ESU LokProgrammer – The Ultimate Tool for Your ESU Decoders

Want to enjoy the authentic sound spectrum of your favourite locomotive, or capture the distinctive sound of a loco in the yard and play it back on your model railway? With the ESU LokProgrammer, it couldn’t be easier.

All you need is a Windows PC (Windows 8.1 or newer) with a sound card. Simply record the original sound of your locomotive and edit it at home on your computer. Many modellers have already achieved impressive results this way. But even if you’re not ready to create your own sound projects, the LokProgrammer is still an invaluable tool – it’s the easiest way to set up and customise your ESU decoders. Thanks to its intuitive graphical interface, no programming knowledge is required. A few clicks are all it takes.

What the LokProgrammer Can Do

Sound

• Replace the sound data on any LokSound decoder as often as you like.

• Choose from over 200 professionally recorded sounds available for download.

• Edit specific elements of a sound project – for example, swap out a horn or whistle for another you prefer.

• Import your own audio in Windows *.wav format – even voices or music.

• Assign sounds to different functions or events, with additional sounds triggered via function buttons.

Programming

• Easily set all digital parameters of your LokSound decoder, including address, acceleration/deceleration, maximum speed, braking behaviour, light brightness, and more – no need to manually input CVs.

• Configure function mapping, allocate special effects to outputs, and fine-tune settings such as back-EMF or speed tables.

• Compatible with ESU’s full decoder range (LokSound, LokPilot, DCC, Multiprotocol, and mfx).

Simple Connection

The LokProgrammer is a compact programming interface that connects between your PC and a programming track. It comes with a USB adapter cable (compatible up to Windows 11) and a 500 mA power supply. For larger scale applications (e.g. Gauge 1), you can use a standard model railway transformer instead.

User-Friendly Software

The included LokProgrammer software runs on all modern Windows systems (Windows 8.1 and above). Once your ESU-equipped locomotive is placed on the connected programming track, the software will automatically detect the decoder, allowing you to read, edit, or reprogramme it straight away.

Flexibility & Compatibility

The LokProgrammer isn’t just for retail ESU decoders – many leading model railway manufacturers fit ESU decoders as standard in their locomotives. With the LokProgrammer, you can adjust these factory settings to suit your layout and preferences.

Firmware Updates

Most ESU decoders are firmware-upgradeable. With the LokProgrammer and the latest software version, you can update your decoder to the newest features and improvements quickly and conveniently. Updates are applied automatically whenever new sound or data is written to the decoder.

Always Up to Date

ESU continuously refines and improves the LokProgrammer software. The latest version can always be downloaded from their website, or installed automatically via the built-in online update function.