Compatibility of NMRA and NEM DCC ecoders

[swisstrain]

As my screen name suggests, I am Swiss living in the United States, and in principle I am modeling US Prototype.

However, for fun and unprototypically, I would like to run every once in a while a Swiss train over the rails.  The engine that I am thinking about purchasing - Trix 22926, a Swiss Class C 5/6 "Elephant" - is equipped with a European style DCC Decoder.

Does anyone have any experience if I can run this engine on an NMRA powered DCC system (I am using a SPROG III system), or do I need to replace the decoder with an NMRA compatible decoder?

Any insights would be welcome.

[tstage]

My understanding is that Trix is the DC version of Märklin.  So, it should run on any DCC system.

I purchased two Trix 2-8-2 Mikes back in the late 2000s for more than 50% off MSRP when they were dumping them.  The both came with a Loksound V2.0 decoder, which have since been replaced with a Loksound V3.5 and a TCS WowSteam sound decoder.  Beautiful looking and running locomotives.  The C5/6 "Elephant" looks like a nifty locomotive, too.

Tom

[gmpullman]

The specs for this engine DO state that the decoder IS a DCC protocol.

You would be good-to-go on a Sprogg DCC system.

https://www.eurorailhobbies.com/product.asp?mn=2&ca=1&sc=HO&stock=T22926

 

 

Have Fun, Ed

[swisstrain]

Thanks for those quick responses.

So when I see DCC this is in in line with the North Amercian (NMRA) DCC standard and I can run them on an "American" sytem?  This is real nice to know. 

I was always under the impression that there was a NMRA and a separate European (NEM) DCC.

Yes, Trix/Marklin produce real nice engines and rolling stock.

[CSX Robert]

swisstrain

Thanks for those quick responses.

So when I see DCC this is in in line with the North Amercian (NMRA) DCC standard and I can run them on an "American" sytem?  This is real nice to know. 

I was always under the impression that there was a NMRA and a separate European (NEM) DCC.

Yes, Trix/Marklin produce real nice engines and rolling stock.

 

Here is the English translation of NEM 671.  The first line in it states: "Note 1: NEM 671 content matches NMRA-Standard S 9.2 (as of July 2004)", so yes, the NEM DCC standard follows the NMRA standard.  Something I find interesting is the NMRA, a U.S. orginaztion, is the driving force behind the standardization of DCC and NEM, the European organization follows the NMRA for DCC; however, the NMRA standards are based on the system developed by Lenz, a German company. 

[betamax]

The only real differences are in the constants used for acceleration/braking.

One electrical issue is the 21 pin interface was slightly different in the NMRA interpretation, but that has since been aligned to match the NEM standard.

[swisstrain]

Thanks for the additional answers and the reference to the NEM standard.  To be honest, I could not possibly fathom that the Americans and Europeans could agree on a standard, but that obviously is great news!

[Overmod]

swisstrain

To be honest, I could not possibly fathom that the Americans and Europeans could agree on a standard...

As the former liaison between the ISTF and ITU, I would note that not only is there agreement on a surprising number of standards, but established harmonization between technically different ones.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the standards for reverse communication are written and differences hammered out in the next few years...