This may seem a silly question for some but it has me perplexed. I would like to purchase some motive power that has DCC already on board. My question is, are the systems relatively universal or would I have to purchase a loco with a specific brand of decoder...likewise for the system itself. Can these different decoders be mixed and matched?
Thanks upfront to everyone,
Dave
DCC is standardized, so all components are compatible, regardless which make you choose.
I have 14 Bachmann DCC OnBoarad locos. Although I DO have the Bachmann EZ Command DCC system . I can run my locos on any DCC system there is.
I also DO have another DCC loco brand and it works fine on my EZC.
Some do not like the decoders an ONBoard loco comes with {any brand} so they change them out to a different one or to one with sound.
But any DCC onboard loco should work fine with any system.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Sir Madog DCC is standardized, so all components are compatible, regardless which make you choose.
This is correct to a point but needs a little bit of clarification....
Any DCC equipped locomotive that you place on your tracks can be operated by any brand of DCC system that is connected to the tracks. So a Bachmann DCC on board loco will run fine on a Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, Bachmann......etc. controlled layout.
However, the DCC components, such as throttles are not generally interchangeable, so you can't have a Bachmann command station and run a Digitrax throttle. I know Sir Mandog did not mean this, but it is worth clarifying in case his point is misinterpreted.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum