Joe,
You've never had an Austin Healy have you?
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I think that spare DB150 labelled "Main" explains why everyone in the club calls it an Empire Builder - that's probably what they started with and then added the other things later.
You might want to check ont he Digitrax site and see if the manuals that you can download are a newer version that the printed ones you have. There have been some improvements made.
I haven't looked at the PM4 manual but I'm pretty sure the pinout on the 44-pin connector is the same as the PM42 - the update was really just a change of the processor chip on the board, the rest of the hardware stayed the same AFAIK. There is at least one diagram int he current PM42 manual showing the layout of the components and how to connect them. I set up a board for my friend I'm helping to wire in hs PM42 and BDL168 - if you look in the pictures and files section of the Digitrax group on Yahoo you will see other people's examples of this, basically a board with some terminal strips labelled and wired to the 44-pin socket. Attach the booster to the inputs and run the track busses to the output terminals, plug in the PM4, and away you go. Right now we just have all the power district busses run back to where the PM42 board will go, but jumpered to one another and ocnnected directly to his DCS100, sort of liek mine is right now. He does have an AR1 connected to his reverse loop which works nicely.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
On the Digitrax slots thing ... let me see if I have this right.
I need to "follow proper procedures to select the loco" and then I need to "follow proper procedures to de-select the loco" when I'm done, right? And these procedures need to be in writing somewhere, for all to read?
Interesting ...
I have no written procedures for my operators who used my Lenz knobby throttles, nor do I have any for my EasyDCC operators.
There's gotta be procedures, you say? Okay, here goes:
Lenz (not wireless)1. Plug in throttle2. Dial up last two digits on the cab with the number thumbwheels3. Run train4. When done, unplug throttle
EasyDCC (wireless)1. Turn on throttle2. Dail up last two digits on the cab with the number thumbwheels3. Run train4. When done, turn off throttle
These procedures are so darn obvious all I have to say to a newbie is "use the last two digits on the cab to select the loco" and they're off. And there aren't any "deselect" procedures. And no "loco slot" issues. EVER. In 14 years of using DCC with 40+ locos on the layout and up to 8 trains in motion at a time (some locos with helpers, so two loco consists per train at times).
So Digitrax needs more than this? WHY? Because they designed it to be more complicated, that's why. I'm hearing a "training program" with big signs full of procedures, etc may be needed if a club is using Digitrax.
I never needed a training program for my operators with Lenz and EasyDCC.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
I won't say I've never used the Slot Monitor tool, because I'm naturally curious and just wanted to try it out and see what happened. But I've never had to reset my Zephyr, and I only have 12 slots to play with, not 120. If one actually follows the steps listedin the Digitrax manual (which DO step by step explain which buttons to press to aquire a loco, and what to do when you are done running it), you should never experience any of these issues. I also can't say I never got the SLot Full error message, but that was again because I was testing, I wanted to see if the Zephyr had 10 or 12 slots - it's advertised as 10 but you can select 12 different addresses before it gives the slot full error. I guess the two extras are for the jump ports.
Lately my father in law has been running more trains than I have. He's not technical, and not particularly computer savvy. But he knows how to power ont he system and run any loco he wants. I've never had to reset anything to clear up errors he made that caused wierd operating problems. I walked him through the steps int he beginning and since then he's been on his own. It's NOT a complicated system.
Chip, I'd be tempted to hang two big signs around the club - one showing step by step selecting a loco, and one showign step by step what to do when you are finished with it. Or hold a mandatory trainign class for anyoen who wants to run trains.
There are plenty of large clubs and home layouts that hold regular operating sessions with Digitrax and don't have troubles. And plenty with other systems that do - I was just reading the account of Craig Bisgeier's first operating session on his Housatonic Railroad, and he had the classic not enough cab power problem - and he uses NCE. During testign with 1 or 2 cabs, all was fine, but during the session with lots of cabs plugged in and no extra power source, things got flakey. You can bet by the next session he'll have a few wall warts providing cab bus power and there won't be any problems.
jfugate wrote:Just an interesting observation here ...Hearing about Digitrax's loco slots problems sounds like a pretty low-level, under-the-hood sort of issue.How come I had a Lenz DCC system for 7 years and an EasyDCC system for 7 years-- both of which were used heavily for op sessions -- and not once did any issues come up where I had to fight with under-the-hood issues like "loco slots" ?It feels like Digitrax and loconet may be the Ferarri of DCC systems, but if I have to keep popping the hood on that system just to keep it running well, I'll take an automatic transmission Chevvy (Lenz or EasyDCC) any day if it will just run and run without me having to keep playing mechanic.Some of us just want to run trains, not become a computer software/hardware guru.
