Original Web Bulletin Board System

Tony’s Train Exchange March 3, 2008

Tony’s Train Exchange http://TonysTrains.com Pinewood Plaza 57 River Rd, Suite 1023 Essex Jct VT 05452 Voice: 800-978-3472 (USA and Canada) Voice: +1-802-878-5005 (Worldwide) Fax: +1-802-878-5550 Contents Turntable Wiring ...... 16 Turntable Wiring ...... 16 Re-motoring Athearn RTR SD40 ...... 8 Super Service...... 17 Decoder for Proto2000 E8/9 loco ...... 8 Tony ...... 17 NCE ...... 8 How to get through to Tony?...... 17 Proto2000 0-6-0 tender ...... 8 dcc for tortoise ...... 17 Proto 2000 GP-9 Phase III Pilot ...... 8 Reverse Loop ...... 17 UR91 ...... 8 Shipment Time ...... 17 Decoder to control turntable...... 8 Newbie ...... 17 Sound activation ...... 8 Reverse Loop ...... 17 ATH SD45-2 decoder installation ...... 8 UT1 & UT2 Problems ...... 17 PS4 Red Light Stays On ...... 8 Reverse Loop ...... 18 sound only ...... 8 Dream Speakers ...... 18 Older Aristocraft FA1/FB1 Sound? ...... 9 contact ...... 18 Sound for Caterpillar Diesel Engine for Loco ...... 9 crest compatability ...... 18 Mantua Locomotives ...... 9 Krauss-Maffei ...... 18 Digitrax problems? ...... 9 Krauss-Maffei ...... 18 mrc #0001634 ...... 9 DCC for Bachman On30 Gas Mechanical...... 18 BD-20 compatability ...... 9 Lenz LE1014 decoder - speed curve help! ...... 18 DCC Turnout Control ...... 9 mrc booster ...... 19 Digitrax sound decoders ...... 9 New DCC discussion group ...... 19 Peco turnouts code 83 ...... 9 TCS M1 decoder difficulties ...... 19 PS Rev ? ...... 10 No Reverse! ...... 19 Prodigy Advance & Routes ...... 10 No Reverse! ...... 19 Atlas O GP60M ...... 10 nce aliasing ...... 20 aristocraft mikado ...... 10 Lenz stack problem ...... 20 Bachmann L-1 Mountain...... 10 Great New DCC Help Group ...... 20 Tortoise and a Hare? ...... 10 nce & mrc compatibility ...... 20 Headlights ...... 10 Lenz 01 system ...... 20 Prodigy Adavance Question ...... 10 North Conway 7470 ...... 20 Prodigy Advance ...... 11 Athearn Parts ...... 21 tsunami ...... 11 Other message boards ...... 21 Track help ...... 11 Athearn Parts ...... 21 kato AC4400 sound? ...... 11 Dirty Track/DCC ...... 22 ath sw7 ...... 11 NCE Service ...... 22 Canadian National F7AU ...... 11 Lenz & Atlas ...... 22 Life Like GP7 settings ...... 11 N Scale track cleaner ...... 23 engine ...... 12 DCC and HO Unitrack Turnout Question...... 23 Sound Units ...... 12 Union Pacific ...... 23 Train Cam ...... 12 Lens and Atlas ...... 24 Old Mantua 4-6-2...... 12 Computer Control ...... 25 Digitrax DZ123 back emf? ...... 12 DCC Track Plan Review ...... 26 DC SOUND ...... 13 Computer Control ...... 26 Turntables and Home Theatre System connections ...... 13 Broadway Limited Hudson Issues ...... 26 Shipping time to Australia ...... 13 NCE 1/2 Antenna ...... 26 Lenz 100 ...... 13 Lenz ...... 26 Trix Big Boy ...... 13 NEW NCE WIRELESS ANTENNA ...... 26 DCC Specialties...... 14 DCC Recommendation ...... 27 Place of Manufacture...... 14 AHM/Rivarossi ...... 27 SD70M Shell ...... 14 Digitrax lights do not work ...... 27 Clean Machine Review ...... 14 Atlas Sound ...... 27 Bachman DCC ...... 15 MRC Prodigy ...... 27 Everything you need...... 15 Deceiving DCC ...... 28 MANTUA #386-040...... 15 Led Resistors ...... 29 NCE-TTX No Reverse ...... 15 nce version # ...... 29 RE: Zephyr review ...... 15 Wiring turnouts in succession ...... 29 Kellor CTC-80 System For Sale...... 29

2 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Wired track joiners ...... 29 Stewart S-12 ...... 42 LED resistors ...... 29 Peco Insulfrogs ...... 42 power problem...... 30 peco switches ...... 42 Viscous Rumors #2...... 30 Programming software for Soundtraxx ...... 42 Viscous Rumors ...... 30 Broadway Limited Sound ...... 42 dual speakers...... 30 NCE Switch-it problem ...... 43 No Light Function...... 30 KATO SD90 ...... 43 P2k GP30-Atlas Decoder ...... 30 Peco Insulfrog Turnouts ...... 43 globe steam railfan excursions ...... 30 Athearn 2-8-2 problem...... 44 p2k resistor...... 30 DS54 and PowerHouse Pro ...... 45 N gague 30' Diamond x'ing...... 31 rev. loop question ...... 45 Loconet voltage drop? ...... 31 Atlas System ...... 45 Zephyr, MS100 and Train Controller PC software ? ...... 31 PS Rev ...... 45 Digitrax Command Station and Booster Question...... 31 A short somewhere? ...... 45 Peco code 75 electrofrog turnouts ...... 31 ROCO HO MODELS ...... 46 Pilz Elite Turnouts ...... 31 PSI Dynatrol ...... 46 Circuit Breaker Advice ...... 32 spectrum 44toner ...... 46 Decoder for P1K RS10 ...... 32 stationary dec./twin-coils...... 46 EasyRamp ...... 32 Zephyr functions ??? ...... 47 Kapton tape ...... 32 Digitrax TF-2 troubles? ...... 47 Big Boy decoder ...... 33 MRC ...... 47 Digitrax 583S Decoder Installation ...... 33 Lionel Long Island #8367 ...... 47 Decoder installation in Kato DD13 Center Cab Switc ..... 33 Atlas S4 (NCE-TTX ATLS4) Decoder Installation ...... 47 Kato Crossing and DCC...... 33 Proto 2000 E8/9 ...... 47 Stationary decoders and PECO switch machines ...... 33 new web page ...... 47 MRC Prodigy problems ...... 33 NCE Wireless Cab Addresses...... 48 Decoder for N Scale Spectrum Dash 8 Series ...... 34 life like ...... 48 Decoder installation-Rivarossi Blue Goose ...... 34 BBS doesn't display ...... 48 Buying a DCC...... 34 New Web Page Style...... 48 flat led ...... 34 Tony's Power Shield ...... 49 Atlas Bulb Question ...... 34 Installing Power Pax booster ...... 49 Can I use a PC to replace any part of a DCC system ...... 35 Installing Power Pax booster ...... 49 Need AHM parts ...... 35 Installing Power Pax booster ...... 49 Basic wiring ...... 36 NCE Switchit Decoders ...... 49 Spectrum Decoder help ...... 36 Atlas Decoders ...... 49 Java Model Railroad Interface ...... 36 MRC Decoders on PHPro ...... 51 Switch-it on Atlas Master DCC System ...... 36 onboard sound ...... 51 What Recommended Decoders?...... 37 HO Kato SD45 decoder ...... 52 Atlas Decoder Problems ...... 37 Wireless Base Station ...... 52 Need Input - Wireless Control System ...... 37 NCE radio ...... 52 Status Codes ...... 38 NCE BD20 detectors ...... 52 Athearn ...... 38 NCE Powerhouse ...... 52 cass /?? ...... 38 which dcc ...... 52 RRampMeter ...... 38 Which DCC? ...... 52 MRC/NCE ...... 39 NCE Radio ...... 53 PROTO 2-8-4 ...... 39 tortoise switch machine powering...... 53 re frog powering ...... 39 Decoder in a Hornby Thomas ...... 53 site is shrinking ...... 39 Ident needed...... 54 PECO Small Radii Switch #4 -- AC Motor/DC Decoder .. 40 Cab holders ...... 54 CTC-80 ...... 40 arnold prices ...... 54 lenz 02 system ...... 40 Bradford Locomotives ...... 54 Atlas Dual Mode Decoder engines ...... 40 Rivarossi Challenger ...... 54 frog powering ...... 41 Jordan Spreader ...... 55 Mounting a PS2 ...... 41 HELP!! autoreverser problems ...... 55 DH150Atlas ...... 41 Reversing Section Problem ...... 55 double crossover problem ...... 41 Lenz100XF Woes ...... 56 Loco Net wire ...... 42 DH121 decoder configurable lights or not? ...... 56

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 3 Atlas U33C lights inop...... 57 Dcc novice mistake ...... 73 Soundtraxx Decoders ...... 57 Lenz Decoders ...... 73 ?'s about the PS intelligent reverser ...... 57 Function only decoders...... 73 soldering feeders ...... 57 NCE radio conversion ...... 74 MRC Prodigy DCC...... 57 Stweart VO1000 decoder ...... 74 Types of glue ...... 58 non sound decoder for ho bachmann shay ...... 74 decoder install athearn geisis sd-70 ...... 58 Spectrum Passenger cars ...... 74 Allegheny installation - lights? ...... 58 Speaker Polarity ...... 74 Genesis Pacific - DCC ...... 58 DH-121 light problem ...... 75 help!! ...... 59 DS54 & CD unit ...... 75 Spectrum HO 0-6-0 ...... 60 Lights ...... 75 Lenz100XF Woes ...... 60 N.C.E. Service???? ...... 75 IHC Loco Wheels ...... 60 Anyone here? Hello? ...... 76 Sound Decoder for S1 ...... 61 Kato Dash 9/Soundtraxx ...... 77 EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder ...... 61 DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder ...... 77 DCC sound ...... 61 re:dcc of athearn sd70 ...... 77 Hooking up DCC ...... 61 DCC wiring of Athearn SD70I? ...... 77 Spectrum 44 ton ...... 62 sound4 Stewart VO1000&Atlas U25B ...... 77 Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder?...... 62 Atlas motors ...... 78 Bachmann Porter ...... 62 powered frogs ...... 78 Types of loco decoders ...... 62 E.M.D. Generations. phases ...... 78 Lenz decoders on NCE? ...... 63 Proto 1000 / DCC ...... 78 On3 Porter ...... 63 Soundtraxx DSD-100LC Hummmmmm ...... 78 nce radio ...... 63 Mu operations? ...... 78 Which system!? ...... 63 Kato N scale SD80/90 decoders?...... 79 installation instructions for Athearn 200 ton cran ...... 63 Lenz CV Defaults ...... 79 Reverse loops? ...... 64 Decoder for Atlas Alco S-1 ...... 79 Turnouts and decoders??...... 64 PM4 ...... 79 Zimo DCC system...... 64 Roco Crane ...... 80 how many pounds does this engine weigh ...... 64 DH121 Diagnosis?...... 80 Do they sell these engines ...... 64 Radio Throttles ...... 80 walthers new passenger station ...... 65 TCS TH141 dcoder question ...... 80 RE: irresponsible posts ...... 65 P2K E6 ...... 80 Running double crossover switch ...... 65 TCS decoders ...... 81 Decoder for Athern ...... 66 NCE decoders ...... 81 Rock Junction?? ...... 66 Value and Sell Trains ...... 81 allegheny 2-6-6-6...... 66 DSD LL100LC...... 81 atheran dash 9 coupler...... 66 Rivarossi U25C Decoder ...... 81 Decoder Selection ...... 66 SW1500/sound installation ...... 82 NCE Radios ship 1/4 ...... 67 cab control ...... 82 Irresponsible Posts ...... 67 SD7 Headlights ...... 82 Lionel wanted 50's&60's ...... 67 engine to fast ...... 82 coreless motors??...... 68 Speed Matching Locos ...... 83 DC input NCE powerhouse pro ...... 68 pr1/lenz 103 decoder ...... 83 NCE Wireless??????? ...... 68 DN-144K decoder...... 83 hours ...... 69 Lenz Decoder Help...... 83 Speaker Terminals ...... 69 Erratic operation ...... 84 two booster ...... 69 CVP Supplier ...... 84 Well Done! ...... 69 NCE D13SR decoder question...... 84 NCE & MRC decoders ...... 70 tender light...... 84 NCE Two Boosters ...... 70 ER Models Baldwin Sharknose ...... 84 How hard is it? ...... 70 PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder ...... 85 decorder for P2K S1 ...... 71 PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder ...... 85 Enough DCC For Everyone ...... 71 Decoder for KATO SD-45 ...... 85 Digitrac opinion ...... 71 Proto 0-8-0 Electrical Pickup Conversion...... 85 Digitrax Vs NCE ...... 71 Sound for Proto 2000 N&W 2-8-8-2 ...... 85 NCE products ...... 72 DSX + Motor Decoder in same loco ...... 85

4 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 PR-1 problems ...... 86 Heritage 0-8-0 Bulb Installation ...... 100 Digitrax Questions ...... 86 an interesting decoder problem ...... 100 COM 2 for PR1 ...... 86 Proto 2000 GP30 ...... 100 DCC Sound with built-in speaker ...... 86 Digitrax DH121 on System One ...... 100 Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 ...... 87 Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues ...... 100 lights ...... 87 Proto 1000 RDC ...... 101 NCE USERS GROUP ...... 87 Lenz Decoders ...... 101 MRC decoder F7? ...... 87 NCE Throttles...... 101 Ops Programming Mode ...... 88 NCE Customer Support ...... 101 Proto 2000 GP7 ...... 88 Rivarossi 4-8-4 Opinions ...... 102 Consist Problem ...... 88 North Coast Throttle ...... 102 Walther's FM ...... 89 switch machines ...... 102 Can't Use 01 Short address ...... 89 DH142 decoders ...... 102 Re: user group ...... 89 Peco Wiring ...... 102 nce user group ...... 89 GP-40 Shell removal ...... 103 NCE for LL Proto 1000 ...... 90 rivarossi passenger cars ...... 103 CZ-121 & MRC 2000 ...... 90 Steam Locomotive Power Pickup ...... 103 Stewart F7a ...... 90 Steam Locomotive Power Pickup ...... 103 Digitrax 300 vs. 400 ...... 91 60 deg diamonds ...... 104 Locked up NCE Procab ...... 91 HO SCALE TRAINS ...... 104 Lenz Factory Settings? ...... 91 GP 30 Light...... 104 LL GP20 install ...... 91 need motor drive gear for Rivarossi Heisler ...... 104 D102EU in Kato -9 ...... 91 lenz-02 consist ...... 104 CP, CN, help ...... 91 DCC Install KATO GP35 ...... 104 SW1500 Ditch Lites ...... 92 DCC install--Atlas GP40...... 104 Holiday Specials ...... 92 Steam Locomotive Power Pickup ...... 104 HOLIDAY SPECIAL...... 92 Other Location For Good DCC Info ...... 106 Holiday Special ...... 92 Walthers SW-1 Decoder Installation ...... 106 NCE in P2K GP-7 ...... 92 Turn out Shorts Revised ...... 106 Stall Current for DCC ...... 92 turn out shorts ...... 106 Atlas DCC/ Soundtraxx DSX? ...... 92 nce consist, FX, power districs, etc...... 106 SW1500/Ditch lites ...... 92 nce power districts ...... 106 need layout...... 93 128 SS ...... 107 minimum radius for ho ...... 93 Uploadable Speed Curves ...... 108 NCE wireless ...... 93 consisting ...... 108 power bus/cab bus conflict ...... 94 NCE Cab04e ...... 108 HELP! Athearn Mikado ...... 95 How can Control Turntable (Roco) in DCC ...... 108 PR-1 Minimum Requirements?...... 95 Athearn Genesis DCC ...... 109 NCE Decoders ...... 95 Atlas GP-40 ...... 109 Proto 2-8-8-2 Review ...... 95 FX problems ...... 109 Turnouts for DCC ...... 96 Digitrax Decoder Reset ...... 111 Decoder for Proto 2000 SD60 ...... 96 Wipe Out for Other DCC ...... 111 CMX Track Cleaner ...... 96 Wipe-Out ...... 112 How good is Atlas DCC...... 96 Non DCC Loco Again ...... 113 Riv. Big Boy ...... 97 Non DCC Loco ...... 114 Walthers FM H10 switcher decoder install ...... 97 Coupler Conversion web site ...... 115 DCC install on Kato SD40 ...... 98 40's 50's replica trains ...... 115 Switch-It ...... 98 Decoder for Bowser Loco ...... 115 Chief dilema ...... 98 Programming DN146A FX with NCE ...... 115 B&O F3's ...... 98 problems with Atlas n-scale switches for DCC...... 115 White N-scale LEDs ...... 98 What is LOCONET ...... 116 Value or Find Model Train Items at Auction ...... 98 Friendly Turnout Points ...... 116 computer control ...... 98 MDC rtr Shay ...... 117 CV19 design flaw ...... 99 Trolley DCC ...... 117 Proto2000 PA...... 99 EasyDCC Radio Throttle ...... 117 Athearn GP-30's ...... 99 USED CODE 100 NICKEL SILVER FLEXIBLE TRACK ...... 117 Coupler conversion for Con-Cor ...... 99 Lenz Set 02 ...... 117

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 5 Starting Voltage ...... 117 Sountraxx Question ...... 140 Turnouts ...... 117 TTX--PS/AR ...... 140 Decoder Speed Curve ...... 118 reverse blocks ...... 140 DCC Analog help ...... 118 DCC Decoder plug wiring for Bachmann K-4 ...... 140 GP20 Decoder Install ...... 119 Rivarossi Challenger Tender ...... 141 Atlas DCC Installation ...... 119 Decoder for Walthers SW1 ...... 141 Switches ...... 119 Informitive site ...... 141 DCC Signal Bus ...... 121 Atlas Classic GP-7/RS-3 Decoder Install ...... 141 Decoder Programming ...... 121 LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install???...... 141 delivery ...... 122 Building Structure ...... 142 NCE Deliveries??? ...... 122 In defense of Tony ...... 142 DCC Signal Bus ...... 122 NCE question...... 142 DCC Beginner 2nd Question...... 122 Nice Site ...... 144 LED's for PS III ...... 123 Athearn 2-8-2 wiring ...... 144 DCC Beginner ...... 123 Genesis Mikado...... 144 LED's for Power Shield III ...... 124 Light Fx's ...... 144 wanted : Used MRC 2000 ...... 124 CTC 80 ...... 144 ROUNDHOUSE BOX CAB ...... 124 Decoders for P2K SW9 ...... 144 Back EMF Consists ...... 124 Bachmann Light Mountain ...... 145 Ditch Lights ...... 124 electrical wipers ...... 145 NEED MORE POWER ...... 125 MRC ...... 146 Track and Switches ...... 125 Decoders for P2K GP-30 ...... 146 Bad Decoder ...... 126 Decoder for HO P2000 PA's ...... 146 Status of radio throttles ...... 126 MDC shay locomotive ...... 147 Athearn 2-8-2 with Soundtraxx ...... 127 MDC shays ...... 147 Sagami Can Motors ...... 127 Shinohara Turnouts: 4 Sale ...... 147 LBF WC Hi-Cube box cars ...... 127 motors-coreless??? ...... 147 Decoder Uncoupling ...... 128 NCE and DCC ...... 147 LE105XF ...... 128 Digitrax users converted to NCE ...... 147 Stewart FTs...... 129 NCE Wireless/ Radio Throttle? ...... 148 lights with NCE D102US ...... 129 Atlas Layout #29 & DCC ...... 148 TTX/SW12 ...... 130 Atlas #36 DCC Power Districts ...... 148 Soundtraxx & Digitrax Genesis ...... 130 Wanted Dynatrol Stuff ...... 148 MRC decoders with Digitrax ...... 130 Walthers SW-1 decoder ...... 149 Riv Pass Cars ...... 130 Installing a DZ121 in a PP 2K SW 9/1200(HO) ...... 149 Carbon Build Up ...... 131 Dynatol for Sale ...... 149 Opening Cab of P2KSW ...... 131 Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation ...... 149 N-scale decoder install ...... 132 Atlas layout # 29 ...... 149 Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 ...... 133 Bach. 2-8-0 ...... 150 PK2 SW resistor value ...... 133 On Board For Sale ...... 150 Elec. pickup for tender ...... 134 RE: designing ...... 150 Decoder for Stewart FT's...... 134 What booster to use? ...... 150 Walther's Rotary on DCC ...... 134 DCC wiring ...... 150 Switcher Decoders ...... 135 Designing for DCC ...... 150 Set02 Programming ...... 135 DCC Wiring ...... 151 PR-1 Programmer Problem ...... 135 NCE DCC system ...... 151 Homasote roadbed...... 137 DCC Wiring ...... 151 Momentum ...... 137 Switch machines ...... 151 Bachman 2-8-0, Soundtraxx ...... 137 Learning ...... 151 Lenz Set 02 ...... 137 ONBOARD FOR SALE ...... 152 Tender ...... 137 OLD REVELL N TRAIN SETS ...... 152 Ernest Picciotti ...... 137 DCC Software ...... 152 Tender ...... 138 Bachman 4-8-2 and DCC ...... 152 NCE signal line ...... 138 O Scale DCC ...... 152 Removing Decals ...... 138 MRC Command 2000 ...... 152 Accel/Decel ...... 139 Grade crossing signals ...... 152 Drive Frequency ...... 140 digitrax pr1 ...... 152

6 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Onboard for Sale ...... 152 Wireless at NMRA 1999 ...... 153 Wireless throttles ...... 153 decoder in Atlas S2 ...... 153 LE103 (no light) ...... 155 DT300 Throttle ...... 155 Soundtraxx Programming ...... 155 DCC in Bachman Center Cab ...... 155 Onboard et. al...... 156 Soundtrax & Programing ...... 156 CVP Products/turnout cntrl...... 156 Power filter ...... 156 MRC Decoders ...... 156 Throttle/lite ...... 156 throttle/lite ...... 156 DCC and Dynatrol...... 156 MRC COMMAND 2000 ...... 156 Command Turntable with a Digitrak DS54 ...... 157 Circutiron ...... 157 DCC vs Dynatrol DCC...... 157 Turnout machines...... 157 switches ...... 157 TrainCam ...... 158 Block Detection with Digitrax ...... 158 Isolating motor N-scale ...... 158 ctc-80 ...... 158 Decoder Selection ...... 158 MRC 2000 & Lenz Decoders ...... 158 PFM sound for sale ...... 158 Model Railroad Photos ...... 158 Digi dt300/& sound ...... 158 decoders with sound...... 159 Mantua Steam Locomotives ...... 159 Plug Pinout ...... 159 Decoder programming ...... 160 Decoder install ...... 160 Digitrax Chief ...... 160 EasyCAB Master/Slave ...... 160 Onboard for sale ...... 160 MRC 4000 ...... 160 MRC Command 4000 ...... 160

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 7 Re-motoring Athearn RTR SD40 hook up. Could even have a slow-fast switch.Use some power diodes paired to the leads to immediately cut the voltage some, Posted by Sean Hoyden on April 30, 2007, 01:03pm and add some power resistors across the leads and in series to Any thoughts on the best type of motor to replace the stock Athearn cut the output speed - will also give greater control over motors with? I'm looking to re-motor an SD40 and possibly some speed.One nice way to deal with a variable control would be to AC4400's. I'd considered the KATO HM-5 replacement motors, but cobble up one of those 317 IC throttle controls - power supply not sure if they'll work with the worm gears and drive lines already circuit and adjust for your specific like.Either way would be present, or will I need to replace everything?Thanks, Sean cheaper and be less confusing to visiting operators.-ed mccamey-COSLAR RR Decoder for Proto2000 E8/9 loco Posted by Howard White on April 24, 2007, 09:43pm Sound activation What type of decoder is suitable for this locomotive?(HO Posted by Bill Stone on December 20, 2006, 08:26pm scale)Thanks Just had a sound decoder installed and about to program various features. How do you activate each function ie bell, whistle etc? I NCE have LENZ 100 system but the manual only covers setting up not Posted by plain_dane on February 25, 2007, 09:01pm activation.Thanks,Bill Stone Hi,I have a rivarossi heisler and an Atlas Dash-8 both with Re: Sound activation sound,first one with tsunami and the other with Quantum.My Posted by Ed McCamey on December 27, 2006, 09:47am problem is that when I try to run these engines on any other system Bill,Activation is done through the function controls on the Lenz than NCE I get sound only,no momentum.I have tried them on both system - I don't have a Lenz command station - so I can't help digitrax and MRC with the same results.no movementI have two with the specifics. Put her on the track and get ther going - spectrum shays also with sound(soundtrax) and they run just punch the buttons for functions and you'll get the responses. The fine.Thanks decoder manual will tell you which function does what sound.

Proto2000 0-6-0 tender ATH SD45-2 decoder installation Posted by Roger E. Smith on February 23, 2007, 11:08pm Posted by reisi on December 12, 2006, 02:42pm I'm looking for someone who bought a P2K heritage USRA 0-6-0, Hi I recently bought an ATH G SD45-2 without decoder and sound undecorated, #30225. This loco came with interchangeable bunkers because its running quality was quite bad. I've installed a Digitrax to convert from coal to oil. If you are not using the oil bunker part, DH163 decoder on the DCC ready board, however, the unit I'd like to buy it from you. Thanks behaved very strange and reacted only with delay to the throttle commands, if it reacted at all. Did somebody experience the same Proto 2000 GP-9 Phase III Pilot problem and if yes, how did you solve it??Peter Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 22, 2007, 03:20pm I am looking for a replacement pilot for a Proto 2000 GP-9 phase PS4 Red Light Stays On III locomomtive with dynamic brakes. Thanks.Ed Posted by Dan Helfgott on November 19, 2006, 04:37pm I have a PS4 and suddenly the Red LED of #4 stays on, even UR91 though it is disconnected from the track. The instructions talk about Posted by Terry Ketcham on January 22, 2007, 05:04pm a manual reset, and I tried doing that (at least I think I did) but to no Does the UR91 come with the a power supply cord when ordered avail. The red LED continues to stay on. How can I fix this so that ?Thanks Terry the unit works properly? Re: PS4 Red Light Stays On Decoder to control turntable Posted by Ed McCamey on December 04, 2006, 04:42pm Posted by Charlie on January 03, 2007, 12:52am Dan,Contact Tony - directly. He doesn't always keep up with the postings here, and he will be able to help diagnose this better. I have a Walthers motorized turntable. The older style - not indexed. Is it possible to use a decoder to control the Walthers motor? Hopefully, this would allow for slow operation of the motor and sound only visual alignment of the bridge track. Posted by JP on November 07, 2006, 10:19pm Re: Decoder to control turntable Does any decoder manufacture co.make a sound only decoder Posted by Ed McCamey on January 15, 2007, 03:50pm forengines that are already motiondecoder equipped? Needed for Possible - yes. May even give you the kind of control you want. Bachman on board engines. But if you just want a slow motion, you can also experiment some with diodes and resistors to get better control of direct

8 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: sound only BD-20 compatability Posted by Ed McCamey on November 09, 2006, 08:53am Posted by Chuck Shaffer on July 30, 2006, 01:00pm Yes, the Soundtraxx DSX series available from TTX for 66.00 - Hi guys,I have an Integrated Signal System that works poorly at specify steam or diesel.-ed mccamey- best. I think it's the dector sensitivity. I am trying to find out if the BD-20 is compatable? Any ideas?thanks,Chuck Older Aristocraft FA1/FB1 Sound? Posted by Jody on November 01, 2006, 08:56pm DCC Turnout Control I recently acquired a new old stock pair of FA1/FB1 Southern Posted by Tim Hale on April 21, 2006, 04:50am engines. The model numbers are 22019 and 22319. I noticed they If the current plan proceeds, I will need to be able to control the have the older style circuit board. Is the sound module available for route switching with a remote panel- Not difficult in analog but it these trains? If so, what is the cost, how hard is it to install, and may be easier to use a laptop and DCC. Why a laptop? The one how do I go about acquiring one? Thanks jc simple advantage of analog is the graphic representation on a mimic board of the trackplan-something that is impossible with a DCC Sound for Caterpillar Diesel Engine for Loco handheld. However the possibility of DCC using a laptop display is Posted by Rowan Mangion on October 27, 2006, 10:57pm appealing. Is this possible? What turnout control software is I am Looking for a Sound decoder for a Loco that has a Caterpillar available? Diesel Engine in it can anybody Help? Re: DCC Turnout Control Re: Sound for Caterpillar Diesel Engine for Loco Posted by Jacques W. Lajoie on April 22, 2006, 08:46am Posted by Don Ploch on March 02, 2007, 12:25pm Check PanelPro from the JMRI group.Jack W. Yes I have sound in the CatHO limited edition train set by Norscott. [email protected] Digitrax sound decoders Posted by Chuck Armbruster on March 19, 2006, 12:47pm Mantua Locomotives Having recently purchased a "Tower 55" U boat, which acted up out Posted by Jim Stone on October 04, 2006, 07:06pm of the box, I felt knowledge of how to fix the wierd goings on I see that Mantua is releasing an 0-6-0 switcher soon for about $60 might be of use to all. I contacted Digitrax. and quickly we were retail. Does anyone have experience with recent Mantua steam loco able to correct the trouble. Placing the loco on the programing track, releases and an opinion of them? program cv8 to 008 using direct mode programing. Exiting the program mode place the loco on the main. Selecting address 03(the Re: Mantua Locomotives default address) enter ops mode programing select and enter the Posted by john on December 12, 2006, 08:29pm address chosen for the loco. Exiting ops mode select the new A company has begun manufacturing the Mantua and can be address. Any other cv s can then be changed in ops mode on the found in train stores and on ebay....the old manyua company main. THx to Digtrax for the help! ceased production after offering engines with can motors and these can be found also...the new mantua issues have Sagami Peco turnouts code 83 can motors and run real well.....i believe all of the mentioned engines alsohave a gear box in place of the worm gear Posted by Franklin Lang on March 01, 2006, 10:05pm drive....enjoy. What is the difference between Insulfrog and electrofrog? On my new layout I do not want to rely on point contact like the Walters 83 Digitrax problems? turnouts on my prior layout. The "new" Walters turnouts, of which I have a few, worked well, but now thinking about using Peco to Posted by Railman-X on September 16, 2006, 11:57pm avoid needing throws. Thanks Has anyone heard rumours of Digitrax laying off ten or more employees? Re: Peco turnouts code 83 Posted by Tim Hale on April 22, 2006, 02:27pm mrc #0001634 In practical terms-none except you have better pick-up across the crossing Vee. You always fit insulating joiners on crossovers, Posted by rosslyn on September 03, 2006, 10:34am right? And you must always feed from the heel of the turnout Help, please.I have a couple of mrc #0001634 snap in sound otherwise the Peco turnouts are incredibly simple to use. Neither decoder's from tony and have install'd them,( sound's great ) but do I make any changes for DCC operation. All the track on my they don't run great atall, I have the roco set up (lokmaus 2 red.) all layout is Peco and has given absolutely no problem even though my broadway's &proto's / esu-locksound are ok.I ran the mrc the layout has travelled across Europe on the Expo circuit. Peco #0001634 on a freindslayout who has the prodigy advancesystem is really a great product. Tim and they run fine? ( help )

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 9 PS Rev ? engine is in a box. Bachmann has some great stuff but their customer service stinks. Posted by Jeff B on February 13, 2006, 08:47pm I am working with a PS Rev and two boosters (along with a PS 4 Re: Bachmann L-1 Mountain power shield). If I have a reversing loop can it be off of a different Posted by Ed McCamey on July 21, 2005, 10:12am booster than the adjacent block or must the adjacent block and the I have always hard wired decoders into all my locomotives - reverse loop both be off the same booster ? In other words do both throwing away the provided interface PC board. Most others the PS pwoer shield and the PS ev both need to be fed from the have found that with the Bachmann interface boards, you have to same booster ? Right now I have them on separate boosters and the cut at least one of the leads to the capacitor on the board to stop PS rev trips when a locomotive crosses the block. the decoder interference. The noise circuit is only effective for DC operations - and then only required for 'International' Re: PS Rev ? distributions. Posted by Ed McCamey on February 22, 2006, 12:16pm -ed mccamey- Jeff,It can be done - but you are haing a 'syncronization' problem. You also will need to 'common ground' the Tortoise and a Hare? boosters.See the following from Don Crano's site:http:// home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/Follow links - "Tips" (from side Posted by John Watts on June 17, 2005, 11:59am barThen "Commons" from top headerThen "Commons and I am just getting started with a DCC HO layout. I have 12 tortoise Reversing" link in the 'commons' text-ed mccamey- switch machines, and am looking at the Hare controller. My question is do I need a hare controller for each tortoise machine? Prodigy Advance & Routes Thanks John Posted by Tony on January 09, 2006, 08:53am Hello, Re: Tortoise and a Hare? I have tried to program routers into my system and discovered an Posted by Fritz Milhaupt on June 21, 2005, 03:46pm unwanted by product - consists stop working. John- When programming the route function of the system though it Yes, a Hare unit only drives one switch machine, so if you (route) works without an issue, programmed consists drop off. It decide to go exclusively with them, you will need one for each seems that if I want to use the routing function I am left to program switch machine. consists when I want to use them. I can not seem to keep them in There are other units available that drive multiple switch memory. machines less expensively (on a per-turnout basis), such as the Any ideas? Digitrax DS44, DS52 and (shortly) DS64, the Lenz LS100, and Thanks in advance! the NCE SwitchIt!. Tony At present, only the Hare is designed to connect quickly and directly to a Tortoise, and only the Hare has its non-derailing Atlas O GP60M Auto Throw feature. -fm Posted by Don Spencer on October 07, 2005, 07:06pm What are my options for converting DC to DCC with or without Headlights sound in these locomotives. I have modeled in N scale up to now. Posted by Bill Stone on May 26, 2005, 10:58pm aristocraft mikado I have a Lenz 01/4 system and can't get the headlights to work in my BL-2, which runs fine. I read the manual and followed the instruc- Posted by quentin mclachlan on July 22, 2005, 04:35pm tions but no success. I think the decoder is ok but get concerned I tony will make matters worse. If "bits" are involved I'm clueless...the I want to install a decoder and sound system in my aristocraft one engine runs in the step 28 throttle notch. gauge mikado. which decoder and sound system do you recom- mend. Prodigy Adavance Question quentin Posted by Concord on May 10, 2005, 08:24pm Bachmann L-1 Mountain I need to be able to plug into something on my layouts' fascia. What do I need and where do I get it? MRCs' web page wasn't very Posted by Steve McDaniel on July 10, 2005, 10:27pm helpful. Unless I missed something. I bought a Bachmann L-1 steam engine which apparantly has Thanks for your help European noise suppresion components on the decoder PC board. Concord When i installed a Digitrax decoder, the engine promptly blew it out and damaged my Digitrax booster as well. I have called Bachmann repeatedly and get the "runaround". If anyone has had a similar experience and knows of a solution I'd like to know. Right now the

10 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Prodigy Advance Re: Re: Re: Track help Posted by Ed McCamey on April 06, 2005, 10:33am Posted by Jim on April 25, 2005, 02:31pm I'm familiar with the HO-HOn3 dual gage combinations - bu the I'm using the Lenz LS105 to control my turnouts. It seems when I HO - N dual gage crossings I've never seen or found - where are use the Route function, and activate it several times it wipes out the thay avialable? software in the Prodigy Base Unit. MRC say's it doesn't know what -ed mccamey- causes it. It has happened twice. They said it probably is the decoder's fault. Has anybody else had this kind of problem ? I hope someone can kato AC4400 sound? help. Posted by David on March 22, 2005, 02:28pm Jim Mayol I want to add sound and dcc to a Kato HO AC4400CW.I see that Email [email protected] Soundtraxx has the DSD-AT100LC but I can't find it here. And it is Re: Prodigy Advance pricy. What are my options? Posted by Railman on April 26, 2005, 09:48pm David Jim Writes: Re: kato AC4400 sound? It seems when I use the Route function, and activate it several Posted by Nataraj on May 27, 2006, 06:36pm times it wipes out the software in the Prodigy Base Unit. MRC LokSound makes great sound decoders and tonys sells them for say's it doesn't know what causes it. It has happened twice. They a good price ( There are 4 ac4400cw sound decoders to choose said it probably is the decoder's fault. from, the diferences are the type of horn. Leslie/nathan , 3/5 Has anybody else had this kind of problem ? chime . ) I cannot be the decoder. The DCC system can only send commands to decoders, it can't receive anything from the ath sw7 decoder. DCC track communication is one way only (until the Posted by james dunlap on March 12, 2005, 07:55pm NMRA gets its act together). It sounds like a pretty serious bug in your MRC (that's not unusual with MRC stuff). i have 2 athaern sw7's and i need some one to tell me how to in stall decoders in them the motor's are 5pole with flywheel drive and if tsunami and buddy has done this in the past or whats to sell thers plese email at [email protected] Posted by tom on April 10, 2005, 08:36pm anyone hearing anything about the tsunami decoders? any idea Canadian National F7AU when they will be out? Posted by Ryan Ho on March 12, 2005, 12:02am Track help A-Unit BACHMANN INDUSTRIES Posted by David on March 29, 2005, 09:04am Make: EMD F7AU I'm looking for crossovers where one track is HO and the cross Railroad: Canadian National track is N. Can I buy these ready made or do I have to build them Road number: 9162 myself? Thanks! Please send replies to [email protected] DCC: No Re: Track help Sound: No Posted by Ed McCamey on March 29, 2005, 09:55am Problems: Requires EZ Mate Couplers I want to convert to DCC, how much would it cost and as well the David, price to change to EZ-Mate Couplers? I know of NO ready made multi-gage crossovers. There's several 'custom' trackwork providers that cna build what you want (time and money) - or just build it yourself. Crossovers are Life Like GP7 settings not hard to do with some thought and preparation. Posted by Tony on February 25, 2005, 09:36am SEE: http://www.westportterminal.de/howtoscrcrossings.html Hi, for some help. I have recently converted my system from cab to DCC using -ed mccamey- MRC's prodigy advanced. The conversion went extremely smooth Re: Re: Track help with the assistance of the fine folks at Tonys Trains. The only issue Posted by james dunlap on April 05, 2005, 08:14pm (maybe not) is I am unsure of the 'baseline' settings for the following: wrong shinohara does SV = Start Voltage (currently 3) Acc = ????? dEc = ????? TV = Top Voltage (currently )

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 11 I think I should reset SV to something different than 3, as this Train Cam would give me more on the bottom end of the throttle. Posted by Michael on December 05, 2004, 01:33am Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Tony.... That train camera looks great. I am looking forward tot he day when BLI or some other company includes them in their engines. Also, it engine would be nice for handheld throttles to have built in recivers/ displays. Then, each engineer could see their own train. Posted by Jeff Easterly on February 23, 2005, 02:12pm Re: Train Cam I have a lifelike switcher that I took out of storage (after recently Posted by Ed McCamey on December 06, 2004, 09:47am moving) to clean the wheels. When I put it on the layout the reverse light is lit but the engine's not running, and the light won't change Michael, direction either. Previously this engine worked fine but now doesn't While the technology may exist, I'm afraid you would NOT like run or anything. It is dcc equipped. Can anyone offer ideas as to the costs. There's a lot that can be done - but the actual transmis- what's wrong? sion of the output to handheld 'screens' would be daunting and Thanks, the 'resolution' (clarity) would be 'unremarkable'. Jeff Old Mantua 4-6-2 Re: engine Posted by Fritz on February 25, 2005, 03:56am Posted by Terry Casanova on October 27, 2004, 10:27pm Can you tell us the what decoder Sure could use some help! I am fairly new to model railroading and is installed in the engine, please? have just completed my 1st layout. My uncle gave me an old Regards, Mantua 4-6-2 Union Pacific 4073 Engine and Tender. The thing is fritz in pieces and was wondering if anyone has a schematic? Thanks, Re: Re: engine Terry Posted by Jeff Easterly on March 01, 2005, 10:46am Re: Old Mantua 4-6-2 The decoder involved is a Digitrax DH123 Posted by Jim Princi on December 20, 2004, 01:05pm Re: engine If you post a fax # or email I'll send it to you. Posted by Fritz on March 01, 2005, 03:27pm Try to run it in the 28ss mode. Digitrax DZ123 back emf? If to no avail, turn track power off and then back on. Posted by Gustavo Villa on October 15, 2004, 10:29am If to no avail and if it`s got a 4-digit address, take it to the programming track and set CV29 to 2 Looking for a low cost miniature decoder and I found that according in order to enable the 2-digit address. to TTX descriptions and digitrax simplified description in their web If to no avail, try a reset, CV8=8 page the DZ123 has back emf (Scalable speed stabilization and start from scratch. according to digitrax language technology), BUT the digitrax deeper If to no avail, check the loco for correct wiring, especially cold descriptions says that the DZ123 doesnâ ™t have this feature, the solder points. CV guides of the DZ123 instructions says very clearly that this If still no joy, contact Digitrax. feature is not available. So, back emf is or isnâ ™t a feature of this Hope this helps, tiny decoder?. Fritz Thank you all. Re: Re: engine Re: Digitrax DZ123 back emf? Posted by Jeff Easterly on March 02, 2005, 12:54pm Posted by Fritz on October 24, 2004, 02:02pm The rpoblem was corrected by reprogramming the engine. Always follow the more restrictive Happy Railroading!!! specs. Jeff BEMF is still a premium feature with Digitrax. The DZ123 is an entry level decoder. It`s got no BEMF. Sound Units Besides, Digitrax BEMF isn`t working as it`s supposed to. For BEMF decoders go for ZIMO, ESU, Lenz and see Tony`s note Posted by George S on January 04, 2005, 10:03pm on the latest TCS decoder release. I installed 2 Soundtraxx units about 3 years ago. I put one in an Regards, Atlas GP40 and one in a Dummy Life Like GP7. You can beat the Fritz sound from them. The Soundtraxx horn makes all the difference. I Re: Re: Digitrax DZ123 back emf? made a video of the units about a month ago. If you want to watch Posted by Gustavo Villa on October 26, 2004, 04:51pm and listen it's at http://users.rcn.com/swal/mrr.htm There's no www in the address. Thank you Fritz for your response. Im thinking in TCS for the George good price.

12 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Digitrax DZ123 back emf? 13Jul04 and I am still waiting. Been 16 days now. USPS says 7-10 Posted by DonV on December 02, 2004, 07:01pm working days. I live in Adelaide Sth Aust. The MX61-2K Zimo unit works great. Thanks in advance The TCI unit has 'dither' which is pulse power, not BEMF speed Mal control. Re: Shipping time to Australia Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax DZ123 back emf? Posted by Darryl on July 29, 2004, 03:14pm Posted by Fritz on December 04, 2004, 07:29pm Mal, The MX61m2k has been superseded Depends on how it was sent. International Express mail about by the MX63/64. BEMF is even better now. 5days. Air Mail usually around 2weeks. Surface mail up to The latest versions of these decoders (R17,...,) are designed 8weeks or more. This is the time frame I work on for delivery to to be updated on the programming track with the decoder Q.L.D installed in the loco. Provisions are made Re: Re: Shipping time to Australia for SUSI and Bidirectional Communication. Posted by Mal Foster on July 30, 2004, 12:32am For updates a "MXDECUP" device is required. (TBA) Thanks Darryl, Regards, Item was shipped Air mail, still waiting. Starting to worry Fritz Re: Shipping time to Australia DC SOUND Posted by Lance Pickering on January 31, 2005, 06:10am Posted by VINNIE on October 04, 2004, 08:09pm Hello Mal,I had a Broadway Limited 4.8.2 sent from Philly PA airmail it took 8days.Also Bachmann 4.8.2 from California I'M NEW TO DIESELS WITH SOUND. I SAW THE NEW LIFE surface mail it took 8 weeks I was worried but it arrived.Both LIKE GP9 THAT IS SOUND EQUIPPED AND WOULD LIKE items arrived just after Christmas I live in Sydney. Hope this TO BUY ONE IN DC. MY QUESTION IS, IF YOU STOP THE helps. Regards Lance. ENGINE WITH DC, DOES THE SOUND STOP ALSO? OR IS THE POWER STORED SO THE SOUND IS STILL FUNC- Re: Re: Shipping time to Australia TIONAL? Posted by Bob Lawrence on February 05, 2005, 09:47pm Re: DC SOUND I live in country Victoria, and I have ordered Locos from many Posted by David on October 10, 2004, 07:41pm US shops over the years, usually about 2 weeks delivery by airmail, but I have had locos sent from Tonys that have been here It operates the same as constant brightness lighting with DC. in less that a week (7 days) allowing for the fact that Tonys is on You turn the power up to some point before the train starts the East Coast that's good service from USPS, UPS take about 4 moving. The sound will start working. If you turn the power up days but charge like a wounded bull. Stick to Airmail, it only a little more the train starts to move. Then when you want the takes a few more days. train to stop you turn the power down until it stops but no further. The sound will continue to work. If you turn the power too far down the sound will stop. Lenz 100 David Posted by Bill Stone on July 14, 2004, 10:58pm PS Go with DCC. DC is dead. I am unable to change e address on the programming track, I get ERR 02 Turntables and Home Theatre System but the engine will run on the old address on the layout. When I connections attempt to read the current address I get the error message. Does this indicate the decoder is defective? Posted by Thabo on August 28, 2004, 05:34pm I just recently bought Stanton's STR8-100 turntables, and I want to Re: Lenz 100 know if they can be connected to home theatre system.If this can be Posted by Powersteamguy1790 on July 17, 2004, 11:38am done,how and which system would i know is perfect for such Bill: connections/wiring? I dont want to buy huge speakers coz this is You might have to program your loco with CV 17 & CV 18 and just something for the house to practice on. change CV 29 to four digit addressing. Here is the link to the formula that will do that for you: Shipping time to Australia http://www.digitrax.com/addresscv071718.htm Posted by Mal Foster on July 29, 2004, 07:39am Trix Big Boy Hi All, Are there any Aussies out there who have recently purchased from Posted by Mal Foster on July 06, 2004, 09:38pm USA? My question is how long did it take for the parcel to arrive? I Hi, I am thinking about buying the Trix Big Boy. Does anyone own have purchased a Trix Big Boy just recently. It was shipped on the one of these and able to give some feedback on value for money and what they think of the Loco?

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 13 Re: Trix Big Boy Clean Machine Review Posted by Terry on July 08, 2004, 11:06pm Posted by Eric Page on May 11, 2004, 08:23pm Hi Mal, Tony's, I bought one of the early units without sound. It looks and runs Having always used track erasers (e.g. Bright Boys) for track great. I'm very happy with it. I installed a Soundtrax sound cleaning, I was used to having to give a locomotive a frequent decoder in it. Wish I would have known that they were going to nudge to keep things rolling. I was a bit hesitant to spring for the do a second run which includes built in sound. I'm sure you will cost of your CMX Clean Machine...but in retrospect it is the best be very happy with this unit. $100 that I've spent on model railroading. The flawlessly clean track Enjoy !! has eliminated ALL of the nudging, and has put the fun into Terry operation. Thanks for providing a great product! Eric DCC Specialties Posted by Larry Morgan on June 30, 2004, 08:45am Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by scott on May 12, 2004, 05:54pm Why do you call it DCC Specialties instead of Tony's Trains? It's I too, recently purchased a CMX Clean Machine. I use on my the same guy that owns it. hime layout and our club layout. Both had excellent results!! Re: DCC Specialties Posted by Phil Kamens on July 01, 2004, 11:53am Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by DonV on May 21, 2004, 09:53am So Tony owns DCC Spec and what's the big deal? I don't see a Scott, Eric, problem with it. Like GE they have more than one brand name. What solvent did you use in your clean machine? Place of Manufacture Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by scott on May 22, 2004, 08:05am Posted by Ironmine on June 20, 2004, 10:11pm I used Aero track cleaning fluid Newbie here, getting ready to buy my DCC system. My local store does not sell DCC systems. Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Can you tell me where the different systems are made? Not just Posted by JIM H on May 22, 2004, 10:16am where they may be packaged for distribution, or where a company's DOES THE AERO FLUID LEAVE ANY RESIDUE,i.e., OILY, offices may be, but where the actual componets are manufactured. ETC? I'm really tired of China. Thanks. Jim Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by ed mccamey on May 22, 2004, 03:48pm Re: Place of Manufacture I use MEK with my Clean Machine - once a year. About every 4 Posted by Fritz Milhaupt on June 22, 2004, 02:10pm months I use NO-OX drops around. Absolutely no problems. Digitrax and NCE manufacture their systems in the US. CAUTION MEK is not a good choice for plastic flex track - Lenz's is manufactured in Germany. Atlas' may be as well, if mine is all handlaid on wooden and PC ties. they haven't sent production of their Lenz-based system to China. Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by scott on May 23, 2004, 10:39am -fm It's "Aero Locomotive Works ACT 6006 Track Cleaner". It does Re: Re: Place of Manufacture not leave a residue, it leaves a conductive coating. Posted by Ed McCamey on June 22, 2004, 05:00pm CVP - EasyDCC is manufactured here in the USA. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Posted by Bob Miller on May 27, 2004, 09:12am Re: Re: Place of Manufacture I too use Areo in the Tony car. I actually have two cars, that are Posted by DonV on July 02, 2004, 03:05pm part of a work train that is operated during op sessions. I have The parts may be assembled and tested in the USA, but in all the wet car ahead of the dry car. I can run any combination of likelyhood the components are manufactured "off-shore". cleaning that way. DonV Both Tony cars have been painted in ATSF mofw gray, and have been decaled for Santa Fe work service. SD70M Shell Bob Posted by Troy on June 05, 2004, 04:30pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review Looking for an SD 70M body shell, walkway and cab. (Genesis) Posted by scott on May 27, 2004, 06:53pm I actually do it that way also.

14 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review mode with the stock PCBoard, but not with the new decoder. CV29 Posted by JIM HEIDORN on September 14, 2004, 12:14pm set to 0 as it should be. Any ideas??? Thanks in advance! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE CONDUCTIVE COATING Re: NCE-TTX No Reverse IS PETROLEUM OR OIL BASE???? Posted by ed bradbury on March 25, 2004, 10:50am Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Clean Machine Review CV29 = 0 (decimal) is 14 speed steps. Posted by Rick on January 22, 2005, 11:03pm CV29 = 2 (decimal), ie 28 or 128 speed steps. This I think is Bob factory default. Can you provide a link to a photo of this setup? I'd sure like to I read somwhere NCE was no longer supporting 14 speed steps see it. as NMRA was considering dropping the requirement. I bet this is in your decoder manual also. Bachman DCC You can program CV29 = 0 but as you see the loco isn't operating. Posted by ed bradbury on May 06, 2004, 08:07am hope this helps A very interesting and timely post. I had a similar problem with my enb son's 44 tonner and a lenz LE1000W decoder. Loco began to have jurky motion and finally didn't move at all or respond. Re: NCE-TTX No Reverse Posted by ed bradbury on March 25, 2004, 11:24am No short between decoder since I stuffed this up into the cab roof. The window insert keeps it in place. Sorry I may have some mis information in previous reply I couldn't get the decoder to program or read out any CV values on The TTX-P2KSR is made by NCE. the program track. My guess was the headlight may be on dispite I just look at the NCE website and the decoder tm. The XXXSR my trying to turn it off. decoders are set at 28 speed steps. 14 speed step is no longer an Solution was to disconnect one headlight lead from the Bachman option (CV29=0). This implies CV29 = 2 as a minimum value. circuit board. It will put to much of a load on the programming The factory setting is CV29 = 6: normal direction, 28 spped track. Sure enough I could reset the decoder to factory CV settings steps, analog (DC)/DCC operation. and then reprogram them to what I wanted. As I noted before you can program CV29=0. However it maybe The flashing lights meant that my CPV command station was set for causing a conflict with 28 speed steps. 28 throttle steps and the decoder was set for 14 - a mismatch. Re: Re: NCE-TTX No Reverse Thanks for the info. I am going to remove Bachman board. Posted by Matt on March 25, 2004, 08:29pm CV29 was factory set to 6. I set it to 2 and then 0. None of them Everything you need.... helped out with the reverse problem. I am thinking there is Posted by Scott on May 02, 2004, 07:32pm actually something wrong with the decoder at this point. Your right everything you need to know and stuff you don't want to Forward works just fine. Suppose I will just use it as forward is a great article. Thanks for the fine job!!! only. Kind of a bummer though... Re: Re: Re: NCE-TTX No Reverse MANTUA #386-040 Posted by e bradbury on March 29, 2004, 07:46am Posted by MARK D FUNK on March 26, 2004, 10:20am There are discussions on decoder installations and photos on NEED MOTOR FOR MANTUA-386-040 EMAIL Tony's webpage and bulletin board. [email protected] PHONE&FAX 410-282-4460 Did you insulate the pocket in the frame with electrical tape where the decoder sits? this prevents the decoder from shorting Re: MANTUA #386-040 out if it touches the frame. Posted by Tony on March 29, 2004, 05:08pm I would contact NCE and get the decoder replaced or repaired. Please use classifieds for this: http://www.ttx-dcc.com/classifieds/index.htm Re: NCE-TTX No Reverse Posted by Matt on March 31, 2004, 09:39pm Re: Re: MANTUA #386-040 Posted by Robert on March 31, 2004, 04:28pm Had it insulated when assembling and tested it and found the Please use http://www.tonystrains.com/classifieds/index.htm reverse issue before even assembling the body. NCE does have a Thanks swap out program for 10 bucks, so I am sending it in for repair. Thanks for the help!!! NCE-TTX No Reverse Posted by Matt on March 24, 2004, 08:21pm RE: Zephyr review Posted by Dale Gloer on March 12, 2004, 11:39am Just installed a brand new NCE/TTX decoder in a Proto2000 GP7 I read Don Fiehmann's excellent review of the Digitrax Zephyr. and now I no longer have reverse function. Reverse works in DC Excellent, that is, excpet for his assertion regarding MUing locomotives that they must be placed in the same ohysical orienta-

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 15 tion. I have not tested this since I don't have a Zephyr but according When setting up a back-to-back consist, select the lead or top to the Zephyr manual, he is incorrect. address according to the manual. The manual says "You can add a locomotive to an MU in either Then hit the MU-button. orientation and in any physical location in the train." !Then set the direction lever in reverse!. Further it says "Choose two locos you want to MU together. Place Then continue according to the manual. them on the track. Make sure that both locos that will be part of the There is NO need to change the NDOT MU are headed in the same physical direction." in CV29. That means that they must be moving in the same direction when This holds true for UniVersal as well as well as for Advanced you MU them together but can be elephant style or back to back. consisting. This si also consistent with all the other Digitrac command stations. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review Dale. Posted by Fritz on April 03, 2004, 09:38am Re: RE: Zephyr review Ray, Posted by Fritz on March 15, 2004, 03:31am Before setting the reverse lever, I agree with you on the test. enter the address of the trailing unit. (See the exclamation mark My Zephyr can perform any style line of my previous posting.) of consist without changing CVs Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review 19 and 29. Tested this. Posted by raymond on April 04, 2004, 01:17pm Fritz Thanks, works every time following your procedure. Hope Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review Digitrax are reading these postings. Now if only someone has a Posted by Don Fiehmann on March 21, 2004, 12:06pm solution to the weird reversals when a funtion key is activated When I wrote the Zephyr review it was the first time that I had for a train on another port. I like the Zephyr but would probalby worked with a Digitrax DCC system. I was not familiar the way be happiest with an MRC Prodigy if it had the same program- Digitrax handled consisting. My layout has both the Zephyr and ming capability. The knob on the Zephyr is pleasant to use but an NCE system. My experience was with the NCE system that the MRC hand-helds are the most comforatable fit to my hand. sets up consists differently than the Digitrax. I think that the â œsame physical directionâ • comment in the manual was not Turntable Wiring clear to me and I thought at that time it meant they both had to be Posted by Bill Stone on March 03, 2004, 04:45pm operating in the same direction. That is why I changed CV-29 in one of the Doodlebugs to operate in the reverse direction from Thanks Dale, since I'm using DCC I'll order an auto reverser from normal. The advantage for me was that this change allowed the Tony. two units to operate correctly with either the Zephyr or the NCE Bill system. Re: Turntable Wiring Don Fiehmann Posted by Dale Gloer on March 05, 2004, 08:39am Re: Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review Bill, Posted by Dale Gloer on March 24, 2004, 08:44am just a reminder that for the autoreverser to be effective and not Too bad you wrote it in a modeller's magazine and probably did operate too much, you should wire the exit tracks (those to the damage to the acceptability of a very fine product. roundhouse) the same as the approach track(s) and use the Dale. autoreverser to connect only the turntable track. Dale. Re: Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review Posted by Ray Porter on April 01, 2004, 12:40pm Turntable Wiring The problem with Muing is that both engines must have both Posted by Bill Stone on March 02, 2004, 10:40pm decoders set to run inthe same direction before setting the MU. If one was last running in the opposite direction then that is the Do I need to use an auto reverser? way they will continue to run after the MU is set up. Using the Or, do I simply connect the table rails to the approach tracks. bell or whistle will also sometimes cause another loco to Re: Turntable Wiring suddeenly go into reverse - especially one controlled by a jump Posted by Dale Gloer on March 03, 2004, 08:46am port. By pressing the jump button you can control the functions You need a reversing scheme of some kind, either a manually on the engine thus controlled at any time. operated DPDT switch wired for reversing polarity, or an Re: Re: Re: Re: RE: Zephyr review automatic scheme which could be an autoreverser if your using Posted by Fritz on April 03, 2004, 03:04am DCC or some turntables have their power pick up through a split NO. pit rail which takes care of the reversing function. The manual is omitting the most important point on MUing. Dale.

