Version 2.6.0

• Bug fixes
• WebApp extensions
• New USB device management

New Features

Mapping Added (Webserver)

Decoder mapping in the WebApp has been adapted to the new environment, debugged, and activated.

Locomotive Decoder Update (Webserver)

Locomotive decoder updates have been added to the WebApp.

CS WebUpdater Added (Webserver)

The CS WebUpdater has been added to the WebApp. This allows updating the CS via browser using the package update.

Track Power Consumption Overview Page Added (Webserver)

An overview page for track power consumption values has been added. This provides an overview of the consumption values for individual tracks.

Package Information Display for Central Station (Webserver)

An overview page for package information of the respective central station has been added. This provides an overview of installed packages and their versions. You can find this overview under System -> CS3 -> Device and Software Info.

Settings Page for Switching Power Supply Devices Added (Webserver)

A settings page for switching power supply devices has been added. This allows you to configure the settings for switching power supply devices directly in the WebApp.

USB Device Management (CS-SW)

The CS3’s device management for USB storage sticks and USB cameras has been redesigned and is now handled by CS3 processes. The enhancement is that USB devices in the Central Station network are now uniquely managed. A USB stick initially connected to an extension device now also appears on all other devices in the network.

USB Storage Sticks (CS-SW)

On the CS with the stick, files on the stick can be added to internal storage or an SD card. Safe ejection of a stick can be done on the connected device. On a remote device, the stick is only visible and can be edited.

USB Cameras in the CS3 (CS-SW)

USB cameras have been added to device management. Cameras can be configured both on the device itself and on remote devices. Cameras can now be used in the CS3. Monitoring of hard-to-see areas can be implemented on the CS. A camera can be inserted into a track diagram. When the camera is called in operating mode, a live image from the camera is displayed on the CS.

World of Operations Consumption Values (CS-SW)

Reading consumption values from World of Operations locomotives has been redesigned.

• Only the consumption values of locomotives on a control are read
• When a locomotive is stopped at speed step 0, consumption values are no longer read. As soon as the locomotive starts moving again, consumption values are read again.
• If consumption values cannot be repeatedly read from a locomotive, reading is paused. Active control of the locomotive restarts reading.

Locomotive List and Article List (CS-SW)

The handling and display of the locomotive and article lists has been enhanced. It is now possible to bring both lists to the foreground when they overlap in size. This allows for quick switching with large lists.

Recursion Detection in Events (CS-SW)

Many problems with events stem from recursions without sufficient pause settings. This causes events to consume the entire CPU, resulting in lost responses. Recursions are now detected during editing and a warning is shown when leaving the configuration. Safety mechanisms have been implemented when executing recursions to catch the effects of CPU bottlenecks.

Track Format Processor Locomotive Management List Overflow (CS-SW)

When the Track Format Processor’s locomotive management list is full, an appropriate error message now appears on the interface.

QR Code for CS3 Webserver (CS-SW)

A page with QR codes for accessing the most important web pages of the WebApp has been added to the GUI.

mfx Output Configuration Display for Locomotive Decoders (CS-SW)

Due to a request for an extension in the decoder, the display of the AUX output configuration for locomotive decoders had to be adjusted. The entries have been compressed to make room for a new column. As long as this property is not reported by the decoder, the appearance remains the same - the column is not displayed - but the presentation is slightly tighter.

CV Read Error Handling (CS-SW)

On DCC CV read errors, the process no longer aborts as before, but continues processing the CV list and attempts to read the remaining CVs.

Track Diagram: Display of Open Track Connections (CS-SW)

The display of connections across track diagrams has been changed. The connection point number is no longer drawn. Connection points on routes are omitted. Connection points at open ends continue to be drawn. The display has been changed to panel references. Thus, open connections now function like panel references. You can use them to switch panels.

Power Supply Settings Dialog for Track Format Processor / Booster (CS-SW)

A dialog has been created for all devices with a track output that summarizes the settings for the switching power supply used.

