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I could talk for hours about how Digitrax is the most expandable and flexible system. It has like EVERY upgrade option and then some. It is the only system with a true peer to peer data system. Basically, Digitrax is a very advanced, but relatively easy to use system that is super expandable. It...

Yeah, I have the Bachman FT units in B&O paint. Great runners. Poor decoders. Not worth replacing the decoders. The programming track is going out of style, as many sound locos don't work with the programming track. Ops mode is just too easy and convenient. You can read CVs, but it is usually...

Try it on 10 first. With Bachman locos, the EZ Command system can run 8 with no booster. Athearns would probably be more like 5 or 6. That buzzing is the zero stretching, or in your case, lack therof. If you use address 10, you can see if the issue is the EZ Command, or DC controller.

You can Zero stretch if the layout owner allows. Just don't let the loco sit to long. If it is DCC ready, just plug the decoder in and go, if it is not, you could send it to Tony's to have it done for $45 plus decoder. Or you could just hijack one of your friend's locos. :D

This reminds me of Bachman's brain dead decoders, made by Lenz.

Boosters and decoders are interchangeable (boosters need custom made adapter cables), but the throttles and command station must be of the same brand. Lenz and Atlas share Xpressnet (which is not a true peer to peer network BTW), and CVP radio throttles can use a base for NCE, Lenz or EasyDCC...

Use N scale, it will make HO trains go a little slower, but thats actually better for anything but mainline passenger on a big layout with perfect track. HO is fine for the N decoders, but could lower the MTBF on your motors quite a bit if you use a high speed step. You may want to put a switch...

Interesting. The MRC must be doing some whacky stuff to compensate for those crappy decoders. The Bachman decoders can't possibly be in spec, as otherwise they would support ops-mode programming on a normal system. In fact, I have been told by two people to rip the decoders out and put in...

Let me know how you do programming that thing. Worst case, you can just use it as your 03 loco, and never buy another one.

NCE and TCS make JST decoders as well. I just know and use Digitrax decoders, and for a non-sound decoder, they do anything anyone would ever want them to do, including the uber-advnaced transponding.

If you want to have more than one train, DCC is the way to go.

yeah, those are interesting, but not for a sciencked yard, unless it was a turntable, which could be for a loco to get around a train on another track. That would require some pretty precise engineering to get it to work reliably.

The Digitrax decoders have the 9 pin socket on them. It is plug and play. I have one like that. Not sure why you would have to solder if you have the right decoder. I tried with an 8 pin decoder, but it fit loosely in the board, so I used a 9 pin decoder. I wonder why Athearn's 8-pin socket...

DON'T get bachman DCC locos. They are a PAIN to program. I like the Athearns, like you have, the install is so easy.

It is more complicated then that. You need DCC to do sound, and a sound decoder. Thus, your other loco will need a decoder as well, and you will need a DCC system. If this is more than you want, just stick with what you have. The sound dummy system is typically used on larger layouts, where...

Having both is a good compromise. I have a stub yard, as it tripled the capacity of a double-ended at about half the price (most of the cost of a yard is in the turnouts). Although not prototypical, it is fun to operate, with a passing siding for the loco to run around cars, as it is more...

Digitrax DH123D works well in the Athearns as well. The turning the plug around is for Atlas locos, which have a silly jumper to select between DC and DCC, that is on DC by default!

They may, or they may not. It all depends on how the commands are structured. NCE requires the signal to go all of the way to the command station, and back. They also poll not only the wired cab bus, but the poll the RADIO as well, which creates a nightmare for interference and battery drain...

You may be able to run them without a computer, but they won't do anything. Any modern signalling system is going to need a computer to provide the logic. I think you need a "Digitrax throttle" to program many of the boards, but you should be able to use JMRI Decoder Pro, as a viritual throttle...

Great idea. It does help a lot, as HO and N are totally different animals when it comes to decoder installs.