Just an interesting observation here ...
Hearing about Digitrax's loco slots problems sounds like a pretty low-level, under-the-hood sort of issue.
How come I had a Lenz DCC system for 7 years and an EasyDCC system for 7 years-- both of which were used heavily for op sessions -- and not once did any issues come up where I had to fight with under-the-hood issues like "loco slots" ?
It feels like Digitrax and loconet may be the Ferarri of DCC systems, but if I have to keep popping the hood on that system just to keep it running well, I'll take an automatic transmission Chevvy (Lenz or EasyDCC) any day if it will just run and run without me having to keep playing mechanic.
Some of us just want to run trains, not become a computer software/hardware guru.
The accessability of slot information, and the ability to manipulate that information, is something that probably 90% or more of all Digitrax users never need to be concerned about.
Remember, we're dealing here with an installation that was set up by someone other than the folks who use it on a day-to-day basis, and it sounds like those users may not be following "Best Practices" (ie, not dispatching locos when they're done with them, etc.).
I'm sure that Lenz and NCE also have "Best Practices" that if not followed for an extended period would cause the system to function in a less than optimal manner. However, the difference might be that you have no choice but to reset the entire system when that happens.
On the other hand, with Digitrax you have the option of going in and clearing only the slots which may be causing the problem. Not having to reset the CS means you won't lose command-station consists, routes, etc.
Besides, plugging something into a computer port on one end and the LocoNet on the other, and using a software product with a very-well laid out GUI, hardly puts one in the realm of a software/hardware guru. It's no different than plugging in a digital camera and using the imaging program(s) that came with it. Lots of folks do that every day.
Steve
The dualies were fun weren't they. I had a special screwdirver in my glove compartment.
SpaceMouse wrote: My first car was an Austin Healy Bug-eyed Sprite. When it ran, it ran so fine..., but most of the time it didn't.
My first car was an Austin Healy Bug-eyed Sprite. When it ran, it ran so fine..., but most of the time it didn't.
I have a partially restored AH 100-4. The most beautiful cars ever made IMO. I would love a Bugeye or Frogeye, depending where you are from! Once you have figured out Lucas, the Prince of Darkness you are in good shape.
You know all the old jokes.....
Why do the British drink warm beer? They have Lucas refrigerators.
There are many variations on that joke!!
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I think this Digitrax system meets my needs.
Partof the confusion comes from Digitrax changing the names of the 'packaged' sets as they introduced new components. The Chief and Super Chief both have a DCS100 as the command station, just the throttles that were included were different. Same with Empire Builder and Super Empire Builder. They both came with DB150s. It may be that the club originally bought an Empire Builder set and later added the DCS100. Technically I suppose that turns their set into a Chief plus an extra DB150 - or an Empire Builder plus a DCS100. And if they purchased any DT400's - well then they have Super whatevers. Kind of pointless to use the starter set names with an expanded system with multiple boosters and throttles.
I really don't like the daisy-chain method of supplying the external power to multiple UPs shown by Digitrax. They only run 1 wire between each device and rely on the Loconet cable for the ground side of the connection. A better way is to run BOTH wires from the wall wart around to the various panels, and tap off with coaxial connectors at each one (like a track bus with feeders). You used to be able to get the right plugs at Radio Shack, although that may no longer be true since they pretty much stopped selling parts. Depending on how many throttles you have connected at once, you can power quite a few UPs from a single power supply.
If you haven't already tried it, fire up JMRI on your home system and open up the Slot Monitor and Loconet Monitor tools and start running a train. You'll see all sorts of interesting information as you set speeds, operate functions, etc. If you want really confusing click the raw box on the Loconet Monitor in which case all you will see is the raw hex data. Normally is shows the names and parameters for all commands that are part of the Loconet Personal Edition - messages like "set speed address xyz to 10" insteadof just a bunch of meaningless hex numbers (which you could I suppose look up in the LPE documentation - but that's not really fun). You'll see interesting stuff in the Slot Monitor as well - notably if you try it on your Zephyr you will see there's a lot more than 10 slots. 121 and up are system reserved and which ones get used depends on the command station, DB150, DCS50, DCS100. One is the program track, one is the fast clock, etc.