Slim C-Track Double Slip Switch and 2025 Signals (CS-SW)

The slim C-track double slip switch 24720 with digital decoder 74467 is now correctly integrated. The new 2025 semaphore signals 70395, 70396 as well as 70415 and 70416 have been added.

Improvements

Switching Error Notice in Events (CS-SW)

Customer report. Event logging showed that switching of magnetic articles could not be sent to the Track Format Processor. The reason is that only a limited number of switching commands can be processed in the model railway digital system. A tip has been created to help with this problem, explaining the issue and providing solutions.

Current Decoder Firmware (CS-SW)

The currently released decoder firmware 3.3.1.0 has been included in the update scope.

Grouping and Filtering Events (CS-SW)

Event filtering can now also allow ungrouped events. These events can be found under the filter setting “No Group”.

File Manager Improved (Lokicons)

The file manager has been improved. Locomotive icons are now loaded and displayed faster. Additionally, it can now be opened in its own window via the link /app/filemanager.

New Supervisor Software (Supervisor)

When powered off, the supervisor is sent to power saving mode to conserve energy.

Linux UDEV Extensions (Debian)

For USB media and camera management support, Linux UDEV system messages are now evaluated. The necessary software packages have been installed.

New Kernel V4.15.18 (Kernel)

Kernel with support for the new UDEV USB device management devices.

Bug Fixes

Update Detection on Extension Device (CS-SW)

USB updates are now detected on extension devices and can be performed without switching to HG mode.

World of Operations Consumption Value Settings (CS-SW)

The setting of World of Operations consumption factors in the CS GUI has been corrected. Writing values worked, only the display of current factors did not work.

CS3 Startup and STOP Status (CS-SW)

When starting the CS3 in connection with other system settings, the STOP state was not handled correctly in the processes. When the options “Start locomotives automatically”, “Events - Extended mode”, “Continue events” and “Continue operation” were all activated, internal processes in the CS were started because “GO” was reported, although the Track Format Processor was in STOP. The execution of these internal processes failed (e.g., activating mfx locomotives after a restore). Determining the GO status and restoring the correct status is now done centrally in Event, thereby correctly synchronizing the Track Format Processor state. Internal processes that depend on the GO state are now executed correctly.

Renaming Events and Articles with the Same Name (CS-SW)

Events and articles were previously checked for name equality independently. Only when inserting into the track diagram was the name checked and a corresponding verification took place. However, if events or articles already in the track diagram were subsequently renamed to the same name, the articles disappeared from the track diagram or article list. Name equality is now checked when renaming events and articles.

Dropdown Menu Selection Box Width (CS-SW)

The width of the popup menu of a dropdown selection menu now adjusts to the contained texts. This makes it readable which option should be set. When the menu is closed, you can see which entry is active.

Events: Reading Status at Startup, Runtime Improvement (CS-SW)

A customer complaint led to optimization of the startup process when interpreting event states. The central station took about 20 minutes before the GUI became visible; now the application starts in less than 60 seconds with this central station.

Continue Events and Stored STOP/GO Status (CS-SW)

When continuing events, the stored rather than the actual STOP/GO status was used. This was incorrect and led to errors during CS startup. The actual stop state of the central station is now used.

Events: Correct Interpretation of Locomotive Direction Reversal (CS-SW)

The response to the locomotive command “reverse direction” is now correctly processed in events. This specifically caused problems with the shuttle macro execution.

Database Incorrect Entries When Loading CS Status Corrected (CS-SW)

It could happen that a CS3 no longer read the status. The cause was that an uninitialized floating-point number was entered in the status and this prevented loading as a NAN value. This is now taken into account when loading the status.

Magnetic Article Configuration - Next Free Address Determination Corrected (CS-SW)

When determining the next free magnetic article address, for MM this was not checked against the maximum valid address and invalid addresses were assigned during automatic insertion. This has been corrected.

Switching Between WebApp and MobileWebApp (Webserver)

Since switching between the WebApp and MobileWebApp caused errors on some devices, the WebApp is now accessible via /app and the MobileWebApp via /mobilewebapp.

Error When Uploading Locomotive Icons Fixed (Webserver)

An error in the locomotive icon uploader caused BMP files to not be uploadable. This error has been fixed.

