If you use the 3 wire type of keep alive, like Loksound supports on their decoders, and Lenz as well, then there should be no program track problems - that extra wire is used to switch the keep alive on and off. While you can use a 2 wire keep alive like the TCS ones on an ESU decoder, you then may have to remove or disconnect it to program. The 3 wire ones like the ESU PowerPack cost significantly more than the TCS ones, but they are more involved electrically.
--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 confess I haven't been paying attention, since I don't have any. Are there hoops to jump through, like disconnecting the capacitor, to program a loco with this feature?
Is there a difference between NCE and Digitrax or Wow Sound and Loksound?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley