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ZIMO The outstanding system for professional model railway control |
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In 1977 Zimo had a vision of building a DCC system that would offer a powerful command station, consumer friendly cabs for table top or walk around operation, decoders with the best driving characteristics that is possible with electronic components available at the time, complete with a comprehensive train control system: a Centralized Traffic Control system on your computer. Zimo is often referred to as the "Cadillac" among DCC systems. Zimo offers more in many ways and is often years ahead of the competition in developing new features such as high frequency drive or bidirectional communication, for instance. Many model railroaders call Zimo decoders the worlds best, for years already. The Zimo train control system has been developed for the model railroader who expects more from a product. A system that offers more features and more functions and can grow with any model railroad layout. Zimo decoders are for every model railroader with even the smallest layout. They operate with any DCC system (provided it is DCC compatible) and are a recommended alternative to the decoders installed by the locomotive manufacturer. Zimo decoders are priced very competitive and offer excellent driving characteristics. |
| ZIMO Mile stones from 1979 to 2009: | |
| 1979 | The first ZIMO Digital system (BGT-1, FP-2, FZE-2) came on the market. The first decoder measured 1.7" x 1.18" x .78" (45 x 30 x 20 mm). At the same time only one other product came on the market: an English manufacturer offering a system for 16 trains and only 6 speed steps. In comparison, the Zimo system with 99 trains and 16 speed steps seemed almost over engineered. |
| 1980 | For the first time multi train operation is combined with a train safety management system, which was later named "signal controlled speed influence". It is to this day one of Zimo's outstanding specialties. |
| 1980 | Also in the same year an add-on module for load compensation (BEMF) was already developed. Due to its size it could only be used in large-scale engines. |
| 1981 | A new generation of Zimo system components (M100, M200, M400) was introduced and with it for the first time a special control unit M 500 which allowed for prototypical operation including block control, routes, automated station entry/exit and a push button CTC panel |
| 1984 | ZIMO introduces the first microprocessor-controlled cab, the M210. Address memory and consisting with up to 5 locos became possible. Also a first: upgrading became a simple matter of exchanging the EPROM. |
| 1987 | ZIMO introduces train number recognition, a feature that no other manufacturer was able to offer, for the following 12 years. |
| 1989 | With the introduction of the MX41 decoder with high frequency drive (20kHz), the world's first decoder that combines silent running with load regulation (BEMF) became reality. |
| 1990 | With the development of the Computer-Software "STP" (E. Sperrer Software Development); a PC could now take over the responsibilities of all safety aspects as offered by a CTC in the real world of railroading. Real prototypical operations became possible in sharp contrast to other DCC systems and software products. |
| 1992 | More compact command stations, infrared cabs, accessory decoders and the further miniaturization of loco decoders were developed and introduced to the market. |
| 1994 | Zimo reacts to the standardization of the DCC data format and for several years' produces command stations capable of operating in the "old" Zimo, the new DCC as well as the Motorola data format. From this point forward all Zimo command stations support both, the Motorola and DCC format. |
| 1996 | A new standard was set with the introduction of the latest system generation (MX1 and MX1HS "model 2000" command station, loco decoders MX61 "model 2000", miniature decoder MX62 etc.) in terms of capacity, driving characteristics and functionality. |
| 1998 | Introduction of the new economy command station MX1EC. Getting started with Zimo technology has never been more affordable. The MX1EC is no less powerful and offers the same operational possibilities as the MX1. |
| 2000 | The now standardized bi-directional communication will be integrated in all relevant components, such as command stations, loco decoders, track section modules etc. This will expand the application of the already greatest DCC product on the market today. |
| 2002 | The necessary hardware for the "bi-directional" communication accoording to NMRA RP 9.3.1 and 9.3.1 is included now in all ZIMO decoders; also the command station are prepared for later insertion of plug-in boards for "bi-directional detectors". Do-it-yourself SW update for all ZIMO loco decoders without removal of the decoder from the loco. |
| 2004 | New cabs MX31 and MX31FU, new features for decoders (MOTOROLA, km/h or mph speed control, etc.). |
| 2005 | The new MX31ZL (the system in a cab), the first ZIMO sound decoders MX690 for large scales and MX640 for H0. |
| 2006 | kommen mehrere neue Produkte und Features auf den Markt, vor allem, die ersten ZIMO Sound Decoder MX690 und MX640, und das "Fahrpult mit eingebautem Mini-Basisgerät" MX31ZL, das einen besonders günstigen Einstieg in die ZIMO Technik ermöglicht. |
| 2007 | ZIMO releases a nwe method for the decoder update: the "Update by USB stick" using the MX31ZL as update device. This is the most comfortable method, also usable for loading of sound projects. |
| 2008 | The development of a completly new system generation starts; this project turnes out as very complicated because of the technology which have changed much compared to former years; some time delay for getting a deliverable product is the consequence. |
| 2009 | The production of the new cab MX32 is started end of the year, which is the beginning of a new era of model railroad control: OLED screen on a handheld, 32-bit-microcontroller, 2 GB memory, Fotos, icons, real time tachometer, etc. on the sreeen. |
OCTOBER 2009