Error When Restoring Backup Fixed (Webserver)

An error when restoring a backup caused backups to not be restored correctly. The configurations were then empty. This error has been fixed.

Version 2.5.2

Improvements

Locomotive Icons Update (Lokicons)

Locomotive icons for 2024 new products have been added.

Bug Fixes

S88 Feedback for PC Programs (CS-SW)

S88 feedback has been made functional. The background was an incorrect implementation of the CAN command. The correction was made incompatible for PC programs. It could only be executed by the CS3.

mfx Third-Party Decoder Registration and Editing (CS-SW)

When editing/registering/re-registering third-party mfx decoders, it could happen that this could not be completed and got stuck in an endless loop. For already existing decoders, the message “The decoder has a changed firmware version and will be re-registered for safety” appeared. However, this process could not be completed and kept recurring. Likewise, registering new decoders was not fully possible.

Newly Created Consists (CS-SW)

Newly created consists could not be controlled. The cause has been fixed.

USB Device Detection (Webserver)

An error in USB device feedback to the WebApp has been fixed, so USB devices are now displayed correctly in the WebApp.

Incorrect Booster Consumption Value Display (Webserver)

Booster consumption values were incorrectly interpreted by the webserver, causing the WebApp to display incorrect values.

Switching Between WebApp and MobileWebApp (Webserver)

An error occurred when switching between the WebApp and MobileWebApp. Calling /app on mobile devices still pointed to /mobilewebapp. The error in the browser detection has been fixed. Additionally, both apps tried to access the same browser cache, preventing the MobileWebApp from loading. This problem has also been fixed.

Locomotive Icon List Empty in File Manager (Webserver)

When corrupt locomotive icons were in the locomotive icons folder, an empty list was previously returned. Now these icons are ignored, and a list without these icons is returned.

Error When Resetting Locomotives Fixed (Webserver)

An error in the WebServer caused the locomotive readout after a reset to not be executed.

Error in Event Display Fixed (Webserver)

Due to an error in interpreting event data, only empty events were displayed.

Error When Uploading Locomotive Icons Fixed (Webserver)

JPEG and GIF files could not be uploaded because the file extension was not correctly changed to PNG.

Version 2.5.0

• Introduction of model time
• Web application completely redesigned

New Features

Complete Redesign of Web Application (Webserver)

The entire web application has been restructured and the appearance has been changed. When calling the web application, you go directly to the CS web application interface. The preliminary pages and functions have been integrated into the interface.

Control Desk Handling in Central Station Track Diagram (Webserver)

Control desks are now displayed correctly in the WebApp.

Event Display (Webserver)

Events and their content can be displayed in the WebApp. Event control is also possible. This makes events fully controllable.

MobileWebApp (Webserver)

MobileWebApp (CS3-IP/mobilewebapp) added. This interface is optimized for smartphones and allows the use of small mobile devices to control a model railway layout.

Improvements

Short Circuit Status Display (CS-SW)

When an overload situation occurs in the CS3 device environment, a corresponding message with the cause is displayed and the stop button starts flashing. The user can now eliminate the cause of the short circuit. Operation can be resumed by double-pressing the Stop button or by an event that sends GO. The short circuit message on the screen is cleared as soon as Stop or Go is received.

New View Filter in Magnetic Article Configuration (CS-SW)

A new filter “New mfx” has been added to the magnetic article configuration dialog. When active, only newly found mfx articles are displayed. These new articles can now be configured according to user specifications.

Double Slip Switch on a Panel (CS-SW)

The double slip switch is now drawn scaled in the selected grid. The connections are now aligned in the horizontal grid.

Sound Playback in Events (CS-SW)

In the properties of a sound element in events, the playback volume can now be set in addition to the playback source. Thus, each sound can be played at a dedicated volume.

