That setup should program everything.
Peter
You should get this to program sound decoders.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/access/ptb100.php
Wire according to instructions provided to program track. My program track while electrically isolated is also a storage track so I use a switch to go back and forth. But that switch is clearly identified and left in the run position unless programming.
Richard
Don,
1st things first - What kind of Digitrax system do you have?
Atlas does not make decoders from what I gather. They were Lenz(non-sound) and then QSI(sound) and now ESU(sound) in their HO engines. Not sure what may be in their N scale offering. TCS decoders should program just fine. The 'issue' is sound decoders, they are quite power hungry and most programming tracks are low power. The PowerPax and PTB-100 program track 'boosters' are available to to increase the power to the program track. You do not need two program tracks - The program track leads go into the booster, and the booster powers the actual program track.
Now, depending on the Digitrax system you have, there are several options. For the Zephyr series(DCS50/51) and the Chief series(DCS100/200), there is a dedicated program track output on the system. With a Chief series system, you may need a program booster to program some sound engines. On the Zephyr series, there is a 'CV' you can set so that all program track commands are also sent to the high power 'main' - No need for a booster. The caveat is that you cannot have any other engines on the 'main' or they will be programmed as well! I would not invest in a programming booster unless you are having trouble getting sound decoders to program.
For the Empire Builder series(DB150), there is no program track output on the system unit. You can install a DPDT toggle to select either the mail or program track as needed. NCE also sells a neat 'smart switch'(Auto-SW) that auto switches to the program track when program track commands are sent out of the system.
If you are looking at JMRI Decoder Pro, you will need either a RR Circuits 'Locobuffer USB' or a Digitrax PR-2 to attack you computer to the system. The JMRI software is a free download.
I have botha DCS100 system(for the layout) and a DCS51 system at my workbench. Both have JMRI attached using an old computer/Locobuffer for the layout, and my laptop/PR3 in my 'Man Cave'....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Don:
Which Digitrax system do you have? If it is DB150 based you don't have separate program track leads. I'm assuming that you have a system with programming leads. I don't see why you would need more than a single programming track. A Locobuffer USB/JMRI system will program TCS and Atlas decoders. You have not indicated if the "Atlas" decoders are the QSI sound decoders that are in the Atlas Gold series locos. You may need a program booster but most of your programming can be done on the main and won't need a booster. I have a Digitrax Zephyr system with a Locbuffer USB and JMRI on my laptop. This works well but for sound decoders I need a PTB 100 booster to be able to read back CVs.
Joe
The PTB 100 booster would not interfere with the programming of the TCS decoder or other non-sound decoders but really isn't needed. The Digitrax system you have should have no trouble in handling non-sound decoders with no help needed from a booster. What specific programming problems are you having? A little more detail would be helpful.
Joe is right - We need to know the specific error DecoderPro is displaying so we can at least narrow down where the issue might be.
There's one error code if the computer can't talk to the command station (DCS100 in your case), another if the DCS100 can't talk to the decoder, and yet another if the decoder itself doesn't respond.
Without knowing which area to focus on, all we can do is randomly throw stuff up in the air and hope something sticks...
A little more information. Does your GP 15 respond to the 2 digit address and not the 4 digit one? Did you check CV 29 to see if it was changed to 4 digit addressing? I have an Athearn GP15 -1 with Tsunami sound that requires that I manually set CV 29 after setting the 4 digit address with JMRI.
If your 4 digit address of your GP 15 is functioning and it appears in the JMRI "Basic" window you are OK. Did you Save your work before exiting? Are your other CVs at their proper numbers? Does your GP 38 respond to its 2 digit address or to address 3? If the loco does not respond did it prior to your programming efforts?