16 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Super Service Re: Shipment Time Posted by John Sawaska on January 29, 2004, 07:50pm Posted by John Sawaska on February 28, 2004, 10:13pm Usually Tonys is great, I have received things in as little as one I recently purchased a Power Pax programing booster from Tony's, day. But I also have had it take as much as eleven days. but could not get it to work. John S.(Wis.) After a couple of phone calls Tony said he would send me a loaner command station and I should send my command station to him. It turned out that the problem was in my equipment. Tony found it, Newbie and sent the command station to the mfgr who repaired it free(even Posted by Kelly on January 28, 2004, 05:56pm tho it was 3 yrs old). Now everything works the way it should. Hello All, I have amassed a rather large number of trains,cars, etc. Now that is real service. Again "THANK YOU Tony and every one over the last 20 years. I had hopes of building a layout,BUT now i at TTX and also NCE for the fine service. see"That ain't gonna happen". What I need is advice on how to find John Sawaska good homes for these things. Most all is MIB. Untouched. Thanks in advance. email [email protected] Tony Re: Newbie Posted by Terry on February 23, 2004, 05:31pm Posted by John O on March 21, 2004, 07:22pm Peter, Hi Newbie, I will call Tony's 800 number tomorrow for you and ask him to read I'm sure you could find lots of good homes for an old collection your message and reply. Hope this helps !! of beloved trains. If you have the time, e-Bay is probably the Terry way to get the fairest value for your items. Another option is to rent a table at an upcoming swap meet in your area, but you How to get through to Tony? won't get as broad an audience for your items. You could use a Posted by Peter Ross on February 09, 2004, 11:57pm consignment service like JJ Reeves, however that'll return the least. I can offer other options, e-mail me at Since being charged a different amount for S&H than I was quoted [email protected] if you'd like to chat further about it (got and having my package misaddressed I have been trying to get an any Union Pacific stuff?) explanation, but Customer Services just ignores my messages. Does jOhn anyone know how to get through to Tony himself? Thanks Re: Newbie Posted by Allen on August 31, 2004, 04:57pm Re: How to get through to Tony? Posted by Dale Gloer on February 10, 2004, 08:33am www.ebay.com is always a great place to place items for sale. They regularly go Call the 800 number. Chances are he is the one who will answer. for more than they are worth to some competitive buyers. Dale. Re: Re: How to get through to Tony? Reverse Loop Posted by Peter Ross on February 10, 2004, 01:32pm Posted by Bill Stone on January 19, 2004, 09:43pm Thanks, Dale, but I live in New Zealand: big time difference, Thanks Don V! Tony is sending his answer to my needs this week. high cost. I would like to e-mail. UT1 & UT2 Problems dcc for tortoise Posted by David on January 15, 2004, 10:13pm Posted by RON on February 06, 2004, 07:40pm Do the Digitrax UT1 & UT2 default to 128 speed steps? I use can the lenz LS150 power this switch continuously so that the DH121's and program CV5 and CV6 for slower running engines. points are tight and my led light stays lit? When I try to acquire one of these engines they won't run on the UT1 & UT2. Reverse Loop It seems to me that when I put values into CV5 & 6 that it changes Posted by Bill Stone on February 02, 2004, 08:15pm the speed step from 128 to 28. On-Guard installed, works flawlessly....thanks Don V! Re: UT1 & UT2 Problems Posted by Dale Gloer on January 17, 2004, 11:29am Shipment Time According to the DH121 information on the Digitrax website - Posted by Tom Schilling on January 29, 2004, 04:01pm see http://www.digitrax.com/dh121.htm Wow, I don't know what TTX did but the shipment time on my setting CV 5 and or CV 6 will force 28 speed step mode. most recent order was absolutely great. I placed my order on Jan 27 The UT1/2 throttles do not have an option to set the default and received my package on Jan 29. Great improvement. ...Tom speed step so I expect that you get whatever is set in your command station for a particular decoder. You can change the

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 17 system defaults in a DCS100 for example and you can status Re: contact edit individual decoders. Posted by Jim Zaitz on January 20, 2004, 02:30pm You should refer to the documentation for your particular Dave Has called Thanks components. All the Digitrax product docs are on the Digitrax website. crest compatability Dale Posted by jg on January 08, 2004, 01:55pm Reverse Loop A company called Crest makes a "switching" dc power supply. it is available from micromark. Posted by Bill Stone on January 15, 2004, 09:12pm would this power supply be compatable with nce or dititrax dcc I am about to inastall a reverse loop [HO]. I have a Lenz 100 system systems? and would appreciate suggestions on what to buy. I have a Lenz 90- 100 System. Will either the Atlas or Lenz reverser work or are there Krauss-Maffei advantages in either one other than cost? Posted by Dick on December 31, 2003, 01:59pm Thanks, Bill Stone Just wondering, has anyone successfully installed (modified) Re: Reverse Loop Rivarossi's Krauss-Maffei models to Posted by DonV on January 16, 2004, 05:47pm run on SoundTraxx DCC?? I has a few But the On-Guard AR unit from Tony. K-M's that I would really like to run with the rest of my fleet. Any It simply works. help would appreciated. Re: Re: Reverse Loop Posted by DonV on January 16, 2004, 05:49pm Krauss-Maffei Sorry, I can't type today. Posted by Dick on December 31, 2003, 01:59pm Buy the On-Guard unit. Just wondering, has anyone has successfully installed (modified) Rivarossi's Krauss-Maffei models to Dream Speakers run on SoundTraxx DCC?? I has a few Posted by DonV on January 14, 2004, 12:47pm K-M's that I would really like to run with the rest of my fleet. Any help would appreciated. Thanks for testing and publishing the Dream Speaker investigation. contact DCC for Bachman On30 Gas Mechanical Posted by Larry on December 10, 2003, 01:36pm Posted by James E Zaitz, Sr on January 10, 2004, 06:17pm I have a Bachman On30 Gas Mechanical Side Rod engine. It is Tony: DCC ready for plug and play. What decoder is the right size and Please help me! A gentleman saw my AD, and sent me, a $1,000.00 configured for this locomotive? worth of H.O. trains. I have his N-gauge ready for shipment, yet he did NOT put an Address for me to ship his trains too. The phone Re: DCC for Bachman On30 Gas Mechanical number he gave me is NOT a working number! Name is: Dave Posted by Don H. on December 16, 2003, 09:14pm Brown, Rockford, IL. Could you Post this to try and help me gethis Do you mean the Shay? correct mailing address to be able to ship his trains to him ASAP. Soundtraxx has a decoder for this: Thank you VERY MUCH! DSD-B2TSLC - for the Bachmann On30 Two-Truck Shay Sincerely, Hope this helps. James E. Zaitz, Sr Re: contact Lenz LE1014 decoder - speed curve help! Posted by Railman on January 10, 2004, 10:35pm Posted by Jason Shron on December 01, 2003, 05:24am www.anywho.com lists 2 David Browns HI all, 2217 N. Alpine Rd I have three Lenz LE1014 decoders purchased from Tony's. As far Rockford, IL 61107 as I can tell, the only way I can adjust the speed of my locomotives 815-398-1140 is by making a complex user-defined speed curve. David L. Brown - Atty. This is the first decoder I have encountered that doesn't do the work 401 W. State Street for me with Vmid and Vmax settings. Rockford, IL 61101 Is there a way to set the Vmid and Vmax on the LE1014? I do not 815-968-4474 have the time or the software to program a user defined speed curve hope this helps - that would seem like a great deal of work when other decoders

18 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 allow you to use Vmid and Vmax and trial & error to set the speed Re: TCS M1 decoder difficulties curve. Posted by Bob C on September 10, 2003, 11:59am Thanks in advance for the help, You must change CV 2 to a higher value.. Most Decoders have Jason a range for CV 2 : 0-31 Increase this value accordingly and the Re: Lenz LE1014 decoder - speed curve help! speed of the loco should improve dramatically. You should also Posted by Don H. on December 01, 2003, 07:39pm adjust cv 3 which is the accelerate voltage and cv 4 which is the deceleration of the loco to values greater than 1 to give the the I'm not familiar with that particular decoder but for free software loco a more prototypical acc. and decel. to help you program decoders you might like to try: http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html and download DecoderPro. No Reverse! Posted by Matt Bartner on September 09, 2003, 08:40pm Re: Lenz LE1014 decoder - speed curve help! Posted by Bob C on December 03, 2003, 12:07am I recently installed a digitrax decoder in an Atlas/Kato RS-3, and while testing I find that it will run fine foward, but no movement in CV 80 is the Vmid setting and CV 94 is the Vmax setting. reverse. Of course, I didn't test it before installing - anything Re: Re: Lenz LE1014 decoder - speed curve help! obvious that I may have done / missed that would cause this "one- Posted by Fritz on December 03, 2003, 06:59am way loco"? ...And don`t forget to set up the remainder of 26 speed table Thanks - Matt entries! Re: No Reverse! Posted by Terry L. on September 10, 2003, 05:45pm mrc booster Matt, Posted by jg on November 10, 2003, 09:28am Re: No Reverse! Will an MRC booster be compatable with a NCE system? Posted by Terry L. on September 10, 2003, 05:45pm Matt, New DCC discussion group Be certain to also check CV65 (forward trim) and CV94 Posted by Peter Ford on September 28, 2003, 07:30pm (reverse trim) to make certain they are both "0". I think these are This is an invitation to join the Yahoo group DCCforFun. The spirit unique to Digitrax decoders (?). of this new DCC forum is to provide answers to DCC users' I don't know what happened to my first post. Sorry.... questions, for both for new and experienced users. The group is not Terry L. company specific Re: No Reverse! so anyone owning, or thinking of owning a dcc system can ask their Posted by Don H. on September 10, 2003, 06:27pm questions there. The RS3 would be a hard wired decoder if I remember correctly. To subscribe, go to: Just wondering if you could update us with which wires you groups/yahoo.com/groups/DCCforFun attached and where. This might help with the debugging. DCC is Fun! Peter Ford [email protected] No Reverse! DCCforFun owner/moderator Posted by Matt Bartner on September 09, 2003, 08:40pm I recently installed a digitrax decoder in an Atlas/Kato RS-3, and TCS M1 decoder difficulties while testing I find that it will run fine foward, but no movement in Posted by Dick on September 10, 2003, 09:37am reverse. Of course, I didn't test it before installing - anything obvious that I may have done / missed that would cause this "one- I recently had TCS M1 decoders installed in my Intermountain N way loco"? scale FT A&B units. They seem to work just fine with my Digitrax Thanks - Matt Empire Builder with DT400 throttle, except for one thing. When I turn the throttle knob to start the engines I have to get the Re: No Reverse! speed indicator on the DT400 to #21 before the engines start to Posted by Fritz on September 10, 2003, 03:27am move. After #21 on the throttle they run fine. Is this normal? Matt, I have never had a decoder act this way before. Strange, some lister at the Digitrax Yahoo group reported Is there some setting I could change? I am fairly new at this and the same thing, the only difference other than programming a loco address I have never fooled with being a big delay in speed step response when running in CV's, so I wouldn't know what to do there. reverse, Any help would be greatly appreciated. start at about speed step 17, if I`m not mistaken. Guess, you ask tech support. Regards, Fritz

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 19 nce aliasing Re: Re: Lenz 01 system Posted by Bill Stone on August 11, 2003, 09:00pm Posted by jg on September 09, 2003, 10:55am Solo Sam..OK,what do you suggest? will the nce system support aliasing of older 2 digit decoders? Bill Re: nce aliasing Re: Lenz 01 system Posted by Booster on September 09, 2003, 12:24pm Posted by Fritz on August 12, 2003, 05:57am On the NCE you can alias by setting up a one loco advanced Bill, consist. When asked for the consist address use the 2 digit Check page 66 of the LH100 manual. address of the decoder in the engine. When asked for the lead loco number put in the the 4 digit number you want to use for Re: Lenz 01 system the alias. Posted by Stan on August 13, 2003, 03:17pm Bill, Why don't you call Debbie back and ask her to take you Lenz stack problem through a step by step procedure to clear the system. Stan Posted by Bill Stone on September 02, 2003, 09:01am Re: Re: Lenz 01 system Thanks J C I followed your instructions to erase an address from Posted by Bill Stone on August 13, 2003, 11:18pm the stack but my system must be preventing it somehow, it didn't Thanks Stan and Fritz for your input. Clearing the system work and the address still appears when I scroll. I'll contact Debbie. sounds like the way to go, no matter how I attempt to eliminate addresses it's not working. Great New DCC Help Group Bill Posted by Lou on September 01, 2003, 10:22pm Re: Lenz 01 system We formed a great new DCC help and discussion group at: Posted by John on August 14, 2003, 11:28am http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCC4ALL Bill, There is the possibility that something may be wrong with Drop by and visit us. We are an open, unlimited DCC discussion the command station or the handheld. It should work without group without the topic limits that manufacturer-specific groups you having the problems you seem to have. I also suggest you suffer from. call Debbie to check the system. John We hope to see you there. Re: Re: Re: Lenz 01 system Lou.. Posted by Bob C. on August 14, 2003, 08:40pm Re: Great New DCC Help Group Bill: Posted by wayne on September 01, 2003, 10:25pm Enter E: and then keep clicking (-) until you see the engine # you I like the file area. it helped me wire my N gauge shelf layout, want to erase. Then click (cl) followed by the 'enter' key and that good discussion and funny sometimes. will get rid of the engine # or consist you want to remove. Wayne Bob C. nce & mrc compatibility North Conway 7470 Posted by j g on August 18, 2003, 10:14pm Posted by Dick J. on July 27, 2003, 08:08pm will nce procab connect to, and function with mrc rj-12 extension I am looking for a steam loco and tender, the same as the 0-6-0 that plates? Conway Scenic Railroad of North Conway NH runs for scenic rides. It was built in 1912 in Canada. Re: nce & mrc compatibility Posted by John on August 21, 2003, 12:25pm Re: North Conway 7470 JG, Absolutely Not. John Posted by Norm. on July 31, 2003, 03:47pm Around 1976, Van Hobbies of Vancouver,BC. imported into Lenz 01 system Canada a brass HO scale model of the CNR O-18a class 0-6-0 switcher in the number series: #7424 to #7476. Posted by Bill Stone on August 10, 2003, 08:44pm It was sold under the banner: VH Models Inc. Last week i spoke with Debbie to set up an mu. she helped but in It is said that some 350 models were made, I can't confirm the doing so i now have a bunch of different addresses taking up space total. in the stack i want to eliminate. i follow the instruction book but They can pop-up at different times in any well respected hobby can't seem to do the simple things. i operate solo and frustrated. am i shop or at train shows across Canada. missing something? They can be found at different dealers in the U.S. as well. I've bill seen one or two for sale at the West Springfield, Mass. BIG E Re: Lenz 01 system annual train Show held in february. Posted by solo sam on August 11, 2003, 06:13pm Best of luck. yes

20 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: North Conway 7470 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 Posted by Dick on July 31, 2003, 07:37pm Posted by Dick J, on August 10, 2003, 01:55pm Thank you Norm. I will follow your tips and hopefully I can Thanks Norm, I am recovering from Radical Prostate surgery find one for my layout. and just got home late Thursday. I am sure I will have some time to do some research. Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 Dick Posted by Norm. on July 31, 2003, 10:58pm A little more info. on the model itself. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 They were made by Samhongsa (Korea)with an open frame Posted by Norm. on August 10, 2003, 03:01pm motor. If you find one with a can motor, it's been modified. Dick, Originally, they were considered good runners. Wishing you a fast recovery, almost as fast as finding an O18-a. It is possible that some were imported into the U.S. under the PS: Candadian Model Trains has one listed on their website banner of 'Pacific Fast Mail' or better known as PFM . Remem- under VH Models - CNR. ber, I said possible, someone with better documentation could Best of luck and get well soon ! confirm or deny this as fact. Norm. Norm. Re: Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 Athearn Parts Posted by Dick on August 01, 2003, 03:49pm Posted by Stan Stout on July 23, 2003, 09:20am Thanks Norm. I have been searching the web, including the info For Gears Contack [Northwest Short you forwarded to me previously, without much luck. I could Line] phone:206-932-1087 paint my own logo's (CSR) on an 0-6-0 switcher and tender that or: [email protected] replicates 7470, but I am new at this hobby and don't know which 0-6-0 among the ones I see in catalogs and online are the Other message boards best replicates. Any ideas ? Posted by Greg on July 22, 2003, 12:01pm Dick I've been watching/lurking here for a bit, just haven't felt it my place Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 to chime in yet. Nice board, some great info, nice people, thanks Posted by Norm. on August 01, 2003, 10:30pm Tony (who doesn't reads this). Was wondering what other DCC Probably the closest approximation would be the Life Like Proto related bbs's or groups anybody might recommend. I stopped using 2000 USRA 0-6-0. bbs and groups years ago, and I am a bit fussy about privacy and However, the front end, headlight, number boards, bell, dome security, but the great information shared may override my paranoia. placement and even the cab are wrong. As far as the tender is Thanks in advance for any comments! Greg concerned - no real comparison. Re: Other message boards They are similar, but only slightly more than the wheel arrange- Posted by Ed McCamey on July 23, 2003, 01:20pm ment. I'll verify a couple of website addresses and get back to you ! Greg, Norm. Join up on the DCC-SIG list, through links under NMRA, SIG. The list is not on one of the public e-groups, and is managed out Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: North Conway 7470 of a University majordomo program. You won't have any Posted by Norm on August 02, 2003, 12:05am privacy issues and the data there (though sometimes very Dick. technical) can be very helpful and enlightening. Here's a couple of good hobby dealers that usually have a good Re: Re: Other message boards supply of older brass. You may be lucky with one or maybe Posted by Greg on July 24, 2003, 11:57am even both. Canadian Model Trains Ed, Oakville, Ont. Thanks much, I'll check it out. www.modeltrains.com/ Regards, Greg Niagara Central Hobbies St-Catharines, Ont. Athearn Parts EMAIL: [email protected] Posted by Al Babbitt on July 15, 2003, 05:21pm I have dealt with both in the past - curteous and fast service. Please, can anyone suggest good source for Athearn Diesel parts I'm in no way associated with either business other than as a like gears, hand rails and couple clips? Athearn says they don't like satisfied customer. to do parts orders and I have no real local hobby dealers. Any Thanks to TTX, of whom I am also a satisfied customer, for this suggestions would be appreciated. forum to share ideas and information. Best of luck in your search and may your dream come true. Norm.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 21 Re: Athearn Parts Terry Posted by Ed Wenzinger on July 15, 2003, 09:22pm Walthers 2003 cat. lists many Athearn parts-- pages 956 thru 960 NCE Service Re: Re: Athearn Parts Posted by Bill Gaver on July 09, 2003, 10:23am Posted by STAN STOUT on July 21, 2003, 11:20am Returned a Cab04 to NCE last week for service. Operated with FOR GEARS/CONTACK phone 206-932-1087 or cable, but inoperatice in radio mode. Cab04 returned this AM. [email protected] Tested, radio found defective, new radio Dirty Track/DCC module installed at no cost. NCE is to be commended for their Posted by Terry on July 12, 2003, 11:37pm prompt service and professionalism. What I am waiting for is some type of storage system that would Bill Gaver pick up power from the rails and store it for use in the decoders. Brookfield, NH Lenz is working on a decoder as we speak. A device that can be added to exsisting decoders that would store energy for use with all Re: NCE Service Posted by Jim de Bree on July 29, 2003, 06:42pm decoders. That way you will always be abe to move your train. This would definetly fix all DCC dirty track issues and fix this major I had a similar experience with NCE. They are great folks! impedence of very slow moving trains. (Is that train REALLY moving?) Lenz & Atlas Re: Dirty Track/DCC Posted by John on June 24, 2003, 12:43pm Posted by E Bradbury on July 14, 2003, 08:57am Bob, I'm sorry you think I'm a shill, that's not so. I was making I think you missed something. In simple terms the DCC signal some valid coments and asking questions based on my own from the command center is added to and boosted in power from personal experience. I did not expect those coments to be turned about 5 volts to 14 volts (HO) by the power station to the tracks into negative statements about me. This all came about because I to provide both power and control information to the decoder. suggested that Kerry call Lenz to be sure everything he wanted to The decoder electronics strips the control signals from track do will work OK. After this, you can be sure I will not be posting signal and processes them to control the motor(stop,forward/ any more messages. I thought it was possible to state an opinion reverse rotation), lights on/off, sound, etc. The remainder of the without being called names. By the way, I did call Lenz and sent 14 volt signal is processed by the decoder to provide the power them an email to. John to the motor, light the lights, speaker, etc. Re: Lenz & Atlas Simply adding an onboard power source will not solve the Posted by Another Bob on July 06, 2003, 11:21pm problem your stated problem or concern. The decoder still needs John, the control signal to tell it what to do - motor go/stop; lights on, After reading this entire thread it is obvious you have a secret flashing, off; blow the horn, etc. agenda - to cause trouble for Lenz. Re: Dirty Track/DCC Your off the wall claims and outright refusal to speak with a Posted by DonV on July 14, 2003, 12:59pm Lenz support person is evidence that you sabotaged Lenz efforts Such a system (on board/loco power storage) does exist for G to help you - probably because you have a phoney "problem" to scale now. It's not DCC but radio control with rechargable begin with. batteries pulled behind the loco. If you couple that with AC on Please don't waste everybody's time with your stupid games in the tracks to re-charge the batteries while it runs, dirty track the future. becomes only a minor problem. Another Bob Just have plenty of $$ available and anything is possible. Re: Re: Lenz & Atlas For HO scale having a clean track with good electrical connec- Posted by Dave on July 07, 2003, 05:52pm tions to the loco, including the wheel pick-ups, will always be Bob, another Bob, & others, important. It is relatively easy to modify the decoder to have It's this kind of "crap" that keeps me from answering questions separate storage for operating the uP chip for a long fraction of a of those in need. IMHO, John was just trying to help someone second. (Useful for sound units to keep 'em synchronized) But if with a question, and you guys blasted him. Was it because he you lose power to the motor, the train still stops. uses NCE? Do you say the same things about Digitrax users? DonV Wangro users? etc. Re: Re: Dirty Track/DCC I have used most of the available DCC systems without any Posted by Terry on July 22, 2003, 02:51am terrible problems. I don't prefer some of the systems simply Thanks, to both, have much better understanding now but because the feel of the throttle doesn't suit me. That's no reason always have great faith in enginers and glad to be alive in this to blast them! time of electronics. Dave

22 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 (7+ years experience with DCC) fair to make someone afraid to state an opinion for fear of being pounced on. Another John Re: Re: Lenz & Atlas, part 2 Posted by Dave on July 07, 2003, 06:10pm N Scale track cleaner Bob, another Bob, & others (continued) Posted by Terry on June 24, 2003, 09:02am I prefer Digitrax and the last time I said this on this BBS, I was Does anyone know who makes a good N Scale track cleaning car. blasted by many. I was called stupid and told that I obviously I'm into HO scale myself and just started operating with an N Scale had not used "x brand", which I had used many times but so be group who's track needs some attention. They didn't seen to know it. If those of you that feel threatned everytime someone makes a what was available for track cleaning purposes except for a comment about "your" system must make a comment, say it to Brightboy track cleaner. Thanks for any help. yourself. I'm sure the rest of don't care to hear it or the bickering Re: N Scale track cleaner that seems to follow for weeks if not months. Posted by Don H. on June 24, 2003, 07:13pm We must all accept the opinions of others and have fun, not word wars with our hobby. There, I've said my peace. If you must, Try: blast away! My opinion is still my opinion and will remain so! http://www.aztectrains.com/ Dave http://www.centerline-products.com/ (7+ years experience with DCC) and... oh yea... I think Tony's might have a cleaning car as well. I seem to remember that I go right past a picture of one in order to Re: Re: Lenz & Atlas get to this message board. Posted by Stan on July 12, 2003, 11:47am P.S. typing "track cleaning car" in Google's search engine got me Enough is Enough Guy's. I feel sorry for the guy who suggested 700+ hits. that someone call Lenz to check for compatability of Atlas and Re: Re: N Scale track cleaner Lenz. I also feel sory for the guy who asked the question about Posted by Terry on June 26, 2003, 11:01pm it. This has turned into a name calling kind of thing and now has religion broght into it. Everyone of us feels our DCC systems Don H. Thanks for the info. I ordered one from Centerline are the best, when someone has a different opinion, that's no Products. I use Tony's track cleaner car on my HO railroad, I reason to blast that person with derogatory remarks. Opinions wish he would offer one for N scale, it's the best cleaner car I've are like rear ends, we all have one. Stan ever used. Terry Re: Re: Lenz & Atlas Posted by Another John on July 30, 2003, 11:06am Re: Re: Re: N Scale track cleaner Posted by Jacques W. Lajoie on June 27, 2003, 09:27am Another Bob, I also read the entire tread you referred to and found nothing in it to prompt the kind of name calling response Terry, if you take a look at Tony's site you will see the the you directed to this individual, everything was an opinion or cleaning machine is available in "N" question on his part. I wonder if you have a secret agenda prompting you to become so defensive. There wasn't anything DCC and HO Unitrack Turnout Question John said that was incorrect and even if there was, so what, Posted by BillD on June 09, 2003, 08:01pm that's his opinion. He didn't call anyone names like you did. Try Hi folks, to be a little more respectfull of others and their opinions. I Would someone be good enough to explain Power/Non Power guess I'll get blasted because of my coment, if you need to, Blast Routing on turnouts? I'm confused about what this does and which away. way is better in DCC. The turnourts are Kato HO Unitrack, and are Another John selectable for either... Re: Lenz & Atlas Thanks! Posted by Another Bob on July 30, 2003, 09:28pm You only read this thread, not the most annoying previous Union Pacific thread. I won't blast away. I respect your right to disagree with Posted by Greg Gootee on June 03, 2003, 01:34pm me on this. Does anyone know what type of engine UP uses in switch yards? I Re: Re: Lenz & Atlas do not see UP name for the Proto 2000 SW8. Posted by Another John on July 31, 2003, 10:21am Re: Union Pacific Another Bob, I had gone back and read from the first part where Posted by Fritz on June 04, 2003, 07:25am he said to call Lenz to see if these things would work with each Greg, other, he even said, they probably would. His coments were try this link: accurate as far as I could tell. The main point I'm trying to http://www.utahrails.net/webpubs/up-switchers.htm convey is, we all have opinions about our systems and it's not Regards, Fritz

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 23 Lens and Atlas Please let us know the problems you are having so we can get them corrected. Posted by Kerry on June 02, 2003, 12:29pm Debbie I have the Atlas system, and want to add a handheld, and eventually 4 digit addressing. Will the new Lenz LH90 handheld work with Re: Re: Lens and Atlas my Atlas commander until I can upgrade to a full Lenz system, and Posted by Ed McCamey on June 06, 2003, 07:07pm if so, what issues are there? John, Kerry was talking about mixing components from two Also the LH100 says "programming" and the LH90 does not. How different systems (albeit both Lenz based). I beg to differ on the do you program if you have the set-90? comment that these things don't happen with NCE and Digitrax. One more, could I use the Atlas commander in slave mode as a Both have shown some "compatiblity" problems with differing throttle on the lenz system, and if so would it support 4 digit decoders from a variety of other manufactures in the past, and addressing. each has it's own "folibles". Besides, I don't think that "mixing Thanks. and matching" system components would be any better with either of these systems without some real heartache! Re: Lens and Atlas -ed mccamey- Posted by John on June 06, 2003, 09:52am Kerry, Lenz has been known to have some compatibility issues Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas in their own systems depending upon the software versions used Posted by John on June 09, 2003, 12:20pm in various items. You should call Debbie Ames at Lenz and tell Ed & Debbie, Kerry was asking about the use of Atlas and Lenz her what you want to do to see if these items are compatible, Handhelds with each other, some support 2 digit and some most likely they will be but it's better not to be surprised, these support 4 digit, I simply suggested he call Debbie to confirm things do not occur with NCE and Digitrax. John what he wanted to do before spending his money only to find it might not be what he wants, I dont remember decoders being an Re: Re: Lens and Atlas issue. Compatability, some lenz LH200 handhelds used in the Posted by Debbie Ames on June 06, 2003, 04:31pm Set 02/4 had a different software than others and required an Kerry upgrade to have them compatable with each other. As far as The LH90 is an excellent addition to your Atlas System. It has a accessories, Digitrax and NCE components, to the best of my different user interface then the Atlas HandCommand which has knoweledge have never had this issue in their accessory line. the identical user interface as your Commander. Concerning decoders, any 128 step decoder should work with XpressNet is a fully distributed system. The feature set available any 128 step system. John will be controlled by the capabilities of your system and the capabilities of the handheld. Thus when used with a Commander Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas that only supports 2 digit addressing, you will still only have 2 Posted by Debbie Ames on June 10, 2003, 08:30am digit addressing with your LH90. When a Commander is used John on a Set-90 or Set-100 system it will still only have two digit The architectures and approaches to system upgrades are addressing as its user interface does not support 4 digit different from manufacturer to manufacturer. We try to maintain addressing. the userâ ™s investment in our products by releasing software As long as the handheld you choose says XpressNet it will be updates. We view this as a significant advantage of our product compatible. XpressNet is supported by a growing number of line. manufacturers. If the handheld is not XpressNet compatible it For example in 1993 our LH100 only supported 14 speed steps, will not work with your Commander. and 99 addresses. Through a series of upgrades the LH100 is Hope that helps. now one of the most advanced handhelds in the market. Others Debbie do the same thing by releasing new product rather than upgrad- ing the older product, it simply a different marketing approach. Re: Re: Lens and Atlas And yes sometimes we have an error in our product and release Posted by Debbie Ames on June 06, 2003, 04:37pm a software update. For the LH200s it was not an issue of John compatibility, it was an issue of a bug in one of the features in Your message is confusing to us. the LH200 that was corrected by a software upgrade. Unfortu- I have no idea what problems you are referring to. Could you nately bugs do occur and each of the manufacturers does a pretty perhaps provide more details? We want to get any problem you good job of correcting them. We are simply more outgoing to are having corrected as quickly as possible!!! Please email or call admit the bugs than others. and we will get right on it. Debbie Our new systems currently support all the versions of Digital plus handhelds we have ever produced and our handhelds can be Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas used on any Digital plus system we have ever produced. Posted by John on June 10, 2003, 10:53am Our XpressNet distributed network is very powerful. That is Debbie, Will an LH100 throttle plug into a Set 02/4 and opreate why so many different user interfaces can be supported by so it? In trying to assist Kerry by suggesting he call you to confirm many different manufacturers. that what he wants to do will work, I seem to have unintention-

24 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 ally created a controversy which was not intended. Your say it won't because the LH100 does not have command station comment about other manufacturers not being up front about software. This is too confusing for me. I solved the problem, I Bugs is totally untrue. I still suggest that Kerry call you and ask now have a Powerhouse. Thanks for your help. John the pertinant questions. John Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and A Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas Posted by Bob on June 23, 2003, 08:08pm Posted by Debbie Ames on June 10, 2003, 01:40pm John John I do not get it. Are you a shill?You ack like a dealer or someone You appear to have a problem which we would like to help solve intentionally trying to pick on Lenz since you continuously post but the 1000 character limit on this message board plus the time false information about their products and appear not to care to pass messages back and forth limits the amount of informa- about what the real information is. tion I can provide. Why not email me your phone number and I If you really wanted support or had a real question I think you will give you a phone call and help you clear up the problem you would have actually contacted Lenz rather then first trying to are having. maskerade as a Lenz user and now a NCE user. BTW I have a The Set-02 only supports a limited number of XpressNet Set-02 and when my friend came over with his LH100 he just addresses. The LH100 supports the full range of addresses. If plugged it it and had none of the problems you report. the LH100 address is within the set supported by Set-02 it Debbie should just plug in and work with no problems. If it does not Do not let bad eggs keep you from helping us out here when we then the wiring on the XpressNet is likely not correct. need it. I can be reached at 978-250-1494 or at [email protected]. Bob Debbie Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas Computer Control Posted by John on June 19, 2003, 01:43pm Posted by JohnW on June 02, 2003, 06:47am Debbie, I'm glad I called two people who sell lenz before I Would like to be able to control my layout automatically with a bought the LH100. They told me it won't work by itself with the computer, so my grandchildren can "run" the trains. They are only 4 set02 and I would need to buy one extra Atlas panel to plug into. and 5 years old. I plan to give them a throttle that is connected to Then both hand units want to be the command station so I need nothing but they won't know. So, having read about several to change some wires. I am staying with the set02 as it is or go systems. I am wondering if they are capable of doing what I want. I with something else. thanks John have read about Winloc and TrainController, they seem to be the most powerful. But will they do what I need. Any help will be Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas Posted by Debbie Ames on June 22, 2003, 03:17pm greatly appreciated. Thanks, John JohnW in Pittsburgh Are you a Set-02 user? I ask because the information you received on the LH100 and Re: Computer Control Set-02 is not correct. We would be most pleased to assist you if Posted by DonV on June 04, 2003, 03:29pm you would contact us directly. Call us or send us your phone You certainly don't need to computerize or automate the whole number and I would be glad to call you and help clear up your layout to please the younsters. My 6 year old daughter has been confusion and explain the options to you. delighted to make the trains move around the layout loop, For example: The LH100 does not have command station starting and stopping on her command from age 3. You do need software so it can not be the command station and thus no wires to ensure that the track is always clear with turnouts thrown (or need to be changed.. automatic) for continuous running. Finding a way to limit the With most command stations when you want to add handhelds speed is also necessary...an easy step if you have DCC. Limited you need to install a simple network for the handhelds to plug speed with good track and rolling stock conditions are key to into. keep their attention. Let their imagination take over and soon With the Set-02, you need a splitter ($2.50) and then you install they will be stopping for fuel, feeding the cattle, or taking on DIN plugs ($1.00 ea) or one or more panel connectors around new passengers. By age 5 or 6 the concept of spacing the trains your layout. Then simply plug your LH100 into the network you and not letting them crash allows Dad to run one once in a while just installed and run trains. Its that simple. too, but only after I bought her her own cab throttle! [Just keep Please contact us. We want to provide you the support you need. the E-Stop button handy] Debbie DonV Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lens and Atlas Re: Re: Computer Control Posted by John on June 23, 2003, 01:29pm Posted by Terry on July 12, 2003, 11:20pm Debbie, in an earlier message, I asked you if the LH100 I have shown children from age two to run the handheld would plug into my set 02/4 and operate it, you said digitrax system. ie; age two, blow horn and whistle. age four to yes it would. The dealers I talked to said it would not, you now five, start and stop trains and control speed. I am a bit slow but

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 25 the kids seem to pick this stuff (computers, electronics) up faster settings if the engine acts strange. It think it was a pin or plug then some older folks (me). that had to be pulled and then reinserted on the electronic board, it was months ago and I forgot just what we did but it worked. DCC Track Plan Review Let me know what happens. Posted by Layer 3 Switch on May 31, 2003, 10:40pm Re: Re: Broadway Limited Hudson Issues Hi folks, Posted by Dennis Lippert on June 20, 2003, 10:50am I would really appreciate any feedback on the best way to wire the My first Hudson was perfect... the second one (sans-serif track plan shown in this link for DCC. I have a Digitrax system I lettering) is flakey in the same manner that you discuss. I'm bought from Tony's gonna try the reset thing... otherwise (as soon as I get a chance!), http://community.webshots.com/user/layer3switch I'm gonna contact Broadway... Scale is HO, and the track is Kato Unitrack. Re: Re: Re: Broadway Limited Hudson Issues Min Radius is 28", mainline is 31". Turnouts are #6 Posted by Allen on August 31, 2004, 05:02pm Thanks! My dad bought two Mikado's from them. One has the same Re: DCC Track Plan Review problem you are descibing. Have you talked to Broadway Posted by ed mccamey on June 01, 2003, 06:52pm limited on this b/c we haven't yet. We are using an easydcc Good news - you don't have a reversing loop. I'd recommend system by CVP. you break it up into about 4 power sections using TTX Power Shield units. Use a #16 or larger bus wire from the boooster to NCE 1/2 Antenna the PS units and #18 wire along the main lines route from each Posted by Bill Dwyer on May 15, 2003, 08:31pm PS unit. Make certain to issolate with double gaps the different power sections. Drop some #22 wires soldered to the rails about I have just installed the new half wave antennas on my radio base every 3 feet and connect to the #18b sub-bus lines. Be sure to station and on two ProCabs with EXCELLENT results. With the have a buzzer connected accross the rails to get the poliarity right old quarter wave antennas I had radio drop outs when my back was each time. to the base station and also experienced trouble with loco selection and other cab commands. Also the lag time and the need to very Re: Re: DCC Track Plan Review carefully push the keys was annoying. Posted by Layer 3 Switch on June 04, 2003, 05:47pm With the new antennas there are no drop outs no matter where I am Thanks Ed... in my train room, and key response including loco selection is as if I was still plugged in to the command station!!! Computer Control For additional information see my report on the Yahoo NCE-DCC group list message #10059. Posted by JohnW on May 31, 2003, 08:37am Bill Dwyer Which software; Winloc or TrainController, has the least "BUGS" Diablo Valley Lines in it? Also, which preforms the "best"? Which has the most options Western Division and on-screen layout. Alameda, California Thanks, Still 1957 JohnW Lenz Broadway Limited Hudson Issues Posted by Stan on May 08, 2003, 11:54am Posted by Mike Chapman on May 21, 2003, 08:14am Loy's Web say's thier closing out Lenz products, some others said Has anyone out there had problems with their Broadway Limited they're doing the same thing, does anyone know why? Stan Hudson? Mine has exhibited numerous quirks, including random whistle and bell actuation; having the engine suddenly stop NEW NCE WIRELESS ANTENNA responding altogether to throttle commands; accelerating properly but not decelerating, and occasional runaways. All this on NCE and Posted by TERRY on May 07, 2003, 11:02pm Digitrax DCC systems. I have heard that "everyone has a Broadway I see that NCE has released a high gain antenna for their wireless story", and if you have one too, I'd love to hear it, so I don't think radio system. Does anyone know it this produces a stronger signal I'm going crazy. or does it produce a longer range signal or both. Thanks for any --Mike Chapman help !! [email protected] Re: NEW NCE WIRELESS ANTENNA Re: Broadway Limited Hudson Issues Posted by Dennis Lippert on May 08, 2003, 10:17am Posted by TERRY on May 22, 2003, 07:16pm Posts on the NCE-DCC list on YahooGroups have indicated that Mike, My friend experienced the same problems with his loco. It Jim's testing shows a marked improvement in most situations. now runs like a swiss watch. There's something in the manual that explains how to return the electronics back to the Factory

26 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 The new antenna is higher gain... so it radiates a stronger signal, sells the the motorizing sets or plasitic engine kits for these O scale and receives a weaker signal. The pattern of radiation is also O-8-O, 4-4-0 or 2-6-0 egnines?? different. As it turns out, the original NCE radio system was VERY Digitrax lights do not work conservative, due to concerns of violating FCC rules. The new Posted by Paul West on April 22, 2003, 05:46pm antenna allows a stronger signal, while still staying within FCC limits. I have digitrax board decoders DN163AO, DN146 and DN147. The engines all run fine. However, I can not get the lights to work. I Re: Re: NEW NCE WIRELESS ANTENNA am using a PR1 to program the decoders. Any suggestions? Posted by Bob Miller on May 22, 2003, 08:00pm Thanks I have installed four of the new antenna, left the old antenna on Paul West the base which hangs upside down on the railroad from the ceiling and the operations are vastly improved. Have 10 more Atlas Sound antenna coming from Tony which will equip all my cabs, and I Posted by Dave Smith on April 15, 2003, 01:35pm will then try one on the base to see if it improves things even more. In Tony's "Comparison DCC Systems" what is meant when Atlas Bob sound capability is listed as "partial"? I'm just starting in On30 (bought the B-mann Shay with Soundtraxx decoder) and plan to Re: Re: Re: NEW NCE WIRELESS ANTENNA build a small (2by4 foot)layout. I figure that this is a good time to Posted by DonV on May 23, 2003, 04:57pm try out DCC. Mainly I look at DCC as a way to be able to "play" I had about the same experience as Bob Miller. Putting a high the Shay whistle and bell "real time".Am I wasting my money by gain antenna on the cab made a world of difference. Little further going to DCC for this ability? One last question, does the Atlas improvement was had by replacing the old antenna on the base system have that EMF thing? I understand that helps control locos station (with pie-plate ground plane) with the new high gain on steep grades (which this layout most definitely will have). Gee, I model. I don't mind paying for an improvement to an existing hate being a newbie again! LOL product, but I certainly expect that the next cab I purchase Re: Atlas Sound includes the new high gain antenna, rather than the old one. Posted by David on April 20, 2003, 06:31pm DonV

DCC Recommendation [what is meant when Atlas sound capability is listed as "partial"? ] Posted by foretrain on April 25, 2003, 09:51pm This address the capability to access the functions that control I'm building a S scale layout in my basement. Initial module the different sounds. The Soundtrax decoders will work on any contains three(3) reverse loops. I want to run the module using NMRA DCC layout but your DCC system must be able to DCC. As you know, S scale engines are AC. Locomotives are access all of the functions. The Atlas system does not. I would American Flyer, SHS(SW-9 and F-3, both with dummy plugs for recommend a Digitrax system instead. decoders) and American Models. I would appreciate your recom- [Am I wasting my money by going to DCC for this ability?] mendations for an appropriate DCC system(throttle, command I don't think so. station, booster) which would support AC. DCC system should be [One last question, does the Atlas system have that EMF thing?] expandable for additional power stations. Sound decoder support The 'EMF thing' is a decoder 'thing' not a command station desirable. Can you also recommend appropriate decoders for the 'thing'. If your decoder is has EMF then it will work no matter SHS engines. what DCC system you buy. Thanks, [I understand that helps control locos on steep grades (which Foretrain this layout most definitely will have] I helps to eliminate the surging that occurs in some locomotives Re: DCC Recommendation Posted by Allen on August 31, 2004, 05:04pm when going down hill. Some refer to it as cruise control. David I would recommend an Easydcc system from CVP. It is the best system out there, and a great value. It works with all decoders. www.cvpusa.com MRC Prodigy Posted by Jim D. on April 10, 2003, 11:47am AHM/Rivarossi I've seen in a few places (including this board) that the MRC Posted by John Barber on April 25, 2003, 03:19pm Prodigy system has speed control problems with decoders other than its own brand. However, the MRC Web site claims Prodigy A short time time ago I purchaced a trunk full of O scale AHM/ works with all brand decoders (OK, that's not unbiased), and a Rivarossi steam engine kits and motorizing sets. Only problem is review of the system I found by Bob Hayden says he experienced that half the kits and motorizing kits don't match. Any idea who still no problems when operating Prodigy with locos equipped with NCE, Digitrax and SoundTraxx decoders, among others, and he

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 27 mentions no upgrade or patch that I've seen mentioned elsewhere. light board & replaced it with a styrene shelve to support the So, just what is correct? decoder (NCE DASRs) and removed & used the 300 ohm resistor in series with headlight. For this installation insulate the Re: MRC Prodigy frame in the decoder area; the DASR is shorter & narrower then Posted by John on April 15, 2003, 10:29am the light board. Jim D. MRC offers a voltage limiter free of charge to allow you to operate the Prodigy with decoders other than MRC decoders. Re: Re: Deceiving DCC The Prodigy is not built to NMRA standards so you will need Posted by Alain Boudreau on April 11, 2003, 08:49am this limiter to utilize other decoders. John Additionnal information: The tracks were cleaned up. Only one or two locos were Deceiving DCC opertating at the same time The perfomance of the C-Liner Proto 1000 were very good Posted by Alain Boudreau on April 10, 2003, 12:13am when operating in DC. With the decoders, two different were My HO layout is 8 x 15 feet around the room. Motive power is used, acceleration and decelaration were very long and even with provided by 6 unit consisting of Proto 1000, Proto 2000, Walthers dirrent attemps to program someting different, the loco is not and Spectrum units. I choose MRC Command 2000 system for it is usable to switch. For the Proto 2000, the perfomance are sufficient for my layout, it is affordable and MRC products are acceptable, but this loco perform better on DC. usually reliable. I started installing decoders in a proto 1000 and in a proto 2000 loco. For the Proto 2000 the results were acceptable but Re: Re: Re: Deceiving DCC for the proto 1000, it was impossible to come to an acceptable level Posted by e bradbury on April 11, 2003, 10:05am of perfomance, after may attempts to program the decoder and It appears that CV 3 and CV 4 have been set to a very high value installing a second decoder. Tracks and wheels were all clened up. It somehow. These should be set to "0" (zero) to begin with and stopped the process of installing decoder in other units and disabled can be changed later. What decoders are you using. the locos already converted and return to conventional DC power. I Also some decoders and command stations (CS) require a load, use a MRC power pack fixed DC power as power supply for the such as a resistor, to be placed between the CS and decoder. (I system. I am wondering what is my problem? The whole system, have this problem with just soundtraxx decoders. A resistor isn't the console, the decoders, the only decoder in the proto 1000 loco, needed for programming my NCE & Lenz decoders). This may the proto 1000 loco, the power source? The programming device?. be the case with you. I think digitrax and some command Any idea? stations have this problem. Also when programming the decoders on the program track be sure the locos lights are off; if Re: Deceiving DCC they are on they may trick the programming. Posted by Paul on April 10, 2003, 10:13am Also check some of the earlier discussions on Tony's BB or his Alain, why don't you call the place you bought the MRC set Tips for info. I think a similar was noted in the past. from and ask them for advice about problems you're having, they should be able to help you. Paul Re: Re: Re: Deceiving DCC Posted by e bradbury on April 11, 2003, 11:47am Re: Deceiving DCC Alien see December 20, 2002 discussion Posted by Don H. on April 10, 2003, 11:22am Alain, I'm a little surprised that you would totally abandon DCC Re: Re: Re: Re: Deceiving DCC and convert back to DC simply because you had a problem with Posted by Alain Boudreau on April 11, 2003, 08:19pm 1 loco. What, exactly, do you mean by unacceptable perfor- Thanks to E BRADBURY for you interest in my problem. mance? That could mean different things to different people. Both decoders used in the Proto 1000 C Liner have been Does the loco run ok under DC? Installing a decoder will NOT programmed to a minimum value for acceleration, decelaraation "fix" performance problems. If, as you indicated, you had 1 loco and start voltage. Many many attempts to try to achieve a level ef that ran fine under DCC then it would seem that there are no acceotable perfomance. I use MRC decoders programmable 28 problems with the command station / power supply etc. The or 14 step. These were purchased from a mail order shop, there problem appears to be at the loco / decoder level. Have you tried is no delaer in my area supproting these products. a different decoder? Have you tried the original decoder in a Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Deceiving DCC different loco? Posted by Dennis Lippert on April 24, 2003, 03:00pm Re: Deceiving DCC I'll bet there are references to this on the board somewhere... Posted by e bradbury on April 10, 2003, 12:01pm but... do you operate with all 6 units together to get up a steep grade? Your problems are likely related more to the LOCO than to the If so then the two decodered locos will still not pull the load up decoder. the grade that had required 6. Are you operating the two DCC Life-Like (P1k and P2k) 4-axle locos have a known tendency to locos with DC locos? not good. By the way is the track clean? have electrical pickup problems. These are "exaggerated" in By the way I just complete installing decoders into 3 Proto 1000 DCC, for a number of reasons, but still exist with DC. F3A/B and run them together without a problem. I removed the

28 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 I've seen a great number of potential fixes around the 'net... I Kellor CTC-80 System For Sale have yet to see one that gives good enough results for me. For Posted by Jim on March 09, 2003, 01:35pm now, the P2k locos just sit and look pretty. Katos, Atlases, etc do the running on my trains! Have a complete CTC-80 system available. Condition is used and was operating when removed from layout. Some components new. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Deceiving DCC Will only sell as complete unit. Contact me at [email protected] for Posted by Alain Boudreau on February 07, 2004, 06:39am list and details. According to a service representative from MRC, COMMAND 2000 should be used with a 18VAC 3.5 AMP power source Wired track joiners contrairly to what it is specified in the instruction brochure Posted by Jim Stone on March 03, 2003, 06:30pm coming with the console (PAGE 1 - Command 2000 needs AC or DC poser supply to operate. Input voltage must be 14-18 In a recent message a fellow referred to "wired track joiners". Are volts for HO/N gauge and.....) these pre-soldered railjoiners with a wire attached for DCC use? With a 3.5 amp 18VAC transformer, every loco run well. Where does one get these? Re: Wired track joiners Led Resistors Posted by e bradbury on March 04, 2003, 08:13am Posted by John on April 09, 2003, 03:24pm Yes they are rail joiner with pre-attached wires made by Atlas for I have found that a 1K 1/4 watt resistor will work with virtually all DC & DCC Led's from N scale to O-G Scale. Led's usually operate from 1.5 to Re: Wired track joiners 3 volts, the 1k resistor will cover that range and you will not burn Posted by Terry on March 07, 2003, 10:45am out the led. John The terminal joiners that you are asking about are available from Trainworld (1-800-541-7010) Item #842. They work real nice. nce version # Posted by Kenny on March 29, 2003, 11:28pm LED resistors Please help me get the software version of my north coast engineer- Posted by Mel Moore on February 24, 2003, 06:37pm ing system. I would like to install white LEDS as headlights in all of my Thanks, decoder equiped engines. I would like to know how to calculate the Ken values of the resistors that are needed to drop the voltage from the function leads down to a usable level. Wiring turnouts in succession Thanks for any help offered. Posted by Dick on March 12, 2003, 12:56pm Mel Moore Where do you drop the feeders to turnouts that are connected Re: LED resistors together. I have a yard lead track that has 7 turnouts that are just Posted by Ed McCamey on February 25, 2003, 08:23am connected together. Mel, Where should I connect the feeders for these turnouts? Go to this site: Do I solder the feeders directly to the turnouts ? http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html Do I solder the feeders to the track that leads in to the turnouts at see especially: each end? OR WHAT? http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LEDcalc.html I am using Peco insulfrogs, code 80, N scale, with Digitrax Super Lots of good stuff here. Empire Builder DCC. -ed mccamey- Re: Wiring turnouts in succession AKA: [email protected] Posted by Don H. on March 13, 2003, 12:09am home page: http://www.coslar.us/ Well, I'm no expert but this is what I did for our club and we are Re: Re: LED resistors using the same turnouts and we run DCC as well. Posted by Mel Moore on February 27, 2003, 04:08pm I dropped a pair of feeder wires in front of the points of each Ed, Thanks. I'll check it out. turnout and connected all of these together under the layout (ie: Mel all left rails connected together and all right rails connected together). I used metal rail joiners when going from one turnout Re: LED resistors to the next turnout and plastic rail joiners on the connection to Posted by Bob on April 08, 2003, 08:40am the "Yard" track leading off of each turnout. I dropped a set of The resistance depends on the voltage input (N:12, HO:14, separate feeder wires from each of those yard tracks. We decided G:16?) to put in DPDT toggle switches on each yard track in order to Ohm's law, E=IR cannot be violated! turn the power on or off to each track as we wished. I don't like E=IR so R = E/I. Most white leds work nicely drawing about 20 to depend on the turnout points to route power. milliamps (.020 amps) Soooo. Back to R=E/I : R = 14 volts /

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 29 .020 amps or about 700 Ohms for HO, 12/.020 or about 600 Viscous Rumors Ohms for N. Posted by John on February 20, 2003, 09:44am In actuality, I had 680 Ohm 1/4 watt resistors, so that's what I use. In the last year there have been a number of viscous rumors directed at various DCC manufacturers as to having financial problems. We power problem now have another rumor floating around about another DCC manufacturer having this problem. As a stocking dealer of the major Posted by tony moscatello on February 20, 2003, 04:39pm brands of DCC products, I can say, these rumors are totally untrue. i have the power house pro 5 amp.....every once or twice around the Rumors like this are usually started by a dealer who does not pay layout all engines stop and all 16v lights go out for about 3 or 4 their bills and are looking for a way to cover themselves when their seconds and then resume. i checked all power connectors and they customer keeps asking where their order is. This type of dealer has seem ok...any ideas...thanks tony probably been shut off by the Manufacturer or put on a prepay basis. It's unfortunate that some people resort to this type of Re: power problem practice.Because of Posted by Don H on February 20, 2003, 05:35pm I'm not familiar with that particular system but the symptoms dual speakers your describing sound like some sort of thermal overload protector kicking in. Posted by tom on February 18, 2003, 03:02pm Does you manual explain how to check for something like that? i was looking at loco sound installs and they mention using dual What size of power bus wire are you using and how long is speakers. how is this done?is there a special setup to fit them your bus wire? together or do they come that way? Do things work ok when you only have 1 loco on the track? Re: Re: power problem No Light Function Posted by tony moscatello on February 21, 2003, 05:39pm Posted by Mike on February 15, 2003, 06:44pm DON...I HAVE ABOUT 38 FEET OF 14 GUAGE WIRE AND I have an older Lenz 103 decoder. The headlight function (0) is not 16V AC SOURCE WHICH ARE BOTH RECOMMENDED working. I haven't used the engine in awhile and I reprogramed the IN MANUAL. I DID FIND THE MENTION OF A 2 OR 3 address. The lights came on for a little while after I ran the engine. SECOND POWER LOSS. IT SAYS THAT THIS WILL Now they don't work. The bulbs are good. I don't have voltage at HAPPEN ONLY IF THE POWER SOURCE IS NOT the decoder. Is there some program reason for this or is the decoder SUPPLYING ENOUGH VOLTS (THE RECOMMENDED failing? Thanks for any help. RANGE IS 14 TO 18 AC ) MINE IS 16V FIXED. AND IT HAPPENS IF 1 OR MORE LOCOS ARE RUNNING..I AM P2k GP30-Atlas Decoder ALSO USING THE WIRED TRACK JOINERS BUT I HAVE Posted by Jay Williams on February 15, 2003, 05:09pm MANY OF THEM WIRE TO THE BUS THROUGHOUT LAYOUT.....THANKS TONY I'm new to DCC and thanks to your help, my wife bought me the Atlas system for Christmas. I have a P2K GP30 and am trying to Re: power problem install an Atlas dual mode decoder. My biggest question is what to Posted by DonV on February 24, 2003, 12:59pm do with the wire that is screwed to the weight. I know this needs to The 16 V power source may be drooping below 16V under load. find a home, which lug? What else should I be aware of with this Put a volt meter on the power source. Monitor the booster/ installation? Thanks. controller input voltage as unit operation becomes erratic. If the input doesn't stay above 16 V, you need a more powerful globe steam railfan excursions transformer or DC power source. (More amps, not volts) Posted by Peter on February 13, 2003, 05:56pm Viscous Rumors #2 Hello, I would like to introduce globe steam: globe steam is a leading touroperator for railfan excursions to the last strongholds of Posted by John on February 20, 2003, 10:04am real steam: we visit China, Cuba, Zimbabwe, India, North-Korea, My message posted by itself before I was finished, ( It should Kenya, Wales, South-America and many countries more. Small finish by saying ). Because of the high demand for DCC products, groups and professionally organized trips guarantee your satisfac- all DCC manufacturers are having problems keeping up with the tion. massive request for products. Dealers who do not stock or pay, then Visit our website http://www.globesteam.com expect their order to come the next day, are going to wait for some Thx, Peter time. I hope these types of Rumors stop soon because this is so unfair to the manufacturers, how would someone like this to be said p2k resistor about them. John Posted by fred on February 13, 2003, 09:23am what value resistor is needed inline with the headlight? thanks.

30 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 N gague 30' Diamond x'ing Thanks Posted by Rod on February 13, 2003, 05:15am Peco code 75 electrofrog turnouts I run N gague DCC on Peco flextrack,the standard diamond x'ing angle is less than I need. To get a section to look right I am looking Posted by Jim Stone on January 29, 2003, 04:49pm for a diamond crossing that has a 30 degree angle and could be Thanks to all who responded to the Pilz Elite question. May I please made DCC friendly with some work. My local shop is no help. Has hear from anyone caring to comment on the DCC friendliness and anyone got any experience or recommendation with a brandname other characteristics of HO scale code 75 turnouts from Peco. product? Re: Peco code 75 electrofrog turnouts Posted by Gale Saxton on January 30, 2003, 07:53am Loconet voltage drop? I have about 40 HO Electrofrog turnouts in use and like them Posted by Dick on February 03, 2003, 10:09am very much. There are no DCC specific problems. (Insulfrogs I'm using a DT 400 Digitrax throttle in Nscale with a Super Empire have some inherent problems and must be modified) Builder. The DT400 gives a quick voltage readout when the system As with any 'power routing' turnout it is recommended to use is first turned on. If my throttle is plugged right into the command aux contacts on switch mach to power the frog and not rely on station i get one reading. If I plug into a UP5 panel jack which is point rail contacts for current. I use the Peco machines and aux connected to the command station with the 2 foot long cable contacts. supplied with the system I get a voltage drop. If I plug the DT400 Be sure to check track guage thru the point rails before using. into a UP5 that is 25 feet away I get a voltage drop to about 6 or 7 These are the stamped, movable rails and sometimes are not in volts and sometimes I loose control of my loco becuase the DT 400 guage when received. Easily corrected by judicious re-bending. goes dead for awhile then kicks back in again. Anyone know what Once in place they appear to be very reliable. might be going on? Using the Peco turnouts and Peco machines allow the turnout to still be hand thrown which is the main reason I use them. Re: Loconet voltage drop? Good luck, Posted by Bruce Barrett on February 05, 2003, 10:51am Gale I am not sure of the part number but Digitrax has a plug in power supply that plugs into the UP's and adds power to the Pilz Elite Turnouts loco net. Plug it into the farest UP from your booster and your voltage will go up. Posted by Jim Stone on January 22, 2003, 06:30pm Does anyone use HO scale code 83 turnouts from Pilz Elite (Tillig)? Zephyr, MS100 and Train Controller PC They are supposed to be friendly for DCC. Any other comments software ? about them would be welcome as well. Their flex track is also unknown to me. I have found two places in the USA that import Posted by mamajama on February 03, 2003, 12:12am this type of track- one in Elburn, ILL and the other in Florida. Does Have a good question. anyone west of the Mississippi river carry these products? I was looking at selling my Atlas Commander set to buy a Zephyr unit from Tony. I was wanting to know if the Zephyr is capable of Re: Pilz Elite Turnouts Posted by terry on January 23, 2003, 11:28pm using the MS100 with RAILROAD & CO. TrainController software. I don't want to sell what I have and buy the Zephyr only I have about 40 of the Pilz-Elite turnouts and they work great. to realize that it cannot be used in this setup. Any feedback? Yes they are perfect for DCC and are the best turnouts on the market for DCC. There is no major alterations to be made to Re: Zephyr, MS100 and Train Controller PC software make them DCC Compatible, ie; no rail cutting. Posted by Dale Gloer on February 03, 2003, 08:22am Terry The Zephyr supports the full loco net which includes being able to use the MS100 and whatever software you want to drive it. Re: Pilz Elite Turnouts Posted by Jim on January 24, 2003, 09:35pm Dale. Where can I find a list of retailers with contact information that Digitrax Command Station and Booster sell these Turnouts? Question Re: Re: Pilz Elite Turnouts Posted by terry on January 24, 2003, 11:38pm Posted by Don H. on January 31, 2003, 12:29pm type pilz-elite in your search engine and many sites will have With Digitrax, if you have additional boosters is it better to keep the pilz-elite described. There are two dealears, one in Ind. and the booster close to the command station and run a long bus wire to the other in Fl. track section being controlled by the booster or should you put the booster close to the track and run a long connection wire between the command station and the booster? Does it even matter?

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 31 Re: Re: Re: Pilz Elite Turnouts According to the web site: for the NCE system you can usually Posted by Bill Gaver on January 26, 2003, 02:51pm just connect the command station to the computer's serial port Have over 75 Pilz-Elite on my layout. Source:The Train using a 9-pin serial cable. Connection, North Palm Beach, FL Carroll Duffy, Proprieter This software is a really nice clean, easy to use package. Phone: 1-888-707-2702 Re: EasyRamp E-mail: [email protected] Posted by Dale Gloer on January 16, 2003, 08:02am Easyramp works with the NCE system. You have to connect Circuit Breaker Advice your computer to the command station. Use a serial port on the Posted by Tom Schilling on January 21, 2003, 09:45pm computer to the RS232 plug on the command station. As Just getting started and what I don't know about DCC would fill a someone else posted, Decoder Pro is also available. room. I have a NCE PHP and would like to separate my track bus The only product that allows you to do what you asked is the from my accessories. I've been told I can do this with a PS circuit Digitrax PR1 (or one of a couple of PR1 clones that are available breaker. I don't know which one to buy. And, does the breaker act if you build it yourself). Not everyone is successful with the kind of like a splitter such that I end up with two separate buses, PR1 though. one for track and one for the Switch-it, Tortoise lash-ups as well as Check it out on www.digitrax.com detection and signals? Any adivce would be appreciated. ...Tom Dale. Re: Circuit Breaker Advice Posted by Dale Gloer on January 22, 2003, 07:43am Kapton tape Posted by Jerbear on January 13, 2003, 11:08am You should use two PS breakers. The input to both are connected to the booster output. The output of one breaker goes Where can you buy Kapton tape? to your track. The output of the other goes to your accessories. Is there a different tape you can use? Then the accessories and the track are isolated form a short onthe Re: Kapton tape other. Posted by DonV on January 13, 2003, 11:32am You could also use one breaker. If you do that I suggest that you Kapton tape is manufactured by 3M. You can purchase it feed the track from the breaker and connect your accesories through Digikey [search for "kapton tape" :>) ] It is physically a directly to the booster. Since shorts are more likely on the track, tough, high temperature polymid film with a high dielectric your accesories will continue to operate when a track short strength and good thermal transfer characteristics. Quite useful occurs. in the electrical industry. But at $20+ a roll, not cheap... Kapton is probably overkill for model RRers. Electrical tape Decoder for P1K RS10 tends to be too 'gooey'. I use 2 layers common adhesive tape Posted by Mike McNamara on January 21, 2003, 11:01am (usually mylar base) or a layer of the more ridgid 'blister-pack' I just got the long delayed HO P1K MLW RS10s (CP Rail). packaging material if there is a need for electrical isolation with What would be a good decoder for this unit? It doesn't appear to vibration resistance. have an NMRA plug. DonV Will the light bulbs need to be replaced like P2K units? Re: Re: Kapton tape Thanks! Posted by Dale Gloer on January 14, 2003, 07:46am Mike You can buy it right here from Tony. Go to this page. http://ttx-dcc.com/products/dccaccess_acc.htm EasyRamp Dale. Posted by Terry on January 15, 2003, 03:53pm Re: Re: Kapton tape Does anyone have experience with Wangrow's (System Posted by Don H. on January 14, 2003, 12:38pm One)EasyRamp software for programming decoders. Will it work $20.00 a roll is a bit on the high side but it will probably last you on a NCE system and how does it physically hook up. My a life time. computer is nowheres near my layout. Can I run a cable from the computer to a piece of track next to the computer and do the Re: Re: Re: Kapton tape programming right there? Thanks for any help. Posted by D Luke on January 19, 2003, 05:01pm Terry We use Kapton Tape at my workplace. We build various types of missiles and the tape is used freely to restrain things, to protect Re: EasyRamp Posted by Don H. on January 15, 2003, 10:23pm stuff from sharp edges, and anything else that one can think of. Unlike regular tapes, it is not affected by heat and, if I recall the I don't know about the EasyRamp software but you might take a information on it, it actually adheres better as it cures from the look at DecoderPro. Its a free download you can find at: heat(don't quote me on this). It's really good for restraining stray http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html wires to the frame, etc. so they won't get pinched between the shell and other parts. So, although it may seem expensive, once

32 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 you get it, you will find many uses for it and a roll may not last a Re: Digitrax 583S Decoder Installation lifetime. I use it to hold labels on things, like my name label on Posted by Fritz on January 09, 2003, 02:44pm my personal DCC handheld throttle(neccessary for club Fred, operation). To get fast and competent advice, you may want to join a users group. Big Boy decoder The Yahoo! Digitrax users group has Posted by Wolfy on January 11, 2003, 05:43pm 2795 members, running trains in all gauges with Digitrax DCC, asking for solutions of their Does anyone know of any website having good info on the Arnold problems, sharing their knowledge and their experiences with decoders that come with the Rivarossi Big Boys? Such as wire their fellow modellers. color uses and programmable CV's? I noticed mine has both the Here`s the link: yellow and white wire together going to the front headlight. Other http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitrax/ decoders usually use white for headlight and yellow for tender. Can Best regards, I separate these and do that? I also noticed there's a blue and green Fritz wire coming off the board that's only an inch or two long and then they're cut off - don't go anywhere. Isn't blue usually ground for the lights? Can these be used for anything? Decoder installation in Kato DD13 Center Cab Any info would be helpful as the instructions in the box are awful Switc and in broken translated English. Posted by Paul West on December 31, 2002, 05:36pm Thanks, Has anyone installed a decoder in an N scale Kato DD13 center cab Wolfy switcher ? Any tips would be appreciated. Re: Big Boy decoder Re: Decoder installation in Kato DD13 Center Cab S Posted by Dale Gloer on January 13, 2003, 07:49am Posted by Chuck Howerton on December 24, 2005, 02:52pm Don't know specifically about the Big Boy but in general the Did you ever get an answer to this question????? blue wire is the lamp common voltage supply, ie. that is it is [email protected] about +12 volts for HO. The white and yellow both connected to the headlight is a quick way to have the headlight on for both Kato Crossing and DCC forward and reverse travel with directional lighting enabled. Does the Big Boy have a back up light? If not and you want to Posted by Paul West on December 31, 2002, 01:17pm install one, you could disconnect the yellow from the headlight Has anyone found a way to modify a KATO automatic crossing and connect the backup light between the blue and yellow. This gate or signal to work with DCC? would give you directional lighting. The green wire is normally [email protected] F1 so if you connect a light between the blue and green F1 should control it. Stationary decoders and PECO switch Dale. machines Digitrax 583S Decoder Installation Posted by Andrew Chao on December 30, 2002, 06:07pm I appreciate your review of stationary decoders. Did your testing Posted by Fred Bechtold on January 09, 2003, 11:01am use the standard PECO PL-10 twin-coil machine, or the PL-10W Gentlemen: made for DCC? I bought all the PL-10s I needed before decif=ding My wife purchased a Digitrax Starter Set for me for Xmas and I am to convert my layout-in-progress to DCC; do you see any need for having problems with the installation of the decoders in a USA me to convert to PL-10Ws? Trains "F" unit. I'm not sure which wires are to go where as there seems to be more wires than the instruction sheet shows. MRC Prodigy problems These units have four wires coming from both motors and two Posted by Stan on December 18, 2002, 01:17pm wires from each set of pickups, one set of pickups in the front motor and one set on the rear motor. I have recently been informed by a few DCC dealers that they just I don't think this should be so hard but it has me confused with all found out that the MRC Prodigy is not made to the NMRA the wires, plus all the wires are Red or Black going from both standards, as a result, there have been problems when using motors to the circuit boards under the shell. (HELP, PLEASE.) decoders other than MRC decoders with the Prodigy. The throttle Could you please e-mail me instructions for this installation as I range is reduced to less than 1/5 of the total range making the would really like to get this up and running ASAP. operation of the speed very dificult, in some cases almost impos- Thank You Very Much! sible. MRC has a fix for this and anyone who has a Prodigy should Fred Bechtold call MRC for this upgrade.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 33 Re: MRC Prodigy problems you use, do you want sound, etc. etc. etc. ask questions! By Posted by Bob Miller on December 20, 2002, 11:42am getting the different opinions, you'll be able to make a better upgrade is one way, but I would not invest a lot of money in a choice. I started off wanting one brand and ended up buying a system that is not NMRA compliant. These systems will always different one, I'm very happy with the one I bought. have problems fitting in the DCC world. The old command Re: Re: Buying a DCC systems like Dynatrol and CTC80 were not and they have gone Posted by Bob Miller on December 20, 2002, 11:40am away. I have used NCE for a couple of years and am very pleased with Bob it. I live in an area where other brands are more universal, and having run on those systems, I would still go NCE. The Decoder for N Scale Spectrum Dash 8 Series suggestion about talking to a dealer who sells all the major Posted by Luke on December 16, 2002, 09:57am brands is a good one, but there are very few I know of that meet Hello everyone, that criteria. Tony is very much one of those few. My question is about some of my N scale Spectrum Dash 8 series Bob loco's, being converted to DCC. When taken apart it is abvious that Re: Buying a DCC the light board would come out and a DCC board would be put in Posted by Don H. on December 20, 2002, 06:33pm its place. Does anybody know where to get a DCC board for these The latest issue of RMC has an article about selecting a DCC locos. Or is there another way to convert to DCC? system. Some of the posts have suggested finding a dealer who Thanks everyone. stocks several different brands of DCC equipment but I would Luke like to suggest trying to find some clubs or private layouts that are open to visits from the public. The throttle is what you spend Decoder installation-Rivarossi Blue Goose 95% of your time interacting with so you want to make sure you Posted by Rob Leanna on December 16, 2002, 08:59am have one that feels comfortable and has the features you need as How would I install a DCC decoder in a Rivarossi 4-6-4, Blue well as being easy to operate. Goose. Looks simple enough, but wanted to verify the location of Re: Buying a DCC the left and right track pick-ups. Also, do I need to replace the Posted by Terry on December 21, 2002, 09:12pm existing headlight with some other bulb? Jim - I run a NCE radio system for my own railroad and use a Digitrax radio system at our club. The NCE Pro cab I feel is Buying a DCC more user friendly than the Digitrax DT400 only when it comes Posted by Jim on December 12, 2002, 11:05pm to programming. The DT400 is a great throttle for running I am ready to buy a new DCC system from Tony's. Before I jump trains. I don't know it you're thinking of a radio system but I feel into the NCE system, is there anything I should know? It seems to the Digitrax system is better than NCE. Have fun !! be the most complete and I find the controller to be the most user friendly (w/o being too basic). I see Lenz coming out with new flat led stuff...I also have considered Digitrax but their controllers seem to Posted by fred on December 12, 2002, 09:22am combersome - or rather, too complicated. i want to use flat leds for my headlights has anyone used these and Thanks in advance for your feedback. what is the best way to hook them up? Jim in Glen Ellyn, Illinois Re: flat led Re: Buying a DCC Posted by Jim on December 14, 2002, 07:52pm Posted by Russ on December 13, 2002, 11:00am I'm interested in your proposed use of "flat" LEDs. First of all, When I bought my system I looked at 1. comfort , is it comfort- I'm somewhat familiar with LEDs but am not sure what you able in my hand. 2. what was everybody in my operating group mean by "flat". Also, how would you use them for headlights? using ( i was a loner at the time)3.which one is easier to program 4. price 5.reputation (the signal is based on the Lenz system) . Every company /fan of each system will tell you that thier Atlas Bulb Question system is the world's greatest. You must decide what you are Posted by Jim Harr on December 03, 2002, 03:50pm most comfortable with.The decoders and accessories are pretty Hi all; much interchagable therefore the controller or cab was what I I have two Atlas Classic GP-7's and two Atlas Classic RS-3's, for based my decesion on. which Tony sold me four NCE DASR decoders. My question is, Re: Buying a DCC does anyone know whether or not I should replace the stock Atlas Posted by Paul on December 18, 2002, 04:30pm Headlight bulbs for DCC operation, such as is done with Proto 2000 units? Many thanks; Jim, before you buy your DCC system, call dealers who sell all Jim Harr of the major brands and get their opinion about what to purchase by telling them the way you plan to run your layout, the scale

34 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Atlas Bulb Question be a way to use your computer as the command station. Also Posted by joe on December 04, 2002, 10:32pm note that some of the command stations have a computer port for Jim, I think the Atlas bulbs are ~14 volt. The easy way to try is using it, with the correct software, to set the decoder CVs. There to hook one up to a DC powerpack and se if the bulbs are bright is freeware put out by JMRI that can be used to set the decoder at 1.5volt. If they are don't apply more!(guess how I know this!) CVs using a PC or Power Mac. I have only scanned it but it is impressive. Another source of info would be NMRA and its Can I use a PC to replace any part of a DCC Special Interest Groups. system Hope this gives you some leads. Posted by Pat on November 22, 2002, 04:55pm Re: Can I use a PC to replace any part of a DCC sy Posted by Fritz Milhaupt on December 03, 2002, 07:21am I have 2 old PCs (486 & P Pro 200) could I use them in a DCC system to replace some other component to help a tight budget? The only system I've seen for this that looks even remotely viable can be found at http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/ Re: Can I use a PC to replace any part of a DCC sy 7706/tmwdcc.html Posted by Don H. on November 24, 2002, 04:42pm If you choose to go this route, be prepared to do a lot of your I'm not a DCC expert by any means but I will go out on a limb own assembly work- it's not a turnkey solution that you can just and attempt to answer your question. plug and play. This one, or the more limited DCC-MB (http:// First, lets look at what components are required for a bare bones web.syr.edu/~mobrandt/dcc-mb/dccmbhom.htm) before it, both DCC system: require considerable assembly. 1. Comand Station If you enjoy electronics as a hobby, this might be something to 2. Power supply for above. ( some systems have these two consider, but if you're just looking for a way to avoid paying the combined into one unit) cash for an off-the-shelf system, the hassle factor is likely to 3. Throttle outweigh any savings. 4. One decoder equiped loco. -fm The only item I'm aware that could possibly be replaced by computer would be #3 but in order to do that you would Need AHM parts probably have to purchase additional hardware/software which Posted by Jim on November 17, 2002, 11:59am would seem to negate any advantage of going this route. If your trying to get into DCC on a budget you might want to Hi! I have just discovered that I need a new gear for my AHM look at some of the newer entry level systems such as the Mallet (2-8-8-X).I need the 11 tooth bras gear (it developed a crack) Zephyr or check out the used systems market. in the gearbox, or an entire gearbox. Let me know if anyone has any Hope this has been of some help. ideas wehere I can purchase. Thanx for your help. Don H. Jim Re: Re: Can I use a PC to replace any part of a DC Re: Need AHM parts Posted by Tim V on November 18, 2002, 08:29pm Posted by John on November 30, 2002, 11:37pm If you have a Palm Pilot, you could get the LocoPalm software Jim to replace a throttle. Power supply isn't a big deal, however I'm You can try North West Short Line (www.nwsl.com). Not sure not aware of any PC-based software that will provide the they have what you need, but a good source for drive train parts. command station/booster functionality. I don't think it'd be hard, Did you try AHM directly? however all the DCC makers seem to have their own proprietary Tim code in the command stations, and I would think they'd soon be Re: Re: Need AHM parts out of business if we could just buy the software to run on our Posted by e bradbury on November 19, 2002, 10:42am old PC's (I have a P2-400 that I would use also) rather than buy Try International Hobby Corp as they probably were the their systems. importer of your AHM locomotive. Having had a Digitrax Chief now for a couple years, I'd agree with the last post and buy a decent starter system that'll provide Re: Need AHM parts the basic functionality you need and go from there. After 8 years Posted by Don LUke on December 31, 2002, 11:23am now, I still haven't used 1/10 of what the Chief will do. A while back I needed to replace some parts on one of my AHM/Rivarossi steam engines. I was received the following Re: Re: Re: Can I use a PC to replace any part of from people at Walthers; Posted by ed bradbury on December 02, 2002, 12:07pm "At the present time, sir, my best recommendation for Rivarossi Basically the DCC command station is a computer. In fact some parts is one our dealers, Golf Manor Hobbies of Cincinnati, of the early testing of DCC was performed by Rutgar Friberg Ohio. Ed Rosbac, the proprietor,has accumulated a good using a computer. It may be helpful to read a copy of "Digital selection of parts from this manufacturer and may be contacted at Command Control" by Stan Ames (TT Trains), Ed Loizeaux and (513) 351-3849." Rutgar Friburg (all on the NMRA DCC committee) published in corporation with NMRA. I am not a computer wiz but there may

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 35 I was able to get the parts I needed (replacement truck for 2-10-2 railroading magazines. By using key words or your own you and a few detail parts) can search for articles on the subject. They do not have the articles scanned in the web site, you must order them. It a great Basic wiring site. Posted by Ed on November 13, 2002, 06:19pm Re: Spectrum Decoder help Your name was given me at the "First Frost" train show @ Posted by Fritz Milhaupt on November 06, 2002, 12:50pm Allentown, Pa last weekend. I'm an S guage modeler and building Which version of the 44-tonner do you have? The older two- my first layout in my basement. Have Flyer, S Helper Service and motor version, or the newer single-motor version with fly- American Models locos and I vision running the layout by DCC. wheels? As you know, they are all AC. I need help with the basic wiring - by The old two-motor version has developed a reputation in some the way the layout(Module #1) features three(3) reverse loops. Is circles as a decoder-killer. I suspect that my own installation there either some advice you can provide or some publication I can failure the first time around may have been partly from using a get to help? With the basic wiring in place, I then need help with the Back-EMF decoder in this dual-motor locomotive. An older right power packs, decoders for the engines, etc, etc. Many thanks Digitrax DN93 worked for the second attempt. The conversion for any help you can give. is fussy work and not for the faint-of-heart. Ed W. If you have the recent single-motor 44-tonner, installing a decoder is simple: remove two clips from the edge of the PC Re: Basic wiring board and solder the decoder leads to the pads Bachmann Posted by Bob Miller on November 16, 2002, 10:53pm provides. Ed; if you want help from Tony, suggest you post your request The Doodlebug actually has a decoder socket built-in, though on the email addresses he lists under Contact us. I am not sure Bachmann doesn't really call it out. Once you get it open, its that he monitors this forum all that often. location is obvious. Any decoder with the eight-pin NMRA plug Bob should work. -fm Spectrum Decoder help (Ann Arbor, MI) Posted by John O. on November 04, 2002, 10:28pm Re: Spectrum Decoder help Hello everyone... Posted by DonV on November 07, 2002, 01:46pm At the train show here in Mihcigan this past weekend, my son I put an NCE D104KRS in my HO scale Sprecturm Doodlebug. selected two new engines for the branchline of our layout, a The D104KRS is not in current production, but may still be Spectrum GE 44-tonner and a Spectrum Doodlebug. Although not found. Any other new decoders that fit a Kato RS-2, RSC-2, the first choice of manufacturer I'd pick, he likes them. C44-9W or Atlas U23B should also fit the Doodlebug. So now the problem...which decoder to put in the two engines? The instructions show a circuit board with light attached, are there any Re: Re: Spectrum Decoder help drop-in decoders compatible with these boards? I'd hate to have to Posted by Dennis Lippert on November 12, 2002, 11:05am re-wire everything. By the by... even with the NEW 44-tonner, an N-scale decoder is Thanks, required. The hood of a 44-tonner isn't wide enough to accept John the typical HO-sized decoder... Den Re: Spectrum Decoder help Posted by Roger Robar on November 05, 2002, 06:47pm Java Model Railroad Interface John, as far as the 44-tonner model goes, forget about saving/ using the light board, remove it. Install (hard wire) any N-scale Posted by Don H. on October 22, 2002, 09:52pm decoder, it's a piece of cake. THEN, fill every nook and cranny I strongly recomend that anyone and everyone who has an interest with lead to greatly increase the pulling power of this great little in DCC to check out the JMRI web site: model.My model now will haul 7 freight cars up a 2 1/2 % http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html grade. More than the prototype. The highlight of this project is Decoder Pro, a very user friendly Roger software to help you program your decoders. Don H. Re: Re: Spectrum Decoder help Posted by e bradbury on November 06, 2002, 08:10am Switch-it on Atlas Master DCC System Model Railroader January 2001 has a great article on how to install a Digitrax N scale decoder into the 44 tonner including Posted by Edward M. Staib on October 20, 2002, 02:56pm where to cut and mofify the motor connections. I have a hon30 logging railroad. I bought the Atlas Dcc system and By the way, the Model Railroader Magazine web site has an started buying my Tortoise turn out motors for the layout. I also index of magazine articles, "index of magazines", dating back to bought Switch-it decodors for the turn out motors so I can control about 1940, or later, and includes not only MR but other model them from the Atlas Master.