Turntable Operation and in Events (CS-SW)

The turntable has been redesigned and inconsistencies have been eliminated. When operating the turntable, tracking the operator’s cabin is not possible. So that the rotation direction arrows are not confused with the position of the operator’s cabin, arrows have been drawn and made operable on all four sides. To facilitate rotation direction operation, rotating the platform is only allowed in the gray circle. To allow tracks to be approached more directly, the operating area for the tracks has been slightly enlarged. New icons have been introduced in events to better clarify turntable functionality. In events, the rotation direction, a step left or right, and a turn with preselected rotation direction can be selected. The icon for 180° rotation left and 180° rotation right is now displayed for rotation direction selection. This is now easier to distinguish. A bug in the turntable with 48 exits has been fixed, and a 180° rotation can now be performed in events. Turntables under DCC with simultaneously activated extended events could not be fully controlled. Step was not displayed correctly. This has been fixed.

Decoder Mapping: Action Trigger Condition (CS-SW)

In decoder mapping, the trigger condition for an action is now graphically displayed. It is now immediately visible which conditions must be met for an action to be triggered. The arrangement of elements has been reorganized with the goal of having more space to display trigger conditions. Adding actions is collected in one dialog.

Introduction of Model Time (CS-SW)

The Central Station can now display a model time. The clock can be inserted as a display element in the track diagram. The model time factor can be set in the settings.

Model Time in Events: Starting an Event (CS-SW)

Model time can be used to start events at preset model times, repeat them, and also end the repetition at a specific time.

Model Time in Events: Pause Until Time (CS-SW)

A new macro can pause the execution of an event until a specific model time. It waits until this time is reached and then continues.

Background Process Status Display (CS-SW)

The status of “cs3web” and “vncserver” processes has been added under the system menu item “Background Process Status”.

SUSI Participant - CV Settings (CS-SW)

Editing SUSI CVs has been simplified. A customized dialog for programming values has been created for the SUSI CV settings of the 3 SUSI participants. In parallel, the display of the speed curve dialog has been adapted to match the appearance of the locomotive settings and colored black.

Support for Article 60654 - WICA (CS-SW)

Support for article 60654 has been extended in the CS3. Assigning locomotives to an IR hand controller and setting up the WiFi adapter can be done.

Copying Events (CS-SW)

Events can now be duplicated. A copy of the event with the same content and a new name is created. The event can then be adapted to requirements. This is useful when processes should be executed for specific locomotives and only the locomotive to be controlled needs to be changed.

mfx Registration Visualization (CS-SW)

Many problems with mfx registration are attributed to incorrect mfx discovery. Until now, the user could not detect this and take appropriate measures. Therefore, the discovery state is now displayed in the Stop icon. When a discovery takes place, the Stop button is extended with an mfx symbol.

mfx Locomotive Registration Improvement (CS-SW)

The CS3 process that handles mfx registration of mfx-capable decoders has been improved.

• When reading the values needed for registration, a known position in the decoder is assumed. These values are read specifically. If the position of the values is incorrect, the previous method is used.
• After registering a locomotive, the search for additional locomotives is triggered immediately. This eliminates the wait time before starting the next locomotive.
• After a restore, a bind to the new mfx environment is sent to all existing locomotives. Depending on the number of locomotives, this may take some time. If an mfx locomotive is edited during this process, a progress display appears instead.
• During an ongoing discovery, it was very difficult to access the mfx editing dialog. The relevant lock times have been improved.

Märklin Bus Device Configuration (CS-SW)

After a software update of a Märklin bus device, the configuration and setting options are re-read. These can change due to a software update.

Bug Fixes and Redesign of World of Operations Cab Views (CS-SW)

Errors were discovered and fixed when creating the new cab views:

• The brake level display has been extended.
• The value range setting of the bar tachometer in the monitor display has been corrected.
• Controls are now only hidden when this is set. This dependency has been extended.
• An analog display/tachometer with black text and light background has been extended.

New Cab Views (World of Operations)

New cab views have been created for the following locomotives:

• SBB Ae 3/6
• SJ RC6
• NS Series 1600/1700, SNCF BB7200 BB22000
• SBB Giruno RABe 501
• DB E 71.1
• DR V 200
• DB ET 85

Locomotive Icons Update (Lokicons)

Locomotive icons for Summer 2023 new products have been added.