OK, I better stop or I'll just make you more confused. If you want all the nitty gritty technical details, search Don Crano's posts on the Digitrax group. He's done some really good ones on how the slots work, as well as how decoder motor drives work and other goodies. In the meantime, the keys are to clear the system with the reset, making sure there is sufficient power for your throttles, and making sure the users rememebr to dispatch their locos when they are finished running them so this doesn't happen. In a club setting you might want to make it procedure to clear the command station prior to any operating session, just to avoid wierd issues liek this.
SpaceMouse wrote:I'm thinking they have to be powered. I've never had a battery in my DT400.
I'm thinking they have to be powered. I've never had a battery in my DT400.
By default, the LocoNet is powered from the command station, and that power is made available to the throttles via the UPx. However, too many throttles are more of a drain than that default LocoNet power can handle. You can experience problems if it drops too low.
To overcome that possibility, Digitrax designed in two provisions for adding additional power.
One provision is power from an external source via the jack on the side of the UPx, and the ability to daisy-chain that power along to additional UPx's via the solder-filled holes in on the back of the board between the jacks.
The other provision is for track power provided by the screw terminals on the back of the UPx.
If you have more than a couple (unpowered) throttles in use at a time, I'd consider powering the UP's by one or the other of those additional sources.
Stevert wrote: As usual, Randy has posted correct and very useful info. If I may impose and add a couple additional comments... SpaceMouse wrote: rrinker wrote: The next issue is power for the throttles. Are the connections using UP5's, or did they just get plain phone jacks? Too many users at the same time will overload the Loconet and result in the throttles getting insufficient voltage, and they start acting flakey. Using the actual UP panels gives a conveninent way of adding more power to run the throttles. Relying on batteries in the throttles isn't reliable unless you maintain careful control to be sure that all users have a good battery. This isn't a Digitrax exclusive - all the major systems require power supplies after you exceed a certain number of cabs.They are UP3s. I don't think anyone uses a battery in their throttle. UP3's can/should also be powered. The instructions are here: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/UP3%20Panel%20Inst.pdfIt shows a UP3 in combination with a UR9x, but multiple UP3's would be powered the same way.
As usual, Randy has posted correct and very useful info. If I may impose and add a couple additional comments...
SpaceMouse wrote: rrinker wrote: The next issue is power for the throttles. Are the connections using UP5's, or did they just get plain phone jacks? Too many users at the same time will overload the Loconet and result in the throttles getting insufficient voltage, and they start acting flakey. Using the actual UP panels gives a conveninent way of adding more power to run the throttles. Relying on batteries in the throttles isn't reliable unless you maintain careful control to be sure that all users have a good battery. This isn't a Digitrax exclusive - all the major systems require power supplies after you exceed a certain number of cabs.They are UP3s. I don't think anyone uses a battery in their throttle.
rrinker wrote: The next issue is power for the throttles. Are the connections using UP5's, or did they just get plain phone jacks? Too many users at the same time will overload the Loconet and result in the throttles getting insufficient voltage, and they start acting flakey. Using the actual UP panels gives a conveninent way of adding more power to run the throttles. Relying on batteries in the throttles isn't reliable unless you maintain careful control to be sure that all users have a good battery. This isn't a Digitrax exclusive - all the major systems require power supplies after you exceed a certain number of cabs.
They are UP3s. I don't think anyone uses a battery in their throttle.
UP3's can/should also be powered. The instructions are here: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/UP3%20Panel%20Inst.pdf
It shows a UP3 in combination with a UR9x, but multiple UP3's would be powered the same way.
SpaceMouse wrote: rrinker wrote:If you connect your Locobuffer to the club system and use the Slot Monitor in JMRI you will be able to see the phantom slots in use, and also clear them without resetting the DB150. I don't have a clue what you are talking about. A LocoBuffer is an interface device between a computer and the LocoNet, and JMRI is software that allows you to use that interface to good advantage. Randy's reference here is to the system of memory "slots" that Digitrax command stations use to keep track of active locos/throttles. As he mentioned earlier, the CS will think a loco is still active, and therefore keep it's slot active, if the loco isn't properly dispatched or released. JMRI's Slot Monitor tool will let you display the slots and clear the ones you select, without resetting the entire CS.http://www.rr-cirkits.com/ http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html SteveP.S. The Slot Monitor is only one of JMRI's many tools and abilities. In a situation as you've described here I could see JMRI being a very useful addition.