36 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 I followed the directions for both the Switch-it Decoder and the Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Atlas products. But when I went to program the decoder the Atlas Posted by Paul on November 22, 2002, 01:28pm Master does not "see" the Decoder and I get the "er2" message After a long time and a few calls, I got my Atlas decoders back. telling me there was no response. This either means that I screwed The decoders I got back did the same thing as they did before. I up some where or that the decoder does not function. changed to the DASR decoders from NCE and all of the Does anyone out there have any ideas about what could possibly be problems went away, they worked. I hope others have better wrong? luck. Paul Re: Atlas Decoder Problems What Recommended Decoders? Posted by Ralph on December 10, 2002, 09:41pm Posted by El Paso Mark on October 17, 2002, 11:08pm Stan Hi all. I'm new to DCC, so what would be the simplest (function) I have never had a problem programming atlas decoders, what recommended decoders for the following engines: system are you using? Spectrum Decapod Ralph Spectrum 2-8-0 MDC Old Time 2-8-0 #270 Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Posted by Don Luke on December 31, 2002, 11:28am At this time all I want/need is for the engine to move and the head/ tail lamps to be constantly on at a constant brightness (unlike DC). We purchased two Atlas SD35 diesels with decoders installed. Thanx, and take care, The units ran fine on DC so we switched the plug to enable Mark DCC. The engines would not move. We finally found out the CVs had strange settings so after setting to default values, the Atlas Decoder Problems engines ran fine. But, that is only two decoders so it is a poor sampling. Have had no problems since. Posted by Stan on October 17, 2002, 02:36pm Re: Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Last week I got a new batch of Atlas 340 decoders only to find that Posted by John Loesch on January 04, 2003, 08:00am almost half of them won't program. I have now found out that many others are having the same problem. I talked to three main sellers of Have 2 SD35's and 2 GP38's -- both programmed without a DCC and they all confirmed this is a problem which has just problem. I have 3 more to program for a fellow club member, surfaced. I tried Atlas but the Tech Reps must all be at a trade show will post further when I program them ans see what they do/ this week. Is anyone else having this problem or does someone don't do.... know of a fix for this problem. The decoders just won't program or Re: Atlas Decoder Problems some show show ERR. I think Lenz makes these decoders for Posted by Bruce Barrett on January 23, 2003, 07:18am Atlas, I called Lenz and they are also away at a trade show. Any For the Digitrax users you can use [ ph mode ] to program Atlas help would be appreciated. decoders, If you need to change its NDT you must do CV 29 Stan first then do your add. I use ph mode and have had no trouble. Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Posted by Paul on October 17, 2002, 03:55pm Posted by Ed Majury on February 04, 2003, 11:15am Stan, I'm having the same problem with three atlas decoders, I'm Stan, waiting for atlas to call me back. What system are you using? I would like to try to replicate the Paul problem so we can eliminate future problems. Re: Atlas Decoder Problems Posted by Richard on October 28, 2002, 01:33pm Need Input - Wireless Control System I purchesed two Atlas GP-40s one programed fine other did not, Posted by Rick on October 16, 2002, 04:55pm I ended up putting a NCE decoder in. I'd like to get some input - I currently own several LGC locos and Re: Re: Atlas Decoder Problems would like to put them on a ceiling mounted track. Posted by graeme on October 28, 2002, 11:23pm To make this useable, I'd like to be able control the trains wirelessly. I just wish Atlas would quit putting decoders in their locos,I I did this in my old house with some simple blocks & the Train prefer to chose my own.I won't buy decoder equipped locos,for Engineer from Aristocraft but was only able to bring out one train at that reason. Anyone feel the same? a time. I'd like to be able to control each of the trains independently and to Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoder Problems control 3-5 switches that will be on the layout. I don't have a need to Posted by Bob Miller on October 29, 2002, 08:33am control things like sound, lights, etc... on the locos. I don't really feel the same about not putting decoders in. I like What's the best system to look at given these needs? getting the loco complete and ready to program, and I have not Thanks much. had any problems with the factory installed decoders. I have had with a couple I bought from the LHS to install in older Atlas.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 37 Status Codes Re: Athearn Posted by bradbury on October 10, 2002, 11:56am Posted by David on October 11, 2002, 06:27pm There was frames from someone(Front Range? Proto Power?) Using my Digitrax DT100 throttle I can program CV6 and CV5 for but these were massaged athearn units. mid and top range speed values (to slow the engine down). When I You might try a LifeLike P2K GP7, GP9, etc frame for Athearn select my engine and check the status code, I change it from 13 to GP7, etc. LL uses light bars to transmit light from the bulbs to 10 to accept the speed values I inserted. Now, how do you check the the front & rear lights whereas Athearn has a single bulb. LL status code with a DT300? uses screws to retain the body and the couplers frame mounted. Re: Status Codes New body mounts may be required. Posted by Dale Gloer on October 15, 2002, 08:03am Take a look at decoder manufacturers to see what locos their Read the section on Status Editing a decoder in the Chief II decoders fit into (try Tony's list of decoders for a start). This manual. All the Digitrax manuals are available online at should give you an idea of what chasises are available for your www.digitrax.com Athearn units. Dale Also Digitrax make a decoder kit for Athearn locos which has the the motor brush retainers and light wired to the their decoder; Re: Status Codes no soldering. Posted by Don H on October 18, 2002, 09:15pm Hopes this helps. Don Crano has a section on the status codes and programming them. Try: Re: Athearn Posted by Jacques W. on October 11, 2002, 10:52am http://home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/ Hope this helps. If your Athearn are good runner and they have a fairly recent motor, the gold color ones, it is very easy to convert these loco Re: Status Codes to DCC. Posted by graeme on October 24, 2002, 06:01am Isolate the bottom of the frame where the motor sit, with hi ,, you dont need to change the status if you are only changing electrical tape and cut or bent upward the part of the motor cvs 5&6. The DT300 displays the status of each loco as you retaining clip, that make contact with the frame. scroll through (right knob)each address prior to selection. e.g. * Digitrax make special decoder with harnes for these engines. 128,28. This is a very simple job. Re: Re: Status Codes Have fun Posted by David on October 24, 2002, 08:39pm Re: Athearn Graeme, When you set the mid range limit to 20 (CV6) and top Posted by Don Luke on December 31, 2002, 11:39am range to 40 (CV5), the status of a DT100 has to be changed Digitrax DH-123AT decoder makes it real simple. I used the from 13 to 10 in order for the decoder to only reach a top speed predecessor, the DH-121AT and it is basically a snap(literally) to of 40. But doing that with a DT300, I change the Dt300 speed convert to DCC. steps by selecting 28 (which recognizes the changes in CV5 & 6. cass /?? Re: Re: Re: Status Codes Posted by harry on October 06, 2002, 08:19pm Posted by Fritz on October 24, 2002, 10:28pm Looking for good model HO of Shay 3-truck David, ([email protected]) newer decoders, such as DH 142`s and DH 163`s run with cv`s 5/6 active in the 128 ss mode. RRampMeter Check the decoder card that came with DH 142 decoders, p.3 ,table, Posted by Roger Robar on October 06, 2002, 05:02pm cv 61. Has anyone purchased the new RRampMeter and if so what is your Hope that helps. opinion of it? Is it worth the costs? Kind of waiting to see what the model press reviews are. Roger Athearn Re: RRampMeter Posted by Terry on October 08, 2002, 11:31pm Posted by Ed McCamey on October 16, 2002, 03:33pm I have some custom painted and detailed Athearn units that I'd like Roger - I've gotten my RRampMeter and I'm really impressed. I to convert to DCC but don't want to get involved with the work. added the 9v battery option to monitor and observe 0-12v in DC Does anyone know if anyone makes frames with a DCC ready mode while testing and breaking in my locos before adding motor that will accept Athearn shells. Thanks decoders. The amp draw is clear and precise. Moving from DC to DCC allows clear indications of operating conditions. The precision in DCC mode is very helpful and I've found the meter to be very robust and reliable. I'd recommend getting the version

38 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 1, adding the version 3 parts, making up a mounting, and wiring re frog powering in via some control switches for various combinations of Posted by james on September 25, 2002, 09:38am components (e.g., whole system, various boosters, DC test loop, etc.). you said you began having trouble with the contacts after several years. what do you mean by several? Re: Re: RRampMeter Posted by Roger on October 21, 2002, 07:55am site is shrinking Thanks Ed for your comments on the RRampMeter. Looks like a Posted by graeme on September 23, 2002, 10:32pm trip to Tony's is in order. Roger What has happened to this site? it hardly seems to get any use any MRC/NCE more.6-8 months ago there were lots of spirited discussions & comments but they have gradually diminished, does anyone else feel Posted by Rich McMahon on October 03, 2002, 11:25am the same? Cheers from OZ. having trouble programming MRC decoders AD305 and AD310 Re: site is shrinking with the NCE Powerhouse Pro. Posted by DonV on September 25, 2002, 11:01am Anyone out there solved this problem? How? Thanks, I agree. So I'm just an occasional lurker here. Mostly to see Rich what's new. I'm not interested in most of the old hat discussion topics. Re: MRC/NCE Have found other forums for better focus on pertinent topics of Posted by Van Chanay on October 31, 2003, 09:40pm interest. Rich - Did you ever receive any info on your problem of DonV programming MRC AD310 decoders with the NCE system? I Re: Re: site is shrinking am having the same problem. Does anyone have a straight Posted by Bob Miller on September 25, 2002, 11:41pm foreward process for this? Thanks. Actually, most of the sites I frequent are having less activity than Re: Re: MRC/NCE normal. It may be the weather. Here in steamy Kansas City Posted by John Sawaska on November 10, 2003, 08:20pm everyone a little testy. Rich, see page #71 in NCE manual. Maybe fall will get us revived again. use program track in register program mode (option #3). Bob enter register number(1 thru 5). Re: Re: site is shrinking see page 57 for what each register Posted by graeme on September 26, 2002, 01:51am number does. Hope this helps,John. hi don v.i seem to recall you were a regular contributor a while back. how about telling me some of these other sites you have PROTO 2-8-4 found? my e/mail is- [email protected] Thank you.( I often go to the Bachmann forum site but hav'nt been able to get Posted by J HARRIS on September 25, 2002, 10:16am on to it the last couple of days, dont know whether its me or I HAVE TRIED TO GET INFO ON PROTO'S NEW 2-8-4 them. Cheers from oz. LOCOMOTIVE, WILL THE C&O UNITS BE PROTOTYPICAL Re: Re: Re: site is shrinking WITH SAND DOME IN CORRECT POSITION OR WILL IT Posted by DonV on September 30, 2002, 01:29pm BE LIKE RIVAROSSI AND OVER THE WRONG DRIVERS? graeme Re: PROTO 2-8-4 Tried to send U a private e-mail. Posted by F. Milhaupt on September 30, 2002, 11:08am Got a mail-box full reply! According to Art Million, who has been working with Life-Like Re: site is shrinking on the P2K Berks from a Pere Marquette angle, LL is going to Posted by Don H. on October 01, 2002, 12:11pm rather great lengths to ensure that /all/ of the versions they decide to run are accurate. I didn't try to get the details of the C&O It could just be the summer doldrums. versions from him (they're not in my area of interest), but from If you want to get some action on the site you could always say the amount of work I've heard they're doing on the PM side, I something negative about (insert name of DCC manufacturer wouldn't be concerned that they're going to cheat on the C&O here). That's usually good for several postings. models, which, after all, should appeal to a larger audience. I personally don't have anything negative to say about anyone or -fm anything. Don H. Re: Re: site is shrinking Posted by Bob Miller on October 01, 2002, 02:22pm How about Saddam?

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 39 Re: Re: Re: Re: site is shrinking You may remember that Larry Keeler, who built and sold Posted by graeme on October 01, 2002, 09:15pm CTC80 was a Kansas City resident, and one of our old group. hi don, looks like i gave wrong e-mail address Bob [email protected] Thanks for trying. Graeme. lenz 02 system PECO Small Radii Switch #4 -- AC Motor/DC Posted by John on September 07, 2002, 02:18pm Decoder I am interested in the Lenz 02 system and would like to know if Posted by Jean-Claude Noel on September 16, 2002, 12:55pm anyone can give me some feedback either negative or positive about Hi ! it. Thanks for your help. I am new to this. Re: lenz 02 system I seems to me that switches motor are AC. But the decoders are DC. Posted by Gene on September 20, 2002, 12:00pm I heard that DC simplifies wirering Dont have Lenz 02 but do have LH200 works great inside but if ! Does one has to wire the motor for AC and then attach the decoder you are going outside sun shades readout. I have 2 Lenz systems to the switch motor? LZ100 ,4 handhelds , 6 NCE 10 amp boosters, about 75 Lenz Thanks decoders Re: PECO Small Radii Switch #4 -- AC Motor/DC computer interface, Wireless interfaces, etc and have had very Deco little trouble, most of it I caused, and am happy with it. Posted by e bradbury on September 24, 2002, 10:00am Gene Are these peco solenoid motorsthat mount under the switch, tortise motors? Could you give some details about the motors Atlas Dual Mode Decoder engines you are addressing. Posted by [email protected] on September 05, 2002, 10:55am Re: PECO Small Radii Switch #4 -- AC Motor/DC Deco Do any memebers have problems with the recent Master Series Posted by Dale Gloer on September 25, 2002, 08:23am ATLAS diesel locos??? I have an RF&P GP-40, and the same night one of the other club Peco switch motors are solenoid type and operate best on DC. members has a brand new Southern SD-35...BOTH The same can be said about most other solenoid motors however engines...would not function when the jumper pin was moved from many will operate on AC as well. Tortoise (and other slow anaglog to DCC position. motion motors) are DC motors and must operate on DC. If you This is odd that both failed the same way. Our club system is are aksing about using a DCC Stationary decoder to operate the Digitrax, and was upo and running, as well as my Alaska, GM&O switch motor, then each manufacturer's decoder comes with and NECR units all functioning on DCC. The Southern &RF&P wiring instructions - some only support slow motion, some ones ran in DC mode, but headlights did not come on, nor would solenoid and some support both. Some may need an external they move at all in DCC, yet both decoders diagnosed as having the power source, some don't. correct addresses. Dale. Any help or are both engines production line duds??? Re: Re: PECO Small Radii Switch #4 -- AC Motor/DC Posted by Jean-Claude Noel on October 09, 2002, 11:49am Re: Atlas Dual Mode Decoder engines Posted by Nigel F Misso on September 09, 2002, 09:40am Your comments are much appreciated. Hi DOug; Thanks My two N&W GP40 and two N&W SD35 locomotives operate fine on a Digitrax system. CTC-80 On the SD35, I found the plugs a little harder to get pushed back Posted by Jimray on September 14, 2002, 10:32am in, than on the GP40. Have a CTC-80 system as removed from operating layout. Some You should give Atlas a call. components are new, never used. Anybody still using this system Nigel that needs spare parts?? Will only sell complete system. Reply Re: Re: Atlas Dual Mode Decoder engines offlist with interest for details. [email protected] Posted by Donald Luke on September 24, 2002, 09:50pm Re: CTC-80 We purchased two Atlas Dual Mode SD35 units. First, I Posted by Bob Miller on September 16, 2002, 07:06pm wouldn't call them dual mode as they are single mode unless the There are quite a few CTC80 systems in use in the Kansas City jumper is moved unlike other decoders which sense and switch. area. I am an oddball as I was Dynatrol, now converted to NCE We tested the units on DC and they worked fine. We moved the DCC. I will pass the word around about what you have for sale jumpers and selected the addresses of the engines per Atlas and how to contact you. instructions. Lights came on but neither engine would move. A check of the CVs found them at something other than "0" if I

40 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 remember correctly. We zeroed out the CVs for start voltage, mid Re: Mounting a PS2 range, and max voltage and the engines ran fine. We have played Posted by Ed McCamey on September 05, 2002, 02:06pm with the CVs some more so they could MU with a pair of Kato At our club, we use some short aluminium stand off (small pipe SD40s and they continue to run fine. But that first night ????? like stubs) and just open air mount underneath the benchwork Hope this helps. using some small (but long) wood screws. Why spend time and money on something that's not necessary! frog powering Re: Re: Mounting a PS2 Posted by fred on September 05, 2002, 09:06am Posted by e bradbury on September 06, 2002, 11:48am has anyone used the aux. contacts on a tourtise switch machine to the small mounts mentioned may be obtained from Tru-Valve power the frog? are there any problems using dcc this way hardware store in either aluminum or nylon & different lengths. Re: frog powering Look in their special fastener display near the loose screw/bolt/ Posted by Ed McCamey on September 05, 2002, 01:59pm nut/washer display/bins. Thats the best way for frog powering! The contacts are rated for Re: Re: Re: Mounting a PS2 about 1-amp - but that's "switching" rating and in reality - they Posted by David on September 18, 2002, 07:41pm can handle plenty. You can also use both sets of contacts for a bit All of my PS2's are mounted to the benchwork using 1/2" nylon more reliability. I also wire in a tail light bulb on the frog power standoffs I got from Jameco. for localized protection against shorts due to de-railing. Pending the turnouts you use, you may also want to check out the DH150Atlas modifications as suggested by Don Crano on his web site. Posted by Anthony on August 26, 2002, 02:10pm Certain turnouts will stay electrically charged on the rails during the transition and can cause shorts internally. Be sure and replace Is this the Right decoder for a Atlas RS-11 (eq /w DCC LightBrd) the actuator wire with something stiffer. The DH150A does not Fit between the Front and back Metal Weight, thus does not line-up with Vertical posts. I have not Re: frog powering diassembled my engine, don't think I should have too (Kit-bash). Posted by Jim on September 05, 2002, 04:00pm Any suggestions/Other manufactures decoders? (I read the article I use DCC and have powered the frogs through Tortoise switch posted @ Tony's regarding a modify 8-pin decoder to retro fit the machines on 23 switches with no problem. There is a recom- original LightBrd) what decoder would that be?) mended (not by Circuitron)internal mod online that helps to prevent momentary shorting through the Tortoise when the Re: DH150Atlas Posted by Jason on August 27, 2002, 01:23pm switch is activated that helps and should be done. I'll have to look for it and post later unless someone already knows where Make sure u have the decoder facing the right direction. The to find it. decoder is offset and will only fit one way. Nce also offers a direct replacement decodet the Nce Re: Re: frog powering DASR. Good luck. Posted by David on September 18, 2002, 07:35pm All of my frogs are powered through the relay. I have modified double crossover problem all of my turnouts so there is not a problem with momentary Posted by alco rs3 on August 18, 2002, 05:08pm shorting. However, after several years, I am starting to have a problem with the contacts. I recently had to replace two of the has anyone had problems useing walthers double cross overs? we Tortoise machines; 1 because it would get stuck in the thrown are having a short occur when the engine crosses the halfway point. position and 1 because the contacts in the relays weren't routing we are using northcoast. the switch meters ok until it is installed power to the frog or to the Digitrax DS-54 feedback loop. I am then shows a short,the rest of railroad works fine,without any thinking of replacing the internal relays on that one with external evidence of shorting. this problem has occured with 3 other micro switches activated by the throw. crossovers. hope it isn't going to require gapping. Re: double crossover problem Mounting a PS2 Posted by Jim on August 18, 2002, 11:50pm Posted by David B on September 04, 2002, 11:58pm I Had to cut gaps in all of the rails across the center of the Gentlemen crossover assembly on my layout to get it to work properly. I am looking for ideas on methods for mounting Tony's PS2's. Is it Re: double crossover problem best to build some sort of box (with adequate ventalation)? Posted by Dale Gloer on August 19, 2002, 07:32am Is there anything from digikey or radio shack that the PS2 would I had problems until I set it up so all the points moved together. easily mount to? That is, I make all points move for crossing over or all points set I am looking for different methods that people have used. for going straight. This eleiminated the short circuit problem. Thank you There is no reason not to do this as when crossing over only one train can occupy the crossover at a time. Dale.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 41 Re: Re: double crossover problem Peco Insulfrogs Posted by DonV on August 19, 2002, 03:36pm Posted by Jim Kendig on August 14, 2002, 12:38pm I second what Dale said. Well guys, I started all this discussion and appreciate all of the in There are 2 separate problems. put. I have decided to abandon insulfrogs from here on out and use 1) Steel wheel treads hit the opposite polarity rail as they travel electrofrogs with NCE Switch It and jumpers to the frog through over the frog point. contacts on the switch machines. I talked with Pete Postel of BLW ( 2) There is a metal electrical tie strap at the botom of the plastic N Scale Mail Order House) and he referred me to the following flangeway at the frog that may be exposed. web site, which has loads of good information about wiring all Both problems go away when you flip all 4 switches to be either kinds of Turnouts for DCC: http://www.wiringfordcc.com straight or to cross over. 4 slo-mo switch machines wired in Thanks again. parallel do the job nicely. DonV Re: Peco Insulfrogs culprit is that there is a Posted by Jacques W. on August 14, 2002, 01:09pm Well Jim, thanks for having started this tread, I found it very Loco Net wire instructive and positive. Thanks also for the internet site. Posted by Dave on August 16, 2002, 03:35pm Can the LocoNet 6 wire cable be in a basicly round cable wraping peco switches or does it have to be in a flat cable? Posted by Bob Miller on August 12, 2002, 11:51pm Re: Loco Net wire Dennis, I don't doubt what you say happens on your layout, but I Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on August 19, 2002, 05:21pm believe you are using NCE as I am. So what is the difference that I don't seem to have the problem and you do? I have a pot full of The flat cable that is used is basically telephone base cord. Any 6 Atlas products running, and honestly, I don't detect any shorting. conductor cable can be used. It seems to me that twisted pair Bob telephone cable would be even better than the silver-satin. I'm a telephone technician by profession. Programming software for Soundtraxx Re: Re: Loco Net wire Posted by pharmd on August 07, 2002, 07:18pm Posted by Dave on August 19, 2002, 07:49pm Presently, we are using computerized decoder programming Johnnie, What do you mean by silver-satin? software by Tannersoft and find it adequate for the DSD and DSX Re: Re: Re: Loco Net wire decoders. However, the software fails to completely program some Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on August 20, 2002, 02:26pm of our Soundtraxx decoders such as the DSD-AT100LC and our Sorry. Silver-satin is just telephone guy talk for the flat base- other LC decoders. Could you guys recommend software which cord type of telephone wire. It is generally grey or silverish in programs the LC decoders or does it sound like we are doing color. something wrong? Thanks Bellingham Society of Model Engineers Re: Loco Net wire Posted by dick foster on August 25, 2002, 11:22pm Broadway Limited Sound You could also use CAT 5 wire which is available at Home Depot and most RS stores. Posted by pharmd on August 06, 2002, 09:53am You can get six wire cable pre made in 25 and 50 foot lengths. Has anyone on this board actually heard the sound from one of the Broadway Limited steam engines? In your opinion how does it Re: Re: Loco Net wire compare to the Soundtraxx steam sound? Thanks. Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on August 27, 2002, 02:59pm CAT-5 is by definition an 8 conductor cable used primarily in Re: Broadway Limited Sound computer hookups. It has a much tighter twist than ordinary Posted by Bill Gaver on August 12, 2002, 08:33am voice-grade cable. Heard/viewed Broadway Limited operating at Tony's last week. Stewart S-12 For someone who has a number of locos w/Soundtraxx decoders, I Posted by Jason on August 14, 2002, 04:06pm was very impressed. Added my I was wondering if Tony's will be offering the new Baldwin S-12 name to reservation purchase list. from Stewart. Availability this coming fall.

42 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 NCE Switch-it problem at out club layout and we put a pair of track feeders in front of each and every turnout with insulating joiners as needed. Posted by Gif Sander on August 05, 2002, 10:57am You need at least one pickup wheel ON EACH SIDE of the loco Using an NCE Switch-it on a Digitrax Chief system. Switch-it to be making contact in order to supply electricity to the motor, appears to "go to sleep" on only one of its outputs. It does not react even if you have a DCC decoder. to commands, but output remains energized. The other output works fine. Eventually comes back. Problem floats between outputs. No Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts other issues with any other devices at the time of the problem. Any Posted by Gale Saxton on July 30, 2002, 12:53pm ideas? It's my first Switch-it. Your problem is exactly why I never use insulfrogs! The problem is a wheel bridging the narrow gap between the frog KATO SD90 point rails. The two rails are opposite polarity at this point and wheels, especially on 6-axle or longer engines will always create Posted by John on July 30, 2002, 09:09pm an intermittent short. Does anyone have experience with DCC on these engines? Has I have approx 50 electrofogs, 50 Walthers, and approx 30 KATO installed yellow LED's or white ones? Which decoder works handlaid turnouts which all work much better. With electofrogs, best?? I always power the frogs thru a micro switch and don't rely on Thanks. the point contacts for powering the frog. The little bit of extra Re: KATO SD90 work up front will eliminate many downstream poblems! Posted by Jacques W. on July 31, 2002, 09:47am Good Luck John, Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts I installed an NCE KRS-SR decoder in one of them, Tony's Posted by Jim Kendig on July 30, 2002, 01:09pm TTX/RS2 is also the same decoder. It is a plug and play affair Gale and Don: and works just fine. Thank you. Through more investigation, Gale hit the nail on the Make sure you correct one of the motor lead to avoid shorts that head. Thats my problem. will burn the decoder. See Tony's Tips or the Kato Site on that Do you operate the micro switches through accessory decoders matter. What I did is simply unclip the motor lead and cut 1/16 of controlled by your cabs? an inch with cissor, a few minutes job. Thank you both again. That engine use white led. Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts Re: Re: KATO SD90 Posted by John on July 30, 2002, 09:00pm Posted by Jacques W. on July 31, 2002, 11:23am Hold on here. While I don't disagree with Gale using John, Electrofrogs, I have a large yard built completely with Insulrog I forgot to mention in my previous posting, that I was referring turnouts with no operations problems. The prior comment on to the HO version of the engine. adding additional feeders is important, as well as ensuring all wheel pickup. I have only one Insulfrog switch (curved) which Peco Insulfrog Turnouts exhibits the issue mentioned (shorting), that switch being located Posted by Jim Kendig on July 28, 2002, 09:20pm at the bottom of a 2.5% grade. My layout is DCC and the Insulfrogs were recommended by Insulfrogs will prevent the need to install all those additional Tony's. I have a yard with approximately 15 medium turnouts in switches, to route power, and I've just ensured that I add feeders place. I am experiencing stalling over the frogs at low speed while on the points after the frog. switching the yard and assembling trains. I always understood that a Good luck, you can e-mail if you'd like to ask me questions at loco would keep running if one truck was in contact with the rails [email protected] and current. Such does not seem to be the case here. Even dual Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts consists get the same result. At the moment I am operating Atlas Posted by Jacques W. on July 31, 2002, 11:01am SD-35's, Kato E-s' and PA's as well as ER Sharks. The Sharks do Hi John, better surprisingly. The rails are clean and all joints are soldered and While I don't disagree with you I am 100% with Gale, in HO of smooth. Has anyone else had this experience and have any course. suggestions? The shorting experienced by Jim, will not likely occur with short Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated. insulfrog Peco switchs, you will see it with medium and long Jim Kendig size Peco's. I myself only use all rail frogs turnouts. Monteagle, Tennessee A precaution a modeler should always use is to gap both Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts diverging routes of the frog, regardless of the brand ant type of Posted by Don H. on July 29, 2002, 12:57pm switches used. How are you supplying power to your turnouts? Are you using just the turnout points to route Power? We use the same turnouts

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 43 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insul Posted by Gale Saxton on July 31, 2002, 04:49pm Posted by Bob Miller on August 05, 2002, 02:52pm John and Jacques, Yes, I use NCE, and no, I don't gap all of the switches. Just I agree that the problem is worse with the larger radii turnouts. I those requiring it. had a layout 20 years ago with small radius insulfrogs that Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco I worked fairly wel. I now use 100% large if possible and only Posted by Bob Miller on August 05, 2002, 02:54pm electrofrog. I have seen some people do a temp fix by painting over the frog A PS to my last reply. My railroad was originally set up for points or by gluing small pieces of thin mylar over them. This of Dynatrol Command control. Jim Scorse told me when I course creates dead spots which is not too good but will solve switched over that if the railroad ran okay with Dynatrol, it the shorting problem. would do the same with NCE and he has been correct. I do use I power my frogs using either switch machine contacts or under some Shinohara switches, but have pretty much switched all table cherry micro switch for the hand thrown. new work to Peco. Good Luck, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pe Gale Posted by Dennis Lippert on August 12, 2002, 02:32pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnouts The reason DCC shows up this problem, is the extremely qwick Posted by Bob P. on August 01, 2002, 01:11pm trip-times on the short-circuit protection used for modern DCC. Gale, (Dynatrol, or dc, would not exhibit this phenomenon). I have I've had similar issues to those described in this e-mail thread. one staging yard that has a mixture of old and new Peco What kind of linkage do you use between the microswitch that is Insulfrogs (all LONG radius), and certain locos will DEFI- mounted below the table and the groundthrow? NITELY short on the frog almost at low speeds all the time. Thanks, (Atlas's new stuff, for one). There are even a few metal-wheeled Bob freightcars that will short out. While live-frog turnouts are undeniably a better approach, they Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Turnout have their own problems with shorting in the point area with Posted by Gale s. on August 03, 2002, 01:34pm certain turnouts and equipment. They also require MUCH more Bob, wiring complexity. I have settled on using cheap Atlas Code 83 Kind of hard to describe since it is all hand made. track as a good simple approach. It doesn't look quite as nice as I use a Cherry 33 microswitch version which has a flat lever on ME or Shinohara, but it's been 100% problem-free thus far. the side. A .030" music wire pin is attatched at 90 degrees to the Den lever so that it sticks up thru the hole in the turnout throw bar center. The microswitch is epoxied to a thin plywood mounting Athearn 2-8-2 problem plate which has slots and then lays flat under the plywood and Posted by Matt Given on July 28, 2002, 07:20pm allows for side-to-side adjustment. The total thickness below the plywood is then less than .75" so it can install over any tracks I just purchased an Athearn 2-8-2. When i placed on a straigt test below. track it runs but once every revolution of the wheels there is a I picked up about 50 of these switches years ago at a clearance popping sound and the whole engine jumps momentarily. After house and don't know if they are still available. reading great reviews on how well this engine runs I am very Good luck, dissapointed. Before I send it back thought I would see if you have Gale any suggestions. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog Tur Re: Athearn 2-8-2 problem Posted by Bob Miller on August 05, 2002, 09:06am Posted by russ on July 28, 2002, 09:17pm Well guys, I have a fairly large 3 deck layout which has a lot of Matt; it sounds like a driver set is out of quarter. If you are not insulfrog Pecos, some as much as 10 years old, all wide radius comfortable with dealing with all of the valve train , or do not and I do not have stall problems at the frogs. I do, once in a have a NWSL Quarterer ,I would take it back to the dealer that while, take a swab with a little cleaner on it and rub the contacts you bought it from. on the points to insure good contact, but mosts of the pecos I use Re: Athearn 2-8-2 problem are hand throws, without any motors, and without any leads. Posted by John on July 30, 2002, 09:06pm Go figure. Matt, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Peco Insulfrog You may also want to ensure that the little screws that hold the Posted by Jacques W. on August 05, 2002, 10:14am drivers into the wheels aren't loose, they'll catch on each Hi Bob, revolution. I had the same problem on a Rivarossi Challenger I would like to know if you are using DC or DCC and if you and tightening the screws solved the problem. gap both diverging branches of the frog. Good luck. Thanks

44 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 DS54 and PowerHouse Pro Atlas System Posted by Soren on July 16, 2002, 11:53am Posted by Kristian on July 12, 2002, 10:23pm Hi BBS I'm getting into DCC and thought the Atlas seemed a good choice it Does anybody know if one can get the feedback function of the has the walkaround ports and throttles and seems to be a good DS54 to work with a PowerHouse Pro command station. system. Any comments? If possible how did you wire the DS54 to the PH Pro Command Station ?? PS Rev Posted by Earl on July 11, 2002, 05:23pm rev. loop question I am new to DCC and want to install your PS rev to a Digitax 150. Posted by Marty on July 15, 2002, 06:45pm What does you mean when you say input is DCC 1 and DCC 2? It a reversing loop, is there a way to have a train enter the loop and Are they the same connections from the power source to the 150? exit it with automatic throws so you can run the loop to loop layput [email protected] with manning it each time it enters a rev loop? Re: PS Rev Re: rev. loop question Posted by Dale Gloer on July 12, 2002, 07:29am Posted by Ed McCamey on July 16, 2002, 01:25pm DCC1 and DCC2 are the same as RAIL A and RAIL B on the Marty, Digitrax boosters Yes. With DCC you can use reversing loop controllers for the Dale. rail power changes and current sensing module(s) with relay Re: PS Rev logic to control the turnout. This is provided of course that the Posted by Stan on July 12, 2002, 05:01pm loop is large enough to contain the largest length train you anticipate and your cars all have some resistance accross the Earl, It's easier to use the MRC Auto Reverse Module, two wheels so the sensing module(s) can activate the turnout control wires in and two out, it works great. Stan properly. Re: Re: PS Rev Posted by Earl on July 13, 2002, 04:23pm Re: rev. loop question Posted by DonV on July 16, 2002, 03:45pm Thanks guys. Sometimes simple is hard to comprehend. For fully automatic operation you will need an automatic track E polarity reverser AND a way to throw the track loop switch at each end. A short somewhere? You can get by with only 1 DCC auto-reverser controlling both Posted by David Holl on July 04, 2002, 09:56pm end loops if you will never have two trains simultaneously My engine was running very slow all of a sudden, while I could crossing the auto-reverse rail gaps. barely hear a sizzle sound from the track. I have one Chief for about The loop enter-exit track switches require some way to prevent 200 feet of track. The farther away the engine got from the the train from running into the switch when it is thrown the command station the slower it got. But the faint sound of the sizzle wrong way. You will need 2 position sensors to toggle the (common to a short) has me puzzled. I thought engines would not switch machine as the engine approaches the switch. IR-Dot has run if there was a short. Suggestions or answers?? such a gadget. There are others. If the sensor to switch distance is short, you may need a solenoid snap-switch type switch Re: A short somewhere? machine, as a slo-mo switch motor (like Tortoise) may not be Posted by graeme on July 05, 2002, 01:40am fast enough to prevent derailments. you say you have 200 ft of track, i hope you have several feeders fed from a heavy bus wire, if not the track furtherest Re: Re: rev. loop question from the feeders may not be getting enough power to detect a Posted by Gif Sander on August 05, 2002, 10:51am short and in turn shut down your 'Chief; which is what it is I have sucessfully done this using a Digitrax DS54 and (4) supposed to do, try shorting across your track in several BD1's. Works like a charm. Your loop needs to be split into 3 locations (with a coin or screwdriver) your chief should shut blocks. You need short blocks on both sides of the switch to down & beep several times to tell you you have a short. if it detect which direction you are approaching. These trigger the doesn,t shut down you will need to add extra feeders.( I have DS54 to throw the switch in the appropriate direction. These found feeders every 6-8 feet works for me)I would also be blocks should be long enough to allow detection and time for the taking a close look at your decoder equipped loco,there could be switch throw. One of these short blocks is also the one you wire a thin strand of wire bridging a couple of terminals & if you as the reversing block. [email protected] keep runing it the decoder will blow,( if it hasn't allready)Try running a non decodered loco & see what happens,if still a problem the fault is probably in your wiring or improper placement of rail gaps,also be on the lookout for a reversing section in your trackwork. best wishes from OZ.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 45 Re: Re: A short somewhere? WHAT ARE THEY WORTH? TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO Posted by David Holl on July 05, 2002, 08:08am DO WITH THEM. I MAY JUST KEEP THEM AS I HAVE A Yes, I have feeders about every 6 to 10 feet from each. I tried LIONAL TRAIN THAT MY PARENTS GAVE ME IN 1946. three different engines to see what was going on. My command [email protected] station was getting very warm, something that it hasn't done before. PSI Dynatrol Re: A short somewhere? Posted by Mike Dickinson on June 20, 2002, 07:46pm Posted by bradbury on July 08, 2002, 11:58am Hello Does anyone know of somebody who does installion of Some additional thoughts. Have you installed any new receiver for this system Mike Dickinson trackwork? Any wye's or return loops. any turnouts that need both rails isolated or for some odd reason the points are spectrum 44toner energized by both rails at the same time due to a damaged Posted by graeme on June 16, 2002, 05:30am contact? any cars that have metal wheels that may be shorting? i have just ordered a new release spect. 44 ton, supposed to be dcc How about out-of adjustment switch machine contacts? ready,i havnt seen inside one yet so can someone tell me what Re: Re: A short somewhere? decoder it will take? prefer silent/ quiet drive. thank you. Posted by David Holl on July 09, 2002, 12:10pm Re: spectrum 44toner I replaced a single crossover with 2 new Atlas code 83 turnouts. Posted by Dale Gloer on June 17, 2002, 07:37am I don't need to gap these , do I? There are no wye's or reverse I installed a Digitrax DN121 in one of the new 44 toners. There loops. Also, my Chief command station gets very warm quickly. is not very much noise from the motor - I don't think a "silent This has me stumped. drive" decoder would make very much difference. Re: Re: Re: A short somewhere? There is a cicuit board in the loco with seven solder pads along Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on July 09, 2002, 04:59pm one edge. There are two clips connecting some of the pads I think you need to insulate the connections between the two together. Just remove the clips and solder the decoder wires to Atlas switches. I believe they are common to the stock rail on them. The decoder sits on top the motor with plenty of room. each side which would put a short on the junction. Dale Re: Re: Re: Re: A short somewhere? Re: Re: spectrum 44toner Posted by David Holl on July 12, 2002, 11:19am Posted by graeme on June 21, 2002, 02:55am The turnouts that I replaced with Atlas were Shinahara and To Dale, thanks for the reply Dale. you say there is plenty of consequently had to have gaps between them. When I installed room for a dn121 on top of the motor,do you think there is the Atlas ones, that carried electricity to another set of Shinahara enough room for a dh121? I have several.Thank you.(the reason turnouts that also were not gaped. When I cut a gap between i havnt seen inside one yet is i live in australia & it will take a them, my short was eliminated. Thanks for all your help. few weeks to get here) Re: Re: Re: spectrum 44toner ROCO HO MODELS Posted by Dale Gloer on June 21, 2002, 07:35am Posted by DAVE on June 30, 2002, 10:22pm Graeme, I HAVE COME ACROSS SOME ROCO TRAINS STILL IN the DH121 is considerably bigger than the DN121 and there is THE BOX THEY CAME IN. WONDERING WHAT THEY ARE not ehough room to install one inthe 44 tonner. WORTH OR WHAT TO DO WITH THEM. WOULD Dale. APPRICIATE SOME ADVISE AS THEY ALL LOOK NEW Re: spectrum 44toner AND SMALL PARTS PACKAGES HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN Posted by Davie on July 15, 2002, 12:23pm OPENED. I would also suggest the LE0511. 1. ET90 ELEKTRO-TRIEBZUG HO 04185A ON SIDE OF CAR You can choose Silent Drive or Precision Glide Control for ET 9002 MADE IN AUSTRIA smooth low speed operation. It has 128 speed steps, two on/off 2. BR 1670 OBB-ELEKTROLOKOMOTIVE HO 04147A function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each and LOCOMOTIVE ON ENGINE OBB 1670.26 special lighting effects. Best of all, it's tiny â “ L 0.53" x W 3. HO 4203B CAR, ON CAR BI 37446 0.39" x H 0.14" 4. HO 4201B CAR, ON CAR BIPHO 37312 5. HO 4204B FREIGHT CAR, ON CAR DUH 65114 THERE IS A STICKER ON TWO OF THE BOXES THAT SAY stationary dec./twin-coils PAULS MODEL RR SHOP, AMRO LTD. INSPECTED AND Posted by Dave Palmer on June 11, 2002, 05:28pm TESTED 3/29/84 AND THE OTHER 4/6/84. Can anyone recommend a stationary decoder that can handle two Rix switch machines on a single output? I know I can throw two machines simultaneously with a 4700uf capacitor and an 18V

46 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 power supply, but a CVP AD4 decoder can't handle the current. I Lionel Long Island #8367 can't tell from reading the TTX reviews of the various decoders. Posted by Gregg Gannett on May 14, 2002, 10:36pm If you're planning a CTC system and you have a lot of main line, two-switch crossovers, the one-machine limit on decoders can be a Does any one know where I can find a Lionel GP-20 dummy unit handicap. #8367 to match my #8360? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. [email protected]

Zephyr functions ??? Atlas S4 (NCE-TTX ATLS4) Decoder Installation Posted by L. Poplin on May 06, 2002, 10:35am Posted by George on June 10, 2002, 09:02pm Your new DCC comparison table says that the new Zephyr system The install went smooth until time to put the shell back on. The will have 5 functions, whlie your "Decoder Wars" info says it can main body shell fits fine. It's the cab that doesn't want to snap back access 0-8 (9 functions). in place. The back of the decoder board presses against the top-back Which is correct ???? of the cab not allowing the front-bottom of the cab base to sit flush Thanks! and snap in place. I examined the decoder board and trimmed away - George some excess off of the break-away area. But I could not trim too much since there is an IC right at the edge. Also, when placing the Re: Zephyr functions ??? cab back on the unit, I was also trying my best not to allow the Posted by George on June 16, 2002, 11:16am decoder board to be flexed downward. It seems that since it is a Ahh - NOW they match! very snug fit, it scrapes against the clear plastic on this inside of the Thanks for the corrections to the DCC comparisons. cab. I have not investigated whether this plastic windowing can be removed to allow for more room. I also loosened the top metal Digitrax TF-2 troubles? screw holding the decoder to the motor and tried to push the decoder forward as much as possible. Anyone else have a fit Posted by Larry Lawler on June 07, 2002, 11:24pm problem with this new decoder? Any other modifications needed? To the best of anyone's knowledge, are there any reported quirks regarding program address and lighting functions with the new Re: Atlas S4 (NCE-TTX ATLS4) Decoder Installation Digitrax TF-2 transpoding/function only decoders? I've encountered Posted by R Meier on June 06, 2002, 10:40am some pretty quirky behavior attempting tp program these things. I would just file a small portion of the Atlas cab or window glass They are also very prone to losing their memory for some reason. to get the cab to fit on. The amount you file off should not be noticed to much as long as you file an even line across the MRC section where the cab meets hood. Posted by None on May 28, 2002, 01:34pm Proto 2000 E8/9 Anyone have a MRC Prodigy system? What decoders does it work with? Posted by Terry on May 04, 2002, 11:57pm What all do I need to do to hook it up? I'm trying to help out a club member by picking out a decoder for Thanks. his Proto 2000 E8/9. The Life Like box doesn't say anything about being DCC ready but I'm hoping that there's a board replacement Re: MRC that will work. I guess I'll also have to replace the lights for him as I Posted by Michel Wright on June 06, 2002, 11:11pm have with all other Protos. If anyone has converted an E8/9 to I was a bad man... I bought a Prodigy system three days ago and DCC,I'd appreciate your input. Thanks I am going to sell it and order a Super Empire Builder setup Terry from Tony ! To get a full walkaround use of the system you need to put outlets around your layout, Well it takes the Cat-5 cable (8 Re: Proto 2000 E8/9 wire and not the standard 6 wire . MORE MONEY ! For me to Posted by DB on May 13, 2002, 01:37pm wire up the layout I would need to spend an other $200.00 I can No the E8/9's aren't DCC ready. They require hardwiring. I used get IR with the EB set and be more cost effective with many Digitrax DH121 in 4 of mine. Go to the Digitrax website http:// more options www.digitrax.com and they have instructions for wiring the locomotive. I kept the original Mars light, wiring it up to one Re: Re: MRC function and replaced the headlight bulb with a 3VDC (brighter) Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on June 07, 2002, 04:53pm that I run off the other function. I don't see $200. for wiring up with CAT-5. The cable is only about 8 cents a foot if you buy it in 1000' reels. ($80.00). The new web page plugs are only about $10 for a box of 100, jacks are $1.50 to $4.00 apiece and a good crimper is available at Radio Shack for Posted by hank on May 03, 2002, 11:59am $35.00. Since you would only need about 100' of wire($8.00) glad to know that I was not the only that could'n find the message and maybe 10 plugs ($1.00) and 4 or 5 jacks ($20.00) I only see board about $65.00 outlay.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 47 NCE Wireless Cab Addresses Re: BBS doesn't display Posted by Christian Olesen on April 29, 2002, 01:59pm Posted by Ken G. on May 03, 2002, 10:23am Dale, I spoke to Jim at NCE about a problem with the Pro Cab. If you set I'm using Netscape® Communicator 4.76 and it works fine. the cab address as 04 or 08, you may experience a sudden runaway Christian because the base station thinks the speed is set at 125. Jim thinks this is a bit match problem and is woking on it. If you are experi- Re: BBS doesn't display encing this problem, set your cabs at some other address and the Posted by Dale Gloer on April 30, 2002, 08:00am problem will go away. Jim also said that it is safe to use address 02 I sent the same message to Tony's info email address and today as they are no longer reserving it. everything is working! Thanks Tony. Dale. life like Posted by Fred on April 30, 2002, 09:29pm New Web Page Style can someone tell me why life like does not have headlights that Posted by Don H. on April 26, 2002, 12:07pm work with DCC. bought one of there steam locos and spent 4 hours The new web page style looks really nice. Keep up the good work. fixing blown bulb Don H. Re: life like Re: New Web Page Style Posted by ed bradbury on May 01, 2002, 11:44am Posted by Stan on April 27, 2002, 10:14am I think I can answer your question. I called LifeLike about bulb Don, the old site was much better, sorry to disagree with with current draw for DCC installation I was doing. What does this you. have to do with your question. HEAT !!! Reduce possible damage to body shell and light bar. Re: Re: New Web Page Style Posted by Jim on April 27, 2002, 12:29pm Also a 12v bulb is very bright and will light up the cab and track under the body unrealistically unless you install light traps/ Stan, what is it you don't like about the new layout??? I've been shields. visiting this site and buying from Tony for a few years now and By the way, the lifelike bulb/wire connection is very short so that his old site was a nightmare if you tried to find anything. Now the truck geat tower will swing without contacting the wires in you are a click away from just about anything, plus it does an F7. LOOK better compared to the old disorganized mess (sorry Tony if you read this). Re: life like Posted by ed bradbury on May 01, 2002, 11:59am Re: Re: New Web Page Style Posted by Don H. on April 27, 2002, 07:40pm PS: LL recommended 40ma bulbs maximum Stan; sorry to hear that. Web page design is a very subjective BBS doesn't display subject. I like it because the colors have been toned down alot and things are more organized and consistant from page to page. Posted by Dale Gloer on April 29, 2002, 07:35am I will admit though, it did take me a couple of minutes to find the The new BBS design doesn't work for me. I use Netscape 4.77 as link to the message board. my browser. When I select the message board the title page displays Re: Re: Re: New Web Page Style correctly but when I select a message from the list, I get a blank Posted by ed on May 17, 2002, 12:00pm page. The page isn't totally blank, the TTX header appears but no message is displayed. I also have New web page looks good. However i am having the following IE 5.0 (which is what I am using now to write this) and the problems: messages display correctly using IE. However, I want to use 1) messages dated after 5/01/02 do not show on message board Netscape. index. I have to press "Start" Dale Gloer 2) the site, message board, and messages take a lot longer to load Any help or suggestions? Re: BBS doesn't display Posted by Jacques W. Lajoie on April 29, 2002, 09:21am Re: Re: Re: Re: New Web Page Style Posted by Don H. on May 22, 2002, 10:41pm Dale, I have the same problem with Nescape 4.77. You will have to use a new version of Nescape to correct this. I'm not having any of those problems. Some postings in another thread have indicated that it might be a problem with an older Re: Re: BBS doesn't display version of your browser. What are you using? Posted by Kent G. on April 29, 2002, 10:11am Netscape 4.08 and Win 98 running here, everything looks fine. I like the new web site too. Kent

48 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Tony's Power Shield Re: Re: Re: Re: Installing Power Pax booster Posted by STAN on April 07, 2002, 01:55pm Posted by Jack on April 17, 2002, 06:59am Why don't you just make your life easier and more fun, go to Do these units have an indication that the block is drawing some DCC power? i.e., an "Occupancy Detector" function? Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Installing Power Pax booster Re: Tony's Power Shield Posted by R. Koebel on April 08, 2002, 05:17pm Posted by Ken Ruof on April 17, 2002, 11:17am Tony provided info this afternoon by phone that solved the No problem.

Installing Power Pax booster Installing Power Pax booster Posted by R. Koebel on April 06, 2002, 03:05pm Posted by R. Koebel on April 06, 2002, 03:05pm The booster has two grey wires (or blue), one orange, one brown, the booster has two grey wires (or blue), one orange, one brown, one red, and one black. The Keller throttle has two blues, one one red, and one black. The Keller throttle has two blues, one orange and one brown. Each motor has one red, and one black. orange, one brown, one red, and one black. How are all these wires How are all these wires supposed to be connected such that two supposed to be connected such that two motored Life like units will motored Life like units will run off the one Keller Throttle? run off the one Keller Throttle?

Installing Power Pax booster NCE Switchit Decoders Posted by R. Koebel on April 06, 2002, 03:05pm Posted by Mike Warren on April 04, 2002, 02:00pm the booster has two grey wires (or blue), one orange, one brown, Has anyone used the NCE Switchit Decodors with Switchmaster one red, and one black. The Keller throttle has two blues, one motors? orange and one brown. Each motor has one red, and one black. If so, is there any special things I should know? How are all these wires supposed to be connected such that two Thanx. motored Life like units will run off the one Keller Throttle? Re: Installing Power Pax booster Atlas Decoders Posted by Bob Miller` on April 06, 2002, 05:34pm Posted by ed Bradbury on April 03, 2002, 12:07pm Perhaps I can help, but I can't really tell what you are talking My question is: Why does Atlas decoders require changing their about. Are you referring to DCC and a decoder, and what Keller plug to go from analog to DCC and vise versa when NCE, Lenze, throttle are you talking about? etc accomplish this through CV29 settings? Re: Re: Installing Power Pax booster Posted by R. Koebel on April 06, 2002, 07:06pm Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by DonV on April 03, 2002, 01:42pm Thanks for the response. Keller throttle is a T1. The Power Pax There are advantages and disadvantages both ways. Booster has previously been sold by TTX. It is designed to W/ Lenz, NCE, and others you can program the decoder to auto- protect a T1 installation from overheating, by essentially select DC operation when the decoder doesn't see any DCC allowing it to run cold. The Booster can also be used in communication signal. Sounds like an ideal situation. But... 1) It conjunction with a T1 and more than one motor in a multiple unit only works on 'pure' DC. Pulse power and other slow speed lash-up. For example, one booster and one T1 throttle can schemes can cause problems. 2) There is a significant voltage control two powered units in a two unit lash-up from single necessary to detect that it is DC, not DCC. This creates a dead throttle's channel designation. I thought I knew how to wire spot at reduced DC throttle settings and a jack rabbit start once them together, but have just been blowing fuses on my test track. DC is recognized. 3) It may run in the wrong direction. 4) Lights The throttle has track power feeders (blue) and orange and may or may not work. Certainly no fancy lighting effects. brown (to motor). The booster has another set of blues, and also Atlas avoids the above issues by using the decoder mode select red, black, orange and brown wires. I assume the orange to jumper plug to bypass the entire DCC decoder & operate the orange; and brown to brown are connected. The red and black of motor directly from the rail pick ups. Works well w/ any DC the booster connect into the two motors somehow, I assume. throttle system - Except there are no lights. You can do the same How does track power get to both via the blues? I have not been thing w/ any brand decoder by wiring in your own dpdt switch able to figure out. This is my dilemma. on the motor leads. Re: Re: Re: Installing Power Pax booster DonV Posted by Bob Miller on April 06, 2002, 11:31pm Sorry then, I can't help. I am strictly DCC user, and don't know anything about the components you are using. I would email or call Tony direct. Bob

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 49 Re: Re: Atlas Decoders locos will run strangely but normally run OK; the club uses two Posted by Stan on April 03, 2002, 05:41pm MRC 5 amp cabs. Don V. You are kidding,I hope. Why does every other decoder Overall I am please with the NCE & Lenz decoders and loco do this on an automatic basis, including lenz who makes the atlas performance. decoder? Thanks for the info. Stan Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by DonV on April 05, 2002, 10:04am Posted by Paul on April 03, 2002, 10:45pm Hey! Guys! Relax. The Atlas Idea is not all that bad. Don V, This is silly to have to take your locomotive apart just to The 'dual mode' jumper is accessed on their locos by lifting up a run it on a friends layout who does not have Dcc. Every other radiator/fan part of the shell. You don't have to pull the whole decoder, Digitrax, NCE and Lenz works fine in this situation, cab apart to switch modes. only ATLAS requires a manual change, the rest do it automatic. It does operate better on DC when the motor is wired directly to Paul the track pick-ups. But you do loose lighting effects. But then we never could get control of ditch or gyra lights w/ DC Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders anyway. Posted by Bob Miller on April 04, 2002, 12:10am DonV On the other hand, a lot of us don't run our locos on other people's railroads. Seldom does anyone in my round robin group Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by Tomas Szoboszlai on April 07, 2002, 02:55pm do that, the only reason is to show a new loco, but we all have DCC. If you set the jumper plug on an Atlas decoder for DCC My guess is Atlas thinks there are more of us who don't than do. operation, it will work on DCC or DC the same as other DCC Bob decoders. You choose in CV29 whether to disable or enable DC operation. Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders The purpose of the jumper plug is to allow the user to set the Posted by Tim on April 04, 2002, 06:59am loco so the decoder is entirely out of the circuit. As mentioned, I think theres more to it. A company rarely does anything unless the decoder circuitry can impact DC operation, and the jumper it can make money by doing it. By doing what Atlas did, they plug eliminates that. The Atlas idea was to offer DCC without can market their locomotives as "decoder equipped" (for more any negative impact on DC operation. I recall hearing that the $$) and be more attractive to the buyers. They can also build and Atlas decoders are basically the same as the Lenz LE103XF, sell a larger quantity of decoders that way also(cheaper in except they use the Atlas circuit board's form factor and the use quantity). If the decoder equipped locomotive finds its home on of the jumper plug to allow straight DC operation. a non-dcc layout then theres no differance from a non-decoder equipped locomotive. I may be wrong, but it makes sense. Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by John on April 08, 2002, 09:19am Tim Tomas, I think the bottom line is that Atlas should simply make Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders their locomotives DCC ready, not DCC equipped, this way we Posted by JOHN on April 04, 2002, 09:33am can decide which decoder we want to use based on our I THINK THIS IS JUST AN ADVERTISING GIMICK TO individual requirements. I'm sure this would end the controversy MAKE US THINK WE'RE GETTING SOMETHING over the Atlas decoders. I have friends who have removed these SPECIAL (DUAL MODE)WHEN IN FACT, OTHER decoders and replaced them with other types. We should be able DECODERS DO THIS ALL BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT to make our own choice of decoders, I hope Atlas looks at this HAVING TO CHANGE A PLUG. WHEN YOU COMPARE message board. IT TO THE NCE DA-SR, IT COSTS JUST AS MUCH BUT DOESN'T HAVE AS MANY FEATURES AS THE NCE Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by Bob Miller on April 08, 2002, 09:55am DECODER. WHY WOULD ANYONE CARE ABOUT RUNNING ANALOG IF YOU HAVE A DCC SYSTEM,I Have to disagree (again). I have several Atlas diesels that came AGREE, THE MONEY ASPECT IS THE REASON FOR with decoders. I use the NCE system, and I don't buy Atlas THIS. JOHN decoders to "add" to other brands, but I do use the Atlas decoders as they came with the diesels and they do just fine. I do Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders have Lenz decoders in other diesels. I see no reason to remove Posted by ed bradbury on April 04, 2002, 01:46pm the Atlas decoders and replace them. And I am not the only one Sorry about the question and some of the uproar it has caused. in my area of the world that feels the same. I think Atlas should let me clarify some things. just leave it alone. I do run my layout at home on DCC. I also belong to a modular club that runs DC only. I do run the decoder equiped locos on the club's layout. Once in a while the

50 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by ed bradbury on April 08, 2002, 12:10pm Posted by D Lippert on June 06, 2002, 02:39pm Thanks for the input from all of you. I think we have all learned Sorry for this very late response... but I just discovered the more about these decoder equip Atlas locos. I agree with Bob BBS! Miller. If you want to change the decoder then go ahead or use Atlas' decoder DOES support CV29-style DC operation when the one that came with the loco. it's jumpered to DCC mode. Thus, it is just as convenient as Again thanks. It has help me understand thw why and how, aid anyone else's decoder in that respect. (It works, I've tried it). fellow club members. But it also allows the direct-jumpered DC mode to eliminate hesitation and other funkiness that can occur when using CV29 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders dc mode. Posted by graeme on April 18, 2002, 05:15am As for costs... Atlas upped the retail list of the GP locos by $10 i agree with you john, i have several atlas locos but have not when they added the decoder bought any decoder equiped atlas and propably wont,i prefer to By manufacturing the decoder in China (at a high volume with choose my own decoder & fit one with features to suit the the loco), the costs are MUCH lower than any other decoder, loco.When you calculate the extra that the decoder equipped and they've passed that savings along to loco buyers. locos cost & compare that to the cost of top of the range And, as has already been mentioned, they'll do the job nicely for decoders there is only acouple of dollars difference and you get a 90% of the users. Myself? I still use 'em, but I wish they were dcoder with lots of extra features. I would like to see atlas give silent-running! us the choice --with or without,please dont someone tell me to buy the locos and fit my choice of decoder,i am not that well of. MRC Decoders on PHPro cheers to you all, from Australia. Posted by Joe H on March 31, 2002, 11:20am Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by ed bradbury on April 19, 2002, 12:02pm I just bought a new NCE PH Pro system to replace my old MRC Command 2000. I'm really pleased with it but still have a lot of I have looked at the Atlas decoder manual and it appears that this AD310 decoder-equipped locos that I'd like to reprogram for the decoder is very similar to the Lenz LE103XF decoder (format & new system. The NCE manual hints at it in the Register Program- operation)with special mounting to fit the Atlas loco. ming section but doesn't present sufficient detail to complete it. Maybe Atlas should offer the loco with or without decoder. Anybody know where I could find such information? Maybe a list However, There was some discussion where those of you out of registers for the AD310? I tried the MRC website but had no there stated that the loco manufactures should think about luck. supplying decoders with their locos. Atlas stood up to the plate and met the challange. They supplied a very good fleet decoder Re: MRC Decoders on PHPro that probably meets about 80-90% of the users needs. I use the Posted by Tim on March 31, 2002, 09:32pm Lenz LE103XF decoder in a number of my locos. I commend Joe, Atlas. AS with everything not everyone is happy with the Sorry, I have no experience with programing MRC on my PH choice. If you want more then just change out the decoder. Pro. You could try NCE website www.ncedcc.com Customer Simple! service should help. Maybe someone else has first hand on Remember there are others who do not feel comfortable opening MRC. up an engine and installing the decoder. Tim ed Re: MRC Decoders on PHPro Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas Decoders Posted by Bill Collias on April 02, 2002, 11:24pm Posted by John on April 20, 2002, 10:02am I have the same issue. Replaced MRC Command 2000 with Ed, you make a very good point about Atlas stepping up to the PHPro and cannot program the MRC decoder. plate, however I think they just went a little too far. If a No help from MRC either. If any solutions, I would certainly be locomotive is made DCC ready the right way as they have done appreciative as my alternative is to scrap the MRC decoders. on many of their locomotives, it's very simple to just plug in a decoder. Atlas has not been consistant, many new locos are not onboard sound DCC ready, some are and some have decoders. Just make all of Posted by Hank on March 30, 2002, 05:26pm them really DCC ready and let us decide on the type of decoder we use. Even nicer, give us a list of decoders that fit this Does anybody out there know if it is possible to incorporate an locomotive including their own, maybe a rebate for buying the onboard sound controller with DCC spec.Atlas? Atlas decoder would increase sales. The bottom line is, let us Re: onboard sound have the choice. It's obvious we like the atlas locomotives, just Posted by graeme on April 04, 2002, 05:23am make it easier for us to decide what we want to do. hi hank,the reason you have not had an answer to your ?? could be because others like myself may be having difficulty trying to figure just what it is you are asking. i opperate several sound

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 51 equiped locos ,but am not sure i understand what you are NCE BD20 detectors asking,cheers Graeme. Posted by Art DeFazio on March 26, 2002, 08:04pm Re: onboard sound Can anyone help me with wiring NCE BD20s to crossing flashers Posted by Stan on April 04, 2002, 05:40pm and track signals. I got the LEDs and the detection working but Hank, you can use soundtraxx LC decoders with your atlas set if can't seem to solve the lighting of sinals and flashers through the 2 it's been updaded to 5 function. screw terminals (+ and Grnd) Anyone using them and how ? Am I missing something and should Re: Re: onboard sound Posted by Hank on April 04, 2002, 09:11pm there be another device ? Any one got a wiring diagram that works ? Any help will be greatly appreciated. The directions just don't do it What I would like to find out is:can the old Onboard sound units for me. of which I have a couple sitting around made to operate with Thanks, Atlas DCC system Art D. Re: Re: onboard sound Posted by Hank on April 04, 2002, 09:20pm NCE Powerhouse Stan, I'm familiar with sountraxx and My controller has been Posted by jeff on March 25, 2002, 10:49pm upgraded,however, I read some where that the output Voltage I have a NCE Powerhouse and a few engines from the early 80's. I needs to be controlled with a bridge rectifier ,which is not a would like to use an analog engine on the layout one at a time. Any problem.I want to try and use my old Onboard sound units if suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! possible, maybe it's too much trouble? jeff HO Kato SD45 decoder Re: NCE Powerhouse Posted by TomasSz on March 26, 2002, 12:44am Posted by Nigel on March 30, 2002, 12:54pm The info is on page 28 of the manual. See: Please recommend a decoder for an HO scale Kato SD45. http://www.ncedcc.com/pdf/ph5.pdf Thank you Nigel [email protected] which dcc Posted by mike on March 24, 2002, 10:28pm Re: HO Kato SD45 decoder Posted by Tim on March 31, 2002, 09:28pm youreally should look at north coast--- EASY Everything--- ck it out Nigel, Try North Coast D14SRP. This should be an easy plug-in job. Re: which dcc Sorry, I don't know if the factory lights will work or if they need Posted by Dave C. on March 24, 2002, 10:53pm replacing. Oh boy! Here we go again! If we all had the same "likes" and Tim "dislikes" there would only be one DCC manufacturer. I like my DCC system and I think it is easy for ME to operate. I don't Wireless Base Station think any I've used is difficult to use and I've tried most. Posted by Bill Gaver on March 30, 2002, 12:05pm Please! Returned a defective NCE RB-01 wireless base station to NCE this Which DCC? past Monday, March 25. Received Posted by HO-NUT on March 24, 2002, 03:28pm brand new replacement today, Saturday, March 30. Excellent I have been going to different places for information & I decided on service! Hats off to NCE and TTX. lenz Dcc.I was seriously considering the Atlas system ,and i changed my mind ,the choices being Digitrax or Lenz.My 11 YR. NCE radio old son & I looked at these two & we heard a lot of good things Posted by Bob Miller on March 28, 2002, 09:36am about both .My son said point blank he did not like the digitraxcontroller because it was too complicated & I had to Happy to report that I received a replacement base unit from NCE agree.So it will be a Lenz unit 4 Us.< the knob based throttle> for the bad one, and the radio/wireless works just great. Thanks to Tony's and NCE. Re: Which DCC? Bob Posted by DonV on March 25, 2002, 11:19am Did you look at NCE? It is hard to beat for ease of use.