MS2 - Error with Locomotives from Internal Database and Function Symbol on F0 (Bus Devices)

When a locomotive was created from the internal database on the MS2 and it had a function symbol F0 on F0, this was not displayed correctly. This error has been fixed.

MS2 - Operating the Locomotive Database with First Generation Devices (Bus Devices)

First generation devices had very sluggish operation when selecting locomotives from the internal locomotive database. Performance has been improved.

MS2 Current Internal Locomotive Database (Bus Devices)

The locomotive database has been updated to 2021 status.

MS2 and MS-WLAN (Bus Devices)

During the development of the WiFi-connected Mobile Station, the internal structure was redesigned and bugs were fixed. These improvements have also been incorporated into the MS2.

Track Diagram Delivery to MainStation and MobileStation App (CS-SW)

Delivery of the track diagram to the old iOS and Android apps has been implemented. The routines for exporting data to the CS2 are used. However, the mobile applications are no longer maintained and will not be further adapted to the new capabilities of the CS3. Therefore, display limitations occur and unknown track elements are not displayed. If the mobile application is to continue to be used, a control desk suitable for MainStation may need to be created on the CS3 to operate the layout. The same applies to unknown magnetic articles such as the double track crossover. This can be operated but is not displayed. It is recommended to switch to the new web browser-based app of the CS3 and use it.

Bug Fixes

Incorrect DCC Speed Step Settings (CS-SW)

An error in the message about different speed step settings for a DCC address has been corrected. This message is now fully displayed.

Parallel Editing of Setting Values (CS-SW)

When CVs were edited on multiple operating devices simultaneously, this could create inconsistent settings. This is no longer possible.

Value Input in CV Programming (CS-SW)

The input field for a CV variable could no longer be read due to a code optimization. This has been corrected and the input field has been made a value query.

Settings and Decoder Software Update (CS-SW)

After a decoder software update, the buffered data for setting values in the “Setup” tab such as volume etc. may no longer be correct. After a software update, a decoder is now completely re-registered and the buffered values are updated.

mfx Decoder Registration Problems (CS-SW)

A reason for registration problems with mfx decoders has been fixed. The internal management of the command queue had an error in processing the retry counter, which caused an unsuccessful command to permanently remain in the command queue and processing never ended. Other related errors have been fixed.

Article List Momentary Articles (CS-SW)

In the article list for momentary sound articles, the selection field for output assignment was disabled. This has now been corrected and the output Red or Green can now be selected.

Playback Volume of an Extension Device (CS-SW)

When starting an extension device, the local sound setting was not restored. This has been fixed.

Magnetic Article Configuration Accessory Decoder Mapping (CS-SW)

In accessory decoder mapping, the period selection for the m84 has been corrected. This can now be changed to match the selected operating mode.

Magnetic Article Configuration Accessory Decoder (CS-SW)

For magnetic articles, the output configuration was accidentally not buffered. This has been fixed.

m84 Output Configuration (CS-SW)

When selecting the operating mode of an m84 output, the wrong operating mode was written to the decoder.

Semaphore Signal Colors in Article List (CS-SW)

The yellow lamp of the semaphore signal in the article list was accidentally colored red. It is now yellow again.

Selection of Existing Input in Input Field (CS-SW)

When a screen input is opened, the previous text is no longer selected. The cursor is at the end of the input. The existing input can be reset either with the delete cross at the end of the input field or with Escape from the external keyboard. Enter on the external keyboard closes the dialog. The external keyboard can switch between input fields with TAB in the activated window.

Function Icon for Mute/Fade (CS-SW)

The function icon for Mute/Fade was accidentally sorted under the mechanical icons. It can now be found under Sound 2.

Waiting for Modules in Events (CS-SW)

Waiting for module processing in events has been corrected. During input, this can be set for modules that allow it. Modules that do not allow it have the setting locked.

Continue Events (CS-SW)

Continuing events without locomotive reference has been corrected and events are now continued on restart. After Go by the central station, the current step in the event is displayed.

---

© Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH