Programming 1st Engine with NCE PowerCab???

[kenben]

Thanks Henry. I got my CLOCK back. Slowing learning my way through the process of programing. I just got my 3rd engine and changed my PowerCab to accept 3 engines.

[kenben]

I quickly realized that my 2 ScaleTrain engines are by far better quality products in performance and sound than compaired to my new engine from Broadway. My EMD SD40-2 by far has the best sound. Both ScaleTrain engines have the best realistic momentum from starting from a full stop, ramping up speed and going back to 000.

50 years ago my dad developed a DC controller modeled after real diesal engine throttles that had realistic momentum from 0 to 60MPH and back to 0 (HO scale model MPH). He ran adds in Model Railroader. Don't know how many he sold but I helpped assemble a bunch of them. 

[kenben]

A general question for all you long-timers. In your opinion, who makes the best HO DCC engines as far as detail, realistic operation and sounds? 

[tstage]

That question has been asked several times before on the forum and the answer is always..."It depends".  Every manufacturer makes winners and duds so you have to take each manufactured locomotive on a case-by-case basis.

Detail is contingent on the manufacturer's design and attention to detail of the prototype.  Realistic operation and sound, OTOH, is pretty much up to the decoder manufacturer and the quality of the sound files.  One exception would be an OEM decoder made specifically for the manufacturer's particular locomotive by the sound decoder manufacturer.

Of the "Big Three" sound decoder company's - i.e. Soundtraxx, ESU, and TCS, the latter two are the best at motor-control and realistic operation.  I think Soundtraxx & TCS are the leaders on steam files and ESU & TCS are better than Soundtraxx in regards to diesel sounds - at least that's been my experience.

So, again - "best" is contingent on a number of factors and doesn't necessary transfer across board to one particular manufacturer.

Tom

[rrinker]

 I think it's pretty much impossible to beat the ScaleTrains Rivet Counter series in plastic. No one else's palstic locos come close. Of course there's a price, literally, to pay for that nice detail. Plus they make nothing of interest to me. I don't much care for modern railroading.

                                    --Randy