52 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Which DCC? tortoise switch machine powering Posted by ed bradbury on March 25, 2002, 11:59am Posted by mike on March 20, 2002, 08:33pm I use EasyDCC by CVP products. Their handhelds are easy to is it possible to route dcc track power through the contacts on a operate. The command station includes two throttles with 8 tortoise switch machine? functions and decoder programing with the ability to addon walk-around or radio throttles. Only limitation is handheld Re: tortoise switch machine powering throttles have only 4 functions. My 11yr old son had 3 friends Posted by Christian on March 21, 2002, 08:46am over & they were operating the layout in no time. I operate steam There are conflicting viewpoints on this. Most of the discussion & desiel with lenz, NCE & Soundtraxx decoders. centers around the 1 amp rating of the Tortoise contacts. The Have fun with the system you choose. following qoute from Steve Worack the President of Circuitron is pulled from Don Crano's Model Railroading with DCC site: NCE Radio "As to the contact rating, we rate the contacts for 1 amp Posted by Paul on March 22, 2002, 01:01pm SWITCHING. They will safely carry 4-5 amps, and the short circuit protection of DCC systems makes contact or circuit board I just got my NCE radio update for my Power House, it seems to "frying" a fairly remote possibility. In truth, with over 3/4 have some problems commuciating when I use two handhelds at the million TORTOISEs in the field, I have never gotten one back same time. Is anyone else having the same problem? Paul with burned up contacts. And MANY of these are being used Re: NCE Radio for Hi-rail and G scale." Posted by Bob Miller on March 22, 2002, 09:34pm Don Crano's site is at http://home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/ with Boy do I? Same problem, one cab works fine, two or three and safety modifications for the tortoise at http://home.neo.rr.com/ chaos, trains started running every which way. Have others tell mrwithdcc/Tortoise.html me same by email. Some software glitch according to Tony. Re: tortoise switch machine powering Re: Re: NCE Radio Posted by DonV on March 21, 2002, 05:32pm Posted by Stan on March 23, 2002, 10:41am Yes you can. Bob & Paul, same problems, I called the company where I But if you are contemplating doing it to resolve a reversing loop bought mine, they said the system is so new they have only been polarity issue, be aware that there may be a short interruption of informed of this problem in the last day or two. They said they track power that will occur while the switch is being thrown. would try to find out about the problem from NCE as soon as Any train running within the track loop will lose power for 1/2 possible. After waiting so long, I hope it's only some minor second or so. This will be very noticable. You can use the problem. As soon as I hear back from them I will let you all tortoise switch contacts to power a small relay that will swap know what they say. Stan track polarity with less than 1/100 of a second. The headlight may blink, but the train will keep moving. Re: Re: Re: NCE Radio DonV Posted by Bob Miller on March 23, 2002, 04:48pm email from Scorse. one batch of base units got out with Re: Re: tortoise switch machine powering Posted by Christian on March 21, 2002, 08:58pm incomplete programming. If you received yours from TTX in last 10 days, you probably have one. There are 48-54 bad units. Don's right. My aplologies for being a bit slow on this one :-). I A test, if you have a radio cab on and working, and activate was assuming the "routing" was only to a frog that has been another with a lower cab number and the first one quits working, isolated from all other rails. I agree, if you route track power you have a bad base. Contact NCE for replacement. I am now through the contacts, trains will stop during the "break", esp. if waiting. He asked for address to send to. That is not the only you've widened the break to avoid shorts as I have. problem, but is present in the bad bases. Out of space. Decoder in a Hornby Thomas Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE Radio Posted by Paul on March 24, 2002, 01:24pm Posted by Chuck Pezeshki on March 17, 2002, 05:46pm Bob, thanks for the input, it sounds like, here I go again. I ran Hi folks, into a problem with the new decoders when they first came out, I'm trying to figure out how to put a decoder in a Hornby Thomas. now this. Paul I'm surprised, with all the kids out there nuts about Thomas, that this hasn't been asked before, though! Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE Radio Thomas has a pick-up on the right side, which then runs to a plug Posted by Bob Miller on March 24, 2002, 10:48pm which goes to the motor and branches to a resistor. The resistor is Paul, I share your pain. Nothing in the transition from Dynatrol grounded on the chassis with a screw. There is no other wired to NCE DCC has been easy for me. contact to the other wheel, so I can only assume that the motor must Bob not be isolated from the frame, and this is how it completes the circuit.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 53 Is Thomas doomed to be an analog loco? I don't understand the on ProCabs and 04s w/antennas purpose of the resistor in parallel with the motor. How would folks with no concerns often expressed isolate the motor? Any decoder recommendations? re: Velcro, etc. Thanks in advance-- I'd appreciate anyone sending advice to cc: [email protected] arnold prices Chuck Posted by John on March 08, 2002, 12:33am Re: Decoder in a Hornby Thomas where can I get a price guide for my Arnold Columbus 500 year Posted by The Master on March 21, 2002, 11:24pm anniversary train?? I have seen a club who put a decoder in a Thomas engine. The guy who did it can be reached at [email protected] and his Bradford Locomotives name is Karl. He belongs to the Four County Society of Model Posted by Mike on March 07, 2002, 11:40am Engineers and their web site is www.fcsme.org. He should be able to help you out. Does any one know were and if Bradford Locomitives is still in The Master bussiness, or if any one has old stock of the models that were once avaible. Ident needed Rivarossi Challenger Posted by Les Backus on March 11, 2002, 06:41pm Posted by John on March 05, 2002, 08:51pm I need help identifying a vintage European steam 4-6-2 locomotive. I believe that it is a Roco, Trix or maybe Marklin Hamo(2 rail DC) Help!! Can send nice pictures via email. Can anyone help? I have one of these engines and would like some advice on getting it [email protected] running with DCC. Has anyone had success with this unit, and if so, which decoder and where did you mount it (mine is the motor in Cab holders boiler type)? My concern is performance, as I'm having difficulty getting it to run Posted by Terry on March 08, 2002, 11:05pm well in analog mode, as it seems to need more power pickups (I've I just converted my NCE cabs over to radio control. When not in cleaned wheels, etc). What type should I get and where should they use, the cabs are attached to the fascia of my benchwork using be mounted? velcro. However with the antenna extending out of the top of the Thanks for your comments. cabs I'm concerned about bumping into the antenna, dislodging the Re: Rivarossi Challenger cab from the fascia and sending the cab to the floor. Does anyone Posted by Terry on March 06, 2002, 10:35pm have a better way to store a cab when not in use? Thanks Terry John-On Tony's home page under NEWS, read his review "Rivarossi Allegheny-looks good" Dec 18 2001. Re: Cab holders He talks about the Challenger and the problem with the spring Posted by Don H. on March 09, 2002, 10:45am pin pickup assembly. Seems like this design was a real pain for Go to your local office supply store and look for mouse holders. DCC decoder performance. A friend of mine sent his Challenger The kind that are suppose to stick to the side of your screen. to Tony to have a Soundtraxx decoder installed. He was never These usually work quite well. satisfied with the way it ran and Tony explained that the poor wheel pickup assembly wasn't compatable to good DCC Re: Cab holders Posted by Mark J. Ernatt on March 14, 2002, 11:11am performance. My friend has removed the decoder and installed it in another loco. Sorry, this probably isn't what you wanted to I have the Easy DCC cabs and what I have done is use a picture hear but I just wanted to pass along what I heard. Maybe hanging hook attached to the bottom of the cab and then used an someone else has another solution. ID badge neck stap to attached to it. The operator than can put Terry the strap around their neck. When they are not in use I have coat hooks to store them on. Re: Re: Rivarossi Challenger TTFN Posted by Ed McCamey on March 07, 2002, 09:40am John, Re: Re: Cab holders Posted by Bill Gaver on March 23, 2002, 09:25am You can have what you need with a bit of work. You have to improve the power pickup. I'd suggest that you consider some See www.theclip.com for an phospher bronze wire soldered to pads of PC board that's excellent cab holder to consider. epoxied onto the frames and the wires fitted to the wheels. Once The Swivel Mount is used on the you get a really good pickup electrically - then you'll be delighted BG&E with great success and is with the Challenger. a very safe/secure facia mount. Reasonable cost with good service and rapid mailing. Have placed

54 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Rivarossi Challenger Well the auto reverder does the same thing, right? But what tells Posted by Ed Wenzinger on March 07, 2002, 05:13pm it the polarity needs to be changed? The wheels shorting (or not The challenger appears to pick up on the first & third axels of the shorting)! rear engine--look again; the third axel has traction tires on it's Alternative: manual switches, Auxiliary relays interlocked to the wheels so it is not connected to the track. The problem can be turnout motors? fixed by installing metal wheels with wipers on the middle 4 Re: HELP!! autoreverser problems axels of the tender.NWSL makes 42"wheelsets with pointed & Posted by DonV on March 05, 2002, 09:11am sholdered axels.You will need to use some 0-80 flat washers to The problem is that the auto-reverser is not quick enough to do minimize lateral motion of the wheelsets. A Miniatronics the reversing before the Ph-Pro unit shuts down on sensing a connecting cable between tender& loco will solve the pickup short circuit. problem. 1. Make sure that the Ph-Pro auto-reverse toggle switch is set to Walthers is now importing a centipede oil tender with metal NOT reverse. Some early production models had the switch wheels& wipers. Add aconnecting cable to loco & you should be mislabeled. Flip the toggle to the other direction to see what in business. happens. (You won't hurt anything.) Re: Re: Re: Re: Rivarossi Challenger 2. Increase the sensitivity threshold of the reverser. (The Lenz Posted by Don J. on March 11, 2002, 11:55am LK100 has an adjustment for this purpose.) Read the manual John, from Tony's unit. I think there is a sensitivity jumper to adjust. Ed's approach sounds good. I replaced the little springs in the 3. Decrease the time delay sensitivity of the reverser. Again, I pickup assembley with KD coupler springs. The original springs think there is a jumper adjustment. were toast from too many hard shorts. Without functional 4. If you can't get it to work, send it back to Tony's for a refund. springs, the pins do not keep good contact with the wheels. Buy the LK100. Once you remove the pickup assembly from the frame, just re- 5. And Yes...as others have said...be sure that the whole train can shape the flat end of the pin and the assembly will come apart. I fit into the reversing track...Especially if you have a string of use an old IHC vandy tender with six wheel pickup and a lighted passenger cars, or a pusher engine, or steel wheels Soundtraxx DSD decoder in the tender. I now have an outstand- crossing both end gaps at once. ing runner. Let me know if you need further details. I will soon DonV order one of the new Rivarossi tenders with pickups to be more Re: HELP!! autoreverser problems prototypical. Posted by Steve on March 05, 2002, 10:26am Jeff: Jordan Spreader Set the autoreverser current threshold to 3.8 amps (the default). Posted by Craig Dunn on March 04, 2002, 10:34pm You probably have it set to 5 amps now. When set to 5 amps it Have a Red Ball kit of a Jordan Spreader. Kit number is 4317. Have becomes an electronic tossup as to what trips first, the all the parts, need the plans autoreverser or the Ph-Pro. Steve HELP!! autoreverser problems Re: HELP!! autoreverser problems Posted by jeff on March 03, 2002, 03:03pm Posted by Larry Maier on March 10, 2002, 11:12am I have a NCE Powerhouse and a reverse loop (another is in the This is Larry Maier. I designed the PS1 Reverser. It appears that making). I have a tony's autoreverser connected and the rails gapped your unit is not working. The reverser is definitely faster than at both ends of the loop. The problem: my train enters the reverse the PH Pro booster. If the booster is registering a short, then the loop (the gapped tracks) stops or if enough speed (to get over the reverser is not working. You can set the reverser to 5 amps even gapped tracks) pauses then continues on its way. My NCE is with a 5 amp booster (particularly the NCE boosters) as there is registering a short then clears by autoreverser then train continues. enough current spike on a short to trip the reverser. Any help would be appreciated!!! jeff Reversing Section Problem Re: HELP!! autoreverser problems Posted by Matt Bartner on March 01, 2002, 11:11pm Posted by ed bradbury on March 04, 2002, 12:31pm My layout is small, an oval with a reversing "cut-off" track to An Opinion: change direction the train is running around the oval. I am trying to Just like a DC system the entire train needs to be inside the use the PSrev as an auto-reverse for the cut-off track. DCC system return loop. is Digitrax DB150 booster with Digitrax 5 amp power supply. The I think your auto reverser is working. If you had a DC return reversing section is gapped at both ends; PSrev appears to be loop you would manually throw a DPDT switch to match the working, there is LED activity when it's turned on and or when I return loop exit polarity to main line polarity (+ to +, - to -). run a locomotive from the oval into the reversing section, BUT when I run the locomotive out of the rev. section, back toward the oval, it shorts out crossing the gap between the two sections, as if

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 55 the PSrev isn't working - the Digitrax booster is getting shorted, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reversing Section Problem beeping, etc. Also [maybe this is relevant] when the locomotive runs Posted by DonV on March 07, 2002, 10:31am from the oval into the reversing section, it runs at about half speed Note that if the rail polarity of the whole end 'Y' switch is in the reversing section, compared to it's speed on the oval, without swapped for DCC reversing correction, the switch frog actually any change of throttle setting, as if it isn't getting all of the "juice." stays at the same DCC polarity (!). A case where you change the Re: Reversing Section Problem polarity of the switch rails rather than the frog. Posted by Terry on March 02, 2002, 03:43pm DonV Matt-Is the entire train within the reversing section before the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reversing Section Problem locomotive re-enters the main line? I had the same type of Posted by Christian on March 07, 2002, 12:35pm problem, my train was longer than the track within the reversing DonV, Thanks for the input. I like the whole yard approach section. The train entered the section fine but when the loco re- because 1. the staging yard will be the limiter of train length, not entered the mainline the last few cars(with metal wheels) still had the shorter wye leg, 2. Only need to match polarity once whereas not entered the reverse section yet,causing a short. The problem I'd have to do it twice on the wye leg (Yard terminates run). I'm was solved by running trains no longer than the reversing thinking of implementing it with a manual DPDT switch (PSRev section. Also are BOTH your rails gapped at each end of the in the future)on the bus that will switch all subsequent track/ reversing section? Hope this helps. turnouts in that section. I've widened the "break" on the Tortoise Terry circuit boards based on Don Crano's site http://home.neo.rr.com/ Re: Re: Reversing Section Problem mrwithdcc/Tortoise.html to reduce chances of a short and my Posted by jeff on March 03, 2002, 03:02pm turnouts are wired/modified to have polarity of closure and point rails match adjacent stock rail. Bulletproof... probably not. Will it I have had a similar problem as well. My train goes to enter the work... I'll let you know reverse loop and stops. Pauses for a few minutes them starts up again. The autoreverser works but the NCE Powerhouse seems Re: Reversing Section Problem to lag behind it. Can anyone out there help with this problem. Posted by Larry Maier on March 10, 2002, 11:05am jeff Matt: Re: Re: Re: Reversing Section Problem This is Larry Maier. I designed the PS1. It sounds to me as if the Posted by Christian on March 05, 2002, 09:37am unit is not working properly. Contact me via e-mail and I will send you a simple check to determine if the PS1 is OK or needs Very Timely Thread! As it turns out, I'm wiring a wye that replacement. My e-mail is [email protected]. I tried to send connects my oval to a staging yard. Initially, I was going to the procedure through the bulletin board, but had too many reverse one of the legs off the oval, but based on this informa- characters. tion, I should probably reverse the staging yard including the turnout (four rails of the converging routes isolated). As I'm using powered frogs, any reversing mechanism (DPDT for Lenz100XF Woes now) should be wired to the auxillary contacts on my switch Posted by Bob Menzies on February 28, 2002, 07:26am machine (tortoise)to "reverse" the turnout as well. Any com- I got the unit to work after some reprogramming. In fairness to Lenz ments. Thanks, Christian my comments weren't to flame Lenz just get the units operating. For Re: Re: Re: Re: Reversing Section Problem interest sake once I got CV29 straightened out the unit runs Posted by DonV on March 07, 2002, 10:11am flawlessly. I now have all the bells and whistles for my repowered SW1500 Athearn. A PNP Soundtrax unit with dimmimg lights Christian, along with alternating ditch lights with on off capability all working You could get by with putting insulated joiners at all 4 rails at around the Soundtrax function keys. These little guys are an the frog ends of the 'Y' switch feeding your yard. Operate a excellent development. Debbie Ames contacted me to help. Thanks DPDT relay from the tortoise machine contacts to swap track for the help everyone. Debbie I hope you keep producing these polarity of the whole yard and the switch (frog too) based on items I need a lot of them for my Wisconsin Central fleet of the mid track switch position. Or use a single toggle sw to control the 90's/Bob Menzies switch machine and swap rail polarity. You 'could' use the internal tortiose contacts directly to swap rail power, but I don't recommend it for 2 reasons. DH121 decoder configurable lights or not? 1. They are not designed as break-before-make and may cause a Posted by Jason M on February 27, 2002, 10:40pm momentary short circuit when switch position is changing. I was wondering if anyone can tell me whether or not the DH 121 2. They are rated for only 1 amp. Feeding the whole yard decoders from digitrax have configurable strobe or mars lights etc., through them from a 5 amp (or larger) DCC supply may cause a or not? I was told all decoders ending in 1 or 2 are configurable. tortoise pcb burn-out in the event of a track short derailment. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanx, Jason DonV

56 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: DH121 decoder configurable lights or not? ?'s about the PS intelligent reverser Posted by Dale Gloer on February 28, 2002, 10:06am Posted by Jeff on February 24, 2002, 08:12pm The DH121 has only independent control of the lights or Anyone have Tony's intelligent reverser? I was told that it could directional lighting. There are no special effects available. It is handle two reverse loops. How would I wire that up to the actual not a FX decoder. unit? I know that I need to gap the track, but it seems that there is Dale. only one output area for only one reverse loop. Any help would be Re: DH121 decoder configurable lights or not? appreciated. Posted by AUDIE on April 04, 2002, 02:52am Jeff DH121 DIGITRAX DECODERS JUST HAVE THE ON-OFF FUNCTIONS. soldering feeders Posted by jerry on February 24, 2002, 07:36pm Atlas U33C lights inop. Anyone out there have an easy way to solder feeder wires??!! I'm Posted by Jason Merrill on February 26, 2002, 07:02pm about to start and I was wondering if there is a easy way? I have two atlas U33,s with nmra 8 pin plug in for the decoders. I Jerry plugged in two NCE 102eu decoders and the front lights won't Re: soldering feeders light. The decoders test out fine and the bulbs are good. Anybody Posted by J Scott on February 25, 2002, 11:55am else have this problem? Any help greatly appreciated thanx, Jason. Easy for me may not be easy for you. Practice first. Clean the side of the rail (use flux if you want) Clean and tin the end of the Soundtraxx Decoders wire. (heat the wire and apply solder to it) Tin the side of the Posted by Don N on February 25, 2002, 12:48pm rail. Hold the wire against the rail and touch with the soldering I had assembled 8 engines with various manufacturer's DCC iron until the solder flows. (note: this will be a very brief time) decoders before hearing about Soundtraxx modules. Considering touch the joint with a little more solder to ensure a good joint. the price of Soundtraxx equipment, the cost of the decoders already Remove heat and keep joint still until solder hardens. clean any installed, and the prospect of rewiring the engines, I need to find a excess off the rail top and sides with a knife or file. cheaper and easier way to get throttle controlled sound. Re: Re: soldering feeders My question is has anyone tried hooking up a single Soundtraxx Posted by Bob Savino on February 27, 2002, 05:45pm decoder to their track, and then using it as a 'ghost engine' in an Here is what I do: advance consist? Is it somehow possible to use it in two different I use solid 26 ga wire to connect to the rails. Old telephone wire consists, running concurrently, and have it controlled by the works great. Then that connects to a heavier feeder or bus currently active consist? Any thoughts or comments would be beneath the roadbed. appreciated. Clean the surface of the rail Re: Soundtraxx Decoders I use two alligator clips to secure the wire to the outside of the Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 25, 2002, 04:38pm rail. They serve as heatsinks and mechanically hold the wire. I have not done what you suggest, but I believe that it would I use a very hot iron - 45 W. work. I have another thought, why not install the Soundtraxx You want to get in and get out fast- A cooler iron will result in (sound only)in a box car (or passenger car), then all you need to melted ties. I use rosin core solder 60%tin 40%lead. Buy at do is assign a locomotive address (use an existing one, or use a Radio Shack. new one and then MU the units). Good luck. Re: Re: Soundtraxx Decoders Posted by eD BRADBURY on February 26, 2002, 12:25pm MRC Prodigy DCC i SUGGEST YOU LOOK AT THE SOUNDTRAXX SITE. Posted by Forge on February 23, 2002, 07:59pm tHEY HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS ON USING THE Is anyone out there using the new MRC Prodigy DCC system? DECODER AS AN STATIONARY SOUND UNIT AND How do you like it? CONNECTIONS TO AN AMPLIFIER/SPEAKER SYSTEM. I am looking into it for my first DCC system. I will be running 2 or hOWEVER, THE SUGGESTED BOX OR PASSENGER 3 locos max at the same time with 2 or 3 operators max.in Nscale. CAR IS GOOD. Is it compatable with ALL other manufactuer's decoders? Is there i THINK THAT ONCE YOU HEAR THE SOUND YOU any downside that anyone knows about, knowing what I am going WILL WANT THE SOUND DECODERS IN THE OTHER to run with it? ENGINES. Can 2 operators run trains at the same time right out of the box? OR ED do you need to buy another hand controller for the second person? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 57 Re: MRC Prodigy DCC bulbs, as they are smaller than the ones supplied. They need a Posted by Jack on February 28, 2002, 11:50am 820 ohm resistor. I also started out with the MRC system, similar thinking. With Good luck. It's not as bad as it seems. only the "base station," you're pretty much one operator (personal opinion) because the controls are so close together, Allegheny installation - lights? just one hand at a time. I bought a hand controller to get a bit of Posted by Ed Plymouth on February 20, 2002, 01:54pm walk around, and positioned the base at the yard, since yard Anyone have any tips for a decoder installation in the RIvarossi switching doesn't require much movement. Allegheny? Whats the lights situation? Replace their bulbs or no? Types of glue Re: Allegheny installation - lights? Posted by tpbldr on February 20, 2002, 07:51pm Posted by Jeff on February 22, 2002, 10:57pm i istalled an nce decoder in my allegeny factory lights work fine . After reading many articles on different topics they all say to use a will be relacing nce with dsd by soundtrax soon. great model! glue gun. I was wondering what type of glue to use. One place I read to use a glue gun was to glue a tortoise switch machine to the Re: Allegheny installation - lights? underside of the benchwork. Posted by Terry on February 20, 2002, 11:34pm jeff Ed Re: Types of glue I used a nced15srp decoder in my Allegheny. It's small and has a Posted by Christian on February 25, 2002, 10:48am harness and plug. The decoder just fits behind the firebox wall. My engine sqeaks alot when running, does yours? Just the plain, white, hot glue sticks. Not the alphatic resin (sp?) Terry "wood glue" sticks. Just mounted a few Tortoises using this method this weekend. Works great. To remove the Tortoise, just Re: Re: Allegheny installation - lights? use a small putty knife to pry it off. A lot less work than using Posted by Ed McCamey on February 21, 2002, 10:14am screws - especially if you're like me and usually don't get it right My 2-6-6-6 also squeeks a bit. I've carefully cleaned and lubed it the first time! at all the places I can think of and see - still makes noises! Re: Allegheny installation - lights? decoder install athearn geisis sd-70 Posted by Ed Plymouth on February 21, 2002, 10:46pm Posted by Jason Merrill on February 21, 2002, 10:00pm Thanks, tpbldr! I am looking for suggestions on the best decoder and lights to use I fit a Digitrax DH121 in there last night and it seems to be on my BNSF Athearn genisis SD-70. I am looking for the ability to working well with the stock lights. I'll probably replace the have the ditch lights flash at grade crossings. Thanx for any help in decoder in a few weeks with something with more function advance. outputs so I can turn the firebox light on. Its already wired, the Re: decoder install athearn geisis sd-70 decoder just doesn't have an output available. Posted by Tim on February 22, 2002, 05:06pm Jason, Genesis Pacific - DCC According to NCE website, their DA-SR is the one to use. I Posted by Jack on February 19, 2002, 07:13am havn't personally installed one in the SD-70, but have done Running an Athearn Genesis USRA 4-6-2 with a Soundtraxx numerous DA-SR's. They have 4 function outputs to that you Decoder. One of the easiest installations ever. Problem is that the can "program" for numerous effects including 2 types of ditch loco doesn't like my Atlas Code 100 turnouts (frogs not powered). I lights. They can be programed to turn on/off with any function get that pesky "DCC Reset" on every one. Any ideas? key. I use 14V grain of wheat bulbs, but white LED's look good too (remember to use current limiting resistor if you use LED) Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC Posted by Dale Gloer on February 19, 2002, 07:52am Tim Put pickup wipers on your tender wheels. It will make all the Re: Re: decoder install athearn geisis sd-70 difference - stalling is gone forever. Posted by Bob Savino on February 27, 2002, 05:52pm Dale. I have personally installed 3 DA-SR in Athearn genesis SD70. I recommend installing the DA-SR component side up. It will Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC Posted by Jim H on February 19, 2002, 05:57pm work properly in DC mode, if that matters for you. If you keep the existing lamps, you must use a higher value of Power the frogs. resistor than what the instructions say. I used 680 ohm instead of Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC 620 ohm. I also installed ditch lights connected to output 3 and 4 Posted by Jack on February 20, 2002, 07:04am on the decoder. You'll have to solder wires onto the decoder for Thanks, guys. I'm probably going to approach this in stages. the ditchlights and their common return. I used 1.5V micro First, add some additional electrical pickups. Hope I can get a spare tender from IHC. Second, this is my first HO layout since

58 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 the teen years (60's), so I've approached it as a learning Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC experience. I'll try powering several of the easy-to-get-to Posted by Jack on March 01, 2002, 07:21am turnouts. Good point there, John. No, I wouldn't retrofit a whole bunch of Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC turnouts just to fix a problem that doesn't exist. I'm using the Posted by JOHN on February 20, 2002, 10:00am USRA Pacific for passenger service, so that limits it's use to about half the trackwork. I'd only fix those turnouts, if neces- JACK, LISTEN THE FELLOW WHO TOLD YOU TO PUT sary. I came across a technique to make operational switchstands EXTRA PICKUPS ON THE TENDER, YOU'LL DRIVE that are closer to scale than Caboose Industries, and have a YOURSELF CRAZY IF YOU START POWERING FROGS. double throw microswitch, so I'll power frogs as I build and JOHN install them. So actually, it's an "appearance thing" that's now Re: Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC driving the changes. Posted by Christian on February 20, 2002, 03:20pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC Powering the frogs is no big deal, especially w/Atlas TO's. Just Posted by Jason on March 01, 2002, 12:06pm a screw and a wire... I was wondering what method u are using to power your Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC turnouts. Would it be possible for u to e-mail me the article with Posted by JOHN on February 21, 2002, 11:10am details. Thanx for any help Jason. CRISTIAN, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO [email protected] THROUGH ALL OF THE WORK TO POWER FROGS, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC JUST FOR ONE LOCOMOTIVE? WHO KNOWS HOW Posted by ID DAN on March 25, 2003, 12:07am MANY TURN OUTS ARE ON THIS LAYOUT, IT'S MUCH I was wondering, since I have a Genesis 2-8-2 with the turnout EASIER TO ADD THE PICK UPS ON THE TENDER OF reset/stalling problem and was going about powering frogs THE ONE LOCOMOTIVE THAT IS HAVING A PROBLEM. could you tell me how you accomplished the tender pickup? I JOHN would rather do that. My e-mail is [email protected]. Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC Thanks, Posted by Jack on February 21, 2002, 12:36pm ID DAN Thanks for the thoughts. It's a medium size layout, about 14 Re: Re: Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC turnouts. It is intended to be a learning experience prior to the Posted by e bradbury on March 26, 2003, 08:06am "attic empire." It's certainly fulfilling its objective! I powered a Your stalling problem is interesting. I run a Genesis 2-8-2 on my frog with a jumper wire last night. Pacific purred right thru. I'm layout which has a combination of turnouts: Peco (insulfrog & contemplating building some switch stands with a SPDT slide electro frog), Shenohara, Atlas, all without any power frogs, and switch included for power routing. Also ordered a kit to install some without ground throws/switch machines. The loco goes pick-ups on the tender. through all of them without stalling. Also I run this loco on the Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC club's modular layout that has Slowmotion (Hankscraft) turnout Posted by Jack on February 28, 2002, 12:05pm motors (no frog power) without stalling. Is your loco stalling Final report, if anyone's still following this discussion. Powered really hiding another problem. Are your loco wipers touching the 2 frogs, using homemade switchstands. Problem solved on metal wheels? Are you powering the turnouts from the point those two, of course. Also added electrical pickups to the tender. end? Are the point contact with the stock rail clean & picking up Problem solved at all turnouts. Long range goal will be to power power? all, since it works well with the switchstands, and I think they look better than what I had. help!! Re: Re: Genesis Pacific - DCC Posted by jeff on February 17, 2002, 01:29pm Posted by JOHN on February 28, 2002, 12:55pm I have just put together my first layout and have a quick question. JACK, IF YOU SOLVED THE PROBLEM BY ADDING My NCE Powerhouse keeps registering "shorts". When I PICKUPS TO THE TENDER ON THIS ONE LOCO, DO dissconnect my turnouts and basically have a glorified loop no YOU REALLY WANT TO POWER FROGS ON THE problems. But as soon as the turnouts are connected the "shorts" WHOLE LAYOUT JUST FOR THIS LOCO? IMAGINE IF appear!!! Frustrating!! Some of my turnouts end in a dead-end YOU HAD 60 OR 70 TURNOUTS. IF ALL OF THE OTHER track. Does that have anything to do with it? And if it does how do LOCOMOTIVES GO THROUGH FINE, WHY GO TO ALL you wire a train yard?? THAT WORK, JUST A THOUGHT. I'M HAPPY THAT Thanks! EVERYTHING IS WORKING WELL FOR YOU. THERE IS Re: help!! USUALLY MORE THAN ONE SOULTION TO EACH Posted by Don H. on February 17, 2002, 03:18pm PROBLEM, THE THING IS TO FIND THE EASIEST WAY It sounds like you've managed to create one or more reverse TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. JOHN loops in you track plan. Are you putting in plastic rail joiners to

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 59 isolate these sections? If you have created reverse loops you will committee. A simple call, best action, to debby (lenz n. america) need to put in either an auto reverser that works with DCC or may be all you need to solve your problem. use a manual toggle switch. The manual that came with your Re: Re: Lenz100XF Woes DCC equipment should have a section on how to deal with this Posted by Debbie on February 14, 2002, 06:20pm situation. Stan Re: Re: help!! I am not sure I understand what problems you believe our Posted by jeff on February 17, 2002, 05:58pm decoders have on other systems. We work very hard to ensure There weren't any reverse loops as far as I could tell. The shorts true compatibility. We submit each and every decoder to the were occuring before trains were on the lay-out. Any help with NMRA for testing and fix any and all problems identified. We turnouts and how to set up would be appreciated. I am using are very proud of our hard earned NMRA COnformance atlas code 83 custom line turnouts. Warrants. jeff If you know of a problem please let us know so that we can address it. Re: Re: Re: help!! ------Posted by jeff on February 17, 2002, 10:21pm [] Debbie Ames To Don [] [[[] [email protected] Yes it was a reverse loop causing the shorts. Thanks a lot!! LENZ [][[ [] http://www.lenz.com Re: Re: Re: Re: help!! Elektronik [] 978-250-1494 Posted by Don H. on February 17, 2002, 11:02pm GmbH Quality, Value, Performance, & True Compatibility Glad you found it. They can sneak in even when you don't plan ------for them. Re: Lenz100XF Woes Posted by JOHN on February 15, 2002, 12:12pm Spectrum HO 0-6-0 BOB & STAN, IT'S POSSIBLE TO HAVE A PROBLEM Posted by Jim H. on February 11, 2002, 10:53pm WITH ANY DECODER FROM ANY MANUFACTURER. I Does anyone know how to open the engine for decoder installation SUGGEST YOU CALL DEBBIE AMES AT LENZ AND ASK without damaging it?? HER ABOUT THE PROBLEM YOU'RE HAVING WITH YOUR DECODER. SHE IS A REAL EXPERT ON PRO- Re: Spectrum HO 0-6-0 GRAMING SITUATIONS AND YOU MIGHT FIND IT'S Posted by Jack Copeland on February 13, 2002, 07:27am SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM Sounds like a Bachmann product. They have an active message WITH THIS DECODER, I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT board, and a company rep monitors it. Try posting at LENZ WILL REPLACE IT. I HAVE HAD SOME EXPERI- http://www.bachmanntrains.com/bachmann/mainpage/start2.html ENCE WITH LENZ DECODERS AND FIND THEM TO BE VERY COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER SYSTEMS. MAKE A Lenz100XF Woes CALL AND I THINK YOUR PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED. Posted by Bob Menzies on February 11, 2002, 09:47pm JOHN Anyone programed these units successfully? My NCE system reads the cv's yet I can't get the decoder to turn on any function. The wish IHC Loco Wheels list is rule 17 headlites on a and b with ditch lites on c and d. A on Posted by Jack Copeland on February 05, 2002, 08:41am F0 and B on F1 with c and d on F4.Anyone help me here? TIA Bob I'm planning an upgrade to my HO layout. I like the look of Code Menzies 83 rail, but noticed a footnote that IHC locos won't run on 83 without wheel work. What wheelsets would I need for an IHC 2-6- Re: Lenz100XF Woes Posted by Stan on February 13, 2002, 10:19pm 0 ? Bob, lenz has many good ideas that in practical use does not Re: IHC Loco Wheels work, unless you have their system and only with the latest Posted by DonV on February 05, 2002, 01:33pm software upgrades which seem to be needed constantly. I Yes. Please help us. IHC indicates that RP25 wheels are at least suggest you try other decoders, NCE, Digitrax or TCS, they 1 yr away. What substitutes are available? Where? Is there a don't seem to be as critical when used with other systems. Good wheel cut-down service? luck, Stan Re: Re: IHC Loco Wheels Re: Lenz100XF Woes Posted by D. Jones on February 07, 2002, 12:08am Posted by Ed B on February 14, 2002, 11:51am I run an IHC Mountain & Mike on Atlas code 83 without any Have you tried contacting Lenz. Debby Ames of tried & true problems. From my point of view, turning the drivers down trains (www.tttrains.com) in chelmsford mass is n. american would require a lot of needless effort. My advice would be to try representitive for lenz. Also her husband was on the DCC

60 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 running your locos on some Atlas code 83 and see if you notice Re: Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder any problems. Posted by graeme on February 11, 2002, 09:47pm Re: Re: Re: IHC Loco Wheels do you have a web site address for E.S.U. please? Posted by DonV on February 07, 2002, 05:31pm Re: Re: Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder I have & they do. The thick flanges of the drivers bind in Posted by Fritz on February 12, 2002, 04:53am flangeways at Atlas code 83 switch frogs. The ESU website can be found at: Re: Re: Re: Re: IHC Loco Wheels www.loksound.de Posted by J. Scott on February 08, 2002, 03:37pm The only manual currently available in english is about the You have probably already thought of this, but how about the predecessor model "Loksound". check gage-- the distance between the backs of the wheels. It This gives you a good impression could be the drivers are a little bit out of gage on the narrow of what the decoder can do. side. Re: Re: Re: Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: IHC Loco Wheels Posted by mark loos on February 17, 2002, 09:24pm Posted by D. Jones on February 11, 2002, 11:57am Fritz & graeme. I have a copy of the new LokSound2 manual in Don, English on pdf. If you want to contact me off-list, I'll e-mail a I talked about the wheel problem with other club members this copy to you. [email protected] weekend. It may be that the reason we have no problems is that Mark our layout turnouts get heavy use and any offending clearances are worn down. Many of our major turnouts have had 5-6 years Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder of heavy use. Posted by Fritz on February 18, 2002, 03:49am Thank you, Mark! Sound Decoder for S1 I`ve got one - in German. Posted by Ernie on February 04, 2002, 06:50pm Has anyone installed a sound decoder in a Proto 2000 Series S1? DCC sound If so, what did you use. Thanks. Posted by Steve H on February 01, 2002, 12:52pm I recently purchased the Atlas DCC and also the Genesis DCC EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder ready 2-8-2 Light Mikado. It's been 20 years since my last set-up so Posted by GeepM on February 04, 2002, 12:52pm this is all new territory. I have not purchased a DCC chip for this train yet. Ideally I would like one with sound. Is there one available Which type if available would you suggest for use in EMD's 45 for this model? If not, what's the best chip (feature wise). Thanks in series locomitives? I am doing a pair of FP45's using P2K SD60 advance. Mech. and changing the sideframes, so it will have a NMRA style plug for the decoder. Anyways, this would be a great help for anyone modeling the 45's. Also on a side note, anyone know of a Hooking up DCC sound decoder sutable for Diesel Hydraulics? Like those the SP and Posted by jeff on January 30, 2002, 02:36pm DRGW ran in the 60's? Can anyone out there help me with hooking up my DCC system? Thanks in advance, Which type wire hook from the system to the track? Which type of Joe (GeepM) Bohannon wire for the track bus? Any website with this info or help with this Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder would be appreciated. Posted by GERRY on February 09, 2002, 08:57pm Re: Hooking up DCC WHOS SHELL ARE YOU USING FOR THE FP-45'S Posted by Don H. on January 30, 2002, 03:54pm Re: Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder Sounds like you need to visit Allan Gartner's site: Posted by GeepM on February 10, 2002, 09:15pm www.wiringfordcc.com Hope this helps. They are detailed Athearn's... Custom painted in the Passenger Don H. schem when first ordered. Joe Re: Hooking up DCC Posted by Tim on January 30, 2002, 06:37pm Re: EMD 20Cyl. Sound Decoder Posted by Fritz on February 11, 2002, 12:23pm Jeff, Maybe the instructions for your DCC system gives ESU - Electronic Solutions Ulm, recomendations/requirements. I recomend you get the book "The Germany, sells "LokSound2" Back- EMF comprehensive guide to DCC" by Stan Ames. Look in Tony's silent running (22 kHz)sound decoders for Diesel online products list under "publications". Hydraulics,Item # 3550420.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 61 Theoretically only two wires is all you need. In actuality there's Re: Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? more to it ... too much to explain in this little space. Jeff, we can Posted by Tim on January 28, 2002, 10:16pm discuss it more if you want to e-mail me: [email protected] Jeff, Good luck, I recomend you put a decoder in each locomotive (A & Tim B),program them for their respective road number then set them Re: Hooking up DCC up as a consist. You could also program both locomotives for the Posted by Terry on January 31, 2002, 06:32pm same address, but that gets confusing if you ever seperate the pair. How hard is it to install? That depends on your own Jeff-Do yourself a favor and buy the Digitrax Big Book of abilities. If it has a circuit board then it PROBABLY has a DCC DCC. Tony sells it for $20.00.You'll find it helpful no matter plug and a decoder would plug rite in. what DCC system you're using. I use #18 str. from my NCE Tim unit to the track bus which is #14 sol. From there I use #22 str. to the rails. Re: Re: Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? I'm also using Tony's Power Shields (Instant Trip Circuit Posted by Ed B on January 29, 2002, 03:54pm Breakers) between the NCE unit and the track bus. Have Fun!! I think I remember a product review in which it was noted that these were not DCC ready in the sense there is no DCC plug (8 Spectrum 44 ton pin). However I think the motor is isolated from the frame. In Posted by Tim on January 28, 2002, 10:32pm any case you should verify the motor is isolated with any decoder installation. This is also why that you test an installation Has anyone out there tried to DCC a Spectrum 44 ton? on a program track. On another note I am looking for genesis f3. Re: Spectrum 44 ton Where did you buy yours, I'm live in Conn. Posted by ed B on January 29, 2002, 04:01pm Re: Re: Re: Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? See Model Railroader year 2001, I do not remember the month. Posted by Jeff on January 29, 2002, 11:34pm One Digitrax decoder was used and the installation can be done i purchased the F3A/B from caboose hobbies. fairly easily if you have done decoder installations. Best to read the article and decide. Re: Re: Re: Re: Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? Hope this helps. Posted by Dave Megeath on January 31, 2002, 10:16am Re: Spectrum 44 ton On Tony's advice, I have been buying the NCE DA-SR "Power Posted by Ed Hurtubis on January 29, 2002, 05:26pm Pro" decoder. It drops into the lugs after you remove the Athearn board. You really should solder the wire connections, but you I installed a Lenz LE077XF decoder in a Bachmann 44 Ton can use the compression sleeves (beware the rogue filament of diesel. The installation details are in the January 2001 (page 108) stranded wire that can cause a short!). Model Railroader. Also, you might check Tony's "Past Head- So far I have done 3 Genesis F3's with great results. lines" for an article "Bachmann 44 Ton Install" by Ernest Puddick. Although the space is very limited, the extra work makes this diesel operate on DCC quite well. Good luck! Bachmann Porter Posted by Peter on January 26, 2002, 07:53pm Re: Re: Spectrum 44 ton Posted by Tim on January 29, 2002, 05:52pm I cannot believe anyone would not have tried to DCC this cute little engine. Can it be done, anyone???? help Help Thanks Ed & Ed. Peter Tim Re: Bachmann Porter Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? Posted by Jeff on January 28, 2002, 07:40pm Posted by Jeff on January 28, 2002, 06:49pm Are you talking about the Harry Potter Bachmann? I would be curious about that myself. I have recently purchased a Southern Pacific "black widow" F3A/B from athearn genesis. The question I have is that the "B" is also Re: Re: Bachmann Porter motorized! How will that work with DCC and the decoders for the Posted by Peter on January 29, 2002, 09:40am "A"? Also how difficult is it for me to put decoders in them. They No. I am talking about the Tiny 0-4-0 and 0-4-2 industrial have a circuit board in them. engines (original made by Porter) that were used in logging and Thanks Jeff mining operations. Try this link for info on the real thing Re: Athearn genesis F3A/B decoder? http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/porter/porter-pb.html Posted by Don H. on January 28, 2002, 08:19pm You will need to put a separate decoder in the B unit, with its Types of loco decoders own address. You then 'Consist' the units so that they will Posted by Jerry on January 26, 2002, 01:47pm respond to the commands from one throttle. I have recently purchased an Atlas GP-40 locomotive which is DCC ready. My question is the plug is an 8 prong dumby plug. How do I

62 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 know from all the decoders out there which has the 8 prong plug. I Which system!? would like to buy Lenz with the back EMF. As you can tell I am Posted by Jerry on January 22, 2002, 10:46pm new to the hobby. Jerry I am starting up in the hobby and am very excited about DCC. I am wondering which seems to be the best system. I have it narrowed Re: Types of loco decoders down to NEC and Lenz any help in this matter is greatly appreci- Posted by Tim on January 26, 2002, 06:40pm ated. Jerry, Jerry The old saying "a picture is worth 1K words" holds true. The Re: Which system!? best thing is to see the decoder. Otherwise rely on others Posted by Tim on January 22, 2002, 11:05pm experience or manufacturers recomendations. I have installed decoders in several Atlas GP-40's. The TTX RS-2 under Jerry, products,Lenz on Tonys home page will work. NCE D14SRP is Welcome to Model Railroading!! Your best bet is find some a direct plug in. I prefer NCE DA-SR and solder the wires on clubs or individuals in your area that use DCC and try using (no chance of decoder unplugging!). In my opinion, this is a their systems. Some systems have better features than others ... very nice looking and running engine. Good luck, it's your preferance. Check out Tonys on line product list, Tim publications. If you have more ??? Your welcome to e-mail me where I have more room to respond [email protected] Lenz decoders on NCE? Tim Posted by Jeff on January 25, 2002, 09:35am Re: Which system!? Posted by DonV on January 23, 2002, 10:37am To anybody out there! Can Lenz back EMF decoders work with the NCE system? Just wondering, I know that most things are Find a club or local shop where you can try either system. My interchangeable but the fact that NCE is not NMRA licensed just personal choice is NCE. Definately the easiest to use of all the curious. Any help would be appreciated. contenders. Jeff DonV Re: Lenz decoders on NCE? Re: Which system!? Posted by Don H. on January 23, 2002, 01:12pm Posted by Ed B on January 25, 2002, 11:50am Decoders are basically micromotor controllers. The back EMF is I personally went with the Digitrax system, but that was only electrical feedback from the motor windings to the decoder. The because the N scale club that I belong to went that route. And the decoder compares the EMF to the throttle setting in the decoder only reason the club is using this system is because our in house and will compensate the motor speed to match the desired speed DCC guru is using it. by increasing or decreasing the power supplied to the motor All in all I'm quite satisfied with the system and have no regrets. (PWM). It has invisible to the DCC system you are using. I didn't care much for the DT100 throttle but I really like the Ed B DT300. I did have a chance some time back to operate on an HO layout Re: Re: Lenz decoders on NCE? that uses the Easy DCC system and I found that very enjoyable Posted by Ken on January 25, 2002, 02:02pm and easy to use. If the situation outlined above hadn't happened, I use Lenz decoders with NCE and they work just fine. I would probably have gone with that system. As the others posting have indicated, the best thing to do is to try On3 Porter and find some place where you can try these things out. This is a very subjective topic. Asking for an opinion on which DCC Posted by Peter on January 24, 2002, 09:41am system to use is similar to asking someone their political views. Anyone know if the Bachman Porters are DCC ready? If not how difficult is it to make them so? installation instructions for Athearn 200 ton nce radio cran Posted by [email protected] on January 22, 2002, 10:24pm Posted by Rob on January 23, 2002, 12:21pm I recently purchased a 200 ton crane by Athearn. Can someone scan and e-mail a copy Has anyone received their production radio unit? If so, any opinions of the assembly instructions. on range/reception? I wonder why NCE/Jim did not use 2.4 GHZ Thanks, instead of 900 MHZ?

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 63 Reverse loops? Turnouts and decoders?? Posted by Jeff on January 22, 2002, 07:05pm Posted by Jeff on January 21, 2002, 07:53pm With the great response I got with my first question I am sending To anyone who can answer this question!! I am new to the hobby out 2 others! I am new to the hobby and plan on using DCC to and am getting ready to set up my first layout. I am going with DCC power my new layout. The first question is which company and and wondering what is needed to for DCC turnouts. I am thinking which reverse loop modules work the best! Or is there another way about the Atlas code 83 custom turnout. The question is which to do reverse loops that is better than the modules. Also in the future switch motor do I use and which is the best decoder. I thank anyone I am planning on adding a turntable how would I set that up with in advance who answers this!! DCC. Thanks to anyone who replies to this message. Jeff jeff Re: Turnouts and decoders?? Re: Reverse loops? Posted by Tim on January 22, 2002, 01:51am Posted by Tim on January 22, 2002, 07:30pm Jeff, Jeff, Welcome to Model Railroading!!!! To answer your Question: If Reverse sections of track (reverse loops, wyes,turntables, ect ...) I were to use DCC to control turnouts I would use North Coast are handled the same way in DCC. Isolate both rails on both Engineering "Switch -it" Check out Tonys online product list ends. Power that section through a seperate auto reversing under NCE. While your in the product list, check out publica- power booster (NCE boosters have a switch that can make it tions for books on DCC. The Tortise switch machines are very auto rev. or not) or you can install a auto reversing power shield popular and will work with atlas turnouts. Good luck, (see tonys online product list,Tonys exclusive products, PS Rev. Tim Power Shield). Good luck, Re: Turnouts and decoders?? Tim Posted by DonV on January 22, 2002, 12:06pm Re: Reverse loops? The CVP AD4 series accessory decoders work well with Atlas Posted by Terry on January 25, 2002, 11:13pm twin coil switch machines. The less costly version of AD4 or I'm using Tony's Auto Reverse units (PSRev) along with the NCE switch-it both work well w/ tortiose motors. Instant Trip Circuit Breakers (PS) DonV I'm not saying they are the best but I'm very happy with these units. One of our club members hard wired a decoder between Zimo DCC system his turntable motor and a track bus.He selects the decoder # with Posted by E. T. Halloran on January 20, 2002, 10:18pm his throttle, turns the control knob and the turntable starts turning.He can stop the table at any track right on the button. Hit Has anyone had any experience with the Zimo DCC system. Zimo the reverse button, turn the knob and the table starts moving in uses LAN networking like the ones used in the automotive and the opposite direction. Neat !! medical industry. Is this faster and more reliable than the Digitrax Loconet which is also a LAN type networking system. Also I Re: Re: Reverse loops? understand that TTX carries "ZIMO" products. Does TTX stock the Posted by Jacques W. on January 26, 2002, 10:20am Zimo DCC starter set? Using a decoder to control a turntable is indeed a neat trick, can Sincerely, you tell me what type of decoder your friend used? E.T. Halloran Re: Re: Reverse loops? Posted by Tim on January 26, 2002, 12:28pm how many pounds does this engine weigh Terry, Posted by allegheny2666 on January 19, 2002, 11:55pm Tell your friend that's a great idea. He should send it in to Model Does anybody know how many pounds/ounces the russian decapod Railroader. They pay for articles and publishable ideas. weighs. Thanks Tim Re: Re: Re: Reverse loops? Do they sell these engines Posted by Terry on January 27, 2002, 05:12pm Posted by Allegheny2666 on January 18, 2002, 12:02pm Tim & Jacques W. Does anybody know if they sell a SD70M or SD60 or both in CSX Thanks for the interest in using a decoder to operate a turntable. paint scheme.Thanks Allegheny2666 My buddy who did the installation is out of town and won't be back until after the Springfield show in Mass. Feb.2&3. I'll Re: Do they sell these engines Posted by fmilhaupt on January 19, 2002, 08:58am speak to him when he returns and get back to you with any info I can. Yes, Life-Like sells an HO SD60 in CSX "Grey Ghost" paint. Terry It's not current production any more, so you may have to look a bit to find it. -fm

64 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Do they sell these engines recreate a good customer relationship, it may be as simple as Posted by Jacques W. on January 19, 2002, 09:48am undelivered emails, we all know that happens. Paul Athearn in their Genesis Series is producing an SD70. On their Re: Re: RE: irresponsible posts Web Site they show the picture of prototype engine #4685, Posted by willy on January 28, 2002, 05:57am which is a SD70M and I beleive still active on the CSXT. hi paul, thank you for your words of support,you outlined my Proto 2000 also produced a limited run of an SD60 standard points exactly,& expressed them better than I. the time difference cap, featuring the Stealth paint scheme. is always a factor,i generally have to do alittle math when i call You will have to replace the horns, bell and plow to make it the U.S, depending on what time-zone and whether you have put closer to prototype. I personnally find the Stealth scheme rather your clocks back or forward we are 12-16 hours ahead of you.If unactractive and had an undec unit painted to the Bright Future you feel inclined say G/day sometime I'm at scheme this makes an autstanding engine. [email protected] cheers from oz. walthers new passenger station Running double crossover switch Posted by allegheny2666 on January 16, 2002, 03:22pm Posted by Doug on January 11, 2002, 10:08pm Does anybody know the date when walthers starts selling there new Does anyone have experience running a double crossover switch union station.Thanks allegheny were one switch runs one set of diagonal switches and another Re: walthers new passenger station switch runs the other set of diagonal switches. Posted by Norm. on January 16, 2002, 05:08pm I am having a problem when only one switch is hooked up it is fine, Allegheny2662. In response to your query. Walthers Website, but when two switches are hooked up, there does not seem to be under New Products - Jan.2002 indicates that the Union Station enough power to properly activate both of them. kit is expected to arrive at Walthers on Jan 18th. (two days from Is there a trick to this? now). For what it's worth - sometimes the delivery date is right Re: Running double crossover switch on. Hope this helps. Posted by Jim Heidorn on January 11, 2002, 11:35pm Re: walthers new passenger station Doug, Posted by Norm. on January 17, 2002, 02:57pm I have a double crossover switch on my layout and I use a three Allegheny, guess what! Ignore yesterday's message. position rotary switch controlling the four Tortoise switch Today, Walther's Website now says that the Union Station kit is machines and it works like it should. expected for March 28th. Re: Running double crossover switch I'm just as sorry about that as you are. Just a patient and Posted by Jim Heidorn on January 12, 2002, 08:16am sometimes frustrated model railroader trying to help out a Doug, After my previous reply, I realized that it wasn't much brother. help to you. What kind of switch motors do you have installed? RE: irresponsible posts Re: Re: Running double crossover switch Posted by Doug on January 12, 2002, 11:02am Posted by Bob Miller on January 16, 2002, 08:47am Jim, Actually Paul, if you re-read my post, I was simply aying to These are the components: "Willie" that he might have had better results using the telephone to Atlas #56 switch control box. contact NCE. That certainly doesn't place me at odds with him, other Atlas #850 snap switch remote control. than the fact he has been complaining NCE didn't answer his emails. Atlas #283 #6 turnout. If someone doesn't answer an email I send about their product, then Thanks for any help. I call on the phone. There are two sets of double turnouts, one works, but one pair Sorry you misunderstood my intent. doesn't. They activate, but don't seem to have enough power to Re: RE: irresponsible posts fully switch the track. Posted by Paul on January 16, 2002, 09:50am Re: Re: Re: Running double crossover switch Bob, my mistake, I confused you with Steve Z who made some Posted by Jacques W. on January 12, 2002, 11:55am very harsh remarks toward Willy, who I believe is in Australia. Doug If a company doesn't want to answer emails then why have an A capacitor discharge unit should do. email address? I can understand why Willy would not want to Refer to the book Practical Electronic Projets for Model call as I think Australia is a 12 hour time difference, that creates Railroaders for plans to make one. a problem itself, the cost of the international call is another They are also available commercially. factor, even if you know the person you want to talk to is there when you call. Some companys go the extra mile for customers and some don't, it's that simple. If NCE looks at this message board, it might be a good idea for them to respond to Willy and

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 65 Re: Running double crossover switch grade with no problem but the coupler on the tender kept Posted by John on January 13, 2002, 04:31pm opening up under that load. Guess I'll have to replace it with a Doug, save yourself a lot of agrivation and just wire them the Kadee. This month's MR mag reviews the Allegheny and states old way with a dpdt or momentary switch depending on the it should pull 120 cars,I guess on flat straight track. I've switch motor you have. Many stationary decoders do not have experienced a lot of sqeeking coming from someplace both on the power to operate two switch motors at the same time. John curves and straight track and can't get rid of it. If you own one,I'd be interested to know If you have the same problem. Re: Re: Re: Running double crossover switch Hope this helps. Posted by Tim on January 14, 2002, 10:37pm Doug, Re: Re: allegheny 2-6-6-6 Posted by allegheny2666 on January 10, 2002, 10:46am I'm not there to see your set-up. I think you have the right idea inyour last post "don't seem to have enough power" What are mine makes the same noise as yours.where can you buy you powering the switch machines with? Possibly there is just MRmagzines enough to power the one set but not the other set. No two switch Re: Re: Re: allegheny 2-6-6-6 machines pull the exact same current. Far fetched it may seem. Posted by Terry on January 10, 2002, 05:14pm Try bigger power source. Try replacing switch machine that The MR magazine I'm refering to is Model Railroader and can doesn't throw. sometimes be found in the magazine section of bookstores. I Tim subscribe and receive it thru the mail. Call 1-800-533-6644 or on line at modelrailroader.com to order the Feb. 2002 issue, where Decoder for Athern they reviewed the Allegheny. I'm going to bring my 2-6-6-6 to Posted by Dick Baxter on January 09, 2002, 10:22pm our club and have some of our experts take a look at it to try to I have two Athern Loco's that have flat metal contact and would like rid it of the noise. I'll keep you posted on what I find out if to add a DCC Decoder to each. Can anyone tell me how that is done you're interested. with these loco's? Re: Re: Re: Re: allegheny 2-6-6-6 Re: Decoder for Athern Posted by Ed McCamey on January 11, 2002, 10:08am Posted by Tim on January 10, 2002, 06:53am Terry, The LL Y3 also exibited that same noise at times. Turned Dick, are these "Genesis" line locomotives? If not,please E-mail out to be the axles in the tender. The pickup wipers actually were me as there is not enough room in this space to explain. causing it. Try some of the very light conducta lube on the [email protected] pickups area. Use fine graphite for all the wheel bearings instead Tim of wet lube. I think the same factory (Lima) built these machines. Re: Decoder for Athern Posted by DonV on January 10, 2002, 11:46am atheran dash 9 coupler Posted by Paul Boucher on January 09, 2002, 02:12pm See the System-One website. You can get to it via the link from Tony's suppliers list. Look for decoder type DH157A. This is a I have a dash 9 that takes a KD -5 in the rear box at the correct pcb replacement decoder that fits well but does require work to height. I've tried a long coupler in the front box w/o success (To isolate the motor and replace lamps. clear the plow). The height comes out about 1/64th too low. DonV Any suggestions on getting the coupler height right? Re: atheran dash 9 coupler Rock Junction?? Posted by Bob Johnson on April 09, 2003, 03:52pm Posted by Chuck Horvath on January 09, 2002, 10:13pm I am not sure if you are using the Athearn coupler cover on the Hey, does anyone know what happened to Rock Junction Con- box. If so replace it with the skinny side of a Kdee draft box, cut trols?? it to fit down inside the box on the frame so that it is right on top Thir web page is gone and the 800 number doesn't work either, of the coupler shank. This is what I did on mine and the heights Thanks,Chuck come out perfect. Good luck. [email protected] Decoder Selection allegheny 2-6-6-6 Posted by HOS on January 09, 2002, 10:49am Posted by steam loco man on January 09, 2002, 10:06pm Can anyone recommend the best decoder choices for the following How many cars can the Allegheny pull up a 1% grade Thanks HO locos? My goals are as follows: Ease of Installation(doing it myself) Re: allegheny 2-6-6-6 Low Cost Posted by Terry on January 09, 2002, 11:31pm Minimize operating noise (buzzing) I just pulled 38 50' loaded hoppers with metal wheels up a 1.5% I also want to try sound in at least one deisel and one steam loco, curved grade on my railroad. She seemed to walk right up the but still need to meet the above criteria.