SpaceMouse wrote: rrinker wrote:If you connect your Locobuffer to the club system and use the Slot Monitor in JMRI you will be able to see the phantom slots in use, and also clear them without resetting the DB150. I don't have a clue what you are talking about.
rrinker wrote:If you connect your Locobuffer to the club system and use the Slot Monitor in JMRI you will be able to see the phantom slots in use, and also clear them without resetting the DB150.
If you connect your Locobuffer to the club system and use the Slot Monitor in JMRI you will be able to see the phantom slots in use, and also clear them without resetting the DB150.
I don't have a clue what you are talking about.
A LocoBuffer is an interface device between a computer and the LocoNet, and JMRI is software that allows you to use that interface to good advantage.
Randy's reference here is to the system of memory "slots" that Digitrax command stations use to keep track of active locos/throttles. As he mentioned earlier, the CS will think a loco is still active, and therefore keep it's slot active, if the loco isn't properly dispatched or released. JMRI's Slot Monitor tool will let you display the slots and clear the ones you select, without resetting the entire CS.
http://www.rr-cirkits.com/
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html
P.S. The Slot Monitor is only one of JMRI's many tools and abilities. In a situation as you've described here I could see JMRI being a very useful addition.
Okay, now I get it. I have a locobuffer and Randy knew it because he made it. So I download the software onto my wife's laptop, bring it and my locobuffer in, and fire that sucker up. Thanks.
jrbernier wrote: Randy, I agree with you - We have had the same issues at our club. We have DSC200 command stations and DB200 boosters with UR91 wireless throttles. Even the 'Chief' series default to 22 trains - you have to change the CV in the command station to get 120 trains. We had folks use up 'slots' and not 'un-dispatch' from their train. The system should clear up unused 'slots' after some time, but if the throttle is not 'zeroed out', this will not happen. It is amazing how many 'slots' can be tied up with failed MU attempts and just unpluging your throttle, picking up you engines and going home! The starter system manual for the DB150/DCS100/DCS200 is on-line and has a table of the CV values in the command station to clear out the 'stack'.Jim
Randy,
I agree with you - We have had the same issues at our club. We have DSC200 command stations and DB200 boosters with UR91 wireless throttles. Even the 'Chief' series default to 22 trains - you have to change the CV in the command station to get 120 trains. We had folks use up 'slots' and not 'un-dispatch' from their train. The system should clear up unused 'slots' after some time, but if the throttle is not 'zeroed out', this will not happen. It is amazing how many 'slots' can be tied up with failed MU attempts and just unpluging your throttle, picking up you engines and going home! The starter system manual for the DB150/DCS100/DCS200 is on-line and has a table of the CV values in the command station to clear out the 'stack'.
Jim
Thanks. I'll double-check the components of the system and download the newer manuals.
rrinker wrote: On the PM4's - if they aren't reversing properly, there are a couple of things. First,t here should be a heavy wire connected between the Ground terminals of all the booster and the PM4's. It is the potential relative to this ground that is used to detect the short and reverse the phase on the track. Also make sure the PM4's have the correct power supply. These are NOT track powered, they need a power supply connected. And make sure the gaps are all open at all points of the reverse loop. If a gap has closed at one end or the other it won't work properly. The PM4 isn't very adjustable, that's why Digitrax replaced it with the PM42. It could be an issue with the trip time of the PM4 vs trip time of the booster it is connected to. Or the trip current. It depends on what happens when you negotiate a loop - if the PM4 doesn't reverse, is the booster's breaker tripping instead? Also, are the PM4's wired properly? The wires to the track connect to different terminals depending on if the section is configured for just a breaker or as an auto-reverser. You could used a simpler device like the AR1 on each reverse loop and keep the PM4's to just be breakers. --Randy
On the PM4's - if they aren't reversing properly, there are a couple of things. First,t here should be a heavy wire connected between the Ground terminals of all the booster and the PM4's. It is the potential relative to this ground that is used to detect the short and reverse the phase on the track. Also make sure the PM4's have the correct power supply. These are NOT track powered, they need a power supply connected. And make sure the gaps are all open at all points of the reverse loop. If a gap has closed at one end or the other it won't work properly.
The PM4 isn't very adjustable, that's why Digitrax replaced it with the PM42. It could be an issue with the trip time of the PM4 vs trip time of the booster it is connected to. Or the trip current. It depends on what happens when you negotiate a loop - if the PM4 doesn't reverse, is the booster's breaker tripping instead?
