen with irrelavent options)
-- specific setups for remote MS/station authority (dispatch type operation)
-- and simply a backup to restore to if the CS is reset to factory defaults

Thanks to storage capability on the computer, user settings and data can be backed up and read back in.
- The connection requires a computer with ethernet transport network and TCP/IP protocol capabiities.
- cable with RJ45 physical connector termination required but NOT supplied with upgrade.
- Useage of this feature is driven from the PC end, using a web-browser type interface.

Mailed mine out yesterday, Priorty Mail guaranteed two day delivery.....with delivery confirmation I can time Marklin and see how long the process takes. I'll keep you posted...