66 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Here are Locos DCC manufacturer's financial position. Frankly, its liable pure and Bachman 2-8-0 simple and has no place here. Hey, Tony, bar these folks from this Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 site if you can. They have nothing but poison to spread. By the way, LL P2K 0-8-0 Railwiz, please let us know who your rumor mongering dealer is. Atlas RS-1 Re: Irresponsible Posts Atlas GP-7 Posted by JOHN on January 03, 2002, 05:09pm LL P2K GP-7 LL P2K FA1/FB1 I AGREE 100%, THIS KIND OF MEAN UNCALLED FOR Stewart F7A/B STATEMENT IS VERY VISCOUS. ANY QUALITY I am using a Digitrax Big boy system. DEALER WOULD NEVER MAKE THIS TYPE OF STATE- MENT. LETS HOPE THIS KIND OF THING SOON ENDS, Re: Decoder Selection BECAUSE WE ALL COULD END UP BEING THE NEXT Posted by John O on January 15, 2002, 10:38pm TARGET --- JOHN Hi HOS, Re: Irresponsible Posts If your Athearn 2-8-2 is the Mikado, I'm using a Digitrax Posted by willy on January 14, 2002, 06:00am DH121 with the plug (I think that makes it a "P"). It was dead simple to install, disconnect old light board and plug in decoder. to steve z u accuse me of being a bigot steve, my dictionary For the P2K's, I'm using the NCE 104 decoders that I bought defines it as "intolerant"let me say my piece & let others decide. I from Tony with no problem (I'll leave the NCE discussion thread have been using D.C.C for 2&half years,i use D/coders from D/ alone). They're also PNP, although you need to switch light trax,lenz T.C.S & N.C.E.I have either blown(sometimes my bulbs to 14V units (no soldering required). fault) or had decoders fail from all 4 makers.The first 3 makers Hope this helps, I'm also running Digitrax which handles all have responded to faxes,e/mails,& replaced or repaired(either no makes of decoders that I've used with no issue. charge or small charge but thats o.k.i dont expect them to correct my mistakes for free),I cant even get a reply to numerous e/mails Re: Decoder Selection &faxes sent to N.C.E.I if that makes me a bigot in your eyes Posted by cjlm on January 21, 2002, 12:55pm steve then we must have different dictionaries.I am just a simple I installed a Soundtraxx DSD150 in my 2-8-2. Some work consumer who expects a little after-sales service on anything i installing the speaker in the tender but everyting else plugged buy, be it a motor car or a $30 decoder right in. Not sure how easy an install you want. Re: Re: Irresponsible Posts Sound makes all the difference. Posted by Bob Miller on January 14, 2002, 09:19am Running with a Lenz DCC system so track voltage was okay. Chris Actually, you probably would get a better response using the telephone, which is still the better way to communicate with Re: Decoder Selection someone when you need to talk to just that person, Jim Scorse, Posted by Tim on January 22, 2002, 02:01am instead of sending an email to a computer somewhere that may HOS, or may not get read. Happens all the time, but I have NEVER I have installed NCE decoders in the following: P2K GP-7 = had a problem getting a response from NCE. P2K-SR, Stewart F A/B = DA-SR, Atlas GP-7 = D14-SR(plug Bob Miller in) or DA-SR (my preferance). I Believe that these decoders will Re: Re: Re: Irresponsible Posts work for the following: PsK 0-8-0 = KRS-SR, Atlas RS-1 = Posted by Paul on January 15, 2002, 05:36pm DA-SR, Bachman 2-8-0 = D14SRP. All of these decoders are NOT sound equipped, but are the new generation of "silent Bob, with all due respects to you and Willy who seem to be at running" decoders. odds with each other, some companys are very carring about Good luck, their customers and some are not. My suggestion is to buy Tim products from a company you feel comfortable with and let it go at that. Paul NCE Radios ship 1/4 Re: Re: Re: Irresponsible Posts Posted by willy on January 28, 2002, 05:27am Posted by Mike on January 03, 2002, 06:08pm hi bob, yes i appreciate your sugestion re phone call, but i live in According to Chris at NCE volume shipping of radio units is to australia and because of time difference i find more convenient to start Friday the 4th fax or e/mail, cheaper also. Irresponsible Posts Lionel wanted 50's&60's Posted by Steve Z. on January 03, 2002, 11:29am Posted by EToth on December 27, 2001, 11:38pm The recent posts by 'Willy', a known anti NCE bigot from his recent I am looking for any Lionel made up to the early to mid 60's. posts to this bulletin board, and 'Railwiz' are completely irrespon- e-mail [email protected] sible considering neither is in a position to know squat about ANY

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 67 coreless motors?? expect tony at TTX to say something very soon since he has got one to Posted by Tim on December 27, 2001, 06:00pm play with. Does anyone know what a "coreless" motor is and what style The boards and parts are basically all in. Cab radio production is decoder (NCE "SR" series,ect...)will work with them? just Thanks getting started with some base stations already built. Very limited Re: coreless motors?? distribution by Christmas with bigger shipment to follow as Posted by Ed McCamey on December 28, 2001, 11:37am stated above. Tim, The "coreless" motors are built with the armature being all Snipped because could not post on TTX board account of large wire without any metal mass and therefor no magnetism "hold". size Sometimes called "micro motors". Mostly Faulbuer brand. Use a Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? Lenz LE 080, LE 077, or the TCS T1, or a ZIMO MX51. Needs Posted by Ken on December 20, 2001, 07:30am a "silent drive" or very high frequency drive. Thanks, Mike. Re: Re: coreless motors?? Re: NCE Wireless??????? Posted by Tim on December 31, 2001, 11:17pm Posted by Stan on December 22, 2001, 12:42pm Thanks Ed. Sounds like the NCE "SR" line will work. Ken, try not to feel too bad about not getting any answer to your Tim emails, it seems to be standard procedure, me too! For the most part I like my Powerhouse, but responding to questions does not DC input NCE powerhouse pro seem to be something NCE wants to do. I did cancel the radio Posted by Rod on December 23, 2001, 01:17am conversion I had on order for this reason. Stan Has anybody had personal experiense with connecting DC20v into Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? NCE POWERHOUSE Pro. The manual has a lot to say about what Posted by willy on December 28, 2001, 10:20pm not to do with AC voltage, particularly overvoltage saying this will hi stan, iagree with you re N.C.E. response to e/mail problems fry the unit. &???,i have been trying for months to get a response to decoder They say you can use 18-28v DC, but not a word and no markings problems (faxes + e/mails) seems they are just not interested. about DC polarity! I assume that the system is diode protected and they make a point of advertising how good their stuff is but no damage will result if the connection is made in reverse. backing it up with a bit of after sales service is too much Anybody got any solid experience? trouble.perhaps the stories about them on the way out of Re: DC input NCE powerhouse pro business are true. they wont be missed. Posted by Dale Gloer on December 23, 2001, 09:09pm Re: NCE Wireless??????? Rod, since the input may be either AC or DC you cannot hook Posted by joe binish on December 29, 2001, 07:41am up the DC backwards! Just connect and enjoy as long as the Gee, every time I have called on the telephone, I have been voltage is within published specifications. helped immediatly, usually by Jim himself. Give them a call! Dale. Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? NCE Wireless??????? Posted by Bob Miller on December 29, 2001, 11:38pm Yes, they would be missed because there are a lot of us who use Posted by Ken on December 19, 2001, 07:26am NCE and are very satisfied. I have not had a problem getting Does anyone have any idea as to the ststus of NCE wireless? I have answers from NCE, but there is a good nce group on yahoo who had a system on order for 18 months. Repeated emails to NCE for can answer about any tech question. some kind of encouragement have gone unanswered, and they have not updated their web site since 9/5/01. Help!! Re: Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? Posted by RAILWIZ on December 31, 2001, 07:26pm Re: NCE Wireless??????? I think you got your companies mixed up Willie. It is Wangrow Posted by Mike on December 19, 2001, 11:44pm and Lenz that in financial trouble. NCE and Digitrax are both snipped post from NCE-SYS1 yahoo group: doing very well. I went home to Rochester for Thanksgiving and From: Mark Gurries stopped by NCE to get a cab upgraded in November. They were Date: Fri Dec 14, 2001 5:22 pm filling orders like crazy when I was there. My dealer (name Subject: Radio Update withheld because this is TTX website) tells me that Lenz stuff is Just talked to Jim at NCE. ALWAYS backordered and Wangrow hasn't shipped anything in The first quantity shipments of the radio should be out before the two years. end of the year. Sample of the first radios are out in some peoples Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? hands. I Posted by Lenz Support on January 03, 2002, 07:37am > It is xxxxx and Lenz that are

68 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 > in financial trouble. My Speaker Terminals >dealer tells me that Lenz stuff Posted by Art on December 03, 2001, 10:51am >is ALWAYS backordered RAILWIZ Need help in connecting a Soundtraxx DSX to a speaker. How can I Let me assure you that we are not in any finical trouble. We have determine the positive terminal on the speaker if it is not marked. I just finished our most successful year to date and have shipped am using the 1.1" round speaker from Tony's. more than 1 million decoders since we began production. In Re: Speaker Terminals 2001 we opened a new factory and added staff in both Germany Posted by ed B on December 03, 2001, 12:19pm and the US in order to keep up with demand. Here goes. I have no idea why your dealer is having problems getting I think that if you use a DC battery and touch the speaker equipment. We maintain a very large inventory in the US and terminals the speaker cone should move out away from the coil; normally ship to dealers within 2-5 days of receipt of order. I if it doesn't the terminals are reversed. The speaker + is the same would like to thank Tony for providing us the opportunity to as the batery +. respond to this rather strange message. Debbie Ames Re: Re: Speaker Terminals Director of North American Sales Posted by Art on December 04, 2001, 11:53am Lenz GmbH Ed, Thanks again' Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE Wireless??????? Art Posted by JOHN on January 03, 2002, 09:17am RAILWIZ, YOUR DEALER SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY ONE two booster HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING PRODUCTS FROM LENZ. I AM A DEALER THAT SELLS ONLY DCC PROD- Posted by ed B on November 30, 2001, 12:12pm UCTS AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH this should be no different then HO steamer with pickup on one THE LENZ LINE. ALL MANUFACTURERS AT TIMES side from the engine and the other side from the tender. The RUN SHORT OF PRODUCTS. MAYBE YOUR DEALER crossing from one power station to the next should be invisible to ONLY WANTS TO ORDER ONE ITEM AT A TIME AND the decoder. There is a situation where using two or more power WANTS IT THE NEXT DAY. TELL YOUR DEALER TO stations (boosters) have to be "phased". How this is done is booster TRY STOCKING PRODUCTS FOR A CHANGE AND dependant and the DCC system manual should tell you this. A good THEN THEY WILL HAVE STOCK ON HAND WHEN discussion is given at the Tried & True Trains (Deb Ames)web SHORTAGES OCCUR. AS THIS IS TONYS SITE, I WILL page. The rail gaps should (must)be across from each other. NOT MENTION MY NAME AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER Common rail is not recommended for multi boosters due to one THIS KIND OF GOSSIP IS VERY UNFAIR. HOW WOULD booster shutdown effecting the other booster. Also your power buss YOU LIKE THIS SAID ABOUT YOU, THINK ABOUT for each booster (you do have them) should not be connected to IT!!!! ------JOHN each other. Each booster should only power the rail between the rail gaps. Ed B. hours Re: two booster Posted by larry on December 08, 2001, 06:21am Posted by Art on December 01, 2001, 08:50am you should post your hours of operation to your web site Ed, Thanks, I think you've given me the answer. It appeared that it Re: hours worked okay at one time but I probably got out of phase as I Posted by graeme on December 12, 2001, 12:47am expanded the DCC to other sections of the layout. hi larry, what on earth are you talking about? or did i miss Thanks again. something? graeme. Art Re: Re: hours P.S. Do you have the web site address for Tried and True ? Posted by Ed McCamey on December 12, 2001, 01:47pm Re: Re: two booster I'm certain Larry ment the message to Tony. He want's to know Posted by Ed B on December 03, 2001, 12:17pm when TTX is open for calls. I believe its www.tttrains.com Larry - Tony doesn't always read this message center - he Glad i could help provides it to us for sharing! Give Tony a direct e-mail - or jsut call in the middle of the day. Well Done! Posted by C. Thompson on November 26, 2001, 12:32pm Your ad in Model Railroader with the miniatures of Old Glory is the smartest and most patriotic idea I have seen in a long time. Now my

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 69 "G" scale village can join the rest of the USA in supporting our war it? Can you have more than one mainline. Can you control turnouts? on terrorism. Am I asking too much?? Please help!! Well done! Re: How hard is it? Posted by Leonard Stern on November 17, 2001, 09:46pm NCE & MRC decoders In answer to 2 of your questions. More than 1 mainline and Posted by Reid Cooper on November 22, 2001, 08:33pm controlling turnouts the answer is "yes". Basically DCC allows Does anyone know how to program the decoders from MRC using you to control the locomotives and trains rather than blocks of NCE Power Pro....I can't get any of the MRC decoders to be track. If you have or know of a RR club in your area check to recognized by the system. see if they are into DCC. Contact them and visit to see DCC in action. Check also the NMRA web site for more info. I am a Re: NCE & MRC decoders Digitrax user since 1998 and very pleased with their system. Posted by Jim on November 24, 2001, 06:45pm Check in at digitrax.com for more info. Hopes this helps you. YOU HAVE TO SET THE NCE SYSTEM TO 28 SPEED STEPS TO RUN A MRC DECODER Re: Re: How hard is it? Posted by Norm. on November 18, 2001, 11:25am Re: Re: NCE & MRC decoders Welcome to the hobby Daniel. DCC may seem intimidating at Posted by Ed on November 24, 2001, 08:38pm first but it is not hard, it's actually easier. I would suggest you Actually - for many MRC decoders, you may need to set the obtain a copy of THE BOOK on DCC. "THE COMPREHEN- command station to 14 speed steps! Early decoders only SIVE GUIDE TO DCC" by Stan Ames, Rutger Friberg & Ed supported 14 steps. Loiseaux. You can find it here on TTX's website. On TTX'S Home Page, click on 'Online Products List' then scroll down to NCE Two Boosters 'Publications', then scroll down to DIGITAL COMMAND Posted by Art on November 21, 2001, 05:09pm CONTROL, there you will find a description of the book's I am in 2 rail O Scale, using an NCE 10 Amp system with two contents. boosters, each booster covering half of the layout. When my All This is Novenber and model railroading month. Check out the Nation diesels cross from one booster section to the other the speed listings in the model RR magazines for any train shows in your is cut in half and the lites dim. These engines do not have 8 wheel area. More and more modular groups are operating with DCC. pickup so they are not crossing bot gaps simultaneously. Two Happy modelling. wheels on the back truck pickup from one rail, and two wheels on Re: How hard is it? the front truck pickup from the other rail. Any suggestions other Posted by Terry on November 26, 2001, 11:31pm than trying to convert to 8 wheel pickup which is not easy ? Daniel-I hope you are still thinking DCC. Our club just switched Re: NCE Two Boosters over to a Digitrax DCC system. Some of our older members Posted by Dale Gloer on November 22, 2001, 07:39am who never ran a train using the old cab control system are now You need to have the two rail gaps between booster sections line operating for the first time. You should see the smiles on their up. Otherwise, what you are seeing is what would be expected. faces-no more electrical blocks to switch on and off-they love Dale it.I'm building a new railroad in my basement using a NCE DCC system.I've been in the hobby for 35 years and have never Re: Re: NCE Two Boosters enjoyed running trains more than I am now. Posted by Art on November 22, 2001, 11:49am I know you'll enjoy the world of DCC-just give it a chance. Dale, Terry Thanks for the quick reply. My gaps are lined up, however, due Re: How hard is it? to the pickup on the All Nation engines, the pickup wheels for Posted by John O on January 15, 2002, 10:49pm each rail on the engine do not cross the gaps at the same time. I have a temporary fix by using only one booster to the whole Dan, layout. DCC is dead simple, two wires running all around underneath It appears that I will have to rig some type of all wheel pickup on the layout with feeders up to the track, and you're done (special the engines unless there is an electronic solution. Is common rail needs for reverse loops). As for control, my son was running a possibility ? Any ideas on how to electrify all wheels when trains at 3 years old, all that's required there is to know how to two on each truck are isolated from the axles ? count to 100 and tell the difference between red and green flashing lights (at least that's with Digitrax). How hard is it? Jump in, the waters' fine. Posted by Daniel on November 17, 2001, 09:05am Re: How hard is it? Posted by Leo on January 17, 2002, 12:46am Okay, yes, I am new to the hobby in a way, and now I see things I have never heard of. What can you do with DCC, and how hard is Daniel, since you're on Tony's web site, why don't you give him a call and ask the questions you have about dcc. There are also

70 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 other places to call for information, just look in Model Rail- you can't generalize when making statements about what you can roader Magazine and make a few calls. Leo or can't do when programming decoders. For example OPS mode programming is not supported by all decoders, the decorder for P2K S1 Digitrax DH121 is one that comes to mind. Dale. Posted by Allen Gaspers on November 15, 2001, 02:17pm What is the recomended decorder for a P2K S1? Thanks Allen. Re: Re: Re: Digitrac opinion Posted by graeme on January 28, 2002, 05:38am Enough DCC For Everyone hi dale sorry if i appeard to be "gneralizing'about ops mode perhaps i should have said"the vast majority" i have several Posted by Tim on November 10, 2001, 08:31am dh121 so i am aware of their limitations .i was just mentioning After reading the recent notes about Digitrax vs NCE etc..... I something to richard which i thought would be helpfull so dont would like to offer up an observation. I think it's awesome that we bite my head of. have a choice. Back in the "good old days" we had block control or no control. Now we have several different manufacturers producing Digitrax Vs NCE compatable (usualy)equipment. I am an NCE user and am happy with it, it's my railroad. Maybe your a Digitrax user and thats Posted by Bill on October 24, 2001, 09:53am alright, it's your railroad. I've been reading the messages about Digitrax & NCE as to which is the best, I saw no mention of Lenz. I want to buy a new dcc Digitrac opinion system this week and don't want to make a mistake, any input would be a big help. Bill Posted by Richard on November 06, 2001, 05:34pm I personally have bought a Digitrac Genesis which is the starter Re: Digitrax Vs NCE setup they offer. What led me to choose it was the lower cost to start Posted by Dale Gloer on October 24, 2001, 10:52am in DCC and the expandable nature of their system. While I have Bill, little desire to know the engineering of a DCC system it did seem if you ask a Digitrax owner, then Digitrax is best; if you ask an important to build in a certain amount of flexiblity for future NCE owner then NCE is best; if you ... development. I currently only have a limited number of freinds to Well, you get the idea. I own Digitrax and use both. Both are operate and this system will do fine untill there is a major change. I excellent systems. They do have different unique features and use two walkaround thottles and can add more without any great you have to decide which is more important to you. Ideally you expense. The programming seemed to be very simple but I must should find an opportunity to use both before deciding. admit that I have not gone into any great depth on that. I operate 9 Whichever you choose, you are not committed to using one single locomotives and have two multiples that I leave together. brand of decoders. While it is necessary to stop operations while I do programming, I I know this is a wishy washy kind of answer but the bottom line don't find this to be a problem on a home layout. It gives my friends really is user preference. time to unwind and get coffee while we decide what to run where!! Both organization have good product support and customer service. Having good dealer support is also an asset. Re: Digitrac opinion Dale Gloer Posted by graeme on November 22, 2001, 03:47am hi richard,sounds like you and you friends enjoy yourselves i Re: Digitrax Vs NCE wish i had someone to play with.I also use D/trax. You Posted by Ed Hurtubis on October 24, 2001, 12:06pm mentioned shutting down to program, I presume you know that I have a Lenz 01 system, and I am very happy with the product everything exept addreses can be changed using ''OPS and support (local hobby shop and Lenz). I agree that whatever mode''without having to shut down ,i/e lights,acc. dec.consist system you use you will be pleased. Tony (and staff) have been addreses etc cheers from Australia. a great help too! Tony offers a very complete DCC comparison chart explaining the features of the systems. There is an article Re: Re: Digitrac opinion (DCC buyer's guide 2001)in the November 2001 Model Posted by John O on January 15, 2002, 10:46pm Railroader magazine that gives a brief description on the DCC More kudos for Digitrax, good to hear. I started with a BigBoy products currently available. I fully support the notion to try in 1993 and upgraded to a Chief 2 years ago. While I'll never before you buy. Good luck! need to have 22 throttles (or whatever the max is) or 100 engines running simultaneously, I just like to know that I could if I Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE wanted to. As for the programming comment, I don't think the Posted by Norm on October 24, 2001, 01:21pm Genesis system could do that, I'm sure Loy's Toys site would I agree 100% with Dale. If possible, attend local train shows. help answer that one. Find clubs and/or local model railroaders using different DCC systems on their layouts. Arrange visits and ask questions and, if Re: Re: Digitrac opinion permitted, get a hands on feeling for each system. Of course, be Posted by Dale Gloer on January 16, 2002, 10:08am Graeme,

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 71 a polite and courteous guest. Each host beleives they have the NCE products best system. You may be invited back or to join a group. Posted by Bob Miller on October 21, 2001, 06:48pm If your a 'Lone Wolf',usually this can be arranged through your local friendly hobby shop as well. Have been using NCE control system for about 3 years, have not Whatever DCC system you choose, any DCC equipped had problems with it, and had no problem with service. I too, am locomotive will operate on it. waiting for the NCE wireless, but recently ran on a friend's layout Au Revoir, from the Great White North. with Digitrax and I wouldn't touch that system with a 10 foot pole. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Re: Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE Bob Miller Posted by ED B on October 25, 2001, 12:08pm Re: NCE products I also agree with before buying testing. I have CPV's EasyDCC. Posted by Stan on October 22, 2001, 09:57am I like the system. When you review the operation of the systems there will be pros & cons; some of them no obvious. Such as, Bob, I have NCE on my layout and my club uses a Digitrax with CPV I can use the program track & still operate trains. This Chief. Your 10 foot pole statement about Digitrax tells me you could not be done with some of the other systems at the time i know very little about the Digitrax system. Maybe you should bought my system. Basically what you buy is what has the most have used your friends system a little more before making such a you like & afford. Note that none of the discussion has said the statement. They're both very good DCC systems. Stan XXX system does not work because of flaws, vendor support, Re: Re: NCE products etc. ed Posted by Bob Miller on October 22, 2001, 02:50pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE I stand by my statement. I have operated on the Digitrax several Posted by graeme on October 26, 2001, 03:23am times, another uses RailCommand, yet another the Easy DCC. to ed.b not sure what you u ment in the last part of you statement Actually, the RailCommand is the best, but not DCC, but basic about 'good' back up support from the companies mentioned. Ed command control. i tried to make the point that i have sent N.C.E. faxes & approx 5 However, I also remember how much trouble my friend had E/mails regarding 3 decoders that have either blown or functions getting the Digitrax to operate correctly, and my NCE was quit(dont suggest i phone because of time difference here in literally plug and play on a railroad that had been operated with Australia) not always convenient after all how long can it take to Dynatrol prior. type a few e/mail lines. N.C.E.back-up service doesnt exist as far Re: Re: Re: NCE products as i can tell.other D.C.C. folk have helprd and replaced promptly. Posted by Ken on October 23, 2001, 07:33am e.g. D/trax &T.C.S. cheers from oz. I wish to add the following: I have NCE on my home layout Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE (On3), and we have Easy DCC Wireless on our club HO layout, Posted by Mike on October 26, 2001, 09:28am and Digitrax on our club G layout. NCE wins hands down. I I have a hard time believing that NCE has not replied to your have had the NCE wireless on order since July 2000, and will problem. Jim has always replied to any email I have posted, even continue to wait patiently. on the Yahoo group site. I have had trouble getting through on Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products the company email sites at times, but he does reply to Posted by Stan on October 23, 2001, 10:55am [email protected]. Bob & Ken, This is like Chevys & Fords. We all have opinions Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE and although I have NCE at home, if you ever ran a digitrax with Posted by Bill on October 26, 2001, 11:01am the DT400, I think you're opinions would quickly change as to Mike & others. After watching all the comments this week about which is the best! I'm not changing my system at home, but your Digitrax & NCE, very confusing, I decided to make my own hands down and ten foot pole statements are very inaccurate. If I small email warranty test with both. I wanted to buy a Dcc had to do it all over again, I'd have to give it some serious system this week. This morning I ordered a Digitrax Super thought. Like I said they're both good. Stan Chief Radio system. I think this will work for me. Thanks for all Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products the comments. Bill Posted by Bob on October 23, 2001, 03:08pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax Vs NCE Ken Posted by graeme on November 22, 2001, 04:00am What about NCE makes you feel so strong about it and what hi mike, thanks for your sugestion re N.C.E. & JScorse e/mail about the Digitrax system do you not like. address I tried it over a week ago, still nothing,N.C.E.name is Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products ''mud''at my house.cheers from Oz. Posted by Bob Miller on October 23, 2001, 06:36pm Sorry Stan, but my statements are not inaccurate as you put it, because they are how I feel based on my experience. So again, I stand on my feelings, and that makes them very accurate for me. Bob Miller

72 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products Lenz Decoders Posted by Stan on October 23, 2001, 10:59pm Posted by Allen on October 16, 2001, 10:38pm Bob M. I didn't want to create a controversy as to which is best, I've been using mostly Lenz 077XF and Digitrax DZ121 decoders that can't be resolved if we each like our diferent systems. The in my N locos. Lately a number of the 077 decoders have started to only point I wanted to make is, don't just flat out knock another have the light functions quit working and one decoder just died. The system just because you have something else. I use both and see DZ121 decoders are fine. Lenz replaced them but one new one the benefits of each one, too bad they're not all in one DCC didn't work either, it got replaced too. The warranty was good but I system. don't want to have to keep putting new ones in. Is anyone else Stan having this same problem or is it only me? Allen Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products Posted by Bob Miller on October 23, 2001, 11:29pm Re: Lenz Decoders Posted by Bill Smith on October 24, 2001, 06:45am Stan: plain and simple, as I have said several times, I have I have used many of the Lenz decoders however ensure that you operated with other systems, I have listened to the owners about do not overload the decoder when it comes to the current rating. likes/dislikes and I am firmly convinced in saying that I wouldn't Include what lights you may have as well. I had a similar be interested in another system THAT I HAVE OPERATED incident because the motor was taking nearly up to one amp and WITH. that is too high for this Lenz. The Digitrax will take a higher I am not saying one brand is better than the other. I particularily current. don't like the master cab for NCE as it is clunky as far as I am concerned to use in an op session, which is why I have 14 of the cab04 throttles for op sessions. But I do like the easy and Function only decoders effortless way the system plugged into my existing railroad Posted by GeepM on October 15, 2001, 01:01pm using 4 boosters with separate power districts, and I like the way Hello all, it continues to operate without glitches. I am still converting to DCC, and I relize this topic has already been Nuff Said. Bob Miller asked. I am wanting to know how to set up a decoder for a Cab Car, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products so it will respond (Consist) to the locomotive pulling it. For Posted by graeme on October 24, 2001, 01:52am instance, with the locomotive in reverse the cab car's headlight would come on, or vis-versa with the locomotive in pull mode, the in all the tooing & frowing re digitrax v N.C.E. i hav'nt heard too marker lights would come on. Any help would be appreciated. much about back-up service,which to me is worth 80% of the Thanks, deal.i live in Australia & depend on reliable help from the U.S. GeepM. producers. In the past I have had to contact both companies re (Digitrax, Soundtraxx user) advice,problems& malfuntioning items N.C.E. have not responded to faxes & numerous e/mails over several months D/ Re: Function only decoders trax on the other hand have exelled in after sales service, even Posted by willy on October 15, 2001, 11:02pm even replacing my "Empire Builder" which I was having a small not sure what you mean by a 'cab car.,but i have several sound problem with, with a "Chief"at no extra charge (worth over $100 units in box cars & dummy B units & i generally just give them extra,so I know where my loyalty lies .Cheers from down under. the same address as the loco, i also use D/trax(chief)& have a Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE products short section on my mainline wired for programing(2/way Posted by Glenn on October 24, 2001, 10:20pm switch)you may have to re-map some of the functions so one button only operates the desired output but i have found using I must add my own kudos to Digitrax. Bought my Empire the same address often more convenient sometimes than Builder a couple of years back from Tony, and there was a small 'consisting'cheers from Australia problem with the DT-100 throttle. Digitrax, without waiting to receive the problem throttle, sent me a brand new DT-100IR and Re: Function only decoders politely requested I send back the defect throttle at my conve- Posted by Mark E. on October 16, 2001, 02:47pm nience. Super guys there. No problems since, and now that I'm Sounds like you are implementing push-pull commuter service about ready to begin my new layout I'm looking forward to on your layout. There are some companies, like Richmond getting a DT-400 radio throttle. Color me happy with Digitrax! Controls, that produce DCC light boards, but it may take some doing to figure out how to turn you cab light on and you Dcc novice mistake forward loco light off just by pressing the direction button on Posted by Bill on October 19, 2001, 11:53am your throttle. I would seriously think about getting as cheap decoder (a Lenz LX103 or a Digitrax DH-121, for example) for I bought the Atlas Commander from Train W. It didn't work, no tech your cab car and hooking the reverse light lead to you cab support from Train W. and atlas must not return calls. I should have headlights and leaving the motor leads unconnected. If you paid a couple of dollars more and bought from Tony's or Eberle's, program this decoder to respond to the same address as the they both tried to help me. Bill decoder in your loco, then when you reverse direction, you loco

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 73 headlight would go off and your cab headlight would come on. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE radio conversion Good luck Posted by willy on October 18, 2001, 07:45am More: Function only decoders Hi Ziggie,Amen to all you say,I am still waiting for a response Posted by Mark E. on October 16, 2001, 03:27pm from N.C.E. re decoder problems,it's gotten to where I don't care if they replace them or not there are lots of other good brands out More ideas: You could use the additional leads to put lighting in there' so stuff em. all the best from down under. your cab car, as long as you stay below the current limitation. You could also program your loco taillight not to come on, or you could use the tailight function lead to power red end-of-train Stweart VO1000 decoder marker lights on the front of the loco. These would switch on Posted by Dave Husman on September 14, 2001, 05:50pm automatically when the train is reversed (MBTA commuter trains The recommended decoder for the VO1000 is a KRS or something do this). If you spend a little more on the decoder for the cab, close to that. I don't see it in the TTX product listing for TTX pr you can hook up flashing ditch lights that onl come on when the NCE products. direction is reversed (the front ditch lights only come when Is it available? My third trick switch engine is sittin on spot. moving forward). Lots of things that you can do! Key is - both Dave H. decoders on the same address. Re: Function only decoders non sound decoder for ho bachmann shay Posted by Paul on October 16, 2001, 08:50pm Posted by David Blackburn on August 30, 2001, 11:39am GeepM, The easiest way is to use a three function decoder and I am looking for an affordable (25 dollar range) decoder for the ho use the third function to turn on the light using the blue common bachmann shay. Any suggestions would be appreciated and third function leed to operate the light independantly. Trying do do it any other way will drive you nuts. Re: non sound decoder for ho bachmann shay Posted by willy on September 02, 2001, 07:12pm NCE radio conversion the "Train control Systems"TCS-7 or its replacement TH120DP is what i have in all my Bachman stem locos including my Shay. Posted by stan on October 06, 2001, 12:25pm It fits several other locos as well,including newer Kato & some Does anyone know if the nce radio conversion is a figment of my Stewart & Proto 2000.It sells for around $25,is compact& even imagination or is it going to be available in this century???? has special lighting effects.I think they also have a newer one , Re: NCE radio conversion with an extra function or two,they also give good after sales Posted by Norm. on October 06, 2001, 10:37pm service,not always the case with some other companies. cheers from Australia Stan, in the Nov.2001 Model Railroader magazine, check out the 'DCC buyer's guide' article beginning on page 96. The printed word says it's coming "shortly". NCE's web site has not updated Spectrum Passenger cars since sept.5th. I am also eagerly awaiting the release and I don't Posted by Phil Adams on August 30, 2001, 09:14am have a century left ahead of me. Norm. Has anyone any experience with the Kadee 454 adapter and number Re: Re: NCE radio conversion 36 couplers. According the the Kadee website, www.kadee.com, Posted by stan on October 08, 2001, 01:16pm these are the recommended items to replace the standard couplers on the Spectrum Passengers cars on tight radius curves. I'm looking for Norm, thanks for the reply. I decided to put the radio conversion info on issues installing the adapters and couplers and any other on order with the two places I thought had the best chance of experience on making these cars work better. I'm not particularly getting it for me and said to call when they had them. I will see pleased with this purchase. any suggestions? what happens. Re: Re: Re: NCE radio conversion Speaker Polarity Posted by willy on October 15, 2001, 11:24pm Posted by Jim H. on August 30, 2001, 08:35am do yourselvs a favor & change over to Digitrax, you could have I haven't been able to determine the + and - terminals on the TTX had radio years ago plus a company that stands by their Oval 0.8" x 1.6" speaker for a Sountraxx installation. Does anyone stuff.cheers from down under. know? Or does it not really matter? Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE radio conversion Posted by ZIGGIE on October 16, 2001, 01:12pm Re: Speaker Polarity Posted by DonV on August 30, 2001, 01:12pm Willy, after my unfortunate experience with the NCE silent If you are using only one speaker, the polarity mark doesn't decoders and the poor, or should I say no help from them, I was matter. If you are using two or more speakers, the polarity marks also thinking about the radio system. I think I will take your can help you determing how to wire them so that all speaker advise and look into Digitrax before I spend any more dollars diaphrams move air in the same direction at the same time. and can't even get a return phone call from the company. DonV

74 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 DH-121 light problem Lights Posted by joe binish on August 29, 2001, 09:52am Posted by Steven Low on August 10, 2001, 11:55am Good morning all. I had an interesting one yesterday. A while back I I'm kitbashing Hustle Muscle. (SD45) Have installed a Digitrax hardwired a DH-121 into a Stewert VO-1000, including 16v decoder. This locomotive has dual headlights and taillights that will Miniatronics bulbs. The lights worked fine the first time I used the accomodate the smallest 1.5 volt Miniatronic bulbs. How should I switcher, but not yesterday. Trading decoders, it turns out that the wire them? Should the headlights be in parallel or series and what decoder lighting functions are not working on the decoder. Haven't resistor should I use? Should it be wired in parallel or series? How tried making sure the -121 is still on 128 speed steps, but has about the taillights? Is there a working beacon light available? How anyone else had this happen? should it be wired? Thanks Re: DH-121 light problem Re: Lights Posted by BOB H on August 30, 2001, 10:02am Posted by Dale Gloer on August 13, 2001, 07:37am Sounds like the functions burned out from the cold bulb inrush You have choices. current. You will need to install a 10 to 100 ohm resistor in You could wire the 2 lights (head or tail) in parallel. If you do series with the bulbs. The cold bulb current is much greater than then use a separate resistor for each bulb. If you don't use a the the hot bulb resistance. separate resistor, then when one bulb fails the voltage for the other will be too high and the other bulb will fail immediately. DS54 & CD unit You could wire the bulbs in series but the problem with this is that if one bulb fails you have no light wherease in parallel, if Posted by Malcolm Foster on August 17, 2001, 10:14am one fails the other continues to work. G-Day All Don't have an answer for your beacon question. Just installed my first DS54, but it doesn't seem to have enough zap Dale to move my Peco switch machines. I have a Capacitor Discharge unit I used before installing the DS54's, how do I wire this up to be Re: Re: Lights used by the DS54? The DS54 is set up as per factory default. Posted by Steven Low on August 18, 2001, 08:31am Thanks Thank you so much. Do you have any suggestions regarding the Mal Foster rating of the resistors? Thanks Re: DS54 & CD unit Re: Re: Re: Lights Posted by Dale Gloer on August 18, 2001, 08:46pm Posted by Dale Gloer on August 18, 2001, 08:44pm The first thing is - Did you provide an external power supply for Here is a link to a page that explains what you need. the DS54? It is required for solenoid switch machines like the http://home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/ Peco. The DS54 has built in CD supply but it needs the external Good luck. Dale. power. Dale. N.C.E. Service???? Re: DS54 & CD unit Posted by Willy on August 06, 2001, 10:38pm Posted by Dale Gloer on August 18, 2001, 09:00pm I have had trouble with 3 nce decoders in the past 12 months. I have Because of the way the circuit of the DS54 is designed it is faxed & e-mailed them but am unable to get any reply,do they have almost certain that whatever CD unit you have is incompatible any such thing as after sales service, has anyone else had similar with the DS54. lack of interest?I will stick with Digitrax from now on. However, I just discovered this link that has a ciuit design that is Re: N.C.E. Service???? for a DS54 specific CD unit. Posted by Bob Miller on August 08, 2001, 07:22pm If you really need an external CD, then this is the way to go. Here's the link: Don't know what to tell you. I am an NCE user and have had no http://perso.club-internet.fr/simonet/Home_us.htm problem contacting them when needed. They are a little slow Dale. answering E mail depending on time of year. I have always had good luck with telephone. Re: DS54 & CD unit Posted by Malcolm Foster on August 19, 2001, 07:52am Re: Re: N.C.E. Service???? Posted by Willy on August 08, 2001, 11:24pm Thanks Dale, checked out the site you suggested, looks promising. Thanks 4 your reply bob. telephone is not always convenient Thanks once again from here (australia)time difference etc. Regards Re: N.C.E. Service???? Mal Posted by Mike on August 09, 2001, 08:22am Try joining this list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC ,Jim Scorse(owner of NCE) sometimes monitors this list) plus

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 75 there are many others who may be able to help. Leave a detailed hoping that I could just use the eight pin plug on the Kato circuit message, someone else may have already experienced the same board. problem and you may find your answer already posted. Very Thanks again. helpful & knowledgible group Re: Re: Re: Anyone here? Hello? Re: N.C.E. Service???? Posted by ncng on July 28, 2001, 10:42am Posted by John Wolfskill on September 01, 2001, 08:19pm I went back to the Soundtraxx website and selected the DSD- Just my two cents worth on this topic, for what it's worth. I KT100LC at http://www.soundtraxx.com/docs/Katodsht.pdf. recently had a pair of NCE decoders fry a few hours after The PDF file (Adobe Acrobat) says that the speaker is separate installing them. Tony (here at ttx) was very helpful in resolving and that it can be placed in the cab or under the fans. There is the matter. I mailed the decoders to NCE along with Tony's even a picture of the decoder. You will find that most of the response to my email. The company replaced the decoders gratis "Plug-n-Play" decoders don't really plug and play. The decoders within 6 days. The new ones work fine, and I am a happy that replace an existing light board such as this decoder, require camper. I guess you can't really ask for a much better response you to remove the existing board, solder leads from the trucks to than that. the board, solder leads to the motor, and solder leads to the lights. What makes them plug and play in this case is you don't Re: Re: N.C.E. Service???? have to figure out where the decoder will go, it goes where the Posted by willy on September 02, 2001, 06:53pm light board used to be. Another thing, you will also need to thanks to those who have replied. however i still can.t get any install resistors between the board lights even if you don't response from N.C.E. i have had excellant service from Digitrax change the bulbs. This will prevent you from blowing the &T.C.S.re. failed parts,but lack of interest from N.C.E. needless function output. to say i don't buy N.C.E. stuff any more, & couldn,trecomend them... cheers from Australia. Re: Re: Re: Anyone here? Hello? Posted by ncng on July 28, 2001, 10:42am Re: N.C.E. Service???? I went back to the Soundtraxx website and selected the DSD- Posted by john on September 26, 2001, 12:43am KT100LC at http://www.soundtraxx.com/docs/Katodsht.pdf. have used nce from time of decoder kits. never a problem with The PDF file (Adobe Acrobat) says that the speaker is separate either decoders or service. probles were immediatly looked after and that it can be placed in the cab or under the fans. There is Re: Re: N.C.E. Service???? even a picture of the decoder. You will find that most of the Posted by tim on September 26, 2001, 09:37pm "Plug-n-Play" decoders don't really plug and play. The decoders Just posted a ??? to nce yesterday via e-mail. Received a that replace an existing light board such as this decoder, require response today. I have had problems in past with decoders with you to remove the existing board, solder leads from the trucks to timely and satisfactory resolutions. Nce is in the middle of the board, solder leads to the motor, and solder leads to the moving (new building). Willy, maybe you just slipped through lights. What makes them plug and play in this case is you don't the cracks in the chaos of moving. have to figure out where the decoder will go, it goes where the Tim light board used to be. Another thing, you will also need to install resistors between the board lights even if you don't Anyone here? Hello? change the bulbs. This will prevent you from blowing the function output. Posted by Ski on July 27, 2001, 01:53pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone here? Hello? See my question below Posted by Ski on July 28, 2001, 01:27pm Re: Anyone here? Hello? Thanks again! Posted by ncng on July 27, 2001, 03:33pm Is there a good reference for us DCC dummies? You are Yes, but I already gave you an answer on Train Board. Have frightening me with this "resistor" talk! Does the DCC signal you checked out Soundtraxx's website yet? If you look at it you cause some sort of problem with the Kato lights? I might just will see that a speaker is on the board. To answer the rest of your forgo the Soundtraxx and go with the true plug and play decoder question either call/email Tony or call/email Soundtraxx. That is I found here on the TTX website, the RS-2 I believe. the best I can do. I truly appreciate your assistance! Ski Re: Re: Anyone here? Hello? Posted by Ski on July 27, 2001, 07:24pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone here? Hello? Thanks for replying both places! Posted by ncng on July 29, 2001, 11:07am Soundtraxx website says it includes a speaker...it does not say if Check out www.wiringfordcc.com. You also might want to join it is onboard or needs to be installed off board. I did see that it is one of the DCC forums on groups.yahoo.com. I use Digitrax NOT really "plug and play" but snip wires, remove the old and that egroup has about 2,000 members. There is a lot of board, rewire the new one. As an electronics dullard, I was really experience there and just about everyone is more than willing to help new people.

76 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 The problem with lights is that light bulbs, does not apply to Loconet so you get no feedback (Assuming you have Digitrax). LEDs, take a great in rush of power when you first turn them The unit is powered directly from track power. You can only on. As they get hotter they don't draw as much power. The activate a turnout through a hand controller or a computer output of the functions on decoders is limited to less than 100 running DCC software such as Railroad & Co or Winlock. milliohms in most cases. When you first turn a light bulb on it There are no provisions for panel control (i.e. toggle switch/ can briefly exceed the limit of decoder. If you are using 12-14v pushbutton). bulbs a very small resistor 22-30 ohms will protect the decoder. Re: DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder If you are using 5v, 3v, or 1.5v bulbs or LEDs you will need to Posted by Mark E. on July 27, 2001, 03:37pm put in a higher ohm resister in series to drop the amount of power going to the bulb/LED. The only place that I have even found the DS-44 mentioned is If you have any questions you can e-mail me directly at on this website. Like you, I am eagerly awaiting informtion. I [email protected]. emailed TTX, but their response was that all that they have has been posted. I guess that we have to wait. Kato Dash 9/Soundtraxx Re: Re: DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder Posted by Stan George on July 27, 2001, 03:45pm Posted by Ski on July 24, 2001, 01:00pm Thanks for the response. The info you provided was exactly Hello! what I was looking for. It sounds like the EasyDCC AS4 I am interested in acquiring the Soundtraxx GE sound decoder for decoders are a better choice. my 2 HO Kato Dash 9s, but have a few questions. Thanks again. 1. Does the Soundtraxx decoder just plug into the eight pin socket Stan on the Kato circuit board or do you have to snip wires and replace the original board. Re: DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder 2. Does a speaker come with the decoder? Is it installed on the Posted by Mark E. on July 27, 2001, 03:52pm decoder, or do I have to mount it myself somewhere in the loco. I agree. I just ordered an AD4hk from CVP yesterday 3. I have an Atlasmaster DCC system. Can I even use the soundtraxx decoder with it. re:dcc of athearn sd70 Thanks Ski Posted by richard on July 13, 2001, 02:07pm Suggest you look at the loy's toys site at www.loystoys.com At the Re: Kato Dash 9/Soundtraxx bottom of the home page it has a link to decoder installation. This is Posted by Michael on August 06, 2001, 12:37pm a wealth of info that should help with the first time install. I don't 1 The KT100LC is a replace the factory PCB type decoder, so remember any specific info on ditch lights but it should help to clear requires you to remove the wires from the factory board, remove up a lot of the other basic stuff like isolating the motor, etc. the board, replace with decoder and reattched wires to decoder. 2 No, the speaker does not come with it (some LC's do have a DCC wiring of Athearn SD70I? speaker but no the KT) and you have find a place to mount the speaker and a speaker box (to get the best sound). Posted by Greg Gee on July 12, 2001, 09:02pm 3 Yes the Atlas system will work with a Soundtraxx decoder but I was wondering if someone could provide a good wiring diagram it only has F0 and F1 function controls, the Soundtraxx decoder or descriptive message that shows how to wire an Athearn SD70I can use many funcions. You would have choose which two you for DCC. I have either a Digitrax DH142 or NCE D15SR. I think want, ie headlight and horn and remap them to F0 and F1. The either would work. new Atlas HandCommand throttle will allow you to use 5 This is my first loco that I will be putting DCC into and want a functions (F0-F4) so you could use more features of the sound good reference point when I do the rest. I thought this would be a decoder. good loco to try since it would need ditch lights to work as well. Thanks, DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder Greg Posted by Stan George on July 24, 2001, 11:34am sound4 Stewart VO1000&Atlas U25B Does anyone have any info on the DS44? I emailed Digitrax and thay said "Information will be forthcoming in about a week." That Posted by Graeme Rundle. on July 12, 2001, 06:31am was three weeks ago and still nothing on their site. How does it Ihave just ordered these 2 locos hav'nt seen inside them.Firstly compair to the EasyDCC AS4? which decoders will they take,I use either D/trax.T.C.S.or Lenz.(not N.C.E.)I may fit sound if it is not too much trouble ,any advice Re: DS44 Quad Stationary Decoder please? Posted by ncng on July 27, 2001, 03:36pm You might want to post this to the Digitrax users group at groups.yahoo.com. From what I can gather from that site, this is a very simplified decoder. It doesn't have any connection to

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 77 Atlas motors question is: It sounds like I should just pull out the old board and replace it. YES? Any suggestions on which NCE decoder would Posted by Disp 33 on July 11, 2001, 12:40pm work the best. I already have a D13SR I was thinking of using. Hello, I just stumbled across this BB and thought I'd ask if anyone Thanks, John is having problems with Atlas motors. I just purchased two HO Atlas Classic RS 1 locos and installed decoders in each. The motors Re: Proto 1000 / DCC becom very hot and thence the decoders shut down. I pulled the Posted by joe binish on July 05, 2001, 03:33pm motors and ran them on the bench without flywheels on DC (11.5 As I have ranted in the past, decoders should be hardwired in! volts) and both motors became too hot to touch. The bearings are At least if you can wire a layout for DCC, you can hardwire the fine and the shafts turn freely. I noticed that the Atlas parts catalog decoders. The D13SR will work great in the P1K drive. Don't does not list replacement motors for these units. burn your fingers on the iron!! Re: Proto 1000 / DCC powered frogs Posted by DonV on July 05, 2001, 05:29pm Posted by pico on July 10, 2001, 10:38pm A D13SR will work great! I'm in the process of building a layout that will eventually be DCC. I cut the PCB traces (3) places where indicated, changed the Must I power the frogs to have reliable service? I'm using Atlas headlamp to a direct wired 14V, 30 ma, and soldered decoder super switches. If I must does anyone have a good way of soldering wires to the DCC 'plug' holes. to the frogs and what gauge wire should I use? Thanks The decoder fits nicely in the weight cavity over the rear truck gears. Re: powered frogs While you have it apart, check the worm gears for end play. Add Posted by Bill Gaver on July 12, 2001, 07:25am shim washers to take up excessive movement space. This See www.wiringfordcc.com for an reduces gear buzzing when stopping or going down hill. indepth response and info re: your DonV question. Re: Re: Proto 1000 / DCC Re: powered frogs Posted by John on July 06, 2001, 10:04am Posted by DonV on July 14, 2001, 08:38am Don and Joe, No, you don't have to power the frogs just because you are/will Thanks for your help. I'll have to check out the worm gears now be using DCC. You power the frogs so that locos with wheel that I have some grades on the layout! pick-up problems can get through the switch at low speeds John without stalling. But do read Wiring-4-DCC tips. I've added bonding wires from Soundtraxx DSD-100LC Hummmmmm stock to wing & closing rails on all my Atlas switches to remedy poor electrical contacts buried in the plastic. This particularly Posted by BSME on June 16, 2001, 11:24pm required if you use insulated rail joiners so that there is no We have installed a DSD-100LC in an IHC Mountain. We are electrical fed from the frog end of the switch. getting sound but it is accompanied by a HUM and the chuff DonV sounds scratchy. We are using an elliptical speaker and it sounds fine when hooked up to a different DSD-100LC. E.M.D. Generations. phases Any suggestions? Thanks. Posted by Graeme Rundle on July 07, 2001, 05:59am Mu operations? i plan on fitting sound to some of my diesels.can someone tell me which locos( E.M.D).are considered to be the end of the so called Posted by Richard on June 10, 2001, 11:33am first generation & which make up the start of the second generation I have a set if P2K FA-FB (both powered) units with Train Control likewise the third.( cheers from Australia). Systems plug/n/play decoders installed. I'm finding that after a 10- 15 minutes of running together the programmed address is lost in Re: E.M.D. Generations. phases the A unit. Reprogramming returns it to normal ops. The two units Posted by Larry Mowery on July 08, 2001, 11:32pm are not exactly matched in that the A will gain about a foot on the B If my understanding is correct, the GP-20 is the first of the 2nd when they are run over a thirty foot long length with neither pulling generation EMD's. I believe they were the first production units a load. Do I need to have them matched even better too avoid fitted with turbochargers which made them a "2nd generation". heating in the A unit or is it more likely that there is a problem with the decoder? I have not changed any of the cvs at this time. If I need Proto 1000 / DCC a closer match, how does one do this? Thanks Posted by John on July 04, 2001, 01:46pm Proto 1000 F3: I have read that LL made a mess with the light board on this one. Also that the constant lighting circuit causes the engine to run at a different speed when going fwd vs. going backward. My

78 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Kato N scale SD80/90 decoders? Decoder for Atlas Alco S-1 Posted by joe binish on June 02, 2001, 05:42pm Posted by Harold Hodnett on June 05, 2001, 04:22pm I did one last fall as a clinic with a DN-83/93, recently a What decoder(s) will be plug 'n play for the new Kato N scale Walthers H-10-44 with a DH-121. The later required removing SD80/90 MAC's? I e-mailed Digitrax and they said their new part of the weight. The motors I worked with were isolated, the decoder should be hitting the stores at the same time the locos are poles are on the top & bottom of the motor, a couple of circles of and to check their site for an announcement, however, the locos are brass. Remove (or cut the traces on) the circuit board and wire in and there was nothing on the site when I checked a few minutes up your bulbs for lighting. ago. Any ideas??? PM4 Lenz CV Defaults Posted by Richard Bettig on May 31, 2001, 01:00pm Posted by BSME on June 02, 2001, 10:02pm I have installed a PM4, and when How do we reset all of the CV's of a Lenz decoder back to their a F7 goes out of the returm loop, all is weel, however when the default values by using the Digitrax Chief System? Thanks for you engine returns, it enters in the loop, then stops briefly before help. continuing. What did I do wrong? BSME or what's the cause? Re: Lenz CV Defaults Re: PM4 Posted by Disp 33 on July 11, 2001, 01:11pm Posted by DonV on June 01, 2001, 10:02am The CV number for Lenz default is on the instruction/data sheet, I'd like to help you, but What is a PM4? I'm at work so I can't look it up for you. Place the loco on the When asking a question like this specify a generic product/ program track SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS and just function name, brand, & model so others know what you are program the CV value into the loco. It works for me. After you talking about. program it ask it what the CV value is and it will report back, IF DonV THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. It seems that with Lenz decoders the Digitrax programing mode is very sensitive to Re: PM4 voltage, re TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. I learned this on Posted by Ed McCamey on June 01, 2001, 10:44am the Digitrax Yahoo Group BB. Carl S. Richard, Re: Re: Lenz CV Defaults The PM4 is programable to handle many of the features and Posted by EB on July 12, 2001, 12:10pm make adjustments to the reverser actions. See: http://www.ttx-dcc.com/technews/dcc_autoreversers.htm on tests I saw your advice about the Lights being OFF. I believe that in and comparisons. general this can apply to ALL decoders whenever you are programing them. All LOADS, ie headlights, ditchlights, Re: PM4 beacons, etc., should be OFF. In particular when you are trying Posted by Don on June 11, 2001, 12:43pm to verify the CV value where a load can be sensed by the My understanding is that when you use one of the 4 power command station as a "yes". managment sections of the PM4 to control a reversing loop it works by detecting the short circut before the booster does and Decoder for Atlas Alco S-1 switches the polarity of the track. From your description it Posted by Bob L on June 01, 2001, 08:29pm almost sounds like the booster is seeing the short and doing a reset, thus the short pause. Have you noticed if the status lights Has anyone installed a decoder in an S-1. It looks like the top are changing on the command station/booster or are you hearing weight could come out and a decoder put on top of the motor. any beeps? Also, is it only this locomotive that does this or do all What about isolating the motor from the frame, probably a must! your loco's do it? One other thing, the PM4 is factory set for 3 Ideas? amps. This can be changed on the board. Is it possible that the Bob loco is drawing down more than 3 amps when it shorts across Re: Decoder for Atlas Alco S-1 the gap? This would cause the booster to shut down and reset. Posted by DB on June 02, 2001, 10:44am And are your gaps set directly across from each other so that I installed a NCE decoder in mine. I don't remember the number both wheels hit them at the same time? Hope these suggestions but it was the cheapest HO decoder they offered. It was a perfect help. Don fit width wise. I put it at the top front of the shell. I did have to Re: PM4 remove part of the weight from the frame below it but I haven't Posted by Gavin W on June 13, 2001, 08:04pm had any pulling problems. Richard As far a isolating the motor, I found it didn't need isolating. I have experienced exactly the same issue. I contacted Digitrax Check yours first before you install but that was my experience. and they worked on the issue with no success (they did commit to continue to work on this).

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 79 I'm not sure it is completely a PM4 issue, as I've read about would be to replace the motor. NWSL has a new series of issues with Digitrax plug-and-play decoders and reversing motors which run beautifully and have a very low current draw. loops. And they have excellent low speed performance. Its a bit more I have minimized the issue by removing any acceleration/ work but well worth the effort in my books. deceleration factors on the decoders. I would encourage you to contact digitrax -- the more we do this, Radio Throttles the more we may be able to generate a solution. Also, is it only Posted by Dave Husman on May 25, 2001, 12:06am on one engine you see this? Is it always in one direction? If you can share any more information, we may be able to build up a Any word on the progress of the radio throttles? pattern..... TCS TH141 dcoder question Re: Re: PM4 Posted by Jeff on June 18, 2001, 01:04am Posted by Chuck Shaffer on May 19, 2001, 04:57pm Did you wire it right? A silly question I know but your PM4 is Hi all, good for 3 not 4 reverse loops. The 4th circuit must be set up for I have a TH141 decoder. It works fine using a long address, say, short circuit protection in order for the whole thing to work. 5000. But when I put it into a consist it is not recognized. I think the The description of your problem makes it sound like you don't problem may be the CV's. Do any of you know the CV values for have a reversing circuit at all. The engine will roll past one set of this decoder using a long address and part of a consist. In particular gaps with no problem because, well, there isn't one (short CV29 and maybe CV61? circuit). When it gets to the other side either the booster is Thanks, shutting down or the PM4 is doing it's job by shutting down the Chuck district (with a diesel, it sounds like the booster). Re: TCS TH141 dcoder question Anyway, if you haven't already, check and recheck the wiring on Posted by Bob Miller on May 19, 2001, 11:38pm that pm4 plug. That would be the first place I would look. If you Can't answer your CV question per se, but I can tell you I have need further help, you can contact me at [email protected]. installed several of the TCS decoders in Atlas U23Bs with long Jeff addresses and they consist just fine. I am using the NCE ProCab. Roco Crane Bob Miller Posted by Jack C on May 31, 2001, 01:10am Re: TCS TH141 dcoder question How do I reprpgrem the decoder in my Roco crane. All it does in Posted by tim on May 21, 2001, 09:49pm any mod. is swing left and right. Chuck, Re: Roco Crane I believe CV-61 is a bunny trail, don't go there. CV-29 bit 5, and Posted by Michael Mosher on June 01, 2001, 05:18pm CV-19 is where to look. CV-19 is the consist address. That See: should be the address of your consist (1-127). CV-29 bit 5 http://www.ttx-dcc.com/technews/rocolenzcrane.htm controls which address (long or short) the locomotive will to see how to control your crane, it used functions to modify respond to. It should be "1". You didn't mention which system which motion the speed control works with. you are using. The NCE system does all that for you when you add the locomotive to a consist. DH121 Diagnosis? Good Luck, Tim Posted by BSME on May 25, 2001, 09:30am Re: TCS TH141 dcoder question Posted by Steve Mudd on June 14, 2001, 06:46pm We have recently installed a DH121 in an old Mantua Heavy Mikado with an open frame motor. Sometimes this engine briefly Early software versions of TH141 has some difficulty with runs well, and then stops and the headlight starts to blink at a rate of advance consisting using 4 digit address. You may have one of about twice per second. What is this decoder telling us? Thanks. the early ones. Contact John Forsyth at TCS for remedy. This was corrected in later revision. Contact TCS at [email protected]. Re: DH121 Diagnosis? Posted by joe binish on May 25, 2001, 02:40pm P2K E6 The blinking is a signal from the decoder that it is shorting. You Posted by tomk_fl on May 08, 2001, 10:34pm may want to go to a decoder with a heavier stall rating (nothing to do with the short). Hi, has anybody done a decoder install in the E6..without removing the Re: DH121 Diagnosis? factory board? Posted by Bernhard on June 03, 2001, 12:02pm Looking for what decoder was used and if bulbs and mars light The decoder is shutting down due to heavy current draw. If the function was preserved. engine runs fine and the rods are not binding you may have to Tom go to a decoder which will hand 2 amps or more. My alternative

80 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 TCS decoders NCE decoders Posted by joe binish on May 07, 2001, 09:28am Posted by tim on April 25, 2001, 08:48pm has anyone used any of the TCS decoders? They were suppsed to I'm looking for recomendations on what NCE decoder to use be the next best thing. Thanks in:P2K PA's, Athearn 2-8-2, Spectrum 44 ton, P2K GP18, and Walthers H10/12-44. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Re: TCS decoders Tim Posted by Richard on May 07, 2001, 10:48am I have used several of the TCS decoders that are made to fit the Value and Sell Trains Proto2000 GP7. I found them to be an easy install as they have the plug and play system which you unplug the existing board Posted by rei on April 24, 2001, 03:39pm and place the new board on the pins. The only wiring to do is the AntiqueCast, the web's most popular collector's price guide, now lights. The existing lights need to be changed to a 14-16 volt has tools that make selling at online auctions a snap! http:// bulb. The wiring is only a matter of pulling the old out of holes www.antiquecast.com in the board and placing the new in their place. Very simple and they have all the features that I use. DSD LL100LC Re: TCS decoders Posted by Mark on April 19, 2001, 05:19pm Posted by Dale Gloer on May 08, 2001, 07:55am What speaker would be appropriate to use for the new DSD I have a TH141. I plugged it in inplace of a Digitrax DH140 in a LL100LC going into a P2K SD-60? steam engine. I can get the same rule 17 lighting effects and a Re: DSD LL100LC similar flickering firebox light on both. The TH141 automatically Posted by Paul Federiconi on May 08, 2001, 04:05pm dims the headlight that is in the direction of travel when the throttle is set to zero, the DH140 does not. I presently have it in Speaker for the P2K SD60, try the 20mm X 40mm speaker that a Bachmann Shay. is sold here at Tony's. I use it on my Atlas GP40 and works The only thing I found is that I cannot program it or read it back great. You might have to file the weight on the SD60 to make it using my PR1 programmer. Works OK on my Chief though. fit. Dale Gloer Paul Re: Re: TCS decoders Re: Re: DSD LL100LC Posted by tim on May 08, 2001, 10:58pm Posted by EMD on May 23, 2001, 05:26pm I've put some in Athearn GP-9s, spectrum GP-30 and Sperry Paul; Rail Car. Works well on NCE. However, for same cost (or close You mentioned you are using the soundtrax sound unit in the to it) you can get new NCE "SR" decoders with same function Atlas GP40, with the new oval speaker, what did you do for the outputs (except firebox flicker)and runs quieter. Your choice, lights? Replace with 12v/14v, or did you use a resistor - value? your hobby. TTX has both. I'm getting ready to install and would appreciate any info. Tim thanks emd Re: Re: Re: TCS decoders Posted by Bob Miller on May 09, 2001, 12:48am Re: Re: Re: DSD LL100LC Posted by Paul Federiconi on May 29, 2001, 11:23pm Have used several in Atlas U23B units, works like a champ. Haven't seen a new NCE decoder ( I use NCE system) but this EMD, TCS has such a good (small) shape to it, it will fit about I used a 390 Ohm resistor and two 1.5 Volt bulbs. I use a #54 anyplace. drill and drilled through the twin cab headlight. I then inserted Bob Miller the two bulb and wired to Soundtraxx. I have found that 390 ohm resistor work great when wiring two bulbs for twin beam Re: Re: Re: Re: TCS decoders headlight. Use a 470 ohm for one 1.5 volt bulb. Posted by tim on May 09, 2001, 11:10pm Paul New NCE decoder compareable to TCS is: D15SR. NCE old Re: Re: Re: Re: DSD LL100LC D102 (US & EU) is D13SR. NCE old DA102 (US & EU) is Posted by EMD on May 30, 2001, 02:35pm DA-SR. Ckeck them out on TTX prouduct list or NCE website www.ncedcc.com Thanks Paul - will give it a try. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TCS decoders Rivarossi U25C Decoder Posted by Scott on May 13, 2001, 02:43pm Posted by TomK on April 15, 2001, 11:40am I installed one in a Spectrum K4. It works fantastic. I would like to equip a Rivarossi U25C with a decoder. Any suggestions? It has the original motor which runs fine. I would prefer a System One or NCE decoder.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 81 Also have 2 Alco Models (1967) era alligators. Still have open Re: Re: SD7 Headlights frame motors. How would I equip these? Posted by Jack Shall on April 18, 2001, 11:22pm Dave, do you happen to know the value and wattage of the SW1500/sound installation resistors used with the 3 volt bulbs? Posted by Bob Menzies on April 15, 2001, 09:33am Re: Re: Re: SD7 Headlights I'm trying to install working headlites/directional ditch lites and Posted by Jacques W. Lajoie on April 20, 2001, 09:21am soundtrax sound into a SW 1500. So far the experiment has a helix Hollo Russ, humper motor installed for clearance. A digitrax K150 decoder I have both a P2K SD7 and a P2K SD9 equiped with the LE104 running the motor and directional ditchlites and now I'm going to decoder, these engines are MU together and I do not experience try a DSX sound only decoder in the cab. Has someone else tried the severe overheating Dave have. The light could be brighter this sound installation? Thinking about going to a soundtrax plug though. and play decoder and a small n scale decoder for the ditchlites. I think it is worth a try to reinstall the original P2K bulbs and There is .350 clearance between the motor and the shell internal take it from there. clearance if that helps anyone. Re: Re: Re: SD7 Headlights Posted by Dave C on April 20, 2001, 10:39pm cab control The resistor measures 1500 ohms and is marked Brown, green, Posted by Bill on April 15, 2001, 07:17am black, black, space, brown, which in precision resistor code is Need input about cab control.Best buys,best 1500 ohms at 1%. The size says it's a 1/2 watt. This resistor operation,reliable.Getting back into N scale after 12 years.Don't should run cold as that works out to about 7 ma at 3 volts with a want to use block system. need [email protected] 14 volt supply. That's only 0.1 watt! All I can say is that it gets very hot. I'll get back to you after I remove the bulbs and SD7 Headlights measure their current at 3 volts. Posted by Russ Langille on April 14, 2001, 06:51pm Re: SD7 Headlights I am installing a Lenz LE103XF in a 1st run proto 2000 SD7 using Posted by Joe Binish on April 23, 2001, 09:10am a dcc plug.I've replaced the bulbs with 12volt bulbs,and could not In my opinion, the best way to get satisfactory performance from get the lights to work.I then wired the lights directly to one side of decoders/lghts is to forget about the factory plugs and hardwire the loco pickups and to one of the pc board normal light pickups the decoder in. Of course, if you are tesing to check fit, or and both lights come on or go off when the light function is performance, use the 8 pin plug. If you can wire a layout, you activated. Any ideas or rumors on how to seperate the light can wire a decoder. The several manufacturers all have a functions short of hard wiring the lights? russ different approach to lighting which leads to the start of this thread. 14v bulbs aren't that expensive, and you won't need to Re: SD7 Headlights Posted by Russ Langille on April 14, 2001, 07:09pm worry about resistors. My 2 cents. oops, typo. I'm using a le104xf decoder. russ Re: Re: SD7 Headlights Posted by John on April 25, 2001, 10:37pm Re: Re: SD7 Headlights Posted by Jacques W. Lajoie on April 17, 2001, 09:38am I agree with the latest comment here. The earlier P2K models don't have the same type of circuitry as the newer model (GP-30, Hello Russ, SD-60), and I recall hard wiring mine. One the newer models I have installed the LE104FX in the very same engine and if my listed, I've simply replaced the stock bulbs with 12v units on the memory is faithfull, you must retain the original bulbs. Check wire connectors provided. with Tony to make sure. The same goes for the SD9 from P2K. good luck Also I had to file one of the truck bolster on this SD7 to provide lateral play, so it will track well on vertical curve or uneven tracks. engine to fast Posted by tony m on April 13, 2001, 05:59pm Re: SD7 Headlights Posted by Dave C on April 17, 2001, 09:24pm I HAVE A F3A ANDF3B UNIT WITH DECODERS. I USE NCE PRO . THE ENGINE MOVES TOO FAST EVEN ON SPEED Russ, I too am having problems with the P2K SD-7 lights. They DIAL 1. I CANT FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPROGRAM IT SO are 3 volt lamps and therefore have a resistor in series with them. I CAN RUN IT MUCH SLOWER. I ALSO BOUGHT THE The resistor is your problem with the 12 volt bulbs. The resistor SPECTRUM SHAY AND ATLAS RS 11 AND THE RUN needs to be replaced with a jumper. In my case, I decided to BEAUTIFULLY. ANY HELP IN PLAIN ENGLISH WOULD BE leave the 3 volt bulbs in. My problem is the the resistor gets very HELPFUL OTHERWISE ILL HAVE TO RETURN IT AND LET hot! So hot I am afraid to put the shell on for fear of melting. THE PROS DO IT. THANKS Also the light intensity changes, almost an intermittant flicker. I will replace the bulbs with 14 volt, 30 ma bulbs and no resistor. Will let you know what happens.

82 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: engine to fast the register menu. That is how and what I used for this type of Posted by DonV on April 16, 2001, 12:26pm decoder. Regards. Leonard The Life-Like P1K F3A & B units are geared close to prototypi- cal top speed. So there is plenty of torque at low speeds to DN-144K decoder overcome starting friction. Set the start speed/voltage (CV #2) to Posted by Todd on April 01, 2001, 10:09pm a 1 to prevent jack rabbit starts. I just bought 4 DN-144K decoders to put into my New kato Dash- DonV 9's, 3 went in and programed perfectly. Speed Matching Locos the 4th one has given me problems. Posted by Greg C. Sieren on April 13, 2001, 11:06am I am using the pr-1 software to load the decoder I can change and I have recently introduced myself to DCC, as I have installed a read the address on the loco and see the lights flicker when it reads Digitrax Chief II. I have been slowly converting my locomotives to and loads but when I go to run it it won't run, no lights ,nothing. I DCC, in addition to buying new loco's w/ DCC already installed. have reloaded the DN-144K default values and tried the :03 address I was wondering how one properly matches the speeds of the still no work.I also checked it out with the lt-1 test kit it seems to be locomotives for MUing. ok. Is it possible I got a Bad one from the Factory? Is there I have noticed with my B23-7 that have factory installed decoders somethoing else I should look for? any suggestions would be that one will run faster that the other one. helpful. I have also noticed that with my N scale SD60's I have been Thanks,TOdd converting, that for them to run at the same slow speed, one will run Re: DN-144K decoder at 12% full throttle and the other will run at 16% full throttle. Posted by Rob on April 08, 2001, 12:38am The big question...."How does one easily speed match his locomo- Todd tives to run at the same percentage of throttle when consisting?" I have installed over a dozen DN-144k's and have had exactly Thanks, the problem you described several times. Every time if I added a Greg little solder to the front contacts the decoder/loco worked fine. Re: Speed Matching Locos You need an extremely fine tipped soldering iron to not ruin the Posted by DonV on April 16, 2001, 12:04pm board though. The problem is that the amount of voltage Unfortunately each loco manufacturer designs with different required to program the unit is significantly less than what is gearing and different motors, even from model to model. So you needed to run it. So you may have a good enough contact to don't have much choice except to program the speed table of program but not good enough to run. Hope this helps. each loco so that it runs at the same speed at each DCC speed Rob step. Each loco decoder brand & model will require different speed table settings. There is no standard here, you have to Lenz Decoder Help establish your own prefered table. Then test and re-program each Posted by Jim Harr on March 23, 2001, 03:55pm loco to conform. This must be a measured speed test. The easy Hi all; way is to use a small loop of track & run the test loco against a I recently purchased four Lenz LE103XF Decoders for installation 'standard unit', re-programming on the main. Still a lot of tedius in an ABBA set of Athearn F-units. Here's the problem: Three of work. the decoders work fine; the fourth, however, works intermittently at The other easy-out is to only MU same manufacturer, same times. I have checked and re-checked the install,searched forshorts, model locos, using the same decoder brand & model. These will and all seems fine. The loco acts (and sounds) like it was operating usually MU ok right out of the box with factory default values. on conventional DC pulse power. It hesitates and jerks and is not DonV smooth. Has anyone had a similar reaction or can anyone shed any to light on this? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance; pr1/lenz 103 decoder Jim Harr Posted by Glenn on April 06, 2001, 08:26pm Re: Lenz Decoder Help Has anyone had any experience programing the lenz 103 decoders Posted by Ed Hurtubis on March 23, 2001, 09:11pm with the pr1. The pr1 works great on digitrax 121 &142, but I can't Jim, I am not sure what to suggest to you, but I would start by get anything with the lenz. If I keep trying, I can get basic program- verifying that the fourth Athearn locomotive runs well on ing using the register programer funtion. conventional DC. From your description it seems to me that Re: pr1/lenz 103 decoder something is not quite right with the locomotive. Then I would Posted by Leonard Stern on April 06, 2001, 09:40pm check the decorder installation; can you read the address on the The Lenz 103 decoder under PR1 is programmed under the programming track? I assume that all of your installations were register program method on the installed programmer menu. The done the same way. Lastly, you might want to switch a decoder Lenz 130 and HAG have a separate menu but the 103 uses only from one of the three locomotives that operate fine to the fourth

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 83 locomotive. Perhaps you have already thought of these things, Re: CVP Supplier and maybe you have already checked these items. If not, that Posted by Ed McCamey on March 21, 2001, 12:02pm would be a good place to start. Good luck! Discount Model Trains in Addison, TX sotcks and sells ALL Ed CVP products at 5% off the CVP based price. You can find Re: Re: Lenz Decoder Help them through dealer links under the Kalmbach web or their Posted by Jim Harr on March 24, 2001, 09:21am number is 972-931-8135. Thanks for the reply, Ed; the problem decoder programs fine. I get a correct address reding and everything checks out OK. I, NCE D13SR decoder question. too, thought I would swap it with one of the 'working' decoders, Posted by Dave Husman on March 14, 2001, 11:33am and in the process I can check the unit for proper analog DC What is "EPF", as used in the description of the D13SR decoder? operation. I'll let you all know the result. Jim How is it different from the DASR? Re: Lenz Decoder Help Thanks. Posted by Leonard Stern on March 25, 2001, 01:34pm Re: NCE D13SR decoder question. I too had a problem with this type of decoder. After you check Posted by DonV on March 14, 2001, 11:44am out the suggestions given and it (the decoder) still will not EPF stands for Extended Packet Format. i.e. DCC long perform properly send it back to Lenz and they will replace it. addresses, etc. That is what I did and Lenz promtly sent a new one back to me. What is DASR? Re: Re: Lenz Decoder Help Are you talking about an NCE brand DAxx type controller Posted by Jim Harr on March 25, 2001, 07:01pm (circuit board shape and feature/functions) w/ SR Silent Running frequency output to the loco motor? Hello again; DonV Well, I took Ed's advice, and it does seem that the problem is with the loco itself, and not the decoder. For some reason, the Re: Re: NCE D13SR decoder question. loco develops a slight hitch which I can't pin down. I swapped Posted by Dave Husman on March 14, 2001, 07:06pm decoders and the 'problem' decoder worked fine in another of the Yes, both the DASR and D13SR are listed as available decoders Athearn units. I guess I will buy a new F-7 and swap the shells. in the NCE product portion of TTX. Thanks Ed, for helping to show me the forest for the trees, as it Just wondered what the difference was. were. Simple problem, simple solution, but I guess that's why this message board is here! Re: Re: Re: NCE D13SR decoder question. Posted by Tony Bolthouse on March 15, 2001, 08:18am Jim Harr See http://www.ncedcc.com/ for details on the new SR series Re: Re: Re: Lenz Decoder Help from NCE. go to Products then Decoders. The DASR is Posted by Scott on April 03, 2001, 07:34pm described as an "easy install into locos with Kato Drive" and Did you make sure that the wheels are super clean? replacement for Digitrax DH150 and Atlas 340. D13SR is described as HO 1.3 amp with 3 EFX outputs. Erratic operation Posted by Richard on March 22, 2001, 12:20pm tender light I was thought my DCC might be going nuts. I have been installing a Posted by Mike Tillger on March 03, 2001, 01:44pm pullout staging drawer from the MR article and was running trains Does anyone have an easy way to add backup lights to tenders? Is onto and off the tracks on the shelf, of course at very slow speeds. their a manufactured headlight and bulb combination? Thanks in Suddenly for no reason other units on the layout would do strange advance things!! I finally found that on one track of five I was getting a very slight contact between a Kadee gladhand thru the metal frame to a Re: tender light Posted by David on April 14, 2001, 10:59am wheel rubbing. Just enough to change some bits of the digital signal but not enough to shut it down or bring in any alarms. Adjusted the I am in the process of installing lights in my steam locos. I have gladhand and truck and all is well again. drilled a small hole, just large enough for a grain of rice bulb, and inserted the bulb in the hole. Then I coat the front of the CVP Supplier lense with Microscale Krystal Klear. It really looks great. Just like there is a bulb inside the lamp on the real thing. Posted by DonV on March 21, 2001, 11:01am Know of any supplier of CVP products that sell the AD4K and ER Models Baldwin Sharknose AD4HK accessory decoder at a discount price? Posted by Frank Russell on February 27, 2001, 05:19pm DonV Does anyone have any experience installing decoders in the ER Models Baldwin Sharknose HO scale diesels? Do they run well?