Also, are the PM4's wired properly? The wires to the track connect to different terminals depending on if the section is configured for just a breaker or as an auto-reverser.
You could used a simpler device like the AR1 on each reverse loop and keep the PM4's to just be breakers.
I think that part of the reason they are not working is that they are sitting on the bench. No one has been able to decipher the manuals to get them properly set up.
rrinker wrote: Number 1 - I will guarantee that peopel are not release their locomotives after they are finished running. Thus the loco they are running is ALSO selected on another throttle (or rather remembered as such by the command station). That 'other' throttle is set to speed 0. So while they are merrily chugging along, a command is seen from that phantom throttle to go to speed 0. You can experiment with this on your home system - you cna select the same loco on two throttles and they both have control, but ONLY of they are both DT throttles with encoders will it actually work properly. If one is a DT400 and one is a Zephyr console, the potentiometer in the Zephyr (or the UT throttle) will overrule the encoder in the DT throttle.
I would say you are right on the money.
In the back of the Super Empire Builder and Super Chief manuals there is a section on various resets of the command station. You are probably long overdue for a reset. If you only have the original copy of the manual, download the newer version from the Digitrax site. The instructions on resetting start on Page 107. If you don't have any consists permanently created, do the full OpSw 39 reset to clear EVERYTHING. This will probably solve 99% of your problems.
I'll look in the books.
The next issue is power for the throttles. Are the connections using UP5's, or did they just get plain phone jacks? Too many users at the same time will overload the Loconet and result in the throttles getting insufficient voltage, and they start acting flakey. Using the actual UP panels gives a conveninent way of adding more power to run the throttles. Relying on batteries in the throttles isn't reliable unless you maintain careful control to be sure that all users have a good battery. This isn't a Digitrax exclusive - all the major systems require power supplies after you exceed a certain number of cabs.
There really isn't anything flakey about the DB150. The biggest limitation of the Empire Builder is no program track. For a club setting you may need more than 22 locos, and a dedicated program track sure would be a good idea so someone doesn't accidently program the locos of half a dozen members at the same time (surely this has happened already), so an upgrade by adding a DCS100 command station is probably not a bad idea.
The club members call the Digitrax system an Empire Builder. After listening to talk of DCS100s and DB150s, what I seem to recall is that we have a DCS100 and two subservient DB150's. That's what I recall, but I'd have to double check. We do have a dedicated program track. I should say we gave Digitrax the specs of the club, the layout, etc. and they designed the system. They also held the club members hands through the process.
But my guess is no one has ever done this since it was first installed and so a real reset is probably in order. --Randy
That will be my first order of business.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
SpaceMouse wrote: Hi Joe,I have decided to take on a problem. We have DCC on our club layout and no one here seems to know a thing about it. It is an older Digitrax system set up about 6 or 7 years ago or so, designed by Digitrax. There is a base unit, an Empire Builder and two power boosters. The thing is a mess. Our club tries to be as accommodating as possible so when the layout was wired it was set up to be both DCC and DC. Of course, once the DCC system was running they never used the DC--as far as I can tell, ever. But the systems has problems. There are times when the several engines are in a power block that the digital throttles will automatically slow down. I mean if you are running at 55, without touching the controls, the digital readout goes down 55..54..53..to 0 in about 3-4 seconds. If you keep trying to run, the decoders will reset or in the case of one Broadway, need a hard reset to function. There are three reverse loops with PM4's to work them, but they don't work. We use toggles to control the polarity. The quirks to the sysem are too many to mention.To the club the system is like the Steve the hedge on Over the Hedge. All Hail Steve. Nobody is allowed to touch it, and if they did, they wouldn't know what to do. So someone has to get a handle on it. The Digitrax manuals are next to useless if you don't have a context in which to read them. So the question is, how do I proceed?
Hi Joe,
I have decided to take on a problem. We have DCC on our club layout and no one here seems to know a thing about it. It is an older Digitrax system set up about 6 or 7 years ago or so, designed by Digitrax. There is a base unit, an Empire Builder and two power boosters. The thing is a mess. Our club tries to be as accommodating as possible so when the layout was wired it was set up to be both DCC and DC. Of course, once the DCC system was running they never used the DC--as far as I can tell, ever.
