Just getting started

[nemix]

Greetings all.  I've found this forum very helpful, even though half of the stuff I read I dont have the background yet to fully understand.  I'm 29, and have never done model railroading before.  I have 2 sons, 6 and 3, who have always been thomas fanatics, but have just now expanded into real trains.  I cant get them away from local junctions where they will sit and watch trains for hours.  They will also sit and watch model trains run, thus here I am. I'd like a hobby I can enjoy year round with my boys indoors as they grow.

 I'm starting out slow, and have aquired a basic layout via bachman ez track, and the bachman ez dcc system.  I know this is very limited, but i got a hell of a deal, and I figure it will work for the first basic layout, while i build a plan something larger in my basement.  

 I also got two basic dc loco's at a discount price.  A walthers gp9m and a bachman sd40-2.  I'm looking for opinions on what dcc decoders I should get to install in them, that will let them run on the bachman ez dcc, and also run on a more complex dcc system i plan to get for a larger layout we will build out over the next year or two.

 Soldering is not an issue, I'm very adept with an iron.  I'd like to get the same decoder for both if possible.

Thanks in advance.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The Digitrax DH123D could work well for you. You'll have motor control and basic light control (On/off directional lighting). I prefer the Digitrax DZ125. It's a Z scale decoder that can handle HO Scale equipment. It has the same functions as the DH123D and can fit almost anywhere.

[tstage]

nemix,

First off: to the forum!  Good to have you aboard!

You're embarking on a wonderful journey and into a hobby to involve both you and your two sons in.  It's just chock full of disciplines and areas of learning that can keep you occupied for a lifetime.

Along with Jeffrey's suggestion, I'd also try to find a decoder that comes with BEMF or Back EMF.  This will allow your locomotives to run smoothly at slow speeds - particularly switching.  You may not be able to take advantage of this now with the E-Z Command, but you should later, should you upgrade to a more sophisticated DCC system.

Good choice on a first DCC system, too.  Yea, it's limited.  But it does a very good job at what it can do.  I originally picked mine up for almost 50% of MSRP, used it for a year and enjoyed it very much.  (That's how I initially got my feet wet in DCC.)  I now have the NCE Power Cab.

Keep us posted, nemix.  Hey, how about posting a pick of you and the boys working/playing together on the layout sometime.

Tom

[Texas Zepher]

I also got two basic dc loco's at a discount price.  A walthers gp9m and a bachman sd40-2.

I personally like the NCE D13SR and DASR decoders.   I don't know the internal configuration of either of those locomotives but I'm guessing a  DASR would be a simple installation in either.