Locomotive control is by Digital Command Control (DCC), a standard digital method to operate model railways. In use is the MERG (Model Electronic Railway Group) DCC system, which is fully compatible with the installed MERG CBUS layout control bus.

The layout was converted from DC to DCC, requiring the replacement of most of the track wiring and minor modifications to the track itself. Handset controllers (CAN_CABs) communicate with a command station (CAN_CMD) via the CBUS network and the output passed to a 5A track booster. Track power is split into five regions, corresponding to the five main stations, and each region is protected against short circuits by a District Cut-Out (DCO), preventing a short circuit from shutting down the entire layout.

The construction of Grey Havens station saw the introduction of safety-related electrical systems. The station is linked to the rest of the railway via a 'bridge' that drops down when not in use which potentially allows trains to run off the end of the track and over the edge of the baseboard. To solve this problem microswitches have been installed that permit power to reach the track only when it is safe to move a train. This is when either the bridge is impassable and a barrier across the track is closed or when the bridge is in place and the barrier is open. No other combination will allow power to reach the track. More information and a photograph can be found Here.

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