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DCC Lighting Effects

DCC stands for digital command control, a standard for digital control of model train systems that is sponsored by the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). DCC decoder modules can be installed into a model train system to increase the ability of a hobbyist to customize her entire model railroad set. Aside from variable speed settings and sounds, lighting effects that replicate a number of actual train lights can be programmed with the use of a DCC module.

Mars Light
- The Mars lighting effect available through certain digital command control modules is designed to replicate the look of emergency signal lights manufactured by the Mars Signal Light Co. Mars lights are programmed to increase in brightness and then dull back to normal intensity at a regular speed.
Gyralight
- Gyralights are modeled after the warning beacons known as gyralights which were manufactured by the Pyle-National Company. Gyralights are essentially Mars beacons which were gyrated, or rotated, around a fixed point when used with actual trains. To achieve the rotating effect, DCC gyralight effects are programmed to increase and decrease in brightness to two different intensities: one to full brightness and the other to half brightness. These different intensities are alternated.
Strobe
- Strobe lighting is another type of lighting effect that can be achieved through a DCC module. Strobe lights are generally found on the roofs of model diesel train cars. In contrast to Mars lights and gyralights, strobes have a quick increase intensity that creates a blinking effect. The flashing of strobe lights is often patterned, although there's no clear standard for model train strobes.

Model Railroads