I'm quite sure there have been several very similar posts to the one I'm about to write. However, searching the forums isn't always as easy as asking outright, plus I get to show up in your feed as a noob to the forum and be berated about how this is likely a dupe post that has been answered elsewhere.
As seen in my bio, I've picked the hobby back up after a long while. I'm doing a lot of learning of tips and tricks via YouTube and such. Here is my forum question:I have a new Walthers DC Amtrak loco and a lightly used Bachmann BNSF loco. I would like to upgrade both to DCC. I do not plan on doing any DC on my "under development" layout. I have already picked up a NCE Starter Kit and will be using that.
I'm asking here: what is the best decoder to use for each of these locos with the NCE system in mind? I have popped open the Walthers unit and itdoesn't seem to be too convoluted. I have yet to open the Bachmann loco.
Thanks in advance for any informative responses!Brad
Sound or non sound?
TCS has very good decoders. Below is a link with installations.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/
SoundTraxx has a decoder selector page.
LokSound are also very good.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Thanks Rich!And, before I get berated by people for more specifics - I've determined the Bachmann is a GP-40 model. I understand that is isn't alwyas recommended to update these when many times a DCC ready or equipped replacement can be purchased. However, this one came to me as a raffle prize, so I'm only out the cost of the decoder and upgrade time. And it is educational to get in and try to work these things a bit, in my opinion.The link Rich provided hit the Walthers loco dead on, but there isn't a direct match for the GP-40 on the Bachmann side. I think I can work with some of the other info found there though.
Again, thanks Rich!
Brad
Brad,
Welcome to the forum!
DCC systems are designed to work with any DCC decoder brand. So, if you have an NCE Power Cab or PH Pro, you can use a decoder from TCS, ESU, Digitrax, Lenz, as well as NCE, and they will all operate as intended.
Brad, it sounds like you are operating a more modern layout fleet. Can you list what specific locomotives you have - e.g. Bachmann "Spectrum" SD70ACe? Decoders come in all shapes and sizes so some fit or are designed for some locomotives more than they are for others. And some locomotives have been manufacturered by several companies so this helps identify what specific locomotive you are wanting a decoder recommendation for.
I'm a NCE Power Cab user and I'm particularly fond of TCS decoders. Like Digitrax and NCE, they have a decoder selector page of their products on their website. For non-sound, TCS is my go-to decoder for their excellent motor control. (ESU and Lenz make excellent motor control, as well.) Digitrax and NCE are good but not as good as the previously mentioned brands.
For sound, I prefer Loksound (ESU). While TCS and Soundtraxx both have excellent sound, I would opt for TCS because of the motor control. For me - motor control is waaaaaay more important than sound. I want a locomotive to start out at speed step 001 crawling at <1sMPH. TCS, ESU, and Lenz do that consistently pretty much right out of the box, with very little tweaking required.
Hope that helps, Brad...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hey Brad!
Bay Area Bradsearching the forums isn't always as easy as asking outright,
That's an understatement! If anyone hassles you about asking a question, ignore them. They have too much time on their hands.
Bay Area Bradplus I get to show up in your feed as a noob to the forum and be berated about how this is likely a dupe post that has been answered elsewhere.
You have obviously been following the forums for a while. Ditto on what I said above.
I have an NCE Power Cab and I love it.
I'm trying to use ESU decoders exclusively because they work sooo nicely right out of the box.
I hear lots of good things about TCS too.
As was suggested, a bit more information about your locomotives would be helpful, and do you want sound or not (I vote for sound!).
Welcome aboard!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi Brad, If you go back to Rich's link, go to the list and under Bachmann, the installation on the GP35, I beleive would be the same as your GP40. It's a hard wire installation, for an older loco that is not DCC ready.
You can also google Bachmann GP40 decoderinstall. Don't think anyone is going to belittle you because you want to do a decoder install in an older, or non DCC ready loco, as it is done all the time. By learning the process, you'll probably end up with a much better decoder than that would come with a Bachmann DCC "On Board" loco.
Heck, most of my locos are non DCC ready locos that I converted.
Mike.
My You Tube
I have the Power Cab and it works very well.
If not interested in sound, NCE developed the BachDsl decoder because of the complaints for on board Bachmann in diesels.
Instructions at the link.
https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200945019-BACH-DSL
SoundTraxx has a new line of lightboard decoders. Below is what they suggest.
EMD GP40
Whoa! - That's weird! Brad's response to Rich's post from yesterday was NOT there this morning when I intially looked at the thread. That's why I asked Brad if he could be more specific about the exact Bachmann locomotive he had. And Dave's response seems to confirm that.
Strange...
That's happened to me a couple of times, in different threads. Don't know if some are editing there post while I type? and sneek in more info?
Yes...as the forum noob I am still being approved by the mods. I assume they are ok with me so far. ;-)And no, I am not a newbie to forums...I use them in depth for GIS work (real day job), RC helicopter (other expensive hobby) and online gaming (of which I will be doing considerably less of now that the railroad bug has resurfaced!). I hope I can contribute as well as be a consumer here. Thanks to all for the input so far!
Bay Area BradYes...as the forum noob I am still being approved by the mods.
Doh! - That would explain it. I'm not involved with the approving process so I temporarily forgot about that.