I just bought a Erupoean locomotive at a train show for a really good price: a Trix Elektrolokomotive BR E 50 DB that is DCC ready. The loco is made out of solid metal and the detail is simply amazing! Despite being a small loco, it's so heavy I need to use both hands in order to pick it up. It screams quality workmanship! It's a beautiful model!
Here's why the loco was such a good deal: it takes a specific decoder, Trix 66849, 21-pin decoder which is sold out and no longer available anywhere, even searching European hobby sites. Google was not my friend, today.
Is there an equivalent decoder that I can use, even if the sounds don't exactly match this locomotive? It's an electric locomotive, not diesel.
We used to have a German member, Sir Mad Dog, who would know right away.
Here is my guess All 21 pin decoders are the same as far as NRMA standards
Loksound has a sound file for these for the V 4.0 decoders
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/search?type=all&q=br+e50&country=de
Therefore I assume their 4.0 decoder would fit
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-v40/
However before you spend any money on my word, I would check with the ESU group on Yahoo or wait till one of our European members opine on this particular loco.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks! I, also, assume that all 21-pin decoders are created equal. But being this is a European model and the instructions are in German, I don't want to rush out and buy just any decoder, either. European standards might differ from NMRA.
We have NRMA members who might know that as well as EU members, so don't rush. There is a sample sound track on that link if you click on the loco picture
Bernie,
I would go with either Loksound or TCS Wow. Both make a 21-pin decoder:
TCS WowSound
Loksound
That said, Loksound would probably have more available European steam files than TCS.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
There actually ARE differences with the higher functions. But ESU decoders are also German and follow the German standard, Lokpilot for just motor, or Loksound if you want sound as well.
The difference is that some fo the functions are 'logic level' which means the decoder just puts out a low power, low voltage signal and expects the function will pass through an amplifier circuit on the motherboard. NRMA decided to trat them all as full power functions for some totally unknown reason, despite 21 pin decoders with the logic level functions having been the standard in germany for YEARS previously.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It looks as if Tony's Trains sells Loksound decoders and will pre-load the decoder for you with the sounds from any locomotive in their drop-down list at the time of order. I don't see this particular loco on their drop-down list, but I see some that look nearly identical but being of a different livery.
I'll wait for a few more people to chime in before I order anything, though...
You could also try emailing ESU (Loksound) diectly and see what sound file they recommend for that particular Trix locomotive.
Hi, Bernie,
I think for that Loco, you need a Decoder with 21 - pin connector (MTC), or in German: "21-polige MTC-Schnittstelle".
I found details about this locomotive here (if this is your model, you did not gave exact product number):
http://vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=142416570692&t=1511165171000&tid=7710&category=97170&seller=gebrauchtemodellbahn&excSoj=1&excTrk=1&lsite=77&ittenable=false&domain=ebay.de&descgauge=1&cspheader=1&oneClk=1&secureDesc=0
ESU offers sound for that locomotive, see here:
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/1?page=4&count=10&order=date&type=electric&country=de&cat=1
Regards,
Hrvoje
Tom, good idea! Since Hrvoje discovered the Trix model numer of my loco, I'll email ESU with the model number...
Hrvoje, yes, that's the same locomotive. Again, I don't read German so I wasn't sure of the model number. I see a number on the box: 22155. So it's probably a different manufacturing run of the same loco.
Thanks! :-)
Bernie I don't see this particular loco on their drop-down list, but I see some that look nearly identical but being of a different livery.
You wouldn't expect much US demand for that sound file, but that doesn't mean Tony won't be able to load it for you. It's going to take a phone call rather than a drop down menu. All they have to do is download the exact file you need and put it on the lokprogrammer. Anyone with the lokprogrammer can do the same thing. I would not buy one for just one loco.
I'm sure they can download and install any sound file available on ESU's list.
BigDaddyIt's going to take a phone call rather than a drop down menu.
ESU has a separate page for European sound projects.
http://projects.esu.eu/
There are quite a few European modelers in North America.
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanThere are quite a few European modelers in North America.
Yes! My railroad is generally 70s to present day Amtrak, Conrail, and CSX (depending on what specific decade I'm in the mood to run). It's also largely freelance with fictional locations hinting at being NYC and surrounding suburbs in LI and NJ. Yet I run some European and Japanese trains like the Shinkansen, the Rapido/Locomotion APT-E, and the infamous Marklin Discotrain. And when I'm in a silly mood, I'll let Thomas pull the Lakeshore Limited, lol.
Hi Bernie,
here you can see all models of DB E 50 locomotive, in all gauges:
http://www.modellbau-wiki.de/wiki/BR_150
Both Trix 22150 and Trix 22155 are listed. Your model has been manufactured in 2009, it is DC version, with DCC 21 pole connector for decoder. (GS = Gleichstrom = Direct current).
If you can buy such decoder in USA, any store (and for sure Tony's) can upload that sound in your decoder, so you will have exact sound for your locomotive.
Just keep in mind, ESU is not even close in their effort to evolve/improve their sounds (or decoder features, as for example "Full Throttle") as it is for USA market. But despite that I am sure sound will be good, it is just electric locomotive, so sound is not so demanding as for diesel or steam.
P.S.
I found manual for download, and explosion drawing on Trix web, maybe it will be useful for you (manual is multilingual, English included ):
Manual:
https://static.maerklin.de/damcontent/46/6c/466c7a5686f3b50d020e0d16593954791434536041.pdf
Drawing:
https://static.maerklin.de/damcontent/81/62/816265d3eeb3aad8cb7b0b80345467aa1434535794.pdf
P.S. 2:
It has Coreless motor, on Trix web I found this:
It should be very high quality model...like Trix Big Boy, much more known in USA...
Complete list of parts, with price per each part:
https://www.maerklin.de/service/produktservice/listengenerator.php?brand=2&artikelnummer=22155&lang=1
Oh yes! As I said in my original post, this model is amazing quality and detail!!! Thank you!
I have two Trix 2-8-2 Mikes and they have coreless motors, as well.