84 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: ER Models Baldwin Sharknose Decoder for KATO SD-45 Posted by Thomas Eckhardt on April 20, 2001, 10:07am Posted by John on February 25, 2001, 08:08pm Just browsing through the threads. I have installed Lenz 103's in Does anyone have experience on which decoder to put in this all of my sharks. They work fine. engine? I've seen an ad for a small square (can't remember make), Thomas however I've heard that it doesn't work that good. Re: Re: ER Models Baldwin Sharknose Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as well as some on how Posted by Frank Russell on April 24, 2001, 04:40pm to optimize running and where to install a decode on a Rivarossi Thanks for the info. Do the sharks run as well as Proto 2000 or Challenger. Stewart engines? Thanks, John PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder Re: Decoder for KATO SD-45 Posted by Dale Gloer on February 27, 2001, 12:31pm Posted by Bob on March 17, 2001, 10:34am I just tried to program a TCS TH141 decoder using a Digitrax PR1. John, I have already successfully programmed it on my Digitrax Chief Surprised this didn't get a quicker response. I found the KATO system so my first attempt with the PR 1 was to read back the CVs. SD45 easy to convert to DCC as it has a 8 pin plug on the And of course it didn't work. I tried using the CV programmer and board. I used a Lenz 104XF which has the plug and simply used the Register programmer. The CV programmer returns a piece of double sided tape to hold the decoder in place on top x'FF'(decimal 255) for all CVs. The Register programmer reads of the standard board. back correctly but of course it only handles the 8 basic CVs. Re: Re: Decoder for KATO SD-45 Power for the PR 1 is from a filtered, regulated 15vdc power Posted by Bill H. on March 19, 2001, 03:53pm supply. I tried experimenting with a resistor in series with the Bob & John, programming track lead (100 to 300 ohms). I was able to get good FYI--You'll find a picture of the results sometimes but not reliably. SD-45 decoder installation here on Tony's website under "A I tried one of my Digitrax DH121 decoders and it works reliably for Picture is Worth 1K Words" all programmers even when I had the resistors in the track lead. Does anyone have any experience that might help here? Re: Re: Re: Decoder for KATO SD-45 Dale Gloer Posted by john on April 11, 2001, 10:40pm Re: PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder Thanks for the replies. I've been using the 104 decoder in my Posted by Dale Gloer on February 27, 2001, 12:40pm P2K GP-30's but didn't think it'd fit in the KATO on account of the light tubes near the circuit. I'll check the pictures. Sorry for the double post - network glitches! Thanks again!! Dale. Re: Re: PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder Proto 0-8-0 Electrical Pickup Conversion Posted by joe binish on February 27, 2001, 01:31pm Posted by John Lindemulder on February 25, 2001, 05:37pm I have had similar problems programming if the functions in/on/ The Proto 0-8-0 uses only the drivers for electrical pickup. Because of the decoder are not turned off. the frame is rather stiff with only the 2 middle drivers sprung, electrical pickup can be a little "iffy" on crossing or curved turnouts PR1 and TCS TH141 decoder where the curves are super-elevated. I'd like to convert the tender Posted by Dale Gloer on February 27, 2001, 12:31pm trucks for electrical pickup, which should make this a great I just tried to program a TCS TH141 decoder using a Digitrax PR1. performing locomotive. Can anyone point me to parts that can be I have already successfully programmed it on my Digitrax Chief used to do this conversion? system so my first attempt with the PR 1 was to read back the CVs. And of course it didn't work. I tried using the CV programmer and Sound for Proto 2000 N&W 2-8-8-2 the Register programmer. The CV programmer returns Posted by John lindemulder on February 20, 2001, 09:51pm x'FF'(decimal 255) for all CVs. The Register programmer reads I have a Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 lettered for N&W with a SystemOne back correctly but of course it only handles the 8 basic CVs. decoder installed. It runs great. Power for the PR 1 is from a filtered, regulated 15vdc power I'd like to install Soundtraxx but am unsure which decoder would be supply. I tried experimenting with a resistor in series with the best. Wha about speaker etc.? Any advise would be helpful. programming track lead (100 to 300 ohms). I was able to get good results sometimes but not reliably. I tried one of my Digitrax DH121 decoders and it works reliably for DSX + Motor Decoder in same loco all programmers even when I had the resistors in the track lead. Posted by Carl Brainerd on February 15, 2001, 05:58pm Does anyone have any experience that might help here? I'm getting stuff together to install a DSX sound-only decoder in a Dale Gloer small brass steamer. Due to space limitations the configuration will

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 85 be the DSX decoder plus a separate decoder for the motor drive Digitrax Questions (Lenz LE080XS)- similar to the configuration Tony recently Posted by Phil Adams on February 14, 2001, 10:10am showed for the Bachmann Shay. Does anybody have any advice or experience on the pros and cons of addressing these two decoders? With a standard layout, not club sized, is the primary reason for Use the same address? Use different addresses and mu them buying the Chief Wireless as opposed to the Empire Builder together? Implications for both programming and operation of the Wireless, the Read back capability on the CV's? If so, then doesn't functions? My system is Lenz-01. the PRI software program solve that problem? Or am I missing something? Thanks Re: DSX + Motor Decoder in same loco Posted by Dean Tompkins on February 16, 2001, 08:17pm Re: Digitrax Questions Posted by Kenneth Ruof on February 14, 2001, 04:01pm I used the loco same loco numbers in both modules and have had no problems. I also have Lenz 01 sysytem. I am not into all I bought the Empire Builder II as I am working on a moderate the CV's so it does not create a problem for me. size home layout and if I need to read the CV's I will use the PR1. So far I have had minimal problems programming with the Re: DSX + Motor Decoder in same loco DT300/DB150. Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 20, 2001, 03:08pm Re: Re: Digitrax Questions Carl, I believe the pros/cons are: if you use the same address (I Posted by Tom Sz. on February 26, 2001, 11:53am have done this, and it works quite well; Diesel A powered with the control decoder and diesel B unpowered with sound and The PR-1 is faster and more convenient than the built in speakers), remember that both decoders will receive the same programmers. But, it is also less consistent and not as reliable, information when you program them. This is only a concern if quite a few people have some issues programming with it. the CV's for the decoders are not unique. For instance, CV xx might control different functions for each decoder. A nice way COM 2 for PR1 around this is to program each decoder individually (sometimes Posted by Ralph S. Deblasi on February 14, 2001, 06:48am this is not easy to set-up). I really like to have both decoders Just got a PR1 and cannot locate COM 2 on my Compaq Presario with the same address so I do not need to use the DH function 5150. Windows shows only COM 1. Could my computer not have (this is a matter of choice). Keep in mind that if you use PoM, COM 2 or do I need to set it up? then both decoders will recieve the same information (if they have the same address). I have found that once the decoders are Re: COM 2 for PR1 programmed, that I rarely make any changes. Posted by Tim V on February 22, 2001, 09:15pm Ed Maybe COM 2 is modem port. My Presario 2120 is setup that way. Why wouldn't COM 1 port work? Just substitute COM 1 PR-1 problems for COM2. Posted by Allen on February 14, 2001, 11:35pm Re: Re: COM 2 for PR1 I got my PR-1 today got it hooked up.Com shows okay, but no Posted by Tom Sz. on February 26, 2001, 11:46am matter what I try, I get a red slash on the locomotive. Any ideas? Assuming you are using the windows version software, I suggest you try the DOS software. Shut your computer off with Re: PR-1 problems the "Restart in MS-DOS mode" button checked. Run PR1 DOS Posted by Phil E. on February 15, 2001, 01:14am that way. It works much better. Here's the review of the PR-1. Perhaps you may come across somehing that will help: DCC Sound with built-in speaker http://www.ttx-dcc.com/technews/pr1_review.htm Phil Posted by Phil G on February 13, 2001, 03:23pm I am sure I am not dreaming, but... Re: Re: PR-1 problems Did I see an advertisement for a DCC sound decoder with built-in Posted by Leonard Stern on February 15, 2001, 09:03am speaker? Some PR1 users have said they have the same problem about the if so, WHO and are they on the web. I am totally failing to find any red slashes through the icons. Try to read and write to the information decoder anyway and you should still get results. If you do just Many thanks ignore the red slashes. Some of the reasons for this occurring. Phil G programming track not clean, loco wheels not clean, pr1 connections loose, batteries(if you use the two 9volt system) Re: DCC Sound with built-in speaker weak or old. I am sure you get the point. Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 13, 2001, 07:15pm Phil, you are not dreaming! Soundtraxx offers several "Plug and Re: PR-1 problems Play" decoders that include speakers. You can check them out on Posted by Allen on February 15, 2001, 05:07pm Tony's website (click "on line product list"; then "SoundTraxx I found my problem, guess it helps if the outlet is working.

86 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 DSD" or go to the SoundTraxx website at Re: Re: lights www.soundtraxx.com. Posted by Ralph S. DeBlasi on February 12, 2001, 09:32am Ed DH121's and Lenz Re: Re: DCC Sound with built-in speaker Re: Re: Re: lights Posted by Phil Adams on February 14, 2001, 10:08am Posted by Dale Gloer on February 13, 2001, 07:37am They make PNP decoders with builtin speaker for Spectrum 2- I have no more ideas. Here's what I set in my DH121s and 8-0. Same decoder/speaker fits Spectrum Mountain 4-8-2. Just everything works as expected. have to turn it 180 degrees. Got an email back from Soundtraxx CV29 = 22 stating that instructions for the 4-8-2 are included with the 2-8-0 CV17&18 = long address decoder. CV13 = CF Dial up the long address and go. The lights are automatic Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 reversing headlights. ON/OFF control is by F0. Posted by Mal Foster on February 11, 2001, 05:17pm I use a Digitrax Chief system. Dale Gloer I have just purchased one of the above locos from TTX. This is the second one I now have. They both have developed an annoying Re: Re: Re: Re: lights squeak while running and I am unable to find the scource. The Posted by Ralph DeBlasi on February 14, 2001, 06:46am excellent performance of the loco is unaffected, but the squeak is Dale, I have CV 29 set to 26. You said you set it to 22? driving me crazy. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Does anyone know where it comes from? It appears to come from the NCE USERS GROUP valve gear but lubricating this area has not removed the problem. Posted by Rob on February 06, 2001, 02:06pm Help!!! Can anyone give me the internet address for the NCE users group? Re: Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 Posted by John Lindemulder on February 28, 2001, 08:12am Re: NCE USERS GROUP Posted by Seth on February 06, 2001, 09:29pm Mal, You didn't say if this is a constant squeek or an intermitent one. Rob, If it's constant, you may want to look at the wipers for power There is one on egroups.com: pickup on the tender trucks! www.egroups.com/group/NCE-DCC Re: NCE USERS GROUP lights Posted by Mike T on February 07, 2001, 07:26am Posted by Ralph S. Deblasi on February 08, 2001, 08:12am Try here: When I install a decoder on my chief system and check it on the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC short address the lights work. When I reprogram the decoder on the long address they don't. What am I doing wrong. MRC decoder F7? Re: lights Posted by Richard on February 05, 2001, 10:44pm Posted by ed bradbury on February 08, 2001, 06:41pm Anybody familiar with the Platinum series from Model Rectifier I think you have to set the long address light CVs of the decoder. Corp. that can say what type of decoder they would come equipped I would check the decoder's manual for the CV settings with? If you feel it is not a good decoder, do you have a preference An observance: to install in this engine? Also any opinions about the quality (value) I have notice that some modelers when discussing DCC systems of this engine? Thanks and decoders are thinking the one manufacturer's dscoder can Re: MRC decoder F7? only be operated and CVs set with his system. This was Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 06, 2001, 12:26am evedient at the Big E show. The HO scale F7 from MRC is reviewed in the March 2001 Actually DCC is like the internet both PC and Apples can use it Model Railroader magazine (page 28). There is very little yet both have different internal operating systems. ANy mfg's information regarding DCC, since those units were not available decoder can be used with another mfg's System. at the time of the review. Re: lights Ed Posted by Dale Gloer on February 09, 2001, 07:36am Re: Re: MRC decoder F7? What make and model of decoder? My Digitrax DH140 and Posted by Richard on February 06, 2001, 11:33am DH121s work as you expected. That is, no matter whether I use Thanks for the news about the review. I seem to be the last to get the longor short address the lights work without any extra CV my copy of MR, will be watching. The trouble I find with the settings. MR reviews is that they fail to mention the downside of new Dale. models. I got bit pretty bad from their reveiw of the Athearn 2-8-

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 87 2. My review of that engine does not match what they say at all. tive control mode: Option 1, press F and scroll through the I have had it back to the factory and still have a very poor menus with + until you reach PoM, then press enter. Option 2, engine. Looks great if you leave it sitting still! Thanks again. press F followed by 7, then press enter. Remember you can only Richard change CV's, you can not read them. The only exception is the basic address CV1 and the extended address in CV17 and Re: Re: Re: MRC decoder F7? CV18. Good luck. Posted by ed bradbury on February 08, 2001, 06:29pm Ed Sorry you do not like the Athearn 2-8-2. I have one that with a few minor changes will make it run better. 1st cut off the outer Re: Re: Ops Programming Mode wire wrapping to allow the wires to flex this should eliminate all Posted by Norman Beveridge on February 07, 2001, 04:14pm running problems & derails. 2nd wheels are too smooth. Athearn Gee, whiz! When I read stuff like this it makes me very glad that (at Big E show) said run loco on track with wheels slipping to I have NCE. scuff them. Load train with cars down to point where wheels Re: Re: Re: Ops Programming Mode slip This will greeeatly improve pulling power. lI have put a Posted by Edward Hurtubis on February 07, 2001, 08:51pm soundtraxx steam decoder in the unit and it is great sound. Hpoe this helps. ed Norman, I'm curious; I thought that the Lenz system was pretty simple to access operations programming mode (PoM). Could Re: Re: Re: MRC decoder F7? you help me understand how the NCE system handles PoM? Posted by John Bevington on February 09, 2001, 10:25am Thanks. I too was considering buying the Athearn 2-8-2 when they first Ed came out. I couldn't decide who to buy it from. But I finally Re: Re: Re: Re: Ops Programming Mode decided to go to my local hobby/train store. They will test run Posted by Steve Z. on February 08, 2001, 09:36am any engine for you. As a result of the test run, I decided to buy a Bachmann Spectrum instead. I even tested several of the same Ed: You press the prog. button on the LCD controller. The first model, and picked the one that ran the best. To me, that's worth choice is op. mode programming. You then enter the loco nbr of paying a little more. the loco you want to work with. The default is the currently I don't know Tony's policy, as I just recently fould his web site. selected loco for that cab. There are then several choices for what you want to do. We use the change CV option. You then merely Re: MRC decoder F7? enter the CV nbr and the new value from the keypad. The Posted by Dave on February 10, 2001, 10:55am system knows "special" CV numbers such as short address,long I suggest you buy the F7 without the decoder then buy the address, and the config CV, and displays special dialogs for decoder of your choice. The MRC decoder is a low performance them. If short addressing is active you can change the long decoder with only 14 and 28 speed step modes. I can't get them address; if long is active you can change the short. You can then to work on a Digitrax system in anything other than 14 speed change the cfg CV to activate the other. REALLY SIMPLE. In steps! fact, if you know a decoder's initial short address, you may never have to use the programming track !!! Steve Z. Re: Re: MRC decoder F7? Posted by Richard on February 12, 2001, 11:24am Proto 2000 GP7 Thanks for the info on the type of decoder used. I also run Digitrax and I am looking for good running equipment. Can you Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 02, 2001, 02:11pm make any comparision between this engine and others as far as I am trying to locate replacement handrails for my Reading (green) smooth running,etc.? I'm in an area that leaves the nearest shop GP7. Life-Like can only supply a black replacement. I know that I 50 miles away and need all the input I can get! Thanks again. can paint the handrails, but I wanted to try to match the original model. Any suggestions? Thanks Ops Programming Mode Posted by Mal Foster on February 03, 2001, 05:03pm Consist Problem I am unable to access the Ops programming mode. The only mode I Posted by Jack white on February 02, 2001, 09:31am can access is the Page mode. I press the Func F8 to change modes, I have 2 N gauge Atlas RS-3s with LE077 decoders and use NCE all this does is turn the programming mode off altogether. Are there DCC. When I consist these 2 engines, going forward, the dront some Option switches wrongly set? engine light works fine, but in reverse, no light. What might I be doing wrong ? Re: Ops Programming Mode Posted by Ed Hurtubis on February 04, 2001, 01:31am Re: Consist Problem I assume that you have a Lenz system, Version 3.0. If that is Posted by DonV on February 02, 2001, 10:00am true, then this is how to access operations mode programming or You have the LE077 configured for reversing headlight action. Programming on the Main (PoM). The LH100 function menu So when it goes in reverse, the 'Front' light will be OFF and the provides access to all other functions. The different menu items 'Rear' light will be ON. can be reached in 2 different ways when you are in the locomo-

88 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Try re-configuring the proper CV. See the LE077 manual. If you Can't Use 01 Short address can't re-configure the LE077 CVs for non-reversing headlights, Posted by Mal Foster on January 30, 2001, 08:35pm you should be able to wire both the front and rear headlight wires in parallel from the decoder to the front lamp. [The Blue Everytime I try to select a loco with the 01 short address, I get a cn wire is the common +V hot side. The F & R wires are internally message on my DT100IR throttle. connected as open collector type transistors (or MOSFET What does this mean? Once I re-programmed the loco to another equivalents).] Now the front headlight will be on in either address it worked fine. Confused, I can't locate the problem in the direction. manual. Would appreciate some help. DonV Re: Can't Use 01 Short address Posted by Dale Gloer on January 31, 2001, 08:33am Walther's FM Mal, Posted by joe binish on January 31, 2001, 09:37am the cn message means that the address is assigned to a consist. since i am now the proud new owner of a walther's HO FM You can release it from the consist by selecting the address, then switcher, i would like to know if anyone has installed a decoder in pressing MODE/DISP twice so the indicator dot at the top of the this loco, and which decoder. one fellow on the PM list has display is under the MU lable, then press the - (minus) key. This mentioned that this loco has burned up a bnch of decoder, i don't will release the address fromt he consist and you should then be want to play that game! able to select it normally. I don't have an easy way to identify which address it is consisted Re: Walther's FM too. I guess some day you will find an address that will display Posted by Bernhard on January 31, 2001, 06:01pm 1b when selected. The 1b indicates it is a top consist address. If I have the same engine but have yet to install a decoder. there are no other addresses consisted to it, then you can release However it is the same drive set-up as the early Atlas S2 - both it by the usual SEL DISP key sequence. were built by Roco and they have excellent motors. The key to Hope this helps, Dale. the installation is to insulate the motor brush from the motor frame and thereby from the engine frame. After you remove the Re: user group motor you will see that under one brush screw there is a brass Posted by Ron on January 26, 2001, 09:41pm plate which contacts the frame of the motor. Replace it with a similar one made of styrene and you're set. The decoder I would I was a member of the Digitrax egroup and have just tried to move use today is the Digitrax DZ121, its small enough to istall in the over to Yahoo. I found that is not as easy to sign on as the old cab. For my S2 I used the DN140 but I plan to swap it out egroup list. The only area that I could get in was the messages. In because I don't use the extra features. the old list you could get into all areas (ie chatroom, database,links). After all the headaches I think that I'll be passing on the Yahoo Re: Walther's FM merger, but I will miss the Digitrax chatroom. Posted by Dave Chance on February 03, 2001, 12:19am Re: Re: user group Joe, I have an early Walthers FM and I have a Digitrax DH121 Posted by Bernhard on January 31, 2001, 05:56pm installed. Since the power from the rails is only connected to the chassis through the pc board, there is no need to insulate the I was just on the e-groups site under yahoo and had no motor from the chasis. Of course you will have to use insulated problems. I've always had a yahoo account and when egroup couplers, I use Kadee number 5 with its draft gear box (plastic). became part of yahoo I just linked my egroup account to the new I installed 14 volt, 30 ma. bulbs for front and rear lights. The set-up. All the files, databases and other things I had befor are motor in the FM, like Atlas/Roco S2/S4 has a current draw of still accessable in much the same format - only different colors. 700 to 900 ma. normal and about 1.2 amps stalled. Use a decoder with at least 1.3 amps continous rating. The DH121 is nce user group rated at 1.5 amps. I have had no problems. The DN140 and Posted by Bob Miller on January 26, 2001, 12:29pm DZ121 are both a little on the small side for this motor. I have been a member of the Egroup for nce. Suddenly today as I Re: Walther's FM went to enter the group, I found it on Yahoo instead of egroups and Posted by Dave Chance on February 03, 2001, 12:32am it will not accept me to register or get into ncegroup. Has this Oops! I forgot to mention that you need to use a knife or dremel become an exclusive club or what is going on? Anyone know? tool to cut through the copper conductors on the pcb to isolate Re: nce user group the motor from the rail power leads. There are several pages on Posted by Tomas Szoboszlai on January 26, 2001, 02:17pm the web that tell how to install a decoder in an Atlas S2. Use one It's just the effect of the Yahoo/eGroups merger. I had some of these as a guide line of where to cut the traces. The one I used trouble with some lists I own as well. You are still subscribed. If was on Don Crano's or Alan Gartner's site. you have been reading messages on the web rather than getting them e-mail, you have to sign on to Yahoo and get a Yahoo member id.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 89 If you do sign on to Yahoo, be sure to uncheck the little box Re: Re: Re: NCE for LL Proto 1000 somehwere in your profile that says you agree to have Yahoo Posted by DonV on January 26, 2001, 05:29pm send you special offers (er, ... SPAM) via e-mail. I used Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc. white LED parts. Bought Good luck. them through Digikey, at www.digikey.com (page 646 of the Re: Re: nce user group Dec 2000 catalog). Search for p/n CMD333UWC. This is the Posted by Bob Miller on January 26, 2001, 06:07pm T1 3/4 (5mm) size. Used a 1K 1/4 watt resistor in series with the LED to power it from the DCC decoder. This drives the LED at Thanks for the info, I just finally got on 20 minutes ago. I kept 11 ma for a very bright light. bugging Yahoo until they sent me a site and an authorization The 5mm LED is almost a perfect fit in the F unit headlamp hole. code and then it was ducksoup. I had tried to register as a new I simply lighted up the plastic light pipe like the original lamp. member and it went downhill from there. I don't get the emails There is also a T-1, 3mm size white LED. This looks great when so didn't know it was happening. mounted somewhat recessed in the F or E unit headlamps. Also Again thanks good for replacing the yellow LEDs in switch engines. DonV NCE for LL Proto 1000 Posted by Dick LaSalle on January 23, 2001, 02:18am CZ-121 & MRC 2000 I have a LL proto 1000 F3A. Which Posted by Mel Moore on January 21, 2001, 03:42pm NCE decoder should I use and are I,m thinking of using an MRC 2000 on my work bench test track so there installation instructions I don't always have to walk back and forth to the layout to test for this loco. engines. Several of my engines have DZ-121 decoders in them and Re: NCE for LL Proto 1000 they came with a notice not to use DZ-121 decoders with Lenz, Posted by Bob Miller on January 23, 2001, 09:32am MRC and Easy DCC systems due to a "timing error". Is this It has been awhile since I installed one in my F3, but I used an something that I have to worry about? Is there a patch that can be NCE that has the wires, don't remember the number. I hardwired added to these decoders to make them work? I also have several the decoder to the engine and it works fine. Instructions for the friends that are considering DCC and would like to be able to run wires are included with the decoder. Just remember you have on there layouts if they do not choose Dgitrax. Any info would be pickup wires from both trucks on each side, and the two wires of great hepl. from the motor. Then whatever light effects you want. Thanks Mel Moore Re: Re: NCE for LL Proto 1000 Posted by Bob Miller on January 23, 2001, 09:36am OOPS! I meant DZ-121 & MRC 2000 Posted by Mel Moore on January 22, 2001, 03:05pm Believe it was the D102 decoder I used. Might ask Tony, he sold me a potfull of decoders when I started converting diesels from I got the title of my previous post wrong. I meant to ask about Dynatrol to NCE and most required hardwiring. the DZ- 121 and the MRC 2000 system. Sorry about the confusion. Re: NCE for LL Proto 1000 Mel Moore Posted by DonV on January 23, 2001, 10:20am 1. Use NCE D102 decoder with wires, either US or EC unit. A Stewart F7a perfect fit. 2. Make plastic or fiberboard spacer, 1.07 lg x 0.175 w x ~0.04 Posted by richard on January 18, 2001, 11:48am thk. (inches) one for each engine Has anyone had experience with the Stewart F7a? Can't find it 3. Cut copper traces on pcb at 3 locations marked w/ 'X'. locally to look at it in person but am thinking of mail order. Does 4. locate DCC decoder inside weight cavity at back of body, anyone know if it is dcc ready or had any experience with installing parts side up, wires toward rear. decoder? Thanks for any info. 5. Slip spacer under decoder from side for support. Secure w/ Re: Stewart F7a tape if necessary. Be sure it will clear body shell. Posted by Ed Hurtubis on January 18, 2001, 12:09pm 6. Loop decoder wires over the top and solder to pcb traces. Stewart Hobbies F7 A&B diesels are DCC ready and are I also retrofit mine with white LED headlamps. excellent locomotives. I have installed decoders (one with DonV sound)in several Stewart locomotives. You can check the Re: Re: NCE for LL Proto 1000 Stewart Hobbies website: http://stewarthobbies.com for a Posted by RobH on January 26, 2001, 12:14pm complete listing of their products (many with pictures). Tony's as Don; well as many other mail order stores carry Stewart Hobbies You mentioned you retro-fit the LL Proto 1000 F3 with a white locomotives. LED. May I ask where you purchase them, their size, and are resistors required? Any help appreciated. Rob

90 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Digitrax 300 vs. 400 Re: Lenz Factory Settings? Posted by Tom Sz. on January 17, 2001, 01:43am Posted by Ed B. on January 14, 2001, 09:54pm For the LE080XS and many other Lenz decoders, writing a What are the expected benefits of the Digitrax DT400 vs. the value of decimal 33 to CV08 using Register mode resets all CVs currently shipping DT400? to their factory condition (Version 4.5). Of course, decimal 33 is the same as "21" in Digitrax hexadeci- Locked up NCE Procab mal. So, digitrax users need to write "21" to CV08. (Hope I got Posted by Mike Tillger on January 14, 2001, 12:20pm that right). My NCE powerhouse pro locks up at the opening screen. Cab displays PROCAB 03 V1.2 MODE = REGULAR and locks up. As LL GP20 install I only have one cab, I can not tell if it is cab or command station Posted by Doug Kraus on January 07, 2001, 05:19pm problem. Track seems to power up ok, at least my soundtraxx units I am new to model railroading and dcc. I have a proto 2000 LL on track have sound. Any help would be greatly appreciated. gp20 phase III with solder pads. Can I just solder the wires from Thanks. the decoder to the respective solder pad. If so how many traces need Re: Locked up NCE Procab to be cut? Posted by Bob Miller on January 14, 2001, 07:48pm Any help would be appreciated. Try egroups.com/group/NCE-DCC. This is obviously an NCE Re: LL GP20 install user group and there are some very knowledgeable guys in that Posted by Bob Miller on January 07, 2001, 07:51pm group. You will have to subscribe first to post a question, but Doug: you will find it worth while if you are heavy into NCE, the gp20's I did, I hardwired and removed the board, but I was Re: Locked up NCE Procab under the impression there is additional instructions on the Posted by John Bevington on January 23, 2001, 10:03am instruction sheet for converting to DCC which tells what traces I had a similar problem when I first received my NCE PRO. My to cut. If not, hang tight and one of the other guys will answer in old power unit was simply insufficient. Once I bought a new a day or so. I don't have an instruction sheet around anymore. "made for DCC" power unit, everything worked. D102EU in Kato -9 Lenz Factory Settings? Posted by Kenny MAC on January 05, 2001, 06:04pm Posted by D. Jones on January 09, 2001, 06:15pm I am having trouble getting the lights (yellow leds) to work in my Could someone tell me how to reset a Lenz LE080XS decoder back dash 9. to all of the factory settings using the Digitrax Chief system? Can Following the wiring diagram that came with the decoder, causes this be done by a mere confused mortal? Thanks the front light to illuminate when going in reverse and visa versa. Thanks in advance. Re: Lenz Factory Settings? -Ken Posted by ed bradbury on January 09, 2001, 07:36pm I am not sure but there is one CV (CV 30) that will reset decoder CP, CN, help but not all decoders support that particular CV check your Posted by Darian Davis on January 02, 2001, 03:33pm instructions that came with the decoder. Most of the DCC systems should be able to set any allowed decoder CV I cannot find any resource on the web that shows actual track diagrams for CP, CN, or BC, in the western region? Anyone have Re: Re: Lenz Factory Settings? any suggestions where I could go to find this information. I am Posted by D. Jones on January 09, 2001, 08:46pm looking for modern era only. My future layout thanks you! I have tried both CV 30 & CV 8 using the Digitrax Chief system. So far I have not been able to detect any change. I would Re: CP, CN, help Posted by Georges Ferland on January 09, 2001, 12:11pm expect the address to go back to 03. I still need help on this one. Thanks. Hi Darian, You are looking for real rairoad plans for your new layout. Well Re: Re: Re: Lenz Factory Settings? here I have found what you are looking for. Posted by Bob Miller on January 10, 2001, 09:11am Go to these sites: I use NCE so can't address from the Digitrax perspective. www.bcrail.com/ and go to the route maps. You will find the However, would reccomend calling Lenz support. I have had to complete railraod of BC Rail and its connections. call them a couple of times and these folks are good. I have a For the Canadian National got to: Lenz 03 decoder that has the wrong number in the long address, www.cn.ca/cnwebsite/cnwebsite.nsf/cnhome# I couldn't make it accept a new number. Called Lenz, they told clic ont the map on your left and you will see the complete CN me how to do it with NCE. Railroad in Canada Hope you find your rairoad to model.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 91 Good luck, the others that work. Use an ohmmeter to verify the pcb foil Georges Ferland patterns. Contact Life-Like for a pcb replacement or cut & patch as necessary. Contact NCE for repair service. They are usually SW1500 Ditch Lites quite gracious. Posted by Bob Menzies on January 01, 2001, 11:11pm Stall Current for DCC Thanks to all who aided in my SW 1500 decoder installation problems. Finally got it right tonite!Bob Posted by Len Soper on December 29, 2000, 06:44pm I want to determine the stall current for each of my loco's. I'm in Holiday Specials HO, standard gauge. The procedures I've seen does not mention what dc voltage to use. Should it be 12V, 15.5V or what? The Posted by Ron A on December 31, 2000, 10:44pm current will be different for different voltages. I have gotten the error message for the last couple of days, Has anyone contacted Tony. Re: Stall Current for DCC Posted by Leonard Stern on December 29, 2000, 07:46pm Re: Holiday Specials The standard as far as I know is 12volts. There is much in the Posted by Benjamin on January 02, 2001, 01:10am archives of digitax list about this. Regards. Leonard Stern. Its been like that for me as well... [email protected] I was hoping he'd have a killer deal on the Chief II ;) Re: Stall Current for DCC Re: Re: Holiday Specials Posted by DonV on January 02, 2001, 12:40pm Posted by Thomas Gleave on January 02, 2001, 05:42pm You can measure it at practically any DC voltage then calculate Tony had Chief ll as a sale I think it was the 3rd.or 4th. day. for what it will be at 12 V. 1) Remove all loco headlights and other $299.00 electrical loads except the motor. 2) Set up a short piece of test track so that you can measure current and voltage. Use a pure HOLIDAY SPECIAL DC throttle (no pulse power). 3) Press down on the loco so it Posted by Ed W. flagstaff az. on December 31, 2000, 04:31pm won't move and apply power to the track. 4) Increase the throttle I have the same problem- volts to get about 6V (or use a good 6 V lantern battery.) Measure and record the amperes and the track voltage. If you Holiday Special have only one meter, do it twice at the same throttle setting. Once to measure current, the second time to measure actual track Posted by Mike Barton on December 31, 2000, 02:38pm voltage with the loco stalled. 5) Calculate the motor resistance as When I click on the link to the Holiday Special I get an error R = E/I (ohms = Volts/Amps). 6) Calculate the DCC motor stall message. The error started last night, before then everything current at 12 volts as Amps = 12V/R ohms. The DCC decoder worked. Is anybody else getting an error when they click that link? you select should be capable of handling at least that many peak All other TTX links seem to work properly. Thanks. amperes. Mike Atlas DCC/ Soundtraxx DSX? NCE in P2K GP-7 Posted by Robert on December 26, 2000, 02:51pm Posted by Jack Merkel on December 29, 2000, 08:14pm I need to know if Atlas DCC and it's dual mode decoders are I have put 5 NCE decoders in P2K-GP-7's with no problems. The compatible with Soundtraxx DSX? 6th one gets very hot - too hot to touch - on the plug end. The engine will operate correctly including the headlights. I assume SW1500/Ditch lites there must be some kind of short. How do you trouble shoot Posted by Bob Menzies on December 16, 2000, 03:48pm something like this? I put the hot decoder in another loco to see if the problem was the loco or the decoder. It got hot in the other loco I am installing front and rear ditch lites on an H.O. Athearn SW too. I then put another NCE decoder in the problem loco and it also 1500. I would like the shell to separate from the chassis for got hot. Any ideas on how to trouble shoot? servicing. Miniatronics connectors are okay but kinda pricey. Does anyone have any suggestions or done a similar conversion I can Re: NCE in P2K GP-7 learn from? Thanks in advance Bob Posted by DonV on January 03, 2001, 03:01pm Re: SW1500/Ditch lites Sounds like you've soft fried two decoders. Look for and Posted by Georges Ferland on December 16, 2000, 07:57pm measure each motor and lamp lead wires with an ohmmeter to be sure that they are insulated from the frame and all wheels. Early For all connections that will need to be seperated one day, I use P2K GP7s had something wrong on the pcb at the DCC socket/ PC micro-connector parts that are used for plug-ins. I use a holes that caused decoder failure. [Had something to do with the saber saw and cut the part for the number of connections I need. NMRA green wire]Compare the pcb on this loco with that on All my engine bodies can be seperated from there frame by using these plug-ins. All lights, all motor connections and all

92 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 parts that for some unknown reasons go wrong can be discon- minimum radius for ho nected quickly and without any unsolderring. It take some Posted by David Nosack on December 09, 2000, 11:03pm getting around, but it is very easy when the first one is done. You will need a good soldering iron to do the job quickly In order to build anywhere close to my dream layout I need to have because these parts are held together in a kind of plastic. You my minimum radius on my mainline around 22". Will I be able to will need some heat-shrink to protect your bare wires from run any of the large locos? touching the loco-frame. I forget the name of this pc-micro- Re: minimum radius for ho connector but when it gets back to me I will let you know what Posted by Leonard Stern on December 10, 2000, 10:53am ist called !!! David. Using 22" radius will limit your loco size to Pacific or [email protected] less if you want carefree operation and good appearance. If you Re: Re: SW1500/Ditch lites are in a real bind and must use 22" try laying the track with Posted by Bob Menzies on December 17, 2000, 08:53am transitions. This way you could get up to a 4-8-4 but the swing Thanks for the info George. I think Radio Shack makes a similar would be unrealistic. Just some thoughts. Leonard product. I do have some of the male connectors downstairs now if the female parts would just show their pretty face I'm off. NCE wireless Re: Re: Re: SW1500/Ditch lites Posted by Terry Ketcham on December 07, 2000, 06:54pm Posted by Georges Ferland on December 18, 2000, 09:45am Thanks to all who reponded to my conflict between power bus and The male becomes the female, they are all inter-plugins. I will let cab bus. I since spoke with Ken at Tony's who is taking orders for you know the name of the part I was talking about. wireless components to convert the NCE system to a complete Georges Ferland wireless system. He says that no cab bus should be required since this system will beable to do everything without pluging in. I'm not Re: Re: Re: Re: SW1500/Ditch lites sure if you need to be pluged in while programming on a program Posted by Georges Ferland on December 18, 2000, 07:58pm track. Our club uses digitrax wireless and it works great but you do Here it is. need to plug into the cab bus to select locos and other functions. Go to your Digi-Key catalog, the part is called a single in-line Re: NCE wireless strip socket. Posted by Bob Miller on December 08, 2000, 09:42am Part # 310-93-164-41-001, like I said the male socket becomes the female socket and vice-versa. NCE wireless sounds great. I have operated on other layouts Hope this does the job for you. using the Rail Command wireless combined with tethered and Merry Christmass. like it very much. I have a rather large railroad that is NCE with Georges Ferland 12 of the cab04 throttles. Stories conflict as to whether or not these 12 cabs can be converted to wireless by an add-in module Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: SW1500/Ditch lites or not. However, I have no intention for the near future of giving Posted by Bob Menzies on December 23, 2000, 06:14pm up the tethered bus line for total wireless. I plan a gradual phase Thanks George for your help. I'll try and get some of those in of wireless dependent on how well it performs, etc. But ASAP. certain phases of operation can do just fine using tethered cab04's and so I will go that route. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: SW1500/Ditch lites Posted by Jacques Lajoie on December 24, 2000, 10:14am Re: Re: NCE wireless Hi Bob, if you look in the 2001 Walthers Reference Book, page Posted by Terry Ketcham on December 09, 2000, 08:21pm 775, you will find "MINI PIN TERMINAL STRIP" that look Bob-Thanks for the input. Since you have a NCE system with exactly to what Georges is writing about. multiple cabs in use,let me ask you a question. Our club uses Digitrax. If an operator is running a locomotive and another need layout.... operator trys to select the same loco, the cabs LCD displays a Posted by brian on December 11, 2000, 02:32pm "33" which means that someone else already has selected that loco. Does the NCE system also work like this ? I have the NCE I have been out of the MR'ing loop for a year or so, and am just ProCab addressed as 02. A friend dropped over last night with now finishing the move to the tampa bay area. I want a new N-scale his NCE ProCab addressed as 03 and we started running trains. layout, but don't have the time to build one.... where (besides the I was surprised to find that he could select an engine with his vacuum-formers) can I buy a small, light layout? I want it to be cab that I was running with mine. Is this normal? I was about 3x4' max, for running smaller equipment... anyone have a expecting to see an "in use" message or something like that on friend who's looking to get rid of one? I'd really appreciate it..... the LCD screen on his cab but instead the locomotive number [email protected] showed up, which was identical to the number on my cab. I'm new to the DCC world and would appreciate any help. Thanks

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 93 Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Posted by Bob Miller on December 10, 2000, 11:59pm Posted by MIKE P. on February 27, 2001, 04:00pm Terry: sorry for delaying in response. I just got back to KC and I SEE ALL THESE RE: RE: ABOUT NCE WIRELESS, AND it is 11 PM Sunday night. My procab will display a message to ONLY ONE ADDRESSED THE TOPIC ITSELF. CAN the effect that a consist is already assigned to another cab and do ANYONE TELL ME THE STATUS OF NCE WIRELESS. WE I want to "take it". OPERATE 5 LAYOUTS LOCALLY WITH POWERHOUSE The cab04p's I use do not have a display, and quite honestly I PRO SYSTEMS AND APPROX. 25 TO 30 CABO4E UNITS. have not had anyone take a consist that someone else is running. WE ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE "WIRELESS" I will bring the railroad up Monday, and set up that situation and WE ARE MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH NCE!! THANKS see what happens. will try to respond to you Monday evening IN ADVANCE with results. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Posted by Mark Stafford on March 01, 2001, 05:23pm Posted by Steve Z. on December 11, 2000, 08:47am I have been waiting for the NCE wireless from when it was first Terry: anounced, say four years ago. A couple of times along the way This is a NCE Command Station setup option. we were told due fall, or some other time. Me, I am giving up Steve Z. waiting. I think I am going to buy the IR from Dynatrol and use that. Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Long life suppliers who do what they say they are going to do. Posted by Bob Miller on December 14, 2000, 09:20am Happy Railroading. Terry: Sorry to be so long responding. I started a consist running using Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless cab14, then selected same consist with cab08, both cabs then Posted by Dale Gloer on March 02, 2001, 07:41am would control the consist. The cab08 shut the consist down, then I will venture my opinion on wireless vs IR. I have used both I could start it up with either cab. Guess we have been lucky wireless and IR from Digitrax (I know this is thread is about during operating sessions. As I said earlier, the procab will tell NCE) and I know I would never be satisfied with IR since I me the consist is already assigned to another cab and ask if I have used the wireless. All it takes is one time when you really want to take it away. need control and the the IR signal doesn't get received to make Don't know about what Steve V said about it being an option of you realize how much better wireless is. the command station. Will have to drag the manual out on that Dale. one. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless Bob Miller Posted by Roger Robar on March 02, 2001, 07:22pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless I talked to Tony a few days ago. He said NCE has tested the Posted by Terry Ketcham on December 16, 2000, 06:16pm wireless system for the five amp booster and is testing now with Bob-Thanks for the demo work you did.We were running my the 10 amp booster. No official date for purchasing but Tony railroad with two Procabs and using the Recall button to activate said it is getting close. I have had mine on order for over 18 our locomotives as opposed to using the Select Loco button and months. I know it will be worth waiting for. All I can say is, entering the loco number. Using the Recall function allowed the hang in there. Tony did say NCE's wireless will blow the Cabs to select the same locos at the same time. As you said by competition away. using the Select Loco button and entering the loco number an IN Roger USE message was displayed if another another Cab had that loco. I think we'll not be using the Recall button during operation power bus/cab bus conflict sessions. Thank you for clearing this up for me!! Terry Posted by Terry Ketcham on December 06, 2000, 02:54pm Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE wireless I'm installing a NCE dcc system using #14 AWG power bus and the Posted by Tim V on February 22, 2001, 10:19pm normal 6 cond. flat telephone wire for the cab bus. Do I have to Terry, keep a certain distance between these two cables as I install them I just found this bulliten board. Referance your ?? about taking under the layout.I didn't know if I would locos from other cabs and command station setup. The command experience any electrical or control problems. thanks station set up is to display the warning only that you receive. Re: power bus/cab bus conflict Whichever parameter you choose you can still take a loco. P.74 Posted by Bob Miller on December 06, 2000, 03:34pm NCE System referance manual (rev.11/5/99). I Lve my NCE System. Terry, I am using 12 gauge wire and the buss. The bus was pulled to replace a Dynatrol bus and there are places were the bus and the track power bus are close, but have not had any problems. I don't know of a set limit. Mine is a fairly large layout and it is pretty much impossible to keep them away from

94 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 each other altogether. I expect a long run next to each other might Re: PR-1 Minimum Requirements? be a problem. Posted by DonV on November 20, 2000, 11:31am Re: Re: power bus/cab bus conflict There is a version of PR1 that works w/ DOS. See http:// Posted by Roger Robar on December 07, 2000, 08:29am users.lanminds.net/~sljkrr/. I use NCE, have approx. 150'bus with 11 cab outlets. Many are Re: Re: PR-1 Minimum Requirements? spaced 5-6" apart. Have had no problems in over 2 yrs. Wireless Posted by JCS on November 20, 2000, 04:20pm coming SOON (Tony says this month)so will see what happens If that is an 8088 processor your computer is at best an old XT. then. Roger It will run Windows 3.1 ok. You may find yourself limited as to Re: power bus/cab bus conflict memory. I belive the max for those old girls was 640k. Posted by DonV on December 07, 2000, 12:28pm Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Minimum Requirements? I too am using NCE. I bundled my track buss wires with the cab Posted by Tony B. on November 20, 2000, 10:32pm cable in many places along my 100 ft of layout...Even tie- According to the Windows 3.1 manual, for standard mode your wrapped them together. I've seen no problems. PC requires a 286 processor or higher, 640K of conventional memory plus 256K of extended memory. For 386 enhanced HELP! Athearn Mikado mode, the PC needs 386 processor or higher, 640K of conv Posted by Don Jones on December 01, 2000, 11:30pm mem and 1024K of ext mem. In addition, you will need a display adapter and a mouse is recommended. I have a broken red pickup wire on an Athearn Mike. How do I None the less, the Dos version should work on the 8088. break into the engine to re-connect the wire? Re: PR-1 Minimum Requirements? Re: HELP! Athearn Mikado Posted by Alan Larsson on November 27, 2000, 12:41pm Posted by John Ott on December 04, 2000, 08:32am For PR-1 DOS version, it was written with the explicit One of the recent issues of "Model Railroader" had an article on campability to run on a XT level PC. Detailing a Mike. I think that it was about September or October. There is a detailed description of how to take the engine apart. I will get back to you as soon as I find the issue. Good luck. JO NCE Decoders Posted by Dean Tompkins on November 17, 2000, 06:26pm Re: Re: HELP! Athearn Mikado Posted by Roger Robar on December 06, 2000, 01:19pm Has anyone had any experience with Lenz 01 Set reference 4 diget address input. I have the latest version-3 and can not get a 4 digit MR- Dec.,1999 had the review of the Athearn's 2-8-2 which address to work. No problem with Lenz decoders, since they use includes taking the model apart. The molding of parts are so well the direct mode. Thanks, Dean done you cannot see that they are seperate parts. I too had wires come loose because of poor soldering. Check them all. Re: NCE Decoders Roger Posted by Ed Hurtubis on November 18, 2000, 12:00pm Re: Re: Re: HELP! Athearn Mikado I have only used Lenz decoders for the four digit address (Direct Posted by Don Jones on December 06, 2000, 07:15pm mode); however, I can tell you how to program a four digit address by using CV's. It is a little confusing, but it might work Thanks for the help on finding directions for the Mikado for you. First, let's assume the four digit address is 1361. Set disassembly. It is running now. CV1 to 61, CV17 to 197, CV18 to 81, and CV29 bit 5 must be set for extended addresssing. Now, to calculate CV17 and PR-1 Minimum Requirements? CV18. Add 49152 to 1361 = 50513. Divide 50513 by 256 = Posted by [email protected] on November 19, 2000, 05:47pm 197 (CV17). The remainder is 81 (CV18). Good luck! What are the *absolute* minimum requirements for the PR-1 using the DOS software? Proto 2-8-8-2 Review Our club has an old computer which I believe has an 8088 Posted by Jim Chamberlin on November 15, 2000, 02:44pm processor. I don't think it's a 286. It has IBM DOS 5.0. I haven't Received my Proto "Heritage" 2-8-8-2 from Tony and out of the used it in years. box, a great runner. Pulls 15 4 oz cars up my 2 1/2% grades like a Assuming I can get it working, I would love to use it for decoder champ. Excellent speed range but feel the front engine is a little light programming, since it has one feature I love more than anything: it's on the tracks yet it still tracks well through my #6 mainline code 70 paid for :) switches and 26" radius curves. Engine is very quiet but has a very Getting it rehabilitated should be no problem, but I don't want to high starting point (40 to 50 on my NCE system) which I hope will bother if I can't use it to program decoders. Is anyone here using an go down with use. (Tony, any thoughts on this?) A little squeeky in antique computer with the PR-1? the linkage..perhaps a dap of lube will fix that issue. Overall, very Thanks, happy and can't wait to paint and weather it to the colors of the Jason Pacific South.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 95 Turnouts for DCC would use DH-155 decoders but they sem to be hard to get right now. Any ideas or suggestion are appreciated. Long address Posted by Rob Ripchick on November 15, 2000, 01:23pm capability and independant operator control of front and rear Tony recommends PECO insulfrog as the most DCC friendly. They headlight a must. are only available in code 100. Anybody have a suggestion for a code 83 turnout that works well? Also isn't an electrofrog preferred Re: Decoder for Proto 2000 SD60 to prevent stalls? If so does wiring the frog through the switch Posted by Jacques Lajoie on November 06, 2000, 08:53pm machine prevent shorts? I just installed TTX GP7/30 in thes e locomotives. Works just great. Re: Turnouts for DCC Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 15, 2000, 04:38pm Re: Decoder for Proto 2000 SD60 The Atlas turnouts are short resistant, which is a better term that Posted by Tony Bolthouse on November 07, 2000, 07:57pm DCC friendly. If you like the Micro Engineering, Walthers John: Check out "Locos & Current Specials" on Tony's site (which are Shinohara), or Shinohara turnouts, then you might where he recommends the TTX/GP7/30. want to make some modifications to the turnouts. If you Re: Decoder for Proto 2000 SD60 precisely tune all of your wheel sets, and set the track gauge Posted by John Lindemulder on November 07, 2000, 10:02pm precisely, these turnouts will work well as is. But as you Thanks, Tony and Jacques! I just placed an order for the TTX probably know, things change with time. In order to avoid the GP7 decoders. I will let you how they worked out. "shorting" issues with these turnouts, some people gap the frogs, bond the point rails to the stock rails, and perhaps tie the frog to a power routing switch on the switch machine. It is a lot CMX Track Cleaner of work. Posted by BSauls on November 04, 2000, 10:29pm Re: Re: Turnouts for DCC When will you be coming out with an N scale track cleaner? I have Posted by Gary Rombough on November 15, 2000, 08:22pm a friend who bought 2 HO scale versions and I was so impressed. I Before you proceeds to far you might want to review "Wiring have been waiting patiently to hear news that you are release an N for DCC by Allan Gartner". He has some of the best ideas for scale version DCC friendly switches I have seen. Re: CMX Track Cleaner Posted by Dave on November 05, 2000, 11:50am Re: Turnouts for DCC Posted by DonV on November 17, 2000, 09:33am You should probably ask this question of Tony at: I've had good luck with Atlas code 83 track switches. These are [email protected] improved over the code 100 line. Work OK on DCC as-is. Re: Re: CMX Track Cleaner I also use Walthers/Shinohara code 83 curved switches. Isolate Posted by Bernhard Gielau on November 05, 2000, 11:29pm all rails. Power the whole switch section through a light bulb to Good to see others are looking for N-scale CMX. I asked Tony make it more short resistant. Inspect and tweak the copper a couple of months ago and he told me its "in the works". contact at the points for reliable power routing of the frog. Or you can insulate the self-contained contact and use an auxiliary Re: Re: Re: CMX Track Cleaner switch on the switch machine for powering the frog. Posted by Alan Larsson on November 13, 2000, 12:15pm Be sure to visit Allan Gartner's site and digest all the DCC I know it may be a loss to Tony, and he might not like me to post friendly stuff. He's right, but close to overkill. this here, but Aztec is doing a liquid filled N scale cleaning car. DonV They have units out in the field for beta testing, and the final car should be released within 1-2 months, if not sooner. Re: Re: Turnouts for DCC The comments I have heard on it are very positive Posted by E.T. Halloran on November 17, 2000, 01:20pm I have had good luck with the Piltz turnouts. I have run both How good is Atlas DCC brass & plastic, (steam & diesel) with hours of back and forth testing with good results. I have used #5's to # 8's straight and Posted by Michael Wright on November 04, 2000, 12:45pm curved and all have worked very smooth. The Piltz turnouts are Hello gang, I have been waiting for DCC that I could afford. I easily made DCC compatible. They are a little pricey and only didn't care much for the MRC sysytem, is the Atlas system any two dealers that I know of. Tony of TTX did get them for me on better ? Is it expandable and what about handheld controllers ? special request. I bought twenty at one time. Thanks Happy Rails, Ed Michael Wright Re: How good is Atlas DCC Decoder for Proto 2000 SD60 Posted by Bob Miller on November 04, 2000, 04:03pm Posted by John Lindemulder on November 06, 2000, 06:55pm Can't help you much as I use NCE. There is a story circulating I am a user of SystemOne. I just purchased some Proto 2000 on another forum that inside the case it says made in China, even SD60's and am looking for a good decoder to use. Normally I though Lenz is supposedly making it.

96 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 You might go out to the Atlas forum to see the responses there. Re: Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC They have their DCC guru answering questions as they come up Posted by Marc Starmans on November 15, 2000, 11:53am on the forum Just for your information, the Atlas system is here in Europe Bob Miller sold as a Lenz system and is reasonable symple to expand by all Re: How good is Atlas DCC the other components of the Lenz system Posted by DonV on November 08, 2000, 11:38am Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC It looks like a good starter system that will probably work well Posted by Jason on November 19, 2000, 05:27pm for many thousands with a small layout. Competition for MRC. The user manuals for the Atlas Master system are available for Atlas ideas seem to be sound and somewhat less system limited download in pdf format from the atlas website. than MRC. However, take a look at the Dual Mode Decoder (DMD). Its Re: How good is Atlas DCC Posted by Adrian Zeffert on November 23, 2000, 01:49am 'dual mode' can be switched only when you lift off the loco shell and move a jumper plug! They don't tell you that part in the Hi: adds. [But it can be set to work on DCC and automatically Just got Atlas Master Duo Pack. switch to 'limp mode' DC operation like many other decoders.] Atlas will work with up to 5 additional XpressNet compatible Not having a hand-held remote also keeps the complexity and handhelds. I have just asked Tony what is availablefrom NCE entry level price down. For many out-of-the-box users, a hand- etc. held throttle is not necessary. So as with all products, you will Looks like an excellent small N layout system. With Lenz still need to do your shopping carefully to cut through the penchant for upgrading technology I am sure that additional advertising hype. advanced features will be advertised by Atlas, but slowly. Adrian Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC Note Atlas bulletin on Consisting with the Master system Posted by Bob Miller on November 09, 2000, 12:09am I agree it probably is a decent starter set. However, on the 5 Riv. Big Boy GP38's I have with the dual decoder, I didn't remove the shell, Posted by Wayne McFarlane on November 04, 2000, 10:44am only the dynamic casting, set the decoder for dcc and that was it. A lot of the others should so easy. I have a Riv. Big Boy and I woul like to install a Digitrax decoder. I agree about the handheld throttles, I have 12 on my NCE based If anyone has installed one, would you please advise me on the system, and getting ready to move into wireless throttles in the procedure. Thanks. next few weeks. Walthers FM H10 switcher decoder install Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC Posted by DaveC on November 09, 2000, 11:36am Posted by Mel Chase on November 02, 2000, 09:24pm Bob, Do the Dual Mode decoders require programming by Has anyone installed a decoder in a Walthers Fairbanks-Morse H10/ "Register" mode as implied by the on-line manual? Can they be 12-44 Diesel Switch Engine. Would appreciate any advice or programmed with the PR1 or other computer based program- directions. Thanks mer? Thanks! Re: Walthers FM H10 switcher decoder install Re: Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC Posted by Roger Robar on November 04, 2000, 08:47am Posted by Bob Miller on November 10, 2000, 12:23am I do not have the Walthers FM H10 swither model but recently I programmed them all using the programming track. I keep my installed the Lenz LE077XF decoder in the Walthers SW-1 with computer away from the railroad, so I can't tell you. great results. This 1/2 amp decoder is small, I mounted mine on top of the rear gear tower, had plenty of room and it swivels Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC with truck movement. No decoder in cab windows any more. Posted by John Bevington on November 13, 2000, 11:24am Make sure you check your model amp rating. Roger Bob, Are you going 'wireless' with NCE? Is wireless available yet from NCE? Re: Walthers FM H10 switcher decoder install Posted by Dave on November 04, 2000, 05:59pm Re: Re: Re: Re: How good is Atlas DCC Mel, I have installed a Digitrax DH121 in Walthers H10-44 with Posted by Bob Miller on November 13, 2000, 02:40pm great results. One brush on the motor is connected to the frame I am going to try NCE wireless and hope it works as well as but since the power from the rails is isolated from the frame advertised. I have some narrow aisles where the lack of cords through the light/connection pc board, there is no short! Do plugged in would be a plus. check for shorts as usual after install and before putting on the Tony says 2 or 3 weeks before delivery starts. track. Bob Do not use the Lenz 077 decoder as it is rated at 500 MA max and the H10-44 (Walthers/Roco) draws about 800 MA unloaded and 1.3 amps shorted!!!! I'm sure you can use either the Lenz 103 series decoder or the NCE D-102. I can't remember if I had

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 97 to replace the light bulbs or not. If you need more, let me know B&O F3's and I will remove the shell and find out. Posted by Frank Russell on October 23, 2000, 04:10pm Re: Re: Walthers FM H10 switcher decoder install I have two Stewart Hobbies F3A's painted in B&O colors. One is Posted by Mel Chase on November 04, 2000, 07:49pm an F3 Phase II High Fans version and the other is an F3 Phase IV Dave & Roger: Thanks for the quick and informative response. I (single headlight). I am trying to find out what would be prototypi- will attempt surgery shortly. cally correct numbers for these diesels. They currently have no road numbers on them. Can anyone help?? DCC install on Kato SD40 Re: B&O F3's Posted by Arman Habegger on November 02, 2000, 08:27am Posted by Joe Binish on October 31, 2000, 11:09am I am hoping to install decoder on HO Kato SD40--bought in 1994 It depends, The B&O renumbered motive power in 1956 to or so. Motor is insulated from frame, but there is very limited space eliminate some reetired steam #s and make everything more for decoder because of weight on top of circuit/light board. Are 'logical'(HAH). Check out the August 1995 MR for a paint shop there modelers out there who have done this, perhaps by deleting article on the F units, but be aware that the sill stripe is grey, not the top weight and replacing with decoder? Advice appreciated! dulux gold. I can look at mine if you contact me at [email protected] Re: DCC install on Kato SD40 Posted by Bob Miller on November 02, 2000, 08:30am Re: B&O F3's I have done 5 of the Kato SD40's, I used an NCE decoder that Posted by Rich Strebendt on February 19, 2001, 10:20pm hardwired to the motor and board. I removed the rear weight to Just came across your question. If you are still seeking numbers, gain height and if I remember correctly substituted a smaller drop me an email ([email protected]) and I will check my weight. However, the loss of the weight doesn't affect pulling reference material from the B&O RR Historical Society. What capabilities that much. I do run two powered units on all freight era are you modelling (pre 1956 or post 1956)? trains. It is still a tight fit. Since I did them, there have been a couple of much smaller decoders from Lenz, NCE and Digitrax White N-scale LEDs that might work better. Posted by Bill Ager on October 13, 2000, 03:31pm Switch-It Kato is producing N-scale locos with white LEDs. Are any N-scale decoders going to be available with white LEDs? What about white Posted by Frank Russell on October 27, 2000, 04:39pm LED decoders for Atlas N-scale locos? Can existing Digitrax Does anyone have any experience with using the Switch-It device decoders be converted to white LEDs? for controlling turnouts in a DCC system? I have just installed one Re: White N-scale LEDs and it appears to work great, but doesn't using multiple numbers of Posted by Don Vollrath on October 16, 2000, 11:32am these eventually use up all of the power output in the DCC system. Any experienced users out there? You can replace the standard LED with a white one. Chicago Miniature Lamp p/n CMD204UWC (T1 size, 2mm dia). These Chief dilema are $3.00 each in the Digikey catalog, section O. www.digikey.com Posted by Gustavo Villa on October 26, 2000, 03:24pm I've done this on several HO locos with good results. Use an Hello guys: 820 ohm resistor in series to replace an incandescent type lamp. I own a MRC DCC system and I want to buy a new one with all the DonV features. My first choice is Digitrax Chief, compact throttle, loconet, transponding and the new addition of the DT300/400 are Value or Find Model Train Items at Auction the Posted by John on October 13, 2000, 02:00pm main arguments. The problem is upgrade possibilities, NCE has their Price guide, http://www.antiquecast.com , allows searches of recent EPRON replace chip, Intellibox can download new version of the auction results. Super search lists sale items at several auction sites. software via internet, How can I upgrade a Chief? sooner or later Pictures are often available. Concise searches are best with the 3 the most characteristic terms. For ready reference this site is worth a DCS100 command station will be obsolete and I don't want to buy a bookmark. completely new command station. It's the loconet the answer? Thank you very much for your help. computer control Gustavo Villa Posted by Ed on October 10, 2000, 05:19pm Has anyone used Kam Industries software with Digitrax DCS100 to run trains? Thank-You, Ed

98 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 CV19 design flaw Re: Athearn GP-30's Posted by Larry Mowery on October 10, 2000, 11:25pm Posted by Jean Piquette on October 07, 2000, 11:10am I believe I read somewhere that the current Bachmann GP-30's Hi everyone, are a remake of the original Athearn GP-30's. Have you looked I've discovered what I think is a design flaw in the way Digitrax at these? does its advanced consisting in its FX decoders. I'm wondering whether other brands have the same problem. Re: Re: Athearn GP-30's If you use OPS mode programming to poke a Digitrax decoder's Posted by Dave on October 11, 2000, 10:33am (hex) address into its own CV19 (effectively consisting it with Sorry Larry, but the Bachmann GP30 is in no way a remake of itself), OPS mode programming then goes brain dead, and will not the Athearn GP30!!! The Athearn GP30 had so many errors work on the decoder. The only way to correct it is to lug the loco with the cab roof and dynamic brake fairings, it got tremendous over to the programming track and use another programming complaints and was taken off the market in short order! The method (such as page programming) to reset CV19 to zero. Bachmann Spectrum GP30 is however a very good rendention Does this happen with other brands, or is the problem unique to and is very close to scale. I understand the Bachmann is an Digitrax? improvement of the original Lionel GP30 which wasn't too bad Sincerely, for it's time. The dies for the Athearn GP30 were reworked into Jean the GP35 and is still in production. Re: CV19 design flaw Re: Re: Re: Athearn GP-30's Posted by Jean Piquette on October 17, 2000, 04:16pm Posted by Bob Miller on October 11, 2000, 02:20pm Hi everyone, it is correct that the Bachmann came off the die work of the Hey, folks. It's been 10 days since I posted the first message on Lionel GP30. I have three on my ATSF that were mounted on this issue. Doesn't anyone own a non-Digitrax decoder that Kato GP35 chassis before P2K honored us with their GP30's. I they're willing to try this test on and report the results? have done a few of these painting them for the warbonnet blue Sincerely, and yellow. Jean Re: Athearn GP-30's Posted by Jack Merkel on October 30, 2000, 09:35am Proto2000 PA I have 2 Athearn GP-30's in Santa Fe warbonnet (blue/yellow) Posted by Joe Regina on October 04, 2000, 03:43pm paint scheme that I am willing to part with. One is in perfect Is the Lenz 104XF decoder a good match for the Proto 2000 PA condition and the other has a broken chassis but the shell and considering its high stall current? motor are fine. Both have Kadee couplers. Any suggestions or experiences with decoders for this locomotive? Re: Re: Athearn GP-30's Re: Proto2000 PA Posted by Dave on October 30, 2000, 10:40am Posted by Norman Beveridge on October 04, 2000, 04:36pm I've heard that the Athearn GP35 chassis is the same chassis. Joe, Re: Re: Athearn GP-30's My PA's have NCE D102 decoders. They perform quite well Posted by Adam Fisher on January 23, 2004, 09:12am using these decoders, and I have had no problems at all. Norman I am willing to buy them if he has not offered yet, ame a price and i will see, alos pictures would be nice. My email is Re: Re: Proto2000 PA [email protected] Posted by Leonard Stern on October 04, 2000, 05:07pm Thanks, I used a digitrax DH83FX which is a 2 amp (peak 4 amps). Adam Some time ago Tony from TTX had a good summary write up on these locos with the potential problem of back EMF. The Coupler conversion for Con-Cor lower amp decoders will work but with no reserve if the motor Posted by Dan on September 28, 2000, 05:03pm puts out excess amps. Regards. Leonard Stern, [email protected] I model in N-scale, and have a great old Con-Cor 4-6-4 Pacific. I have just switched to DCC control, but before I spend the money to Athearn GP-30's put in a decoder, I'd first like to dump the Rapido coupler and go to Kadee (or Micro now). Anyone know which conversion works Posted by [email protected] on September 30, 2000, 10:32am with this? (The conversion kits the stores all sell don't mention the I am searching for Athearn GP-30's in Santa Fe and Union Pacific Con-Cor 4-6-4 Pacific.) Thanks. Roads. Willing to pay REASONABLE prices, for good to great Re: Coupler conversion for Con-Cor quality stock. Must also have chassis and trucks: bad/ no Posted by JCS on September 29, 2000, 01:26pm motor...ok. Missing handrails... ok. Contact me at my e-mail address. This will complete my list for this particular era that I'm I have one of those. I'll have to look at it but I think I used the modeling. Thank You. Kato coupler. It just twists in the the pocket vacated by the

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 99 Rapido coupler. It will mate with MT but will not de-couple over Digitrax DH121 on System One a magnet. Post here what decoder you use and how the Posted by Dale Gloer on September 25, 2000, 10:32am installation goes. I am considering putting one in mine. I have a problem with one of my DH121 decoders. I tried to set up Re: Re: Coupler conversion for Con-Cor an advanced consist on a Ssytem One with to locos equipped with Posted by Bill Nielsen on October 04, 2000, 07:57pm DH121s. Both appeared to accept the programming OK and one ran If memory serves, the Con-Cor "N" Pacifics were made by OK, but the other acted very strangely. As soon as the consist was Rivarossi and are essentially the same as the earlier (than the addressed, the headlight started to flash at about 5 flashes per Con-Cor) Atlas "N" Pacifics, so the Micro Trains conversion second and the engine moved in very slow jerky jumps. As soon as listed for the Atlas Pacific should work. the consist was cleared, operation returned to normal. This decoders works correctly on my Chief system in advanced consist mode. Heritage 0-8-0 Bulb Installation Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Dale. PS. I have contacted Digitrax but no answer yet. Posted by Phil Adams on September 28, 2000, 08:13am Received the new 0-8-0 last night. Was wondering if anyone had Re: Digitrax DH121 on System One followed Proto's procedures in replacing light bulbs for DCC use. Posted by Dale Gloer on September 27, 2000, 07:28am How were the installation instructions compared to actually doing I will answer my own question. A response from Digitrax the bulb replacement? Please advise, Thanks indicates that DH121 decoders at revision 21 (CV07=21) do not operate correctly with System One advanced consisting. They Re: Heritage 0-8-0 Bulb Installation offered to replace my decoder. Posted by Joe Binish on September 28, 2000, 10:58am Dale. Phil, I have done this install for a friend(he cuts my trees, I install decoders and paint) and the P2K directions work fine, Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues however I soldered the headlamp instead of using their hoky clips. Posted by Tom von Recklinghausen on September 23, 2000, 11:41pm Good luck I have just recently purchased 2 plug in decoders for my proto 2000 GP7's To my suprise, I have an overheating problem. I have spoke Re: Re: Heritage 0-8-0 Bulb Installation Posted by Phil Adams on September 28, 2000, 11:39am w/ Tony's and they simply say to return them to NCE. I was just wondering if anyone else had similar difficulties??? Joe, could you call me 410 843 1175. I would like to talk with you about this. Thanks, Phil Re: Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues Posted by Bob Miller on September 24, 2000, 12:09am an interesting decoder problem I have 7 or 8 P2K geeps with that decoder, and have not had a problem yet. Most were purchased and installed late last year, Posted by Bob Miller on September 25, 2000, 06:45pm first of this year. Hopefully you have a freak thing. Got a good one for you dcc guys. I have an Atlas GP40, Lenz 03 Bob Miller decoder installed. I am NCE. programmed it on the programming track, entered number 2964 instead of 2963. Didn't catch it. Few Re: Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues days later, tried to start it with the cab04 throttle, would not respond Posted by Tom Bailey on September 26, 2000, 10:58pm to 2963. Tried another throttle, same thing. Put it on the program- I just put a brand new decoder last weekend and had the same ming track, found I had it set for 2964, punched in 2963 and problem. I thought it was my engine, so I replaced with a finished programming. CAb04 still couldn't find it as 2963 but did decoder I had bought about a year ago and there was no as 2964. Programmed it again, still is clinging to 2964. I have never problem. I also have another GP7 and GP30 with the same had a problem changing a long address before. anyone have a decoders without any problems. Seems to me that they've got a thought? I could renumber the diesel, but Santa Fe had only one recent run of decoders that has some electronics problems. Have GP40 (from TPW) and it was 2963. you talked to Jim at Northcoast. He may be unaware of this Bob Miller problems. His e-mail is on the web page. Re: Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues Proto 2000 GP30 Posted by Tom Bailey on September 26, 2000, 10:58pm Posted by Chuck Snyder on September 25, 2000, 11:12am I just put in a brand new decoder last weekend and had the same I'm having a problem with a new PP 2000 GP30. It runs faster in problem. I thought it was my engine, so I replaced with a one direction than the other which makes slow speed switching a decoder I had bought about a year ago, and there were no problem. Is there any way to equalize forward/backward speed problems. I have another GP7 and GP30 with the same decoders through programming? I have an NCE system.Thanks for any without any problems. Seems to me that they've had a recent run suggestions. of decoders that have some electronics problems. Have you Chuck talked to Jim at Northcoast. He may be unaware of this problem. His e-mail is on the web page.

