Central Station 2 – CST2
Digital control unit for Märklin model railways

red dot
red dot award: product design 2008

The Central Station 2 is a digital control unit for Märklin model railways of the new generation. Its design communicates a high degree of functionality as well as stringent brand identity, reflected in the traditional colours red and grey as well as in a user-friendly shaping. The unit includes a clearly arranged colour touch screen as well as numerous operation options with which different trains can be directed along the tracks at the same time, while functions such as sound, lighting, switching tracks and setting signals can be controlled with the unit, down to the steam of a locomotive. These features are controlled with two sets of eight softkeys to the right and left of the screen. The wing-shaped silhouette of the unit is based on its operation: all control elements are arranged symmetrically in the centre, thus directing the focus to the keys, rotary knobs and monitor. This focus is additionally supported by the colour scheme, which optically connects the red rotary knobs to the monitor via an anthracite-coloured element.