But the systems has problems. There are times when the several engines are in a power block that the digital throttles will automatically slow down. I mean if you are running at 55, without touching the controls, the digital readout goes down 55..54..53..to 0 in about 3-4 seconds. If you keep trying to run, the decoders will reset or in the case of one Broadway, need a hard reset to function. There are three reverse loops with PM4's to work them, but they don't work. We use toggles to control the polarity. The quirks to the sysem are too many to mention.
To the club the system is like the Steve the hedge on Over the Hedge. All Hail Steve. Nobody is allowed to touch it, and if they did, they wouldn't know what to do.
So someone has to get a handle on it. The Digitrax manuals are next to useless if you don't have a context in which to read them.
So the question is, how do I proceed?
Number 1 - I will guarantee that peopel are not release their locomotives after they are finished running. Thus the loco they are running is ALSO selected on another throttle (or rather remembered as such by the command station). That 'other' throttle is set to speed 0. So while they are merrily chugging along, a command is seen from that phantom throttle to go to speed 0. You can experiment with this on your home system - you cna select the same loco on two throttles and they both have control, but ONLY of they are both DT throttles with encoders will it actually work properly. If one is a DT400 and one is a Zephyr console, the potentiometer in the Zephyr (or the UT throttle) will overrule the encoder in the DT throttle.
If you connect your Locobuffer to the club system and use the Slot Monitor in JMRI you will be able to see the phantom slots in use, and also clear them without resetting the DB150. But my guess is no one has ever done this since it was first installed and so a real reset is probably in order.
Chip:
There are several opinionated Digitrax owners -- er, ah, I mean knowledgeable Digitrax users over on my web site forum.
If you post questions over there about this system, I betcha they can help.
Also, Randy (and others) on this forum are very knowledgeable Digitrax users as well. Between the two forums, they should have you up and working like you need.
I do know one of the most issue-laden Digitrax system is the old Empire Builder, so a command station replacement may be in order.
jfugate wrote:My latest decoder discovery is the D13SRJ from NCE. Not only is this little hummer available for about $13 in quantity (making it a good fleet decoder), the torque compensation feature is simply outstanding. <snip>
I couldn't agree with you more there Joe. I love the little D13SRJs. I can buy them individually from my LHS for only about $14, and they are a good price and a great little decoder. It seems to help quite a bit with quieting my motors down too, as when I install this decoder it usually makes the locomotive start smoothly and run quietly. I use these in my locomotives that I run on my club's layout, and at shows they are running for several hours at a time sometimes, and they always perform well.
I'll have to look into the keep alive circuit too, that seems like something I could use. Thanks for posting the link to that.
Noah
jfugate wrote:Simon: Good point ... both Digitrax and Zimo use more of a peer-to-peer network for their layout "command bus" (not unlike an Ethernet computer network) which makes your "throttle/command bus" routing options more flexible if you are using wired throttes. The disadvantage of LocoNet or Zimo's CAN-bus if you use it for other devices like turnout control or signaling is you are locked in to Digitrax or Zimo products for these things, and they can be pricey for a larger layout. If you don't take this route for turnouts and signals, then you can either use local stand-alone circuit boards or use Chubb's Computer Interface, or Rich Weyand's Tractronics system if you want to hook it all together into a computer for more sophisticated applications. Both of Chubb's and Weyand's systems use more standard RS232 or RS485 serial communication to the devices (read: generally cheaper) and your selection options are broader -- but this is all way beyond the scope of basic DCC loco operation, which we're focusing on here. You can also just use local pushbuttons or toggles to throw turnouts and you don't need any of this fancy stuff if you don't want it. Or you can do like I do, and throw your turnouts manually (I use 2" brass doorbolts mounted on the fascia) ... manual turnout control works well for me because all the prototype Siskiyou Line turnouts use manual switchstands at the turnouts.
Surely a third option might be to run two isolated power buses, one for track power and one for accessory decoders, alongside your logic (LocoNet / Xpress Bus / etc) network for throttles and PC hook up. This way you are not locked into one manufacturer for accessory decoders, and if you get a short on the track bus (derail / running wrong way into a power routing turnout / etc) you don't loose the ability to switch turnouts or signals.
Since you brought the subject up (roundaboutly), can you recommend a good and reasonably priced N scale decoder for general use. I know you are and HO guy, but I thought you may have hears an interesting tidbit somewhere. I have been using Digitraz N and Z scale decoders and am happy with them, but I'm always in the market to improve and to save $$$.
Ron
Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado.
Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy
Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings