diff --git a/pylot/core/loc/nll.py b/pylot/core/loc/nll.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f411906c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pylot/core/loc/nll.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+import subprocess
+from obspy.core.event import readEvents
+from pylot.core.pick.utils import writephases
+
+def picksExport(picks, phasefile):
+    '''
+    Take <picks> dictionary and exports picking data to a NLLOC-obs <phasefile> without creating an ObsPy event object.
+    :param picks: picking data dictionary
+    :type picks: dict
+    :param phasefile: complete path to the exporting obs file
+    :type phasefile: str
+    '''
+    # write phases to NLLoc-phase file
+    writephases(picks, 'NLLoc', phasefile)
+
+def modfiyInputFile(fn, root, outpath, phasefile, tttable):
+    '''
+
+    :param fn:
+    :param root:
+    :param outpath:
+    :param phasefile:
+    :param tttable:
+    :return:
+    '''
+    # For locating the event we have to modify the NLLoc-control file!
+    # create comment line for NLLoc-control file NLLoc-output file
+    print ("Modifying  NLLoc-control file %s ..." % fn)
+    nllocout = '%s/loc/%s_%s' % (root, outpath)
+    locfiles = 'LOCFILES %s NLLOC_OBS %s %s 0' % (phasefile, tttable, nllocout)
+
+    # modification of NLLoc-control file
+    nllfile = open(fn, 'r')
+    filedata = nllfile.read()
+    if filedata.find(locfiles) < 0:
+        # replace old command
+        filedata = filedata.replace('LOCFILES', locfiles)
+        nllfile = open(fn, 'w')
+        nllfile.write(filedata)
+        nllfile.close()
+
+def locate(call, fnin):
+    '''
+    Takes paths to NLLoc executable <call> and input parameter file <fnin> and starts the location calculation.
+    :param call: full path to NLLoc executable
+    :type call: str
+    :param fnin: full path to input parameter file
+    :type fnin: str
+    '''
+    # locate the event
+    subprocess.call([call, fnin])
+
+def readLocation(fn):
+    pass
+
+if __name__=='__main__':
+    pass