100 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Proto 2000 GP7 Decoder Issues Re: Re: Re: Re: Proto 1000 RDC Posted by Tom Bailey on September 26, 2000, 10:58pm Posted by DonV on October 26, 2000, 09:25am I just put in a brand new decoder last weekend and had the same A moto-tool cut-off wheel works much faster and easier than a problem. I thought it was my engine, so I replaced it with a hobby knife to cut pcb traces. Just touch it with the wheel and its decoder I bought about a year ago. There were no problems with gone! No wrestling for leverage or risk of cutting your fingers the replacement decoder. I have another GP7 and a GP30 with as there is with the knife. Wear safety glasses. Put a piece of the same decoders and they don't have any problems. paper under the pcb as a dust shield for mechanisms below. Use Seems to me that they've had a recent run of decoders that have a soft brush to remove debris from the pcb when done. some electronics problems that get hot. Have you talked to Jim at Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Proto 1000 RDC Northcoast. He may be unaware of this problem. His e-mail is Posted by Bill Koch on October 27, 2000, 05:57pm on the web page. Thanks. Why didn't I think of that? Proto 1000 RDC Lenz Decoders Posted by Paul Collins on September 22, 2000, 07:57pm Posted by Jack White on September 21, 2000, 09:44am Has anyone installed a decoder in the new LL RDC's ? Is it difficult? I have Lenz LE077 decoders installed in 2 Bachmann N Gauge 4-8- Is the Lenz LEO80XS a good choice? 4's. One runs super, the other is very slow. Could this be a defective Any advice would be welcome. I'm new to DCC. I have a NCE decoder? System. Thanks. NCE Throttles Re: Proto 1000 RDC Posted by Bill Koch on October 21, 2000, 03:22pm Posted by Jack White on September 21, 2000, 09:40am What DCC function does the P1 thru P8 on printed circuit board I have a NCE DCC system. A friend has a System One system by correspond to? How do you cut the PC board as indicated by Wangrow. Are these throttles interchangable? "X"? I assume the decoder wires are soldered to the "P" pads. I Re: NCE Throttles plan to install the Digitrak DH121 decoder. There are 9 wires on Posted by DonV on September 21, 2000, 11:56am the decoder plug. There are only 7 "P" pads on the PC board. They are essentialy identical. You can plug either throttle into Need help! either system. Use 'em both when your friend comes over. [But Re: Re: Proto 1000 RDC first read the manual to set one of them at a different address.] Posted by Dave on October 23, 2000, 12:14pm Re: Re: NCE Throttles P1 thru P8 should correspond to Pin 1 thru Pin 8 of the NMRA Posted by Jack White on September 21, 2000, 04:07pm medium connector. Relate the pins to the wire colors on your Thanks Don. I appreciate. While I'm an old modeler, I'm a new decoder and connect to like pads. The DH121 only uses 7 wires, DCC user. I do like it and wonder why anyone would use DC. the other two are not used. This same wire harness is used on other decoders that use the green and purple wires for extra NCE Customer Support functions, F2 & F3. I think the Lenz decoder and/or the Digitrax decoders will work fine as will NCE, and probably others. You Posted by Steve Z. on September 19, 2000, 09:28am may have to chance the light bulbs to 14 volt or wire series I want to let everyone know about the TERRIFIC customer support resistors. Check instructions or call Lifelike for specifics on bulb of NCE. Last Tuesday evening we had a catastrophic system failure voltages. during a large operating session (of course). A power booster (not NCE) failed taking out 2 NCE PH Pros in the process. At NCE's Re: Re: Re: Proto 1000 RDC request we sent all 3 units to them last Wednesday so they could do Posted by Bill Koch on October 25, 2000, 02:46pm an autopsy. Thank you Dave! I went to the NMRA web site... DCC Well, they not only repaired their own units - they fixed their Standard for the Connection # (P) corresponding to the color competitor's power booster as well (after all, they said, they had the harness. Installed the Digitrak DH121 harness with approx. 3 box open to figure out exactly what had happened) !!!! We received inches of wire. Cut the three traces with a hobby knife (checked all 3 units back on Saturday in perfect working order. continuity before and after cutting to be sure the trace was cut). Customer Service does not get better than that. Didn't check the lights but looking at the board decided it would be OK to connect the light wires. The decoder fits very well into Re: NCE Customer Support the roof of the body. I just left the coder rest on the PC board. Posted by Bob Miller on September 19, 2000, 10:01am Changed the address on the programming track. Too bad Lifelike That really isn't a surprise. I have had great service from NCE doesn't include info to install a decoder. Thanks. also, ranging from repair work on a timely manner to time spent on the telephone talking me through a problem or question.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 101 Re: NCE Customer Support Turn switch upside down and remove the clip. This will make Posted by Dave Chance on September 19, 2000, 06:07pm the points move freely. I will agree with you 100% plus! I own a Digitrax Chief but I You may even be able to do it from the top. have a dozen or so NCE decoders. Last week I moved my PR1 This will not hurt the turnout at all. programmer to a notebook for portability. As luck would have it, Hope this helps you. the PR1 misbehaved and caused an apparent loss of CV settings Re: Re: switch machines in two NCE decoders that would not reprogram. An email to Jim Posted by Dennis Smerz on September 04, 2000, 07:29am Scorse got a response in a couple of hours with a polite Ron, suggestion of what I should do and it was exactly what I needed. To further Thomas' instructions, be sure to remove the small Problem solved and both decoders running fine. Thanks to Jim spring wire and plastic spring wire retainer box held by the metal Scorse of NCE. retainer clip. I have over 40 Peco turnouts operated by Tortiose Dave Chance slow motion switch machines of which I had to remove the three components: spring, spring box and clip. They all work just fine. Rivarossi 4-8-4 Opinions Peco turnouts and Tortiose switch machines all bought from Posted by Don on September 12, 2000, 09:53am Tony's. Do the readers of this list have any opinions on the quality of the Dennis current production model of the Rivarossi 4-8-4 FEF loco? How do Re: switch machines they run? Is the power pick-up adequate? Do the drivers fall off the Posted by Steve Z. on September 05, 2000, 09:21am axles? Is it a model worth having? Thanks. Simply remove the spring. Switch will move freely.

North Coast Throttle DH142 decoders Posted by Chuck Snyder on September 11, 2000, 12:27pm Posted by DJRock on September 01, 2000, 12:39am Good morning. I have two questions regarding the NCE throttle. I I have just tried the new DH142 decoders. The back EMF works love the fast clock but wonder if there is a shortcut way of starting just fine but I can't get them to programfor reverse running or do and stopping it. It takes 4 key presses now. advanced consisting! Anybody else out there having any problems Part II - It appears to me the RECALL key will only cycle back and with these decoders? forth between 2 engines. I thought I read once upon a time that you could load it up to cycle through a number of engines, butI can't figure out how. Peco Wiring Thanks, Posted by Mike Acken on August 27, 2000, 01:36pm Chuck We are starting our last - and largest - layout and will purchase an Re: North Coast Throttle NCE system from Tony. As info, wiring is our least favorite aspect Posted by DonV on September 12, 2000, 10:04am of the hobby. My question is the Peco Code HO -75 electrofrog switches we will This is one of the Cab set-up parameters and can be adjusted use. from 2 to 6. Factory default is 2. See your Ph-Pro manual, page Any recommendations to insure: 74. You can view it on line at http://www.tttrains.com/northcoast/ 1. No shorts from metal wheels powerhousemanual.pdf. 2. Insure good current through the points (I know Pecos are good, Re: Re: North Coast Throttle but want no failures)- some of the switches will be powered others Posted by Chuck Snyder on September 18, 2000, 10:25am manual. DonV, 3. Recommendations on switch power for ease of wiring and to Thanks for the response. It was just what I was looking for. support contral panel and trackside signal indications. Regards, Thanks. Chuck Re: Peco Wiring Posted by Bill Gaver on August 29, 2000, 02:46pm switch machines See Allan Gartner's: Posted by Ron on September 02, 2000, 08:00pm www.wiringfordcc.com Could someone tell me if I can use slow motion switch machines and a team effort at with Peco switches. The switches have a spring throw and I wonder greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl? if the spring is to strong for the switch machine. Thanks topic=Wiring%20for%20DCC Note: greenspun.com address is the Re: switch machines two lines above w/o spaces. Posted by Thomas Gleave on September 02, 2000, 10:13pm Ron,

102 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Peco Wiring until the shell finally seemed to release. They will come off. Posted by Bill Gaver on August 29, 2000, 02:54pm Good luck! Delete final two lines of my previous message. rivarossi passenger cars Re: Peco Wiring Posted by ed on September 02, 2000, 06:49pm Posted by bill minkel on August 16, 2000, 09:52pm Also see August 2000 Model Railroader magazine. They had a how can i dissassemble them to add lights and paint interior? good article addressing DCC and turnouts. Re: rivarossi passenger cars Re: Re: Peco Wiring Posted by Tony on August 16, 2000, 10:28pm Posted by Mike Acken on September 03, 2000, 12:55pm Bill - It's quite easy. Turn the car upside down. There are three Thanks for the recommendation on the Gartner site at sets of "hooks", one set near each end and one set in the middle. 'wiringfordcc' Start at one end of ther car and lightly force the hooks on It may well be my ancient (4yrs)computer, but could not locate opposite sides toward the middle of the car using two small it. Also tried wiring4dcc. screw drivers. Pull the roof off as you go from one end of the Has anyone printed it out. I'd gladly cover the cost to get it car to the other. The roof and the windows are an integral piece copied/mailed etc. with the windows fitting down inside the body of the car. The Mike Acken roof should pop right off. Re: Re: Re: Peco Wiring Posted by Bill Gaver on September 03, 2000, 07:48pm Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Mike: Posted by Roger Robar on August 07, 2000, 06:33pm Gartner's site back on line. Try Sorry, I meant to say Athearn 2-8-2, not 2-8-0. Roger www.wiringfordcc.com Re: Peco Wiring Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Posted by fred dellaiacono on September 05, 2000, 12:28pm Posted by Roger Robar on August 06, 2000, 06:40pm I have been using peco electro frog for more than ten years with I suggest you go back to some old posts about the Genesis Mikado no problems. i have over 70 remote located and actuated by a starting from 12.03.1999 to 12.13.1999. These posts all contain simple 12 volt ac radio shack transformer. good info with some problems with the Athearn 2-8-0. One of i have not been successful with the peco aux contacts. i have which states the model is way out of balance and ways to help goneto a micro switch actuated by the peco machine or where correct it. The first run models had very poor soldered wire possible by the arm of the switch itself(above table) and hid the connections. Roger Robar mini switch with scenery.this has been effective and reliable Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Re: Peco Wiring Posted by Richard on August 08, 2000, 11:11am Posted by ed on September 07, 2000, 08:18pm Thanks for the clue on the previous postings. From them I see I There is a good article in Sept 2000 Model Railroader that should probably go to wipers on the tender. Seems a shame that discusses Micro Engineering turnouts. The article also applies to a new engine that looks nice has to have this sort of modification peco other makes of switches. Also you should read "The done to make it run as well as it looks. Thanks all. Digitrax Big Book of DCC" Even though it uses Digitrax Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup products as examples, it does a good job of explaining DCC. By Posted by ed bradbury on August 13, 2000, 10:35am the way Atlas Custom-Line turnouts are already "DCC Friendly" I still would not modify the tender yet. Wipers in the tender will with insolated metal frogs. Good luck on the layout require soldering to the "tail". To do this some of the tail's outter ed covering will have to be removed. Actually all of the covering GP-40 Shell removal should be removed; the tail is too stiff and effects loco operation.Or you will have to run additional wires to the engine. Posted by Dick Foster on August 18, 2000, 03:04pm Also note that all of the engine's 8 wheels are picking up power I don't want to force anything - How do you get the shell off the which should be enough. Is there a loose or broken wire Atlas GP-40. I have removed the couplers but am looking for the somewhere? You have not said you talked with Touy; I would proper procedure to get to the DCC board. Thansk in advance talk to him before modifying. I have been using my loco on my "layout" and at the clubs modular setup and it runs fine on both Re: GP-40 Shell removal DC or with the Throttle Up sound dscoder. Personally I am Posted by Arman Habegger on August 19, 2000, 12:10pm impress with the Athearn Mikado. I had the same question a couple weeks ago. Take off the ed handrails with a tweezers or fingers. The prongs come out of the holes relatively easily. Then I took hold of the shell in one hand, the chassis in the other and moved side to side rather gingerly

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 103 60 deg diamonds lenz-02 consist Posted by Bernhard Gielau on July 31, 2000, 09:37pm Posted by Ryder Ray on July 24, 2000, 04:03pm Has anyone experienced any difficulties using Tony's PSIII circuit I am unable to breakup a consist with my Lenz 02 LH200 handheld. breakers with PECO 60 degree diamond? Most engines and lighted After deleting the first unit of the consist the system looses the coaches cause short circuits which cause the the PSIII to shut down consist # and any loco's with it. I have followed the manual step by the power district. Ubits with flywheels coast past the diamond and step which is simple but it does not go the the MU # after removing start again after the PSIII has cycled. Other die on the diamond. the first loco. Any ideas? Any experience, suggestions welcome. THX Bernhard DCC Install KATO GP35 HO SCALE TRAINS Posted by DAN on July 23, 2000, 12:12am Posted by [email protected] on July 31, 2000, 08:30pm Im trying to install a DH121 in an older KATO GP35 need step by I HAVE HO SCALE TRAINS TO SELL MOST ARE IN step instructions as in what wire goes were? ORIGINAL CARTONS & HAVE NEVER BEEN OPENED. Re: DCC Install KATO GP35 DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON WHERE I CAN Posted by Mark on August 03, 2000, 02:36pm GET CURRENT PRICING ON WHAT THESE ITEMS ARE WORTH ??? OR IF ANY COLLECTORS ARE INTERESTED http://www.digitrax.com/gp3035ho.htm YOU CAN E-MAIL ME DIRECT!! THANX DCC install--Atlas GP40 Re: HO SCALE TRAINS Posted by Arman Habegger on July 17, 2000, 08:13am Posted by Richard on August 01, 2000, 09:02pm I would suggest putting them up for aution on E-bay. List them Has anyone installed decoder in the new Atlas GP40? I'm trying to under the road name and you will get an amazing number of determine how to pull the shell from the chassis without breaking bidders that will give you whatever the market price will stand. everything. I have removed the couplers, but the shell doesn't seem Sign up for Paypal or one of the other credit card services and eager to come off. Help appreciated! you are ready to do it! Good luck! Re: DCC install--Atlas GP40 Posted by Bob Miller on July 17, 2000, 08:49am GP 30 Light I found two ways of installing a decoder. One one, the dynamic Posted by Chuck Snyder on July 31, 2000, 10:47am brake piece was pulled off (carefully) and a Lenz 03 with the 4" I just got a new Proto 2000 GP30 from Tony with a decoder. It runs harness was plugged into the board and the decoder in the cavity great and I particularly like the bright directional lights. Problem is of the dynamic and then the plastic piece was re-installed. On the that after one day, the headlight stopped functioning. I wonder if the second, I pulled the shell off (removing the handrails (very wrong type of bulb was installed. I have an identical GP30 but with carefully) and then simply taking the shell off, same decoder a Soundtraxx system. Its lights are VERY dim but at least they installation, shell back together. You are correct about removing haven't stopped functioning. Any thoughts? the couplers first. I found the Atlas very much like removing a Thanks, Chuck Proto2K or Kato shell. Bob Miller Re: GP 30 Light Posted by Bernhard on July 31, 2000, 11:57pm Re: Re: DCC install--Atlas GP40 Posted by Bob Miller on July 17, 2000, 11:00am Talk to Tony Follow up, you might contact Atlas to get help in removing the Re: Re: GP 30 Light shell. They have closed their forum down which was a place you Posted by David on August 16, 2000, 05:35pm could ask questions, but you can contact their customer service The lights that come from LL are very dim. Besides the bulbs the at light channel doesn't help. I ended up putting 3v bulbs directly [email protected] for help. up by the lenses. Re: Re: DCC install--Atlas GP40 Posted by Arman Habegger on July 24, 2000, 04:43pm need motor drive gear for Rivarossi Heisler Bob--thanks for the help--a little jiggling of the shell over a Posted by Tom Kroll on July 25, 2000, 09:24am couple days and it came off. Nice amount of room for the Where can I find either a replacement drive gear for a Rivarossi decoder, too. thanks for the help. Heisler (the gear that fits on the motor shaft), or a new motor/gear assembly (part #p.420-021) Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Posted by Jake on July 15, 2000, 11:22am Although this might be a basic question, I have just returned to the hobby after a decade and need some advice. I have an Athearn

104 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Genesis Steam Loco 2-8-2 Light Mikado. I have a gapped cross- trouble built into the design. Is this a problem with all the new over set up between two mainlines. The engine does not pick up steam on the market or only with the Athearn? At least at this current when using the crossover. The engine stops dead at the gap. point I don't have much involving steam and can update my Reversing the polarity does not clear the problem.Do I need to layout without much trouble. Thanks for the tip anyway and install power pickup in the tender, and if so how is this done? I am perhaps that will clue Jake in also. not currently set up for DCC. Re: Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup Posted by ed on July 30, 2000, 03:33pm Posted by richard on July 15, 2000, 01:16pm I do not understand your complaint. Is the loco or the wheels Interesting that you are having trouble with this engine. I was dirty? I have The Athearn 2-8-2 and have installed a Throttle up just going to ask a similar question. I got this engine because it sound DCC dacoder. The loco has run great on both DC and was dcc ready and I am building a new layout that way. Nothing after decoder installation. in any of the reviews I've read mention any operation problems Re: Re: Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup but I currently would not recommend this model to anyone! I Posted by richard on August 01, 2000, 08:48pm have several deisel locos that are able to operate fine on my track full of sawdust and plaster but the new Mikado is nearly Hi Ed unusable. I have installed the dcc decoder in the tender but when Sorry about the slow response. Been spending a lot of time opening the engine to check on the light changes , I swore that I looking at the engine! No dirty wheels or track this time. Seems would never do that job again. Opening this one is nearly a the normal things are okay but when running slow thru an nightmare! Does anyone know about the pickup contacts? Is insulated frog (Atlas Mark III) or as the engine goes onto my power to be fed from all wheels or only one pair? This engine turntable where there is a slight bump or lifting of the drivers, I appears to pick up only from one. It stalls at frogs, any speck of lose power. I have determined that this engine does pick up dirt, and when going onto the turntable where there is a slight power from more than one set of drivers in some fashion. To rise as the front wheels reach the edge. Any suggestions for verify this I taped a 3/4" piece of paper across the track to try to improving this? find which were feeding power and all drivers seem to do so. I am wondering how the power is fed from one set of drivers to Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup the others or the motor. Is it possible the siderods do this? If I Posted by Jake on July 15, 2000, 02:06pm barely tickle the drivers or rods it will often pick up power again. Thanks, Richard. I thought maybe it was just my problem. I I,m not finding an obvious set of contacts. Anybody torn one never encountered this before. Just returned from my local down to know for sure how power is fed? model train store and they were at a loss to explain it. I also Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup purchased this with the intent of going DCC. I am going to try a Posted by Ed on August 03, 2000, 07:17pm few things and see if I get anywhere. Have you looked at Model Railroader review in Dec 1999 issue Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup and the instruction sheet? The covering on the wire "pigtail" Posted by DonV on July 20, 2000, 02:23pm between the loco & tender is too stiff. Per Tony's suggestion I Poor electrical pick-up has always been an issue with all brands verrrry carefully cut it off with sissors:don't cut any wires. This of model steam locos, and it still is. The manufacturers have improved operation. The loco uses a split insulated frame with again overlooked that problem with their re-tooled new releases. center insulated wheels simular to Life Like,Right frame half They look great, but still run poorly. Yes, you will probably have picks up power from right drivers, left half the left drivers. to add your own all wheel electrical pick-up to the tender, and/or Wires fed power back to "pigtail" and circuit board feds power fix what is there. back thru pigtail to motor & headlight. The motor is isolated Please do us all a favor by complaining loudly and in writing to from frame so that a DCC decoder can be plug into pigtail after the manufacturer. Remind him that these products are not cheap, removing plug from the circuit board. Hope this helps. but that they operate that way until the buyer adds repairs to their Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pic inferior design. Ask for warranty engineering re-work assistance Posted by David on August 16, 2000, 05:32pm to make improvements. Let them know that he needs to provide all wheel electrical pick-up on every loco, including the steamers. Have a friend who has one of these locos. Ended up sending it back to Athern twice before figuring out the problem himself. Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup There was a broken wire inside the shrink tubing running to the Posted by Richard on July 20, 2000, 03:48pm tender. Thanks for the input from DonV. Thought that I was finally Re: Re: Steam Locomotive Power Pickup experienced enough to avoid some of this type of problem. I am Posted by Gerry on October 05, 2000, 05:36pm building DCC to avoid much of the wiring problems of past layouts. I finished my working career on telephone company This may be a little late but take a look at http://www.tac.com.au/ digital switches and don't want any more "fun" with ~gerrymmr/Pickups/Pickups.html corrosion,etc. Wonder why the model railroad media doesn't It might be of help. mention this so that guys like myself can avoid the products with

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 105 Other Location For Good DCC Info Re: Turn out Shorts Revised Posted by DonV on July 10, 2000, 09:09am Posted by Dennis Smerz on July 14, 2000, 12:06am The Spectrum 3 axle truck w/ metal wheels is causing part of the For those of you who are Digitrax users, a very good web location problem. All wheels and axles on one side of an electrical pick- is at http://www.egroups.com/message/digitrax/. You have to take a up truck are energized at the through-rail potential. The open few minutes and sign in to become a discussion member for the point rail of the turnout is powered at the opposite polarity. As digitrax "group". I find it a good companion with TTX's bulletin the long truck rolls through the narrow gap the back of one board, especially if you are Digitrax based. wheel touches the open point rail making electrical contact. Thus Enjoy and remember "Gardening is a Hobby,....Model Railroading you get a short-circuit. is a Passion!" Note that this is NOT just a DCC problem, as the short circuit will occur regardless of what kind of rail power system you use. Walthers SW-1 Decoder Installation But using DCC friendly turnouts, or making them DCC friendly, Posted by Mike T. on July 12, 2000, 10:56pm will resolve the issue. Fixing a Shinohara is a lot of work. The I would like to install a decoder in the Walthers SW-1 but do not light bulb trick works and is easiest to implement. [Gap isolate know how to determine which wires to cut to install the decoder. I the switch, and put an automotive lamp in series with the power see a simple circuit board and the wires from the trucks. Not sure feed.] how to go from there! I would appreciate any help to get me started. Re: Re: Turn out Shorts Revised Thanks Posted by Bob Miller on July 10, 2000, 09:16am Re: Walthers SW-1 Decoder Installation Chris: Posted by joe binish on July 13, 2000, 03:44pm Dave's advise about checking the switch wiring is a good one. I I used a DZ-121 and removed the factory circuit board. With a have several Shinohara switches on my railroad, although I no little filing, drilling and soldering it works out fine. I will see if I longer buy them, and I found shorting problems because of the have a photo to send way the Tortise moves the points. Mine are now dcc friendly thanks to those wiring diagrams. However, if your locomotive Turn out Shorts Revised (s?) are running through without shorting, and it only happens with the Spectrum coaches, then I am still a little suspicous about Posted by Chris Dante on July 10, 2000, 07:53am them. Ignore the first message, I made a mistake. Bob Miller Below is the correct message: My layout has code 70 shinohara track, powered by a Lenz 01 turn out shorts system. The turn outs are powered by tortoise machines with a wire Posted by Chris Dante on July 10, 2000, 07:51am solderd to the frog and connected to one of the SPDT terminals on the tortoise. My layout has code 70 shinohara track, powered by a Lenz 01 If I operate a loco by it self on the track everything is ok. When I system. The turn outs are powered by tortoise machines with a wire add Spectrum heavyweight passenger cars w/built in lighting I get a solderd to the points and connected to one of the SPDT terminals on short entering the turn out. the tortoise. Can you give me any help or do you need more info? If I operate a loco by it self on the track everything is ok. When I add Spectrum heavyweight passenger cars w/built in lighting I get a Re: Turn out Shorts Revised short entering the turn out. Posted by Bob Miller on July 10, 2000, 08:20am Can you give me any help or do you need more info? Chris: question, does the short happen when the engine first hits the nce consist, FX, power districs, etc. points, or does the engine pass through okay and the short Posted by Dave on July 09, 2000, 11:02pm happens when the wheel sets of the first passenger car hits the points? Does it happen with any of the cars, or certain ones, or Larry, have you tried removing the first car to see if the short occurs I am really working at it but it is about to get the best of me. What without that car being in the consist? should I do? Bob Miller My DT is still working great, but then I learned how to read many years ago! Re: Turn out Shorts Revised Dave Posted by Dave Chance on July 10, 2000, 08:26am Chris, check the "Wiring for DCC" site at: < nce power districts www.wiringfordcc.com/ > Posted by Bob Miller on July 07, 2000, 06:21pm Look for page on DCC Friendly Turnouts. That page has proven wiring information and diagrams for Shinohara as well as many Well guys, and Norman, I have hit a new glitch this afternoon, too other "DCC Unfriendly & Friendly" turnouts. late to call back east and find anyone. My railroad is divided into Dave three power districts, each with an NCE PB105. The wiring is not

106 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 new, my railroad was a solid Dynatrol based railroad, the boosters Re: nce power districts simply replaced Dynatrol DPS stations. I started noticing as an Posted by Bob Miller on July 08, 2000, 04:18pm engine moves over the gaps between power district, I get a blinking Norman, I had been having op sessions for last several months. light on the booster, a momentary shutdown of that booster, then In fact, I had been testing the tracking of a unit grain train and everything is okay again. Any ideas ????? had run it across the drop bridge where one power district ends Bob Miller and next begins, no problem. The boosters are stacked on a shelf Re: nce power districts out of the line of fire. Also when it started happening, it was Posted by Bob Miller on July 07, 2000, 08:18pm inconsistent in which booster's light started blinking. Oh well, valuable lesson. When I told Jim Scorse about it, his Cancel the SOS, I discovered I must have bumped one of the comment is "don't we have fun". boosters and set the normal to auto reverse. Setting it back to Bob Miller normal caused the problem to go away. Thanks anyway guys. Re: Re: nce power districts Bob Posted by Johnnie C, Scott on July 11, 2000, 12:58pm Re: Re: nce power districts Bob, do you have a cat? Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 07, 2000, 09:59pm Re: Re: Re: nce power districts Bob, Posted by Bob Miller on July 11, 2000, 01:09pm I am glad you found a simple explanation. actually we have two cats, both of which have never been I am confident that any railroad wired for Dynatrol will work introduced to the wonderful hobby of model railroading. In other with DCC (except maybe Digitrax). Also, any railroad wired for words they never get downstairs. However, they do get on the multiple controls with standard DC block control will work. garden railroad at times, and one of them, "moose" left a deposit Common rail (more correctly, common return) wiring is NOT an on a switch. issue for any of these systems except Digitrax. Re: Re: Re: Re: nce power districts Re: Re: Re: nce power districts Posted by Curtis on July 13, 2000, 03:50pm Posted by Bob Miller on July 07, 2000, 11:47pm Hello fellows, I have been following your thread here with much I would like a simple explanation of how I managed to flip that interest. I am building a N scale layout using the North Coast toggle to auto reverse, since the boosters are stacked on a shelf system and I have TEN, count them 10 cats! I noticed that when under the railroad by the command station. I was really bummed I put up a table [on which some of the benchwork will go] they on that one. The railroad had been running perfectly for about 7 were intantanously on top if it. When I was testing a locomotive months, then this happened. Even tried another command station they wanted to bat at it and knock it off the track! I am going to off the over railroad, made no difference. The way I found what have to find some anti-cat spray! hehe. Thx and take care. had happened is I flipped the toggle (I'm serious) on the middle Curtis booster to see what would happen and the problem went away. p.s. they even chew wires! That is when I really started looking at the boosters and found the top one with its little toggle on auto reverse also. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: nce power districts Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 13, 2000, 04:06pm Anyway the problem was solved before my Sunday evening operating session. Curtis, If you can, keep the cats out of the RR room 100% of the time. nce power districts Not only will they chew wires and swat rolling stock, but the cat Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 08, 2000, 04:03pm hair that they leave behind wreaks havoc with loco mechanisms Bob, and switch points. I agree that this should not occur. The way the box is con- Norman structed, you have to deliberately flip that switch. I suppose you could drop something just right, but that is really far fetched. I Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: nce power districts Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on July 14, 2000, 01:27pm am assuming that you had everything in working order previously, maybe even had operating sessions, and that trains Well, the reason I asked is that it is possible for a cat to throw a had run across every power district boundary flawlessly at some toggle switch. I know, I've seen them do it! I have 5 cats and the previous time. If this is true, then I am puzzled how the switch are not allowed in the barn to play with the "electric mice". could have been inadvertently changed. But if it is not, maybe it was like that all along and you just didn't notice??? Still, I would 128 SS think that if you set it up that way you would have noticed the Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 07, 2000, 05:24pm difference in switch positions. Here's another one I can't quickly understand from the books: Must I hope this never happens to you again. I can imagine your I set every decoder and/or consist to 128 speed steps individually? panic. It is a good lesson for all of us. Thanks for sharing it with Or does the entire RR change to 14 or 28 or 128 speed steps at the us. push of a button?

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 107 Re: 128 SS the lead loco number. If the lights are not on, try turning them off Posted by Dennis Smerz on July 08, 2000, 02:57pm and then back on. Also, if they are directional, try reversing to Norm, make sure you are not looking at the wrong end. On my Chief setup, I have programed each of my decoders (a Frequently, after setting up a consist, the cab will indicate that mixture of Digitrax, Lenz, NEC). I just read through my the lights are on, but they are not. By cycling the lights, the manuals and unless I've overlooked something (which I've been problem goes away. I don't know why this is, and I don't like it, known to do)I don't think there is a way to do "default" all to but the cycling action fixes the problem. 128 step configuration, accross the board.Maybe someone Re: consisting enlighten both of us! Posted by Steve Z. on July 05, 2000, 08:58am Dennis Smerz There are 2 ways to refer to a consist with NCE. The first is to (ex-Freindswood,Texas resident of 25 years) use the consist address, the second is to use the address of the Re: Re: 128 SS lead loco. When the consist address is used, functions com- Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 08, 2000, 04:14pm mands are sent to that address. Some decoders can be pro- Dennis, grammed to respond to functions sent to a consist address, most Thanks for the information. I think you are right. I have checked can't. Your best bet is to use the address of the lead loco. The several consists, and some seem to be 28 speed steps and some command station knows it is in a consist and will send speed/dir others seem to be 128. I will go back and make sure they are commands to consist address but function commands to lead ALL 128 by setting each individually. loco address. Somehow I wish you were still in Friendswood. I am in Re: Re: consisting Pearland. There are several other good modelers and operators Posted by DonV on July 05, 2000, 09:05am down here, but I hate to lose any. With NCE the headlights will still respond to the original loco address number when in a consist. So you can turn the headlight Uploadable Speed Curves of the point loco ON and OFF separately from others in the Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 03, 2000, 05:44pm consist. If all locos in the consist responded to headlight Okay, now I am ready to eliminate the "slot trains" by slowing commands at the consist address then all headlamps would be down the loco top speed. With the NCE decoders, I know I can turned ON and OFF. program CV67 thru CV94, and take care of it. But when I pick some really low value for the top speed, such as 50, then the loco NCE Cab04e won't start moving until half way up the scale. I tried setting the Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 29, 2000, 03:54pm start voltage to 99, and it did not help. I have received my five new NCE Cab04e's, and much to my Here's what I want: In 28 speed step mode, I want the switching surprise they start out in yard mode! There is no indication in the loco to just start moving on step 1, and to max out at 15 - 20 MPH manual about this, and since "0" is the setting for regular operation at step 28. How do I do it? I also am looking for 35 MPH max for and "1" is for yard mode, I had expected that the cab as delivered my local freights, 55 for through trains. Suggestions? would be in regular mode. How was this a surprise? We set up several cabs with new consisting addresses, and tried to operate several locos. Before we knew it, we Posted by Bob Miller on July 03, 2000, 04:16pm had unintentionally coupled the locos together and couldn't figure All you NCE gurus or anyone else that knows advance consisting out how to separate them over a magnet. Silly? Yes, I suppose so, quirks. I placed a new Kato and the new Atlas in service over the but when you expect to change directions via a button (either weekend. Both did fine, headlights worked as they should, but forward, reverse, or option (which by default is "change direc- when I assigned them to an advanced consist, I can't get the tion")), yet it doesn't help . . . well, you can get some surprising headlights to come on. If I seperate them and call them by engine results when you aren't thinking "yard mode". number, they work fine. I guess this is a good lesson in that we should expect the unex- Any ideas, Norman???? pected, and should make sure we set up everything as we desire. Bob How can Control Turntable (Roco) in DCC Re: consisting Posted by Norman Beveridge on July 03, 2000, 05:37pm Posted by Claudio Botello on June 23, 2000, 01:18pm Bob, Hi All: Since the headlights work before you set up the consist, the Ned to control my ROCO TT in DCC: move the bridge, indexing, decoders are responding correctly and the bulbs are good. Let's etc. try something. Any experience, some help. First, make sure the lights are "on" before you set up the consist. I saw the artical by Bill Armstrong in LE0130 with Turnstables but Next, set up the consist, putting one loco as the lead and adding need more specific explanations. the other. Now, once the consist is set up, select the consist by Thanks in advance.

108 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: How can Control Turntable (Roco) in DCC Atlas GP-40 Posted by DonV on June 28, 2000, 08:40am Posted by Ronald Grandmaison on June 19, 2000, 10:29pm If the turntable uses a 12 V dc motor you can always install a Has anyone intalled a decoder in the nes Atlas GP-40. I have bought DCC loco decoder to operate it. Permanently wire the wheel two of these locos and I would like the options of knowing the pick-up leads to the DCC track buss. Address it at any easy to choices of decoders for this engine. remember loco number (like 100). Operate it from your DCC hand-held cab unit. There are some sophisticated indexers out Re: Atlas GP-40 there. Great for automatic operation. But with a significant price Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 20, 2000, 01:30pm tag. Using a loco decoder yields nifty remote control at low cost. Ronald, Re: How can Control Turntable (Roco) in DCC The TTX/RS2 is plug-n-play in this loco, and is by far the Posted by D.Smerz on June 28, 2000, 04:11pm easiest installation. And this is a fairly inexpensive decoder. If you need or want more features (=$$$), any decoder with the I too wanted to know how I could control my turntable with standard 8 pin plug/harness will fit easily. DCC. Mine was a HELJAN with a Walhers motor drive. I too tried a loco decoder. I found two problems in my case: 1) the Walters drive motor operates at a constant speed not affected by FX problems motor voltage (on or off, only). 2) the gearing inside causes the Posted by joe binish on June 14, 2000, 01:44pm "coast" is be inhanced due to the constant motor speed. I had no I am trying to set up a decoder with two independant mars lights. advantage using the loco decoder in this application. I removed it However, only one will work, even though each CV will accept and replaced it with a good DPDT rocker switch. Works for me. programming. A fellow user suggested that the DH-150K will only I have six stalls (roundhouse) and 10 slots (open). I just take my allow one function to have FX features. Any one know for sure? time at judging when to stop! Good Luck. Re: FX problems Posted by Jean C. Piquette on June 15, 2000, 08:27am Athearn Genesis DCC Hi Joe, Posted by Alex M. on June 22, 2000, 03:31pm I'm not sure why you can't get your two mars lights going. I Hello All have 10 DH150's (A's and K's), and I have them programmed I have an Athearn Genesis SD75I and in he future way install a for mars light on F0 (for the headliht) and double pulse strobe DCC decoder into it. Might any of you be able to E-Mail me with on F4, controlling the tail light. I've programmed them so the some tips/instructions/suggestions on doing this? My particular area headlight is always on, as a mars light, but the tail light only of concern is the headlight bulbs; is there any way to install a comes on in reverse, as a kind of a backup light. (Mars light decoder which does not require me to change the light bulbs? They stays on though.) were a pain to get in and I'm not looking forward to taking them This setup works fine. So if there's any limitation on the number out. My E-mail is [email protected]. Thanks in advance for any of functions that can use FX, it certainly hasn't prevented me help you can give. from doing this! Alex M. Sincerely, Re: Athearn Genesis DCC Jean Posted by Paul Federiconi on June 25, 2000, 01:17am Re: Re: FX problems I use the NCE DA102 decoder for my Athearn SD70's using the Posted by Joe Binish on June 16, 2000, 12:17pm 1.5V bulbs that came with the models. You have to solder a Jean, thanks for your input. I emailed Digitrax, and John Phillips 390Ohm resistors to step down the voltage that come out of the replied each FX decoder will support 4 FX functions. So it must decoder for the various functions. One 390 ohm resistor per be my incompetance(sp?) that is causing the problem. I will try a function. I have the nose light as the headlight function on/off, larger(than 470ohm, 1/4 watt) resistor to see if that helps. The and the ditch lights to on/off on function 1. light as is is very bright(like the sun!) Joe Regards, Paul Re: Re: Re: FX problems Posted by Jean C. Piquette on June 19, 2000, 08:23am Re: Re: Athearn Genesis DCC Hi Joe, Posted by Michael on June 30, 2000, 01:09pm Don't worry about any possible incompetance. :-) Although I I also used a NCE DA102US decoder, but I put in a 1.5 V have things working as I want, it took me a lot of fiddling voltage regulator. For circuit see: around to get it to do so. I think part of the problem is caused by http://pages.sssnet.com/donc/img/lighting.gif several of my locos being wired to run in the direction opposite I used the one in the lower right hand corner. The negative to the standard. Once you take advantage of the decoder's ability needed for the regulator was got from the decoder by soldering a to allow the direction to be what you want, the CV values in the wire to the negative side of the four diodes that form the bridge manual for FX functions don't seem to quite work as stated in recifier of the decoder. the manual. But, after plenty of fiddling, things work as I wish. Michael Perhaps that's all you need to do.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 109 Sincerely, supposed to do, you can think the product isn't functioning, Jean when it is. Hence, complaints. I have to confess I no longer test decoders either. (Used to, but Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems they all checked out fine.) And mine are all Digitrax decoders. Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 20, 2000, 01:37pm Now, my experiences may be a reflection of the fact that I only Jean, have used the "high-end" decoders...DH150's and DN140's. Tell me it isn't true. Most of the complainers seem to be those who have bought the Is this an indication that the programming in the Digitrax low-end decoders, DH120's and DH121's. I have no experience decoders has a problem? Why would the programming change with those. But then again, I have no experience with non- just because you set bit 0 in CV29? This should NOT impact the Digitrax equipment, either. expected results for any other settings of CV's. If it does, then It would be nice if someone who is unbiased, and who has real the decoder has a big problem. experience with several manufactuerers, would post something Sounds like another reason to avoid Digitrax decoders. about their experiences... Re: FX problems Sincerely, Posted by joe binish on June 20, 2000, 03:02pm Jean As it turns out, Dtrax suggests I fiddle with the resistor values Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems for the function that is not doing as instructed. Each FX decoder Posted by Bob Miller on June 22, 2000, 09:31am should support 4 FX functions. Thanks for the input Jean, I agree, someone with experience and unbiased to report Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems would be nice. I have installed at last count around 75 decoders, Posted by Jean C. Piquette on June 21, 2000, 11:21am which was a shock, but I moved from Dynatrol to DCC in 6 Hi Norman, months. I use the NCE system, but I have decoders for NCE, Gee, Norman, you seem to be pretty quick to jump on Digitrax. Digitrax, and now I am using Lenz also. I am basically interested I don't think there's any problem with the decoders from what I in features for operation and lights. I have more NCE than any, reported but, alas, there are many problems with the manuals. and these have been the ones I have managed to smoke the The specific area of the manuals I was referring to described easiest. I have 9 Digitrax of various stripes, all work perfectly. I how to get FX effects in one function or another. Changing the have started using Lenz, the 102 and 103, have about 12 CV29 bit reverses which light will be considered the "headlight" installed, and again, perfect. But I have 5 dead NCE decoders and which is considered the "tail light". So, when the manual sitting on the workbench. I had no problems with instructions on refers to a "forward effect" being activated (an admittedly poor the Digitrax or Lenz, only had to call Lenz one time for support. terminology), the definition of "forward" is reversed, leading to Bob Miller the confusion. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems Sincerely, Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 27, 2000, 10:54am Jean Bob, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems How did you smoke the decoders? Were these installer prob- Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 21, 2000, 11:48am lems, or actually problems with the decoders? I also moved out Jean, of Dynatrol in less than 6 months. But after years of going I have heard mixed stories about Digitrax decoders, and I guess through all the extra care needed to install Dynatrol receivers the reason I am wary is that if I am going to spend $$$ for without smoking them, DCC decoders are a piece of cake. decoders, they better be right straight out of the box and work as Norman advertised. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problem I appreciate your quick answer. Your explanation that the manual Posted by Bob Miller on June 27, 2000, 08:22pm is the problem, not the decoder, will help alleviate my fears. Norman, I only smoked one Dynatrol receiver that I can We don't seem to hear about problems like this with Lenz, NCE, remember out of around 40 or 45 receivers I installed over the or System 1. Is that because Digitrax actually has more years. One of the 6 decoders i maneged to wire something problems? E.g. the DCC web sites implore the user to test the wrong and it couldn't read the CV table after that. The other 5 decoder before installing it. I have installed 50 NCE decoders, were the dual signature decoders that were a joint project not one test, and all work perfectly. A friend the same with between nce and dynatrol, and they seemed to be extra touchy. It System 1 and Lenz decoders. was usually something on the dynatrol side of the decoder that Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: FX problems got crossways. Since they were double the price of a straight Posted by Jean C. Piquette on June 22, 2000, 08:13am decoder, I was not a happy camper, and glad to not have to Hi Norman, purchase anymore after I made the full conversion. So, they sit I'm not sure why Digitraxers complain so much. It could easily in a drawer, because it was twenty bucks a pop to send them be the very poor documentation. If you don't know what you're back to dynatrol for repair, and often nce and dynatrol couldn't agree who or what was responsible. That was the major push to drop the Dynatrol dcc and go fully into nce.

110 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Bob Digitrax problems were in their command stations and cabs. This may cause me to rethink the purchase of Digitrax decoders. Re: FX problem Posted by Joe Binish on June 28, 2000, 05:37pm Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC Not to change the string, but I figured out my problem and the Posted by bob Miller on May 30, 2000, 04:53pm decoder (DH-150K) is running fine. Now I can have my Mars Norman: I am an NCE command station user, and probably have lights and class lights too! around 55 nce decoders in use. I also have some Digitrax, maybe 7 or 8, because they were for a specific application, and Re: Re: FX problem lately I have been buying the Lenz 102 because they fit the Kato Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 29, 2000, 03:52pm snoot. I have had little problems with any of them, and none of Joe, the digitrax have caused any problems. Could you share what you found? I think it would help us all if you told us what was required to get the decoder working as Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC desired. Posted by Robert Jackson on May 30, 2000, 05:05pm Norman, I have at least 25 Digitrax decoders in use and have not Re: Re: Re: FX problem had a problem with them. I have experienced the resetting of Posted by joe binish on July 03, 2000, 02:55pm most of the CVs to 255 in the case of two decoders. This is not a Sorry this took so long. I dont yet live in the current century. ( decoder problem, they could both be reset and returned to full must use pasrents computer for email acct) Anyway, the DH-150 functioning with use of a DT100 throttle. I don't know how Ian's will support 4 FX functions, however F1 does not, I think. problem arose, but I am as sure as one can be not knowing all When I moved the class lights to F1 and the white Mars to F3, the facts that he does not have a decoder problem either. red Mars on F2 everything was fine. As I was using 1.5v bulbs, I had to use at least 470 ohm resistors so the bulbs last and aren't Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC too bright. F2 can be made to latch by turning the throttle knob Posted by Jean C. Piquette on May 31, 2000, 08:15am and holding the F2 button down. Hi Norman, I have a full Digitrax system (command station/booster, throttles, Digitrax Decoder Reset and decoders). Everything works quite well. Sincerely, Posted by Mario Esteves on June 14, 2000, 06:43am Jean Hi all, Can anyone tell me if there's any way of reseting the Digitrax Re: Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC decoders to factory settings ? Posted by Dave Chance on May 31, 2000, 02:34pm I have one Digitrax DN 140 on a Kato NW2 and so far I couldn't Hi Norman, tune it to the standards that I want. After so many operations I I have a Digitrax Chief with 2 DT100IR and 1 DT100 Throttles, become a little bit lost and the easier way is to reset the decoder 20 decoders (5 NCE and 15 Digitrax). The decoders are various values to the original ones. types to fit specific locos. I had two DH121 decoders fail in the Any help ? same way, lights on/off worked fine, but direction and speed had All the best, no effect. Digitrax repaired both at no cost. All my DH121's Mario were purchased in early 1999. My DH83's, DH140's, and (Porto - Portugal) DH120's all work fine. The two early NCE Kit decoders have had some problems with shorts causing loco to take off on a Re: Digitrax Decoder Reset couple of occasions. To me, this is virtually trouble free!! Posted by Leonard Stern on June 14, 2000, 09:53am Dave Mario: If you still have the grey card-sheet that came with the decoder the defaults are listed. However to reset: CV1=03, Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC CV29=06, all other CV's=0. Hope this helps you. Leonard Posted by Dennis Smerz on June 06, 2000, 01:09pm Stern, email: [email protected] Norman, I have all Digitrax setup (Chief)with 36 locos most being puchased during the middle to late 50's and some 60's Wipe Out for Other DCC (Mantua, Tyco,& early Rivirossi, etc...) all now converted to DCC. 20+ are DH121 units installed by me and purchased from Posted by Norman Beveridge on May 30, 2000, 01:36pm Tony. I do have two soundtrax units and several Lenz and NEC Has anyone experienced decoder problems with other brands units. I have had no problems with any of these. I have found besides Digitrax? So far I am using only NCE, but have considered through my experience that after "fiddling" with a decorder's others. programming and it doen't function as you expected , go back to Of all the Digitrax problems cited in the "Wipe Out" message string, the default settings first, then start again to achieve what you the latest messages about the decoders really bother me. I had want. previously thought their decoders were very good, at least according Dennis to what others had said (I currently have none), and that most of the

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 111 Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC First was that when testing a loco(LLP2K-GP7) by running it on Posted by Jim Heidorn on June 07, 2000, 10:48pm the track, it stopped for about 30 seconds then took off, flat out. Dennis Smerz, Removed it from the track and tested the coding on PR1 to find that Off the subject, but do you still have the original open frame all settings were at "255" and it could not be reprogrammed. motors in your engines? I'm just getting into DCC and have seen I presume it is a blown decoder. all of the recommendations about replacing open frame motors Second problem was that a short circuit wiped the programs from with can motors. If you still use the open frame motors with decoders in 6 loco's, 3 were in use, 3 were sitting idle. I have a tail DCC, are there any operating differences between them and lamp as short protection and running the system on 12 volts. engines with can motors? Any suggestions on what I have failed to do properly, or how to Thanks, avoid these problems again would be appreciated. Jim Ian Campbell Glen Waverley-Australia Re: Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC Posted by Norman Beveridge on June 08, 2000, 12:17pm Re: Wipe-Out Posted by Norman Beveridge on May 26, 2000, 11:06am In general, I don't think that open frame motors are an issue just because they are open frame. Rather, how good is the motor? I wonder if this problem is specific to older Digitrax units. Over Older open frame motors tended to draw a lot of current and the past several years I have heard of this from multiple people "cog". The newer motors are much more efficient and have little in multiple cities, always on a Digitrax system. Never on NCE, cogging. System 1, or Lenz. For example, I know that the open frame motors used in the I understand from others that the newer Digitrax systems are Roco built Atlas Alco switchers are very efficient and smooth. much improved. What is the vintage of this one? Perhaps it is They run great with DC or DCC power. something that an upgrade can fix!!!?! Any loco that does not run well on DC will have trouble with I would also suggest that all locos should be programmed before DCC, although maybe in some cases you can use the program- the operating session. Or maybe I misunderstand what took ming to mask part of it. place here. If guests are bringing over locos, then they should arrive early so that everything can be programmed, tested, and in Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC place before the session begins. Posted by Leonard Stern on June 08, 2000, 03:46pm Norman: Your last para is very correct. If the loco runs well on Re: Wipe-Out Posted by Robert Jackson on May 26, 2000, 11:21am DC it will do well if not better on DCC. I have installed decoders on some very old Bowsers, Mantuas and brass. Before Do not assume that you have a blown decoder. Start over with a installing the decoders I fine tuned the mechanisms. I did not DT100 or other programming capable throttle and dump all the wish to change the motors and gears (COST). After installation 255 settings (may show FF on your throttle.) Then set them to of the proper decoder (re stall current) the locos all start from the default settings recommended by Digitrax. It will very likely click 2 to 4 (Digitrax 128 steps). Regards. Leonard. e-mail: turn out that your decoder is OK and can be re-programmed [email protected] with the throttle to whatever you had it initially. But do NOT re- program with the PR1. I have had a similar experience and Re: Re: Re: Wipe Out for Other DCC though I don't know where the gremlin is/was I am quite certain Posted by Dennis Smerz on June 11, 2000, 07:16pm that the PR1 or its software were the original source. Jim, Initially, I was concerned about the use of the original open Re: Re: Wipe-Out Posted by Ian Campbell on May 26, 2000, 10:00pm frame motors with dcc. As advised, I checked the amprage draw (stalled motor condition)for each loco. Some exceeded the Re my original message. decoder rating(nearly 2 amps). With advise from Caboose Thanks for your responses. Hobbies (Denver Colorado), I cleaned the motors and drive Further info:- gear, reassembled and found the amp draw was less for most All locos have been programmed via PR1. and left the original motors in them. For those to high a draw, I The digitrax decoders, Empire Builder and additional controllers got canned motors from Caboose Hobbies and dropped them were all purchased from TTX from July - Sept 1999. right in. All run just fine for my needs. Your performance The loco's being used were all programmed prior to the session demands may be more than mine, but to each his own. starting and were all owned by me. I have had a lot of trouble with one loco (Athearn FP) which Wipe-Out consistently loses its' programming. I had tested this one and it was OK prior to the session but failed Posted by Ian Campbell on May 26, 2000, 09:44am at the start of the session. The first night of a new operating group resulted in some major The loco which "ran away" was being used as a pilot to check problems. the mainline track. (Empire Builder, 3 of DT100IR, 3 of UT2, all DH121's)

112 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Wipe-Out early 1999. I had one decoder that had it purchased about May Posted by Robert Jackson on May 27, 2000, 06:20pm 1999. Ian, I would expect that the loco which seemed OK has an The symptoms are that the decoder loses its programming internal short which caused the CVs to be reset to 255. Just a whenever a short circuit occurs or when there is a brief power guess, but for sure the 255 settings everywhere are a part of the interruption due to dirty wheels, etc. The decoder must be problem. 255 at CV=0 sets the address out of the range of your returned to the programming track to be reprogrammed. throttle; at CV=0 it sets starting voltage at the maximum; and at I suggest that you contact Digitrax for a fix for your DH121's. I CV=61 will set the decoder up for operation of AC type motors. sent mine back with a copy of the purchase invoice and they I can't explain how the CVs get set at 255, but I know that if replaced it at no charge. they do it will seem like nothing works. It may well also seem Hope this helps you. that the decoder can't be reprogrammed, but if you change all Dale Gloer 255 settings to 0 and the choose default settings with your Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe-Out DT100 throttle you might get everything back to square one. Posted by Dale Gloer on May 30, 2000, 09:37am Re: Re: Re: Wipe-Out Darn 1000 character limit!!! Posted by Robert Jackson on May 27, 2000, 06:33pm The DH121 has another problem that occasionally happens. (I Ian, If you don't already know about it, you should go to think other decoders may also do this.) It will start a loco www.oneList.com and join the Digitrax group and then send a moving slowly after a short circuit or other power interruption. message to Don Crano who is an expert with Digitrax systems This problem can be cleared by removing the loco from the track and he can help you better than I or most of the other folks who for a few seconds and then replacing it. monitor Tony's bulletin board. OneList has combined with eList Dale. and you may have to go there instead. Non DCC Loco Again Re: Re: Re: Wipe-Out Posted by Jeff Siladi on May 28, 2000, 12:58am Posted by Malcolm Foster on May 23, 2000, 08:42pm Ian, Thanks for all your responses to my last message. Actually the I had similar problems with my EB. The one I purchased was question I have is: The loco just sits there on the track, should I basically right out of the chute when they were first released. I disconnect any of the DCC connectors on the Loco? I have don't know if it is the same sequence of events and I'm not using programmed the system for the 00 address of a non DCC Loco. a PR1 (yet). If I pressed and held the e-stop button, EVERY Another Non DCC Loco will run at this address, but that is not engine on the main would take off at full speed, kind of like a DCC ready. scalded cat being chased by a rabid dog. I wrote Digitrax about Re: Non DCC Loco Again the problem, and they told me not to use the estop feature. After Posted by Robert Jackson on May 23, 2000, 11:48pm some complaining on my part, they offered to fix the command I am not familiar with Bachmann locos, but it sounds as if no station. I never did get the problem solved with the EB, and I "juice" is getting to the motor. Does it buzz? My guess is that in soon upgraded to the Chief. Haven't had a problem with it yet. this case DCC ready means that the leads from the pickups My point being, you should probably contact digitrax about your simply end at the plug waiting for a decoder to be plugged in. problem as I suspect it is a flaw with the DB150. Not your The solution (without a decoder) is to connect the power leads to decoders, PR1, Throttles, locos, etc. The fact they offered to fix the motor. I believe that there are plugs for that purpose which mine suggests they know what's going on and may have a simply plug into the receptacle where your decoder would simple fix. normal plug in. I would have expected that Bachmann would Good luck and please post your solution here for all to see. have provided such a plug. Jeff Re: Non DCC Loco Again Re: Wipe-Out Posted by Dave Chance on May 25, 2000, 12:11pm Posted by Walter Falconer on May 28, 2000, 04:48pm Malcolm, Judging from all the responces that I have read, you Ian, still haven't gotten your question answered. Apparently some I live on the other side of Melbourne from you and may be able NCE systems won't directly control a non-DCC loco from the to help by phone or email. I'm not sure on Tony's rules so I'm handheld throttle, but since you say a different non-DCC loco sending him an email with my details. does run, I will assume this is not your problem. Digitrax and Re: Re: Re: Wipe-Out some other systems will control a non-DCC loco just fine by Posted by Dale Gloer on May 30, 2000, 09:29am setting the throttle to address zero. If your Bachman doesn't run, I think the key here is that you are using DH121 decoders does it make a buzzing sound? If not, then power is not getting purchased in the first part of 1999. Digitrax had some parts from to the motor. This may be due to the shorting plug/DCC decoder a supplier that appeared to meets specs but didn't function socket. Make sure the shorting plug is plugged in for all non- correctly in the decoder (DH121 only). The problem occurred in decoder operation. Remove this plug only when you are plugging in a decoder. If this is not the case, try running your

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 113 loco on regular dc power. Note, some Bachman 4-8-2's had a Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco problem with the power wipers getting deformed and not Posted by Chuck Snyder on May 23, 2000, 02:17pm making contact with the wheels. Good luck. You may contact me Thanks for your responses. How do I get my DCC throttle to directly at [email protected] "talk" to my non-decoder engine? Do I perhaps use the address Dave 0 or 00? Thanks. eom Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco Non DCC Loco Posted by Robert Jackson on May 23, 2000, 11:34pm Posted by Malcolm Foster on May 23, 2000, 09:10am You do not program a standard DC loco. All you do is put it on How do I run a DCC ready loco, which does not have a decoder, on the track and select "00" with your throttle. Yes, it buzzes and a DCC layout. The loco is a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2. sizzles and yes control is not the best, though workable. It will Re: Non DCC Loco buzz even when sitting idle and yes it is heating some while that Posted by Ed McCamey on May 23, 2000, 10:35am is happening, but not in my experience enough to be a problem. What is annoying is that the DC loco will detect polarity changes Malcom, at return loops and automatically reverse. You can consider that Any DC only locomotive (one only) can be operated with you get an "extra" locomotive to operate without a decoder, but MOST DCC systems. The NMRA specification for DCC you will likly soon find that it is a pain and not worth it. ALLOWS one standard DC locomotive to operate using "stretched zeros" to put equivelent DC on the track. Yhis is Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco usually the ZERO address for the DCC system. Do note though Posted by Steve Z. on May 24, 2000, 07:27am that some DCC systems provide this capability wiht only a nod DCC, by definition, is AC current at about 1K-2K cycles per to the function. The control available may be quite lacking. Some second. A DC loco at idle on a DCC track is essentially systems do a very creditable job of performing the DC function. changing direction 1K-2K times per second. Hence the buzz & It's the DCC system and not the locomotive that's the method. heat. This cannot be good for a loco long term and, in fact, will Re: Re: Non DCC Loco IMMEDIATELY damage some loco motors. DC operation is Posted by Chuck Snyder on May 23, 2000, 11:29am done by putting a +/- DC bias on the DCC AC signal and is implemented differently by each DCC manufacturer. Check Thanks for your post. I want to make sure I understand this product docs. Overall, not a good idea in my opinion. procedure. I have a NCE Powerhouse Pro system. Based on your post, it appears that I can put one of my non-DCC Athearn Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco diesels on my probrram track and program it as engine 0 (or Posted by Robert Jackson on May 24, 2000, 12:41pm should it be 00?) and I'll have another usable engine. Sounds Steve Z., I would slightly modify your description by pointing great! Am I missing something? Thanks for your help. EOM out that it is the motor's armature that is attempting to reverse Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco extremely rapidly and not the locomotive itself. But, what kind Posted by Norman Beveridge on May 23, 2000, 11:51am of DC motor would be instantaneously be damaged? Heat is generated even when operated with DCC decoders. Damage Chuck, only occurs when overheating happens which is determined by Without a DCC decoder on board the loco, the programming the motors capacity to dissipate heat. Larger motors will in track has nothing to program. general have a greater ability to dissipate because they have Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco larger mass, not only in the permagnets, but also in the rotating Posted by Jean C. Piquette on May 23, 2000, 01:17pm armature. Ironcoreless motors have a reduced capacity to Hi Chuck, dissipate heat precisely because they have less mass. Which As Norman said, there's nothing to program. But the ability to motor will be instantaneously damaged? It seems very unlikely run a DC loco on a DCC system does indeed mean you get an to me that manufacturers would say that you can run one DC independently controlable loco for "free" (with no decoder). But locomotive if there was a risk of instantaneous damage. note that the response of a DC loco on a DCC pike is different Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco from the response of a decodered loco. (You get "buzzes" from Posted by Norman Beveridge on May 24, 2000, 05:46pm the loco.) So installing a decoder in all locos is usually worth- Unless it was a visiting locomotive, I don't see any reason to while. have this situation even occur. As cheap as decoders are these Sincerely, days, and as easy to install, what is the excuse for running a DC Jean loco? And if you want to test out the loco before adding the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco decoder, do it with a DC power pack, for heaven's sake! Posted by Kelly on May 23, 2000, 02:17pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Lo I understand that the non decoder equipped engine should not Posted by Robert Jackson on May 24, 2000, 06:25pm remain in the idle position for an extended period of time. I do Norman, I might agree with you personally, but cost like beauty not know this from experience but I did read that somewhere. is in the eye of the beholder. Testing was not the issue raised by Someone else may need to address this.

114 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 an earlier communicant, but rather how to get a DC ready, but on reg. DC and isolate the motor from the frame. I used thin non-decoder installed, locomotive to run on DCC. It certainly rubber and nylon screws. If you want all the bells and whistles can be done, though in my experience not with any thing like the use the DH83FX. In any case I don't believe that Digitrax has easy and facility that a regular DCC locomotive can. For most it any of the old DH83 but your hobby shop might still have some. would be an interim step until all locos could have decoders The cost difference is about 20.00. These engines work perfectly installed. with DCC and start on click 2 or 3. Good luck. Leonard Stern, e-mail: [email protected] Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco Posted by Don Vollrath on May 25, 2000, 10:55am Re: Decoder for Bowser Loco The NCE controller does not support a non decoder loco from Posted by Ed McCamey on May 09, 2000, 11:48am the hand-held throttle. But it can be manipulated to do so by Bob, I'd use the Lenz LE 080 "silent drive" which is rated as to wiring up a throttle potentiometer to the computer port connector. continuious current and not stall current. (You should consider This is explained in the NCE manual. replacing the motor with the Alco unit anyway)! I'm using the LE 080 in a Bowser Mikado with the Alco replacement motor Re: Re: Re: Re: Non DCC Loco and it's doing just fine. Posted by Chuck Snyder on May 25, 2000, 12:02pm Thanks for your response. You're right about the NCE handheld Programming DN146A FX with NCE not running a DC engine as I found out when I tried it. The engine just sat there and hummed at me (forgot the words I Posted by Seth Cohen on May 06, 2000, 10:12am guess) but didn't move. I'll check out the NCE manual as you I recently purchased the Digitrax decoder DN146A for my N-scale suggest. Actually, I'll probably just forget about it and buy Atlas U25B. So far everything is going fine but I'm having trouble another DCC engine. Thanks again. programing the FX functions of the decoder using my NCE Power House Pro. I converted the appropriate hex value to decimal using Coupler Conversion web site the reference chart in the Digitrax manual but still no luck. I have modified the decoder in any way. There's only the light on each Posted by Kelly on May 18, 2000, 02:38pm side. Great board for DCC help. I'm looking for any site that may offer Let's create a simple scenario: When I move forward, I get a double equal help on n-scale micro-train coupler conversions. In particular, pulse light. instructions on LL9/1200 installations. Can anyone help? Re: Coupler Conversion web site Thanks Posted by Ed Parsons on May 20, 2000, 12:08pm Re: Programming DN146A FX with NCE I would sujest you go to your local dealer and a Micro Trains Posted by Thomas Gleave on May 07, 2000, 06:51am catalog. It will give you all the up to date conversions, and it's Make sure you are in proper speed setting system to match very inexpencive. Or you could try the MicroTrains web site. decoder. Re: Re: Coupler Conversion web site Re: 14,28,128, sounds like they Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on May 23, 2000, 03:46pm are not matched together. Just use the mt1110's they drop right in. Remove the spring EX: system running at 128,decoder programed at 14 or 28. piece, remove the old coupler, insert the 1110, replace the spring Hope this helped you piece. problems with Atlas n-scale switches for DCC 40's 50's replica trains Posted by Seth Cohen on May 06, 2000, 09:34am Posted by Greg Walz on May 11, 2000, 10:45pm I'm using Atlas N-scale switches on my DCC layout. When running I am starting to build a railroad and would like to find out where to at slow speeds, sometimes the engine dies right over the switch and find 1940's to 1950's replica trains and acc. for HO scale sometimes I get a short right at the intersection of the closure rails. Any ideas what the problem is and even better, ways to fix it. I Decoder for Bowser Loco could add jumpers from before to after the switch but that does not address the dying or shorts. The wheels are clean and meet NMRA Posted by Bob Rupp-Kilgore on May 09, 2000, 11:31am specs. What would be the best choice for a decoder for a Bowser K-4 Thanks, Pacific? I doubt that a 1 amp decoder would be adequate. Seth Re: Decoder for Bowser Loco Re: problems with Atlas n-scale switches for DCC Posted by Leonard Stern on May 09, 2000, 11:45am Posted by Jean C. Piquette on May 08, 2000, 08:53am I used the DH83 which is a 2amp decoder. I installed in a 4-4-2 Hi Seth, and 4-6-0 Bowsers both of which are over 20yrs and have the old pittman motors. Just check that the mechanism operates well

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 115 I'm an HO-scaler, so my experience won't be diretly relevant to and closure rails to their joiner.)There is a stiffness and this your problem. Still, this sounds a lot like the problem that occurs gives the points a tendency to center between the stock rails. But with Atlas HO Snap switches. there does not seem to be any undue stress. Nor is there any One (temporary) solution is to coat the area of the frog where the problem with the Tortise machine moving the points. However, rails come together with a tough coating of some sort. (I used to time will tell. No one on other bulletin boards have reported any use clear nail polish.) This will eliminate the shorts for a while, problems, either. until the coating wears off. On a related item, I replace one of the plasic ties with a PC tie The best solution is to replace the turnouts with ones that don't and solder the closure rails and the stock rails to it, cutting a slot have such a shorting problem. In HO, the best I've found are the in the center, of course. I find this easier than soldering jumpers Atlas Customline-III turnouts. Don't know about N scale, between the rails. though. Re: Friendly Turnout Points Sincerely, Posted by Ed McCamey on April 27, 2000, 08:29pm Jean Norman, Re: Re: problems with Atlas n-scale switches for D O thing is that since you are making short resitant turnouts, you Posted by Tony Bolthouse on May 09, 2000, 11:43am can set the points closer together for the NMRA mechanical Seth- This sounds like the typical shorting problem with HO clearance. This is usually MUCH closer and therefor less travel turnouts, i.e., they're not "DCC friendly." You might want to see for the points to operate. I use PC Board ties for all my hand laid the thread entitled "Friendly Turnout Points." Tony. turnouts wherer the points are continuious with the closure rails. Since I use the narrower mechanical distance and use 2-1/2" of What is LOCONET points distance before spiking down the closure - have had no problems at all with joint stress. Posted by Colin Carl on April 28, 2000, 01:33pm What is loconet. Plain English please, I'm a dcc beginner. Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Points Posted by Bob Miller on April 27, 2000, 11:55pm Re: What is LOCONET I have handlaid switches that have been down for 10 years or Posted by Don Vollrath on April 28, 2000, 05:10pm more. They are soldered to the pc board. So far I have had only Loconet is the name given to the Digitrax intercommunication three that failed over time, and they were easy to fix. However, I buss between DCC command station, hand-held throttle unit, do shudder a bit with the Tortise machines driving them. I have a and any other apparatus plugged into their 'throttle buss'. It is a couple with switchmaster machines, which seems a little gentler. bi-directional computer type Local Area Network (LAN. All DCC suppliers have some kind of throttle buss. Digitrax calls Re: Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Points theirs Loconet. There is a write up about it available from the Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 28, 2000, 08:33am www.tttrains.com website. I also should have asked what source anyone uses for the PCB ties. Our hobby shops here carry PCB ties, but they are not Friendly Turnout Points longer than standard ties (i.e. not long enough to act as a throw bar, much less span far enough to use at the wide end of a Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 27, 2000, 05:06pm turnout). I got some once before from Clover House, I think. Okay, we talked about DCC friendly turnouts. And I have reviewed the material on the other websites about friendly turnouts. They talk Re: Re: Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Points about using PC board ties for the turnout throw bar, but exactly Posted by Bob Miller on April 28, 2000, 10:37am what is the construction method? Are the points soldered to the PCB Norman, the ones I used were cut from pcb board many years tie? Or are they hinged in some manner? Seems to me that direct ago by another guy who made his own switches. I have a soldered would have stresses on the solder joints in any position neighbor who currently handbuilds his turnout, I will ask him other than as soldered! when I see him. Anyone have experience with this? I will build all new ladders for Bob Miller my staging yards soon, in order to eliminate non-friendly turnouts. I Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Points don't want to build in another maintenance problem by constructing Posted by Ed McCamey on April 28, 2000, 10:55am defective points/throw bars. Clover House is still the best bet on getting PC Board Ties. You Re: Friendly Turnout Points can also get some from Tall Pines in Bryan Texas - but they are Posted by Tony Bolthouse on April 27, 2000, 06:51pm really Sn3 ties. I use Walthers (Shinohara) code 83. I solder the points to the PC Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Points throwbar. The other end of the points are mated to the closure Posted by ed bradbury on May 12, 2000, 04:27pm rails with joiners. So far I have not soldered "bonds" to connect I recommed that you read the section on turnouts in the book the point rails to the closure rails. The point rail ends are very titled "Digital Command Control" written by Stan Ames, Rutger snug in the joiners to the closure rail ends so that the closure- Friberg & Ed Loizeaux. This book is a lot of information point rail moves as one. (I have in some cases soldered the point concernig NMRA DCC.

