Website has been updated December, 2025.
About this WebsiteThis website was created sometime around 2010 to share information and encourage installation of on-board battery power in small model locomotives (and similar traction equipment), specifically, HO, On3, On30 and some S-scale.
On-board battery power reduces maintenance and eliminates problems caused by intermittent wheel-rail electrical contact. It simplifies track wiring.
After 15 years, this is a major update, not only the content, but also the style. What began as introduction and tutorial is replaced by component descriptions and enabling technology.
There are risks associated with battery power as well as the challenge of safely fitting what is required in HO-sized model locomotives. Since it is not convenient to remove batteries from locos for charging, a battery must be charged while in the loco, which is the reason to choose S-CAB BPS. The Battery Power page is recommended reading.
You are here, so navigating this website starts with this page. Readers interested in using battery power to enjoy model railroading without a deep dive into technology can skip details of radio control and go to Part list, and Order Form.
After reviewing this website, readers interested in beginning a battery power project should use the Contact Form to start an email conversation.
For readers operating with battery power, figuring out how things work or why they don't work is where user guides and detail pages can be helpful.
S-CAB builds upon, and is compatible with, existing model railroading products and standards, including NMRA standards for Digital Command Control (DCC). However, S-CAB is not DCC and does not require DCC equipment except for decoders, which are used for loco control.
Check it out. Discover why its the simplest, most reliable, proven way to operate model trains
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How it beganAs a modeler, I built and rebuilt layouts that did not run trains to my satisfaction. As an electrical engineer, I watched technology progress much faster than its application to model railroading. Sony's creation of the lithium-ion battery in 1991 was the beginning of my battery power adventure. Real progress began in 1999 when the lithium polymer cell (LiPo) was introduced by Sony as a more flexible and safe alternative to the traditional hard-case lithium-ion batteries.
Radio communication was a significant development that came later as the means to make loco control fully independent of a track connection.
After investigating and building a prototype loco controller, I decided to use commercial DCC decoders. Why not send DCC messages by radio? No need to design a new decoder, but how would a user operate a loco by radio control? Adding a transmitter to a DCC Command Station would not appeal to those without a DCC system or those who avoided DCC. (remember, this was 2010).
A hand-held controller was required. What started as application of battery power became a radio communication project ultimately leading to the Stanton Radio CAB (aka S-CAB throttle).
The structure of battery power and radio control evolved slowly as the components matured. My earliest public description was a series of five articles published in the Australian Model Railway Magazine (AMRM) beginning with August 2009 issue. The prototype throttle was described in AMRM October 2010 issue and product version appeared in April 2011 which was the fifth and final article published by AMRM.
All elements of the "S-CAB system" existed in 2011. Components have improved based on experience and benefits of improved technology, but its basis has not changed.
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S-CAB System
A set of components that can be assembled and installed to operate
HO scale locomotives using rechargeable on-board battery power.
HO scale locomotives using rechargeable on-board battery power.
DescriptionS-CAB involves two technologies:
Battery PowerBPS (latest version is BPS-v5), which is a core component of an S-CAB installation, provides 10 volts and up to 1.2 amps from a 3.7 volt battery. In addition to voltage conversion, BPS-v5 performs battery charging, safe battery management, battery on/off control, and overload protection; all within a small package.
Loco ControlA hand-held wireless controller (the S-CAB throttle) communicates directly with a radio receiver installed in a loco. Commands are transmitted by radio to a loco receiver and decoder powered by an S-CAB onboard battery power supply. No other equipment is required. No command center, no WiFi, no Bluetooth.
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QuestionsWhat happens to DCC?S-CAB BPS and radio control is compatible with DCC. Decoders continue to be used for loco control and DCC track power can be used for on-board battery charging.
Communication to decoders is by radio?Yes, for NCE and SoundTraxx decoders, an S-CAB loco receiver delivers DCC commands directly to the decoder's microprocessor. This is called "direct radio connect" (DRC) to distinguish it from the indirect method of using a DCC booster to convert radio data to DCC power.
What about other manufacturers' decoders?Using a DCC booster is not as efficient as direct radio connect, but works for most decoders.
Is a DCC system required?No, a DCC system is not required. An S-CAB throttle transmits decoder commands directly to locos with S-CAB receivers.
