First of all, I am a total beginner with DCC. I have a Digitrax Super Chief and I am working on an N scale layout (which is also new for me). I have finished laying track for the end of a dog bone, so the track I have laid so far ends up right beside where it starts. I have an engine that I bought at a train show and it came with a decoder installed. At the train show I had them try it on a test track with DCC and it ran fine. I wired what I have so far and I gave it a try. After setting up, programming, etc., I was able to run the engine from one end of the dog bone to the other, reverse it, and run it back. Then I couldn't get it to go. I figured I must have pushed a wrong button. A few days later I tried it again and it wouldn't go. A few days later I tried it again, and it went one way but wouldn't reverse. By that time I was a little more comfortable with watching the throttle at key times, and I noticed it flashed the word "alarm" for about one second. I haven't been able to get it to go since. I put a nickel on the track and the command station did its beeps and flashes, and when I took the nickel off it went back to normal. Should I get a Digitrax decoder for the engine? Should I get another engine (obviously I will some day anyway)? Am I missing something on the throttle? Any thoughts?
You've simply activated the fast clock built in to the system. In most cases just press the Exit button to get from whatever wrong key you pressed back to the primary loco operation mode. This is all fully described in the user manual.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use Digitrax with N scale and all I can say, it read the manual.
Also, you should go to the many N-scale forums to get N-scale information and help.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.