Is S-CAB compatible with DCC?Yes, output from DCC command stations or throttles can be transmitted by S-CAB radio. It can remain connected to track in order to operate locos without battery power. Where available, DCC track power can be used for battery charging while loco is operating.
Can S-CAB be used with DC layouts?The answer depends on equipment being used for DC control. A well-filtered DC supply between 12 and 13 volts is an ideal for BPS battery charging. Legacy DC voltage controllers often deliver unregulated output with voltage peaks (spikes) that can damage electronic equipment. BPS-v5 can survive voltage peaks up to 30 volts, but it's best to avoid old DC loco controllers, especially models with "features" such as "pulse power".
Getting started with S-CABS-CAB components are available to fellow modelers but determining what will fit and operate successfully in a selected loco requires investigation of space within the model followed by installation and wiring of components. When considering battery power, it is best to make an inquiry and begin to plan a project. Installation is available, but labor is expensive, so it pays to become familiar with components and evaluate how much help is necessary.
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COMPONENTS
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If S-CAB is used for both on-board battery power and radio control, four components must be installed in the loco:
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Component widths are designed to be less than 18 mm (0.7") to fit HO-scale GP-class diesel locos. When appropriate, these components can be mounted vertically on edge in steam loco tenders. Since a battery is generally the largest component, its position frequently constrains the overall installation plan.
BPS-v5 Battery Power Supply
It performs the following functions:
S-CAB Throttle
A wireless, battery-powered, hand-held controller completes the S-CAB system. Communication uses ISM 900 MHz band and is direct from throttle radio transmitter to a compatible loco receiver. Transmission is intermittent which allows a number of throttles to operate at the same frequency. Each throttle can manage up to 15 locos during an operating session. The throttle's radio is only active while transmitting a command (approximately 0.04 seconds). Consequently, operating sessions with multiple participants and up to 6 active throttles is possible without noticeable interference.
However, there will be interference with radios that transmit continuously at a similar frequency. S-CAB frequency can be set at 916.48 MHz (required for backward compatibility) or 918.12 MHz which avoids known interference levels at frequencies close to 915 MHz. |
BatteriesThere are 2 ways to do battery power.
LXR Loco ReceiversLoco receivers have been redesigned for compatibility with motherboards supporting MTC-compliant decoders.
LXR-MTC-v1 is used for Direct Radio Connect (DRC) with NCE and SoundTraxx decoders, either packaged with decoder or added to a motherboard. 
LXR-MTC-Steam is designed for installation in steam loco tenders. It is plug compatible with edge-mounted BPS-v5. 
LXR-MTC-DCC combines a DCC booster with loco receiver.
It is intended for use with decoders that are compliant with NMRA DCC standards. S-CAB Direct Radio Connect connects radio receiver data directly to decoder's microprocessor. This shrinks overall package size and avoids inefficiency of converting radio data to DCC power for input to decoder's left/right track connections.
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MOTHERBOARDS
A motherboard (MB) is a circuit board on which components are mounted to simplify battery power and radio control installation Connectors and circuit traces on motherboard eliminate wiring between components. Terminals are provided for connections to loco motor, lights, speaker and battery charging input. In some cases lights and speaker can be mounted on the MB.
A motherboard installation
As of October 2025 there are two motherboards.
MB-v5.1-JST for decoders with JST 9-pin socket.
The newer version (MB21-v1) provides a header for decoders with a MTC 21-pin socket. The NMRA MTC 21-pin standard assumes manufacturers add a mating header to their locos. However, for thousands of locos that pre-date the MTC standard, MB21-v1 simplifies installation and supports expanded functionality of the 21-pin connector.
MB21-v1 for
decoders with
MTC 21-pin socket
Headlight and speaker mounted on motherboard |
STEAM LOCO TENDER KITS
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The first steam tender kit is illustrated to right. Mounting circuit boards vertically works well when tender is at least 18 mm deep. BPS-v5 and LXR-MTC-Steam combine to use space efficiently to the benefit of both components. BPS reed switches against back of tender are easily activated and radio antenna against side of tender provides good radio reception.
The optional 6-conductor engine cable plugs into the LXR-MTC Steam header. |
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Acknowledgements
References to various manufacturers and their products are scattered throughout this website. Their proprietary rights, trade marks, copyrights, etc. are acknowledged.