116 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friendly Turnout Point Re: Trolley DCC Posted by Bob Miller on May 12, 2000, 11:33pm Posted by Dave Chance on April 27, 2000, 09:46pm Been there, done that, that is why I use Peco insulfrog in most Jim, cases, with a few modified Shinoharas in special cases, or I thought I knew what I was doing, but for some reason Freds e- because they just haven't been replaced yet. mail address didn't show up in my first response. The address is: [email protected] MDC rtr Shay Dave Posted by Thomas Gleave on April 23, 2000, 10:21pm EasyDCC Radio Throttle Has any one worked with MDC rtr shay engine yet? Any input on how its runs? Posted by Jack Parker on April 22, 2000, 09:10am Decoder installation? As Tony is now doing EasyDCC, just wanted to relate how pleased any info would be helpful. we are here with the Radio Throttle operation. Controls seem just [email protected] right and the operating range is great. Very happy with the system. Thanks Re: MDC rtr Shay USED CODE 100 NICKEL SILVER FLEXIBLE Posted by Ed McCamey on April 24, 2000, 10:34am TRACK Thomas, Posted by Jacques Huppé on April 21, 2000, 08:37pm There was a really nice long and detailed report on the MDC Greetings. I need lots of subject item, at least 50 sections, for RTR Shay on the Digitrax onelist (egroups) back in March. You hidden staging usage, and the price has to be really affordable. can log on and go to the messages archive, pick MARCH, and Please contact me directly at [email protected]. search "Shay". You'll get about 40 messages to search through - Thank you. but the one you want has the MDC Shay in the title about midway down the list. Lenz Set 02 Trolley DCC Posted by John Meck on April 20, 2000, 11:10am I'm quite interested in the Lenz Set 02 system. However, there are Posted by Jim Heidorn on April 22, 2000, 02:05pm no dealers or owners nearby so I can't see it in operation first hand. Has anyone been successful using DCC through an overhead wire If anyone has experience with this system I would appreciate it if system?? you could contact me (off-list if you prefer) regarding the pro's & Any suggestions, what works, what doesn't work, etc.?? con's of this system. Thanks. John Meck ([email protected]) Re: Trolley DCC Posted by [email protected] on April 22, 2000, 08:31pm Starting Voltage Jim, Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 19, 2000, 02:35pm we have a club member working on trolley and trolley-bus in Please share your experience and/or philosophy about the value for HO DCC. CV2, the Vstart, or starting voltage. Using 28 speed step operation, The bus has made it's first successful turn and we are working I try to set this value to just start the loco rolling ever so slowly at on getting the steering to work with DCC F0 and F1. Please speed step 1. Starting speeds between different locos can be contact me via email if we can provide more info. matched pretty well this way so that they can operate in consists Tom together. Orlando Society of Model Railroaders But what is the impact on starting during 128 speed step operation? Re: Trolley DCC What about at mid-range during 128 speed step operation? Posted by Dave Chance on April 27, 2000, 09:34pm Jim, Turnouts I think you should contact Fred Miller at . Fred has at least two Posted by Ed on April 19, 2000, 09:11am modules plus a little, all using DCC, overhead wire, and Has anyone tried the Pilz Elite turnout made in Germany? computer control. His modules have been displayed at MER convention and have won each time! Fred has found a way to Re: Turnouts show social interaction of the people on his layout, although he Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 19, 2000, 01:57pm may deny it. Fred recently moved from the Charlotte area to Ed, Virginia so it took a while for me to get his new e-mail address. Until seeing Pilz turnouts mentioned on this bulletin board in the Tell him I gave you the address. BTW Fred is the author of last few days, I had never heard of them. None of the bigger popular software games, "Trolley Time", "RRSwitch", and hobby shops here in Houston carry them, and don't seem to "Freight Train" by Challenge Products. know -- or care -- where to get them.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 117 Re: Re: Turnouts run at about half speed. My 10 year old Athearn Gp9 without a Posted by Tony Bolthouse on April 19, 2000, 03:54pm decoder installed runs much better than the newer PK2 Gp18 I first heard about Pilz in a May 1998 Model Railroading article without decoder installed. I have a new Mikado with the built in by Larry Puckett, where he goes into some detail about DCC plug and that is where I have the one decoder installed. I find friendly turnouts. There is more at http://members.aol.com/ that it will run but slowly and without any lights that I can see. I wire4dcc/index.htm. can creep it along very nice when switching but I find at least You can purchase them at http://www.euro-trains.com/ half of my knob movement is meaningless. Time to talk to the index2.htm. Just click on TILLIG. Their service is good. These experts I think! switches are not hinged and look and operate very nice. Re: DCC Analog help Re: Re: Re: Turnouts Posted by Robert Jackson on April 17, 2000, 04:50pm Posted by Jim Heidorn on April 22, 2000, 07:08pm You don't say what scale you are in and I don't quite understand The web address: http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/index.htm the notion of programming an analog loco. I take that to mean does not work. that it presently does not have a decoder. If that is correct then Please check and advise. address=00 should run the analog loco. Slow speeds could be the result of selecting a small scale (N) setting which limits the Re: Re: Re: Re: Turnouts voltage on the tracks. However, if the loco does have a decoder Posted by Tony Bolthouse on April 22, 2000, 08:23pm then the very slow response to the throttle might be the result of Sorry about that, Jim. Here's one that works: programming the decoder to 128 steps when it shouldn't be. You http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/homepage.htm will have to share more information in order for those who Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Turnouts monitor this list to help. Yet another thought: the throttle Posted by Tony Bolthouse on April 22, 2000, 08:27pm response curve may be set much too low such that maximum voltage is set very low and the throttle is merely dividing that Jim: He has changed his site URL a few times in the past. I just very limited voltage into many very tiny increments. checked after the previous response and this is his latest (accessible from the one just previously given)and more direct: Re: Re: DCC Analog help http://www.WiringForDCC.com/ Posted by DonP on April 17, 2000, 05:27pm Robert, Decoder Speed Curve Thanks for the reponse ( you to RC ). I'm running HO scale, I Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 17, 2000, 05:13pm have not installed any decoders in my loco yet. This is a brand new loco right out of the box proto gp-30 and I wanted to test it Seeing the recent responses to the analog question, I wonder what out first. The book from Digitrax says to test the loco first others are using for speed curves. I saw a recent comment about the (analog) by addressing the throttle to 00 which I have done. The curve being too shallow, but I have made every effort to keep loco loco moves in both directions OK but at a rate of about 1 foot in speed low. I try to give just enough speed that my trains can just 3 seconds. The loco starts to move after I reach 24 on the throttle make the ruling grade -- at a much reduced speed, but isn't this and increases speed until I reach 40, and then wouldn't go any realistic? -- and not go into "slot trains" mode after they break over faster in either direction. The throttles speed is 0-90. And yes, the top. it's set to HO scale. I tried N scale setting, as the book says but My current speed table looks like this (0 - 28 = 29 values): there's no change. I'm testing this on a four foot section of track 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 32, 36, 41, 46, 52, 57, 63, 70, (this is all that's set up at this time, brand new layout ). 76, 83, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 131, 140 Again thanks for the input...... This compares to the default top speed of 195 for my decoders (max Don is 255). But I have had no operating sessions to prove this out. Re: Re: Re: DCC Analog help DCC Analog help Posted by Robert Jackson on April 18, 2000, 04:15pm Posted by DonP on April 15, 2000, 01:36am Hi Don, I had meant my message for both of you, since you both seemed I just hooked up my digitrax dcc, and programmed my gp-30 to have a similar problem. I should first enter the disclaimer to be (analog). The loco moves in each direction, but I have no speed....It an expert, though I do have experience with Digitrax. Are you starts moving when the throttle gets up to 24 and reaches max speed sure your loco works smoothly and well with a normal DC at 40 on display. It moves so slow,it doesn't change speeds at all power pack and that there is no binding in the drive train? between 40 and 99 on throttle. Any help would be appreciated. Re: Re: Re: DCC Analog help Thanks Don Posted by Robert Jackson on April 18, 2000, 04:21pm Re: DCC Analog help Don, Posted by RC on April 17, 2000, 11:23am I forgot further ask if you had checked the output of your command station? With a suitable volt meter check the output I also am just getting a layout set up with DCC. I am using a from rail A to ground and rail B to ground. These should be very Digitrac Genesis with a UT2. I have found that all my engines

118 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 nearly identical and should be close to half the voltage across the board. This is for the HO GP20, it maybe different for the N two rails. You will be measuring AC voltage at around 16 VAC model. Leonard Stern, [email protected] across the rails with the HO setting. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: GP20 Decoder Install Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 18, 2000, 05:11pm GP20 Decoder Install Thanks, Leonard. I still have not had a chance to look at the Posted by Carl on April 14, 2000, 12:05pm loco's chassis, so I appreciate the info. I have a new Life-Like GP20. Can anyone tell me a good decoder to Regarding the headlight, I suppose that you could leave the use and where I might find instructions on how to install it. existing bulb in the loco and see if it will work the way you I also have an old Life-Like F-7 and was wondering about the same want, saving all the work of changing the bulb. Then if need be info. you can go back and replace it with a different bulb. I prefer 14 v. or 16 v., to give a dimmer light typical of older locos (16 v. for Re: GP20 Decoder Install 1st generation, 14 v. for second). To get a good Mars light in a Posted by Michael on April 14, 2000, 06:44pm F7, etc., though, a 12 v. works better for my tastes. If talking about N scale, I installed decoders in both. The F7 I used a Digitrax DZ120 (no longer available, would use now a Atlas DCC Installation Lenz LE-077XF or Digitrax DZ-121), by cutting a sheet platic square to fit over the horz. mounted motor (to keep the decoder Posted by Carl on April 12, 2000, 01:13pm from touching the rotating parts) and put the decoder above the Can anyone give a list of Atlas Diesel N-Scale engines that are motor. I put a DZ-121 in the GP-20 (wanted the BEMF for that simplest to install decoders. Which if any will accept the plug-n- one). I removed the rear light board and filed the area a little bit play decoders? Which have the light boards that are simple to to fit the decoder. convert or replace? Also, which decoders are best for each particular If HO, I have done a P2K GP20 also with a DZ-121 as the DZ- engine. I have an MRC system and new to the area of DCC. 121 was the cheapest BEMF decoder available when I did it Looking for an easy starting place. (maybe it still is??). I removed the PCB and wired the decoder directly to the loco. You could also put a Lenz LE-103XF or Switches NCE D102 in if you remove the factory PCB. I have not done Posted by Frank Russell on April 11, 2000, 09:37am any HO LL F-7. Thou I have done several P1K F3's with NCE D102US's and one B unit with a Soundtraxx DSD. On my layout expansion, I am planning (thanks to advice from many of you) on using PECO turnouts. I am still unsure of whether Re: Re: GP20 Decoder Install to use electrofrog or insulfrog. While I sort of understand the Posted by Leonard Stern on April 16, 2000, 09:47pm difference, I do not know the advantages of each. Help or advice I used a DN140. I removed the small weight on the rear truck would be appreciated. and placed it there. There are several traces to cut as marked on Re: Switches the board. You do not need to replace the lights as the resistors Posted by Don Vollrath on April 12, 2000, 04:05pm are already on the board. Just solder the proper wires to the board following the NMRA standards. When completed this Have you read all the info available about DCC friendly engine operates very well. If you need more info just reply. switches on the wiring for DCC boards? It's worth checking out. Leonard Stern, email: [email protected] See http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and- a.tcl?topic=Wiring%20for%20DCC Re: Re: Re: GP20 Decoder Install Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 17, 2000, 04:17pm Re: Re: Switches Posted by Steve Z. on April 13, 2000, 11:23am I have the HO GP20 at home, and have assumed that a TTX GP7/30 or TTX RS2 will drop in (I can check it some time and You want INSULFROG ONLY !!!!!! We started with a report back). If so, this is quick and cheap -- less than $25, with combination of both (not knowing the difference), and ended up no wiring to do at all!!! I don't know of any other decoders replacing every electrofrog we could still get at with the (there may be some) that have as low a profile, so if these won't insulfrog flavor. fit, you will have a problem with almost anything else. Re: Re: Re: Switches Posted by Frank Russell on April 14, 2000, 09:24am Re: Re: Re: Re: GP20 Decoder Install Posted by Leonard Stern on April 18, 2000, 12:23pm Steve - What is wrong with the electrofrog? Norman: The LL GP20 does not have a NMRA plug. There are Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches traces to cut on the board and they are marked with an "X". The Posted by Phil Adams on April 14, 2000, 12:15pm decoder wires are then soldered to to P-1,2,4,5,6,7 and 8 pads. If Nothing is wrong with the electrofrog switches; but for DCC you place the decoder in place of the removable weight it makes purposes the Elf have power routing just as the Shinohara for a very neat installation. No need to replace the 1.5v bulbs switches do. In DCC you are creating some possible problems with 12v as the proper resistor (300 ohms) is already on the for yourself when you use power routing switches. Rather than spend the time to make power routing switches DCC friendly,

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 119 just use ones like the Peco insulfrog or Atlas switches. I am sure If you install both types properly, electrofrog has an advantage that's why the comment about using Insulfrog switches. as follows. If you run the wrong way thru a turnout, the electrofrog shorts Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches out but then corrects when you throw the switch. Wrong way Posted by Steve Z. on April 15, 2000, 10:35am thru an insulfrog and you wil always DE-RAIL! Phil is absolutely correct. The issue has to do with power wiring, isolation of the switches, and shorts on the frog. I don't Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches remember the precise problems we had, but if you have decided Posted by Jean C. Piquette on April 18, 2000, 01:04pm on Peco switches you should know that electrofrogs require Hi Norman, extra work to install properly for DCC and insulfrogs are no Stalling doesn't just occur due to loss of power from the points. brainers. And the switches are essentially the same ! It also happens if there's a bit of dirt on the track under one set of powered trucks while the other set is passing through the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches insulated frog area. Posted by Jean C. Piquette on April 17, 2000, 12:05pm In fact, I found the stall problem over time with Peco insulfrogs Hi everyone, to be bad enough that on my latest layout I have gone with Atlas There is one point to be made in favor of the electrofrog, though. Customline III turnouts, with the exception of one Peco curved With the frog insulated on the insulfrog, stalling on the turnout turnout. It's true you don't get the very nice locking-points becomes more likely. In fact, with the system Peco uses to feature of the Pecos when using the Atlas. BUT, you do get a power the turnout, these switches can develop more and more HUGE all-metal frog that's very easy to power route with a Snap stalls over time. Relay. (The frog is so huge that the kind of shorting you are The solution is to allow power routing, but use insulating joiners referring to can't possibly happen, even with wheels that are way to limit the power-routed area to *just* the turnout area, and not off the NMRA specs.) I have every one of my Atlas turnouts the track beyond. Peco sells an extra set of contacts designed to power routed with Snap Relays, and there are now zero stalls at be added to their switch machines to allow this power routing. turnouts, even when moving at ultra-slow speeds. Using this arrasngement will increase the reliability of the Peco Sincerely, turnout a lot. Jean Sincerely, Jean Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches Posted by Bob Miller on April 18, 2000, 03:44pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches What you say is very true. However, I don't have the luxury of Posted by Bob Miller on April 17, 2000, 02:43pm replacing over 200 peco track switches, along with a handful of Regarding the insulfrog and stalling with time, I have used them handbuilt and Shinohara switches that prove to be major pains for years, and yes, it does seem they stall with time. However, I too until finally got them dcc compatible. I don't find the stalling have found that when they do, I take a piece of fine emeryboard problem bad enough win insulfrogs to warrant that kind of and clean the point and the stock rail it rubs against, and put a bucks. drop of track cleaning solution on the contact, and the problem goes away for quite a while. Just thought I would pass it along. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switch Posted by Jean C. Piquette on April 19, 2000, 08:37am Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches Hi Bob, Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 17, 2000, 04:06pm Yes, I wasn't suggesting that you change out your equipment. Seems to me that with Bob's solution to the stalling problem, it is But bear in mind that this thread was started by someone who best to eliminate the shorting problem ever present with the stated he was convinced to go with Peco at the *start* of a electro frog. I honestly cannot see any justification for a power layout. I was just trying to give him some more facts in case that routing turnout if you can easily fix the stalling problem. might influence his decision. I.e., go with DCC friendly configuration every time, and And, if going with the Atlas Customline III turnouts, although eliminate today's problem (shorting) forever, knowing you can Snap relays aren't cheap remember you don't have to install them easily deal with tomorrow's problem (stalling) if it ever occurs. on every turnout right at the start. They can be installed later on Some of us (such as MMR Gil Freitag) go out of our way, when if stalling starts happening. But with the Pecos, especially the hand laying turnouts, to deliberately leave the frog unpowered, insulfrogs, there isn't a whole lot that can be done to correct the and to have the points always wired (bonded) to the correct problem. (Except for frequent claenings of the points, which is a stock rail. Considering the effort of hand laying, why would we nuisance.) do this if this were not very, very important? Sincerely, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Switches Jean Posted by Gale Saxton on April 18, 2000, 12:26pm I prefer electrofrog. The added insulators are a minor addition in installation and power routing is not important since you should be using multiple feeders anyhow.

120 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 DCC Signal Bus Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Johnnie C. Scott on April 11, 2000, 12:49pm Posted by Roger Robar on April 07, 2000, 07:16pm Bob, I know exactly zero about dcc. It seems to me, however, I have my NCE command station about half way of 100' of bus that it would be a simple thing to assign a number value to the wire with no problems, I'm using 14ga. wire for the bus line. 18ga. letters. a=1, b=2 etc. starting over again when you get to (0). wire to the track at about 3 to 4 ft. apart. I will use a booster when I I don't know if dcc recognizes hexadecimal or not (0-9,a-f)but start the upper level though. that too, might be a solution. Decoder Programming Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 11, 2000, 01:42pm Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 07, 2000, 02:40pm Bob, Does anyone have a suggestion how to handle a locomotive with a I am not sure that anyone else besides you and me really letter in the "number"? It is customary to program the decoder to the understands the problem that we are trying to deal with. loco number, and then to select that loco (or consist) based on the A further issue -- even if we can figure out a reasonable and loco number. But what do you do about a Santa Fe F7 ABBA set logical way of handling this loco number, how do you label the which might be numbered something like 906L, 906A, 906B, model without defacing it? If you put the "ersatz" number on the 906C. Even if you run these as a single consist called 906, how do bottom, out of sight, then when setting up a consist, how do you you program the individual decoders? If anyone else has been down read it without picking up the loco? I keep trying to think of a this road, I would very much like to know how you approached this good way, such as putting the number on the end only, of problem. making the number visible without much handling and yet not Re: Decoder Programming impacting the appearance of the model. Posted by Bob Miller on April 07, 2000, 04:08pm This will not be a few models so that I could easily remember -- Tell you what I did with a set of F3's for ATSF. The first I set as I have four ABBA Santa Fe sets. 201, the second as 9101, the third as 9201. I haven't any engines Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming with 9000 numbers. Of course with the consist I don't care about Posted by Dave Chance on April 11, 2000, 02:55pm the fake numbers, I have them recorded in case I need to get to Bob and Norm, one for some reason. A friend has a rather large layout using Digitrax Chief. Since he Be glad to hear what anyone else says. Incidently received two started with a Big-Boy, he uses two digit numbers on all his new nce cab04 throttles, new features, great job. locos. He has loco channel assignment sheets at each yard and at Re: Decoder Programming the dispatcher's desk. He has more than 70 locos on the layout Posted by Bernhard on April 08, 2000, 07:20am but the list works fine. Locos from off the layout use two or four If your consist is semi-permanent or permanent why not digit numbers as they please. I personally use the 9000 series program all units with the same address i.e. 906 and drop the with my locos that have a number between 100 and 128 to avoid letter? You may have to rewire the motor leads on some units to the Ax thru Cx numbers that Digitrax uses. have all units running in the direction you want. The advantage I know this isn't the same as your particular problem but it may of this arrangement is that the consist will only take up one slot help. Good luck and good railroading. in the command station (which may or may not be an issue for Dave you). Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Bob Miller on April 11, 2000, 04:07pm Posted by Bob Miller on April 08, 2000, 07:46am Norman, I am not sure I even understand it all. I have two F3's, Ah, but there is the problem, I don't leave them together. I one is A-A, the other A-B-A, and the A-A set has both decoders actually have two different railroads, both ATSF, one is a programmed with the same number as they never separate. It is modular set in 1950-1960, the other a larger one set in 1989 (the the A-B-A set that I sometimes bust apart and split into two main railroad). There are 60 some engine numbers on it, but on consists with Geeps. In addition, right now I have a Stewart the modular, about 25 engine numbers. ATSF often had F units FtA-B set, but they stay together also. running with other diesels, I like to be able to do the same. I I just simply have a little label on the desk where the command have one set of F3A-F3B-F3A, and another F3A-F3A. The two station is at, along with the Procab, that has the numbers I A units are a consist. The three units get split so that one F3A assigned so I can do a consist. may end up in a consist with a couple of GP7. Therefore the If Stewart or whoever puts out the F7's or F9's in blue and unique numbers. Obviously the developers didn't take the yellow, then I will have a problem. A,B,C, etc in consideration when designing DCC. Bob Miller Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Bob Miller on April 11, 2000, 04:11pm Dave: I answered Norman before reading yours. My 1950-60's Santa Fe is a modular railroad on my side of the garage. The

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 121 basement Santa Fe is set in 1989, and has the large roster, 70 DCC Signal Bus plus, as you have. But no problem as each has a four digit road Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 06, 2000, 03:41pm number. However, I do keep a computer listing of consist numbers and the units assigned, plus a listing of all single units I am wondering what experience others may have with the length of such as switchers that don't consist normally. that list remains at the signal bus vs. adding a booster transformer. Some say that their my dispatcher table also, along with a laptop and printer so it is bus runs 70+ feet with no transformer, and no problems. Others easy to update and change. My op crews get a train card with swear by the 30 feet rule. Any feed back? Let's talk the mainstream their waybills, that lists the consist number and the engines, with systems -- NCE, System 1, and Lenz. (Digitrax is totally different, the lead engine first. Works great for us. and I am not interested in what happens there.) Bob Re: DCC Signal Bus Posted by Bob Miller on April 06, 2000, 10:51pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 12, 2000, 08:46am My command center is in the middle of the bus. So I used one Bob, port to run bus one direction, the other port to run the other. The If all of my sets would run together as consists and never be longest run on either bus is about 65 feet. I did install a power busted up, they would not need separate numbers, as you said. booster in the middle because the plugins on the far end were But like you, my desire is to run an ABBA set as a consist now, getting flakey. and bust it later to run with GP's, which means separate The other bus runs about30 feet and I do not have a booster on numbers. it, and all of the plugins work fine. I also wonder if the number I have only one loco in the 9000 series, which is few enough of plugins (uttp) on the bus has some affect. I like my uttp's that probably I can fit the LABC loco numbers into this series about3 to 4 foot apart. without much confusion. Re: DCC Signal Bus Posted by Don Vollrath on April 10, 2000, 09:01am Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder Programming Posted by Bob Miller on April 12, 2000, 11:40am I have an NCE system where the PHPro controller sits at about Norman: your comment about leaving engines in consists struck 2/3 of the 110 ft overall buss length. Cab buss wiring is 6 wire a note. On the big basement railroad, consists are rarely changed telecom type cable. There is a 2 ft stub between the controller because of the restaging, etc. between op sessions. However, my and nearest UTP feeding out in both directions. I used a 2-in-1 modular railroad in the garage is my "plaything" railroad, I RJ splitter adapter to get 3 cables on the back of the UTP. I don't usually operate it by myself for the fun of it. I do bust the use an aux. 12V supply, just the power available from the NCE consists up, because I feel with the nce system it isn't that big of controller. I have not seen any problems using 2 cabs plugged in deal. I have consist numbers for both railroads, on the "heritage" at random locations along the layout. garage railroad, there are temporary consist numbers that I use Re: Re: DCC Signal Bus and then discard. That railroad, at last count, has 28 engines on it Posted by Bob Miller on April 10, 2000, 12:06pm including the covered wagons. On my nce system, which I described in an earlier post, I used the auxillary power supply on the one bus, because during an delivery operating session, we had two yard cabs, and up to seven Posted by Mike Levy on April 06, 2000, 11:34pm mainline cabs plugged in and running along that bus and had When will you be finished with my order? some problems before installing the power supply. Best advice I can offer is to try it without the extra transformer, but recognize NCE Deliveries??? the need to install it under a full load situation. Bob Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 06, 2000, 03:45pm Re: Re: Re: DCC Signal Bus Rumors that NCE is delivering cabs and decoders. Is it true??? Posted by Steve Z. on April 12, 2000, 02:44pm What about boosters? Dare I ask about radio cabs? I agree with Bob. Eight or nine cabs causes us a problem too. Re: NCE Deliveries??? We have a very dense layout with 9 panel connectors on what is Posted by Bob Miller on April 06, 2000, 10:54pm at most a 50 foot bus. Despite popular opinion, I don't think bus Me again. I received a booster I had ordered in December this length (within reason) is the issue. The number of cabs week. I understand the dealers have new cab04 cabs, without the connected (particularly backlit ones) is. We recently connected 2 dip switches, using a new way of assigning a cab number. I also of our panel connectors to our normal 13.8 VDC accessory heard a new designation, cab04P for those with knobs, cab04e power supply and the problem has gone away for now. for the encoder buttons. Talked to Scorse today, the radio stuff is still aways off. DCC Beginner 2nd Question Posted by Carl on April 05, 2000, 11:37am Thanks for the advice so far Guys!!! I have a Pentium 75 mhz system not in use at my house. What type of equipement is

122 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 necessary to turn this into a DCC system. What would the cost be Re: DCC Beginner as compared to the Empire starter or MRC starter. I know about Posted by Ed McCamey on April 04, 2000, 01:50pm computers, I don't know about DCC equipment. Thanks again, You Carl, Speed step is but one of the differences. Progaming Guys Are Good!!!! advanced CV features, start, mid-range, top speeds, custom Re: DCC Beginner 2nd Question speed curves, access to lighting effects and evenutally to sound Posted by Don Vollrath on April 05, 2000, 03:29pm are many of the by yourself features that make a big difference. Multi-unit consisting is another advanced feature you want to You don't need a computer to operate a train layout with DCC. have maximum flexibility with. Certainly small and only a The DCC command station does all the computing that is limited motive power layout can be adequately handled with necessary. But if you intend to use a computer to supplement and MRC - but the real power of DCC is growth and compatibility control your command station in the future, be sure that you with the options. Check all the options and try out the systems purchase a command station that does have an easy to work with before making a final choice. computer interface. The NCE PowerHouse Pro has one. DonV Re: Re: Re: DCC Beginner Posted by Norman Beveridge on April 04, 2000, 01:52pm Re: DCC Beginner 2nd Question Posted by Bernhard on April 08, 2000, 07:15am If you can, operate on several DCC equipped model railroads with different systems. Get some experience with DCC, but Digitrax also has a computer interface and a programming don't let anything hold you back. interface. I use the PR1 programming interface a lot to quickly MRC is somewhat limited in expandability. The mainstream set up any new decoders. systems are readily expandable, and are similar to each other in most features. Each system must be judged against what YOU LED's for PS III want! One system may suit me for reason X, but reason X is Posted by Roger Robar on April 05, 2000, 07:31am why you do not like it. Thanks Dennis for your help, everything (LED's)are working fine. As was said in a previous posting, don't consider yourself a Roger beginner. Just dive in, ask a lot of questions, and when you need help, ask some more. That is what the rest of us do. I figure out DCC Beginner something that is helpful to you, and later you figure out something that is helpful to me. Posted by Carl on April 04, 2000, 11:29am I'm new to the world of dcc. Great web site!!! I operate my layout Re: Re: Re: Re: DCC Beginner Posted by Bill Herbert on April 04, 2000, 02:41pm by myself 90% of the time. I'm tired of block switches so I want to go to DCC for simple ease of use. Couple of questions..1)Is mrc Carl, All of the responses posted so far offer good advice. Tony 2000 really that much below digitrax and others. 2) Is 128 step has his "Off the cuff" system comparisons on this site & the speed and a few of the other advanced features really necessary (i.e. industry manufacturers/suppliers can be found at cost beneficial)in the dcc world for a small timer like myself. www.ribbonrail.com/nmra/nmralink.html. Don't settle for less than you expect to want in any system or you'll simply have to Re: DCC Beginner upgrade later. Posted by mike on April 04, 2000, 12:25pm Being a beginner myself, the best advice I could give another is Re: DCC Beginner Posted by Pete Costa on April 04, 2000, 04:02pm to find someone with a DCC layout so that you can experience it first hand. That is what I did and the difference in 28 to 128 Carl, speed steps is awesome! Not to mention all the other neat stuff I am also a beginner. However, I wanted the expandability for you can do. The control is unbelieveable especially at low future use. My layout occupies a space of 14' by 31'. Multiple speeds. I model in HO and we use the Digitrax Chief because of mainlines and a serious yard area. I tried out several systems and layout size and a number of operators. Have no experience with found the NCI Powerhouse Pro to fit my needs best. Good luck the MRC unit however. Hope this helps some. in your research. Re: Re: DCC Beginner Re: DCC Beginner Posted by Bob Miller on April 04, 2000, 12:44pm Posted by Glenn Horowitz on April 05, 2000, 05:19pm I operate a large railroad, 3 decks with helixes, and I host an op I've only been involved in this hobby for the last year or so, and session once a month, but run by myself quite a bit. I went with right now I'm dealing with a plain ol' FLAT 4X8 layout. NCE PowerPro and have not been sorry as far as performance. I One hour of research last year convinced me that MRC's system have NCE, Digitrax and Lenz decoders in my engines and all do could never keep me happy. The number of speed steps is minor well. Point is, don't think in terms of "beginner" because you compared to other DCC features, though it DOES make a won't be one of those forever. Look for expandability of your difference. system and compatibility with other systems products, which as Example: Imagine a Proto 2000 plastic E-7 diesel, just sitting I understand is a weak point with MRC. there on the track...a touch of the throttle knob and you hear the big engine crank over, fire, then settle into a smooth idle. Hit a

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 123 couple more buttons, and the headlight comes on, then the Mars the money, consider NCE. I don't know if the MRC system will light...not simply flashing on and off, but pulsing just like the work with someone else's N scale decoders -- if so, OK prototype. Re: wanted : Used MRC 2000 A twist of the throttle, and it begins to move, imperceptibly at Posted by Tomas Szoboszlai on April 01, 2000, 09:10am first, then slowly accelerating. As she moves faster, the engine noise notches up. As we leave the station, the engineer lets off a The MRC 2000 works with the basic functions of DCC blast with the Wabco horn... compatible decoders. No problem for N-scale. The advice to use And just about none of the above is possible with MRC. non-MRC decoders is good. You decide... mailto:[email protected] Re: DCC Beginner Re: wanted : Used MRC 2000 Posted by Evans on April 03, 2000, 05:38pm Posted by ed bradbury on April 07, 2000, 04:18pm Carl As others are saying each DCC system is different and you Kelly I tried to send you e-mail to [email protected] but it didn't should try several. I am using CV Products EasyDCC (see go through. I have what you are looking for. My e-mail is Model Railraoder 1997) system and find it very good. The [email protected]. I'm not sure if I can use this BBS for system is available in kit form as well as assembled. I recom- selling it so I won't put info here. Contact me at above e-mail if mend the assembled components. As for Decoders each supplier you want further info. has diferent ones to suit your needs from simple units to sound/ dcc decoders. I have to agree with the performance of dcc. I have ROUNDHOUSE BOX CAB some locos that have run bad on dc but are great on DCC. I Posted by DOUGLAS ALLEN on March 30, 2000, 08:17am think the hardest part is understanding the terminology. However DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE OR ADVICE ABOUT it is worth the effort. RE-POWERING THE MDC/ROUNDHOUSE BOX CAB Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DCC Beginner DIESEL ? IT COMES WITH A PRIMITIVE OPEN FRAME Posted by Mike Seier on April 09, 2000, 03:36pm MOTOR AND I WANT TO UPGRADE THE LOCO. Carl, I had the MRC 2000 and decided to upgrade. I called Re: ROUNDHOUSE BOX CAB Tony's; and talked to them about the different systems. they were Posted by Andy Bell on March 30, 2000, 10:10pm very helpful. I decided to go with Digitrax's Empire builder. the I have about 5 of those items and difference between 28 versus 128 speed steps is unbelievable!! I am working on the same idea. So far highly recommend it....The little extra cost is well worth it. I have one unit that I did some machining on, that did work but I'm LED's for Power Shield III trying to do the job without the Posted by Roger Robar on April 01, 2000, 04:19pm machining. Will let you know soon Anyone know what to use for LED indicator lights to install on the how it came out. newer Power Shield III circuit breaker? I would like them to be mounted on my fascia. Tony hasn't answered my inquiry yet. TIA, Back EMF Consists Roger Posted by Jim Homoki on March 29, 2000, 10:01pm Re: LED's for Power Shield III I'll be setting up some locos with Back EMF decoders (DZ121 and Posted by Dennis Smerz on April 03, 2000, 02:35pm DH140U) soon. Has anybody using these experienced any I have three P/S III's and I just used a standard round red LED performance problems mixing various combinations of BEMF and wired from the pc board to the LED mounted in my control/ regular decoders when several diesels are MU'ed together? indicator panel. No resistor is needed. I chose to have it flash when a short is in progress. Per the instructions, remember to Ditch Lights cut the trace link on the pc board between the "+" and "-" solder Posted by Mark M on March 29, 2000, 09:40am points when using the LED indicator. Anyone installed Details West Ditch lights on their DCC units and used the DW bulbs that come with them? DW does not include a wanted : Used MRC 2000 rating for the bulb so I'm not sure what size resistor I may need. Posted by Kelly on March 31, 2000, 04:51pm Any advise for putting chip resistors right on the Digitrax decoder I am possibly in the market for a good used MRC 2000 system. boards? (looks awfully small, though the Digitrax instrucions Just starting in N-scale and want good system for good price. E- mention puting them here!) Also, any advise for running the Ditch mail me at [email protected] if you have one or know of one. Light wires on an HO scale Atlas C30-7? Well, lots of ditch light questions here. Any help would be greatly Re: wanted : Used MRC 2000 appreciated! Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 31, 2000, 08:54pm I don't think the MRC system will cut it for N scale. The decoders are too large. Besides, if you want a great system for

124 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 NEED MORE POWER Re: Track and Switches Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 28, 2000, 03:56pm Posted by DAVID on March 25, 2000, 12:28am Code 100 NS is good for someone just starting out. Being very I Just started with a MRC 2000 robust, it is very good also for an old hand. With proper IM using a power pack to power the unit. I do not want to spend the weathering and ballasting, code 100 has a very nice appearance. 200 for the 8amp MRC power sup. Can I use a 6amp Bat charger Some people prefer scale height rail, however, and I find code with out messing the unit up. 83 to be almost as structurally strong as code 100. Almost. It I have about 300 + feed of track. does require a bit more care. It does look a bit better, but most Can I put a 2nd power pack on line people would not notice. (I also like 70, 55, and 40, but it is not how can I boost the power with out the cost for everyone.) Any area that is not easy to maintain should be in Please E mail Me code 100. [email protected] Avoid brass rail like the plague. I know some people get away Re: NEED MORE POWER with it, but the cost difference is small and not worth the risk. Posted by Leonard Stern on March 25, 2000, 10:47am Re: Track and Switches David: I use Digitrax system which requires a 16v (up to 8 Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 28, 2000, 04:04pm amps) AC. power supply. I'm not sure about MRC but if the unit For turnouts, I would hand lay everything if I had the patience. I is not particular about AC or DC then a battery charger(which is would insulate the throw bar, hard wire the points to the DC only) properly hooked up will work. associated stock rails, and insulate the frog. With today's all wheel pick up you do not need power routing, and with DCC Track and Switches you don't want power routing. Posted by Frank Russell on March 24, 2000, 05:01pm When I use commercial turnouts, I prefer Atlas and Shinohara I am planning to expand my HO layout, and would like opinions on (Walthers). Both have electrical problems. For the Atlas, the right what track and switch types to use. My current layout uses Atlas combination of metal wheels (cars as well as locos) can short brass track and switches. I plan to go with nickel silver track, but where the point rails approach toe frog. For the Shinohara, the should I use Atlas, PECO, or something else? Code 100 or another clearance at the open point can sometimes short to the back of a height? What type of switches and switch machines do people metal wheel. I do not like the appearance of Peco, though some recommend? Thanks. people swear by them. Re: Track and Switches Re: Re: Track and Switches Posted by Dennis Smerz on March 27, 2000, 01:49pm Posted by Jean C. Piquette on March 29, 2000, 01:28pm Frank, I was out of model trains for over 25 years. 14 months Hi Norman, ago I decided I'd get back into HO again and go all DCC. Most When you say Atlas has shorting problems at the frog, I think of my stuff dates back to 1952 thru 1960 (Mantua, Tyco, and you are probably speaking about Snap switches. The Custom- some Lionel, yes HO). I had all brass track and switches Line III has an absolutely huge non-conducting frog area, where (turnouts). I went with Digitrax Chief system, n/s 100 code track it is hard to imagine a short happening. (Atlas), n/s turnouts (Peco: insulfrog)and slow motion switch I have DCC, but I do power-route these frogs. But *only* the machines (Tortoise). I have 225 ft of main track and 60+ ft of frogs. I find the unpowered portion of the frogs is so large that sidings and yards. I've had no problems with this combination. even an all-wheel powered loco can stall on the frog, if you are Everything adapts well to DCC including old locos and new unfortunate enough to have one wheelset over the frog while the decoders. other wheelset encounters a dirty track section. I like to do a lot of slow switching, so the chances of such a stall happening for Re: Track and Switches me would be even greater without the use of power-routed Posted by Jean C. Piquette on March 27, 2000, 03:08pm frogs. Hi Frank, Sincerely, I prefer code 100. Appearance is of less significance to me than Jean reliability, And I can't help but believe that the smaller rail codes are more spindly and more easily kinked. Re: Re: Re: Track and Switches Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 30, 2000, 11:31am Right now, I have a combination of Atlas (Customline III) and Peco turnouts. They're of fairly similar quality. But the "locking" You are correct that the newer Atlas Custom Line turnouts have feature of the Peco points really can't be beat for reliability if a large dead frog and do not have a shorting problem. The older you're using twin-coil switch machines. If you're using the stall- Custom Line turnouts do have a problem, however, because the motor variety, though, like Tortoise, either turnout would be fine. frog was formed from the plastic molded around the rails. These In that regard, the Atlas is less expensive. are not Snap Switches, although the construction is similar. Sincerely, Jean

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 125 Re: Re: Re: Re: Track and Switches This used to happen sometimes when I was using Dynatrol, and Posted by Joe Binish on March 30, 2000, 02:41pm either the reverse transister overloaded and burned, or the A friend who has a large operating layout(15-20 people for 4 reverse leg of the diiode bridge overloaded and burned, resulting hours) uses code 70 track(micro eng.) and Shinohara and ME in one direction only. Don't get me wrong, DCC is not Dynatrol. turnouts, with some tweeking. We have had very little in the way But somehow each decoder must have a final power component, of kinking track despite temp and humidity problems. i.e. that component which carries the actual electrical load. I suspect that somehow it overloaded and burned, which let the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Track and Switches smoke out (even if you didn't see it). I hope this was an accident, Posted by Andy Bell on March 30, 2000, 10:17pm and not something in the loco's wiring. Am working on a large modular setup and we have used Shinohara points Re: Bad Decoder Posted by Leonard Stern on March 17, 2000, 09:44pm [English discription]and found that we definately have to isolate the Bob: I believe Norman is correct in that somehow the reverse rails to the frog section. We also module stopped functioning. Have you tried to test the decoder wire to the frog and power it off with a tester to be sure. I do not know the return policy Of NCE the switch contacts of the tortoise but you may wish to contact them. Perhaps they will repair for a motor. small cost. Regards. leonard Stern, email: [email protected] Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Track and Switches Posted by Jean C. Piquette on April 04, 2000, 08:38am Status of radio throttles Hi Joe, Posted by Dave H on March 14, 2000, 08:15pm When I expressed my concern about the lower-code rails being Any new ETA for the radio throttles? more easily kinked, I wasn't refering to their use after installa- Re: Status of radio throttles tion, or due to the effects of temperature and humidity. I was Posted by Bob Miller on March 14, 2000, 10:02pm referring to the level of skill required during installation. I just If you are talking NCE, I expect to be dead and buried before have the feeling that the smaller codes require more skill to they show up. Have been trying to get NCE stuff and have been install kink-free. told they are greatly backlogged, so I have a policy now of Sincerely, believing it when I see one of anything. Jean Re: Re: Status of radio throttles Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Track and Switches Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 17, 2000, 08:48pm Posted by Bob Miller on April 04, 2000, 08:54am In a recent exchange with Jim Scorse (NCE), he says compo- Not after you have laid a little bit of small rail. I have handlaid nents are very difficult to get and have long lead times. A local code 83 and 70 in HO and also a little code 55 on industrial Digitrax dealer says they have the same problem. Seems these spurs. I have also laid 83 and 70 using commercial stuff. Two vendors buy in small qualtities, and cannot get any kind of things important, use one or more rail gauges, the 3 point kind priority from a supplier, at least not at a price that the hobby are best, and use your eye and a straight edge to keep the rails market could bear. straight. It just takes a little practice, but unless you have a I'm with you -- I'll believe it when it shows up at my door step. handicap with your hands/arms, you should pick it up fairly Certainly can't get DCC stuff in the shops or by mail! This could quickly. potentially hurt the market if the vendors develop a reputation of not delivering. Bad Decoder Posted by Bob Foltz on March 17, 2000, 10:17am Re: Re: Re: Status of radio throttles Posted by Dave H on March 20, 2000, 09:41pm I had a NCE DA102 installed in a Stewart F-3 that worked fine Its too bad too since there is a market out there chomping at the until suddenly one day it would only run in one direction. When I bit. I know at least two people who who have reserved or have reversed the direction it would only sit and hum. I reprogramed it money allocated to get the radio throttles as soon as they are but it made no difference. Finally I replaced the decoder and available. A local modeler has the EZ Dcc radio throttle and its everything is fine. Anybody have any idea why the old decoder hard to accept that NCE is behind the technology curve. went bad? Bob Foltz Re: Re: Re: Re: Status of radio throttles Posted by Bob Miller on March 20, 2000, 11:03pm Re: Bad Decoder Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 17, 2000, 08:42pm Know what you mean, Dave. I like the NCE stuff, but it has been a long drawn out affair to get my railroad cut over. Has You must have let the smoke out of the reverse side final power taken a year to finally get the needed components to completely component. It took me a while, but I finally figured out that it is convert from Dynatrol to NCE. I wanted to be able to do the the smoke in an electronic component that makes it work, radio I thought, but honestly have now lost interest. Will stay because if you ever let it out, it will never work again. with what I have.

126 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Status of radio throttles Athearn 2-8-2 with Soundtraxx Posted by Roger Robar on March 24, 2000, 07:02pm Posted by Ed Bradbury on March 04, 2000, 02:04pm It's my understanding that the problem with NCE getting their I would like to install the Soundtraxx DSD-150 I have into my wireless control out is the lack of components. Remember this Atearn 2-8-2. What is the best way to install a oval speaker, DSD wireless control IS the same system as your remote car door and the loco's hasness, and seal off the tender for use as a locks. The auto companys have the supply all sewed up. It's a soundbox. Would it be better to use the tender harness hole for the matter of supply and demand, autos win hands down. Believe speaker or drill the coal load? I have done a similar installatio for an me, NCE has the knowledge to be a leader in the industry. NCE AHM steamer. had to announce their wireless system after Digitrax came out with there's, it's called marketing. I'll wait for mine, it will come Re: Athearn 2-8-2 with Soundtraxx someday! Posted by david d zuhn on April 02, 2000, 06:53pm Roger I had very good luck with an oval speaker under my coal load, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Status of radio throttles without even drilling it out at all, much less replacing it. Posted by Bob Miller on March 24, 2000, 07:34pm I built a soundbox which slid right underneath the coal load, using the sides of the tender for the sides of the box. I had to That seems to be a typical response to any shortage for NCE, for slice out a couple of ribs inside the tender, but that was easy the booster I have on order since first of the year, and the throttle enough. I also have on order, lack of components. I have no doubt that is Pull the unused wires out of the Athearn bundle between tender true, since the others seem to be having similar problems. But & engine, and it will be much less stiff and less prone to causing pardon me for not waiting for radio, I have a railroad to run, not derailments. to sit and look at while waiting for components. I found this to be an easy installation for sound, and maybe Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Status of radio thrott someday I'll get around to drilling and/or replacing the coal load, Posted by Robert Jackson on March 24, 2000, 10:55pm but you really don't have to. I agree, I have a railroad to run and as convenient as it might be, I will take a pass on radio control. Besides, I have had the Sagami Can Motors experience that my neighbor's garage door opener opened the Posted by Brooks Stover on March 02, 2000, 10:02pm trunk of my car: a mind blowing puzzler until one day I was I am trying to find three new and unused 22x40mm Sagami can standing beside my car when she opened her garage door with motors with double 2.4 mm shafts. Walthers and NWSL no longer the remote and pop! up came my car's trunk lid! I have also had carry them and their replacements are too noisy for me. Will pay top the experience that an airplane flying low overhead on approach dollar. Any help in locating them is appreciated! to the airfield opened my garage door. Always the same airplane flying the same approach path. What sort of chaos would result from that sort of interference with my railroad. LBF WC Hi-Cube box cars Posted by Rod Peters on March 01, 2000, 04:05pm Why not try... Posted by Glenn Horowitz on March 25, 2000, 11:09am I recently purchased 3 hi-cube box cars manufactured by LBF Company. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that the road ...infrared, if it's available from your manufacturer? I have no numbers on the models, 51529, 51530 and 51531, didn't seem right. need for it right now, with my layout as small as it is, but one of I began to investigate and found that when E&C Shops produced the reasons I went with Digitrax was so that I could expand as the hi-cube box car they used numbers like 21535. I then checked necessary in the manner I saw fit. Besides, my DT-100IR is various videos and web sites relating to the Wisconsin Cetral and as ready to go as is; I just need one gizmo to plug into the booster far as I can determine, the prototype uses the 51000 number series in question, and hey-presto, it's IR! Just a thought... for gondolas and the 21000 number series for hi-cube boxcars. If Re: Status of radio throttles that is in fact the case then LBF Company has made a mistake in Posted by Allen on March 28, 2000, 08:17pm numbering their model of WC Hi-Cube box cars. So far LBF Where is th Digitrax DT300? Company has not responded to a similar e-mail sent to them. Can anyone confirm this numbering? Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Status of radio th Thanks, Posted by Bob Miller on April 01, 2000, 01:01pm Rod Peters Word is that NCE is shipping again. I received notice that a booster I had on order since December is coming and that the Re: LBF WC Hi-Cube box cars CAB04 throttles are again in stock. but, no word on the radio Posted by Rod Peters on March 03, 2000, 10:21pm control aspect. Fyi - I have done some investigating and according the Wiscon- sin Central's public tracking system, the numbers that LBF Company is using on their model of WC's hi-cube box cars do not exist in the railroad's equipment register. - Rod

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 127 Decoder Uncoupling Sometimes this is soldered directly to the motor. If so unsolder and straigten out the tab so that the brush pads are isolated from Posted by Chuck on March 01, 2000, 12:07pm the motor ground. Hope this helps. Are any commercial firms working on decoder uncoupling of cars? Re: LE105XF Re: Decoder Uncoupling Posted by Rod Peters on March 01, 2000, 03:07pm Posted by Dennis Smerz on March 07, 2000, 08:40pm Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions. It If you are really interested in decoder uncoupling there is a turned out to be a faulty motor. After completely removing the website called "RR-CirKits". They make electronic components motor from the frame and isolating it from any part of the brass for model railroading. Dick Bronson has a very interesting locomotive it continued to stop and jerk as described in my presentation on this subject and what he has done. Pictures and original post. I then replaced the motor with a motor from all! The web address is: "http://www.rr-cirkits.com/". Look on another OMI engine and the problem no longer exists and my the left hand panel and look for "DCC Controlled Couplers" brass engine is running great on DCC. I can only assume that the original motor has an intermittant short within itself. Now I LE105XF need to find a source to replace the faulty motor or open it up Posted by Rod Peters on February 29, 2000, 05:41pm and see if it's something I can correct myself. I have installed an LE105XF decoder in an OMI brass deisel Thanks much everyone. engine. I can program the decoder from a Digitrax program track Rod and the engine will move down the track for a ways and then come Re: Re: LE105XF to a dead stop. A second or two it will move down the track again. I Posted by Leonard Stern on March 01, 2000, 04:53pm have observed this same behavior while holding the engine and Rod: OMI has a web page but not sure of the address. You letting the wheels turn. The engine ran very well prior to installing probably can get it from any model railroader magazine. If you the decoder. I have checked for obvious electrical shorts by let the company know that you have a defective motor they will removing the shell and isolating the decoder with no luck. I have probably replace it. Regards. Leonard. connected an Amp meter and Volt meter. The stall current of the motor at 14V is .8amps. This sudden stopping occurs at any voltage Re: Re: Re: LE105XF and is more frequent in reverse and has already fried one decoder Posted by Rod Peters on March 01, 2000, 07:06pm for me. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. The motor doesn't seem to be totally defective. It seems to run Thanks, fine without the decoder but then behaves with stops and starts Rod Peters with the decoder. I did find the OMI website at www.omibrass.com but it is currently under construction. Re: LE105XF However, they do list an e-mail address which I used to send Posted by Bob Miller on February 29, 2000, 07:25pm them an inquiry regarding this issue. Walthers does list an OMI I have had very poor results converting my OMI brass to DCC. 12V motor with flywheel in their online catalog for about $16. If I have had things similar to what you describe happen, and in OMI chooses not to replace it I can always order one. most cases it has been a wire getting pinched in the shell or pickup wires around the trucks shorting. I have two OMI brass Re: Re: Re: Re: LE105XF diesels that have become dummies. Good Luck. Posted by Dave Chance on March 01, 2000, 07:44pm Rod, Re: LE105XF There were reports about a year ago that some Beuhler motors Posted by E.T. on February 29, 2000, 08:43pm that would not run properly when connected to a DCC decoder. I I have had this happen to me. The first thing that comes to mind think that OMI uses this motor. The Chinese built OMI motors is if you have another throttle plugged in the system it might seem to be a nearly exact copy and these are the motors available have the same address but only is in reverse. Happy Rails, E.T. from Walthers. I have several of the Chinese copies but have yet Re: LE105XF to install and use with a decoder. I will test them by connecting Posted by Leonard Stern on February 29, 2000, 10:28pm to a decoder and let you know the results. To Rod and others: The starting and stopping in fwd and Dave especially in reverse seems to be that the motor is shorting out Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: LE105XF on the frame. Ensure that the motor is completly isolated by Posted by Bob Miller on March 02, 2000, 12:58pm testing with a ohm meter. With the probes attached and the motor For what it is worth, I have several of the OMI chassis running isolated the reading should be nil i.e. infinite resistance. If this under railpower shells, and they do just fine with decoders. My checks out then joggle the motor in its mounting to ensure that problems have been with the brass locos from OMI, which I the fwd or reverse motion does not cause the motor to touch the assumed (maybe falsely) had the same motor. frame. This will show up on the meter as full reading i.e. no resistance. I have installed decoders into 6 brass engines and this jerking and stop and go motion was caused by the loose motor mountings. One other thing to check is the lower brush pad.

128 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 OMI/Buhler motors lights with NCE D102US Posted by Rod Peters on March 02, 2000, 10:30pm Posted by Bob Foltz on February 24, 2000, 10:12am Dave, you hit the nail on the head. The problem is the Beuhler I've installed several NCE D102US decoders and have had no luck motors that OMI uses. They are not reliable when used with getting the headlight to work with other than half-wave power. I'm decoders. While at the hobby shop today I learned that OMI is using 14V bulbs connected to the blue and white wires. What am I now using Cannon. I also noticed that Walthers carries OMI doing wrong? motors. That would be very helpful if you could connect one up and post the results. Re: lights with NCE D102US Thank you, Posted by Leonard Stern on February 24, 2000, 11:59am Rod Hello Bob: According to the digitrax decoder manual p24; half ----Original Message------wave operation is when the lights are connected directly to the Rod, right and left rail pickups. Full wave operation is when the There were reports about a year ago that some Beuhler motors blue(raw +) is connected to one light lead and the other lamp that would not run properly when connected to a DCC decoder. I lead is connected to the white(fwd) or yellow (rev) wires of the think that OMI uses this motor. The Chinese built OMI motors decoder. Note that none of these light decoder wires are seem to be a nearly exact copy and these are the motors available connected to the rail pickups. The fact that you are using NCE from Walthers. I have several of the Chinese copies but have yet decoders is not a problem because NCE and Digitrax is very to install and use with a decoder. I will test them by connecting compatible. If all the wiring is connected OK then the function to a decoder and let you know the results. key F0 should control the lights; i.e. fwd light on when loco is Dave fwd and rev light goes on automatically when loco is reversed. Re: OMI/Buhler motors One other point did you test the decoder before install and check Posted by DJRock on March 03, 2000, 12:24am that all functions worked? Hope this helps. leonard. email: [email protected] If I remember correctly I read someplace that you need a special decoder for "coreless" motors. I don't know about Buhler Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US motors but I beleive Canon are coreless. You could check this Posted by Roger Robar on February 24, 2000, 03:58pm out with Tony. Hope this helps. For what it's worth, Tony has said when you program a decoder DJR always make sure the headlite is off. I've used many NCE D102- Re: OMI/Buhler motors EU decoders with no problems. Roger Posted by Rod Peters on March 03, 2000, 09:44pm Re: lights with NCE D102US Fyi. This is from OMI. -Rod Posted by Don Vollrath on February 24, 2000, 05:21pm Subject: Buhler motors I've never had that problem w/ D102-US. Wire up another 14 v Rodney, light using blue & yellow wires. You should be able to turn it We indeed have switched to Cannon motors. The switch had ON & OFF using Fctn #3. Have you inadvertently programmed nothing to do with DCC. Ajin simply decided to use a Japanese in one of the Mars light features?. Go back to square one. Turn friend which runs Cannon motors. The motors are both very the headlight OFF and try programming the decoder again. What good. I do not have an extra supply of Cannon motors at this time. DCC controller are you using? Are you using a programming OMI does have some Chinese made motors that are basically the track or main-line programming? Was other equipment running same size and fitting as the Buhler. We have versions with and at the time? without Flywheels that are reasonably priced at about $16.00 and $14.00 respectively. I think it would be best to support your local Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US Posted by Bob Foltz on February 25, 2000, 09:52am hobby shop if you choose to order as they seem to be up to speed with our products. The item numbers are 2394 and 2395 found in I haven't had time to try all your suggestions yet--I'll try to get to the In Stock HO Parts section of our price list. them this weekend. Now to answer some quastions: I haven't Sincerely, tested all the functions of the decoder, but I've had this problem Brian Marsh, OMI with all of them I've tried to install lights with, so I'm thinking I'm doind something wrong. The bulb (14v) tests out okay and Stewart FTs is wired to the blue and white wires of the D102US. I'm using an NCE Powerhouse Pro system and programing on a seperate Posted by Mike Tillger on February 27, 2000, 03:19pm programing track. I've tried turning the light on and off with the Has anybody installed a Soundtraxx decoder in to a Stewart light function switch of the "hammerhead" controler. I can't FT(A&B)set? What did you do as far as the marker, headlight, and remmember for sure if I tried the "0" function switch, but I think numberboard lights? Any help would be appreciated. I did. I'll let you know how things work out after I attack the problem again this weekend.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 129 Re: Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US 16 v. bulb. Both are 30 ma. bulbs, which is comfortably below Posted by Leonard Stern on February 25, 2000, 11:12am the 40 ma. limit. The 16 v. bulb will run less than 30 ma. of The fact that you did not test all the functions would be of no course. Also, you cannot tie more than one bulb to each output, concern since all your other NCE decoders are affected the same but you do have a separate output for front and rear. If you need way. Anyway check the wiring out and apply suggestions from Mars, etc., use a separate function for it (of course?!!!). the other guys who seem to have more experience with NCE. I If you are a modern modeler and must have ditch lights, rig them installed 4 NCE 102US and 2 102EU and have had no problems off a separate function output (you want this capability anyway) with the lights. The difference with the US and EU is that the using two 1.5 v. bulbs in series with about a 330+ ohm 1/2 watt EU supplies a non reversing fwd light. Keep in touch. Leonard, resistor (yields about 30 ma.). NOTL., 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). email: [email protected] Not having to deal with ditch lights, and the dimmer yellow light of a 16 v. bulb, are some of the benefits of modeling earlier Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US periods. Posted by Don Vollrath on February 28, 2000, 12:53pm I always use 'programming on the main' with the power house TTX/SW12 pro. Try that method, it might work better for some reason. [I've never used my programming track output.] Posted by Don Vollrath on February 22, 2000, 09:08am Are you using and following the english word programming From the pictures Tony posted it looks like the TTX/SW12 decoder prompts or forcing CV values to be specific decimal or hex has contact pads for the rear headlight. numbers? Follow the prompts. Supply data as decimal numbers. Has any one bought one and tried to fit into an HO Kato NW2? DonV How about a Walthers SW1? DonV Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US Posted by Roger Robar on February 28, 2000, 07:13pm Soundtraxx & Digitrax Genesis I always use the program track to program a new decoder installation because it only has enough power to program and Posted by Jim Galvin on February 21, 2000, 10:46pm not do damage to your decoder if you messed up the wiring, it Can you use Digitrax's Genesis DCC system with steam and diesel will save your lights and resistors too. I use the NCE PH pro DSD from Soundtraxx and have had no problems. I suggest you read the manual and learn the ins and outs. RR MRC decoders with Digitrax Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US Posted by Dick Foster on February 19, 2000, 07:47pm Posted by Norman Beveridge on February 28, 2000, 08:18pm I recently changed from an MRC Command 2000 unit to a Digitrax I think Don is right about the wiring. Also, I want to suggest that system. I have had no problem changing the decoder addresses and you NOT use 12 v. bulbs, as they are unrealistically bright, and such on a few locos. The I found that I couldn't get the MRC HOT (like melting plastic if you are not careful). You could decoders to respond to the Digitrax system. They apparently see the mount the bulb in a brass tube (if it fits), both as a guide and as a code being sent but when you put the system back on line, the locos heat sink. But using a 14 v. or even 16 v. bulb would lead to an just sit there. Any suggestions out there? thanks in advance. easier installation. And longer life for the bulb! Re: MRC decoders with Digitrax Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US Posted by E.T. on February 19, 2000, 07:54pm Posted by Bill Brandt on March 19, 2000, 09:09pm Try status edit. Pages 57-60 in the Digitrax user manual explains The tech reference sheet for the decoder, on page 1, second to this. Try status code 12,Common Baseline 14 step. Happy Rails the last check mark, says: Re: MRC decoders with Digitrax '2 function outputs reated for up to 40ma incandescent bulbs Posted by Dave Chance on February 20, 2000, 12:45am (150 ma when used with leds or if a 22 to 33 ohm resistor is The MRC decoders only accept 14 speed steps or 28 speed used in series with the bulb). steps. The Digitrax defaults to 128 speed steps. Use status edit Use this resistor with a 14 v bulb. You may be overdrawing the to set Digitrax to 14 or 28 speed steps for that address (MRC). out put and having the decoder shut off. Set the MRC decoders to the same speed steps. That should do MAybe even use a larger resistor (try 100 ohm) to drop the it! voltage for a less bright and more yellow light. Good luck. Riv Pass Cars Re: Re: Re: Re: lights with NCE D102US Posted by Phil Adams on February 18, 2000, 11:06am Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 21, 2000, 04:57pm Due to heat, avoid the resistors if possible. If you use the bulbs I am trying to bring these Pass cars up to weight specs. I need to recommended in the decoder literature, the resistor should not be add 2.5 ounces, however trying to find how to separate the bottom needed. For instance, for a bright bulb, use Miniatronics 18-014- and the top on the cars has me stumped because it looks like its all 10 14 v. bulb. For a dimmer, more yellow bulb, use 18-016-10 one unit. Any suggestions?

130 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Riv Pass Cars hardest part was getting a good grip on the tops of the handrails Posted by E.T. on February 18, 2000, 11:26am to wiggle them free of their holes...slippery little devils:) I have taken apart these cars. The roof separates from the body. Looking at it now, I don't recall the exact geometry that made it There are little tabs and if you take a flat object you can pry apart necessary to pull the handrails below the light/numberboard, but the roof from the body. You have to be careful not to break the I'm still sure it was required...cab's in a couple of pieces or roof overhang but it is doable. Good Luck, E.T. something. Wish I'd talked with you last year while it was fresh in my mind! Carbon Build Up Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. Posted by Harry Mackey on February 17, 2000, 09:38am Posted by Leonard Stern on February 15, 2000, 11:14am Having problems with Carbon build up on the engine wheels and Don: I would like to add to Glenn's worthwhile comments. Pull the pick up sytems on the buchmans. also believe there may be out (carefully) the handrails from the cab door and the handrails some problems with the armitures and brushes. Any suggestions. from the cab to the steps. There is a small latch at the bottom of Yes I am using Command Control. the cab, just spread open the cab between the bottom and lift the cab off. After doing what you will for the light lay the wire Re: Carbon Build Up through the channel and replacing the cab is easier than taking it Posted by Jean C. Piquette on February 17, 2000, 04:03pm apart. I also used silicone to secure the bulb. You may also wish Hi Harry, to paint the bulb container black so that the light will not shine I'd suggest using Goo Gone for the wheels and Conducta Lube through. Hope this helps. Leonard Stern, NOTL., email: for the moter. [email protected] Sincerely, Jean Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. Posted by Christian Olesen on February 25, 2000, 10:29pm Opening Cab of P2KSW Well since I'll be ordering a set of P2K SW handrails anyway , I figured since I have an extra 2 functions anyway, minus well go Posted by Don Vollrath on February 15, 2000, 09:22am for the rooftop beacon. Glen Horowitz That cab is looking mighty crowded. Any suggestions? Please describe how you got the P2K SW cab open to upgrade the rear light. I'm afraid to poke and pry without knowing where the Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. Posted by Leonard Stern on February 25, 2000, 11:09pm latches are, or whether or not its glued on. What did you do w/ the rear step handrails? Christian: Go for it. From any normal viewing distance you BTW - Tony said that his new drop-in decoder has a place to wire in really can't see into the cab anyway (unless you are a rivet the rear lamp...Too bad it doesn't use the shell to pcb contacts. counter) VBG. This loco has optional cold weather windows included and if your model requires this it is even more difficult Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW to see inside. Good luck. Leonard. Email:[email protected] Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 15, 2000, 10:02am Yikes...it's been nearly a year since I installed that decoder! Well, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 26, 2000, 05:24am as I remember, you first need to pluck the TOPS of the handrails from the body (The vertical ones beneath the lamp/numberboard You might think about heading to Radio Shack and getting some have to come out, not just the side rails). Their ends are lightly of their ultra thin magnet wire...used for winding coils, motor glued but I wiggled them loose using the tips of a pair of sharp, armatures, etc. The stuff's coated with a paint-like insulator; just curved tweezers. I'm a little fuzzy on getting the cab off, but I be sure your joints are insulated as well. Using this and a little DO recall it was pretty self evident after the rails were rotated grain of rice bulb, perhaps colored with transparent orange out of the way. (Hey-I'm ALSO paranoid about poking and enamel, would probably yield some nifty looking results... prying..but if a klutz like me can do it, you'll have no prob). Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. Once the cab's off, the gray interior insert needs to come out; it Posted by Christian Olesen on February 26, 2000, 10:45am also holds the clear plastic lens material & the bulb. I think I Glenn and Leonard - Thank you for your support through this, used a dab of silicone caulk to hold the new bulb in place too. my first decoder install (now if only I'd be an over acheiver at Then reassemble! work I could afford to pay someone to do this VBG!) The rough Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P.S. plan is to use a Detail Associates beacon and lens with a Cir-Kit Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 15, 2000, 10:14am Concepts micro-bulb (1.5v, 15ma). I can drill out lens leaving Whoops...as to your concern about the cab being glued on, it enough room to insert one of these tiny bulbs. I like the enamel ain't. As I said, after nearly a year I'm a wee bit fuzzy about the wire idea, perhaps with some stik-tak that Tony recommends. precise locations of the tabs holding it on, but a bit of gentle One related thought on routing electricity through interior of the wiggling and examining will reveal all. I definitely remember loco. Has anyone experimented with circuit board trace pens on that when I reassembled it, I was confident that I'd be able to the inside of a loco? Plastic compatibility would probably be the repeat the process if necessary if the bulb burnt out. I think the biggest concern. If it isn't, then you could just "draw" your

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 131 wiring and use electrically conductive adhesive to attach a wire off the next decoeder wire, etc. The hood light can be done the or other connection (I work for one of the worlds largest same way. adhesives companies-we're working on adhesives for solder replacement). Anyone done this or similar? N-scale decoder install Christian Posted by Jim on February 13, 2000, 06:14pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW- Hi everyone. I'm in the process of deciding on a Dcc system for my P N-scale layout. From the information that I have seen, the Digitrax Posted by E.T. on February 26, 2000, 01:09pm Empire Builder seems to be the way to go. My question is the ease Christian,could you direct me to more information on the of decoder installations in N-scale locos such as the Atlas RS-3. adhesive solder replacement. Sounds interesting. Happy Rails, Since I am operating more 4-axle deisels, the room under the shell E.T. is limited compared to the SD40-2's and other larger locomotives. Are replacement frames the way to go or are there other ways to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW- make the existing frame work in my RS-3? I also plan on operating P Posted by Leonard Stern on February 26, 2000, 03:07pm GP-7's and 9's, GP30's, 35's and F3 units. My last question is decoders. Is it possible to purchase a Lenz decoder and operate it Christian: I thought I was a glutton for punishment but you must with the Digitrax system? Thanks for your time. be congradulated for doing a LL P2K SW9/1200 for your first My E-mail address is install. It is a very difficult installation certainly not P and P even JJ [email protected] with Tony's new decoder for this engine. As far as the other questions I am not qualified to make a suggestion. Perhaps the Re: N-scale decoder install guys on the digitrax onelist would have some suggestions for Posted by Leonard Stern on February 13, 2000, 07:59pm you. Sure would like to know how it all works out for you so Since I am HO I will try to answer some of your questions. I too keep me posted if you wish. Regards. Leonard, NOTL., email: started out with a Big Boy (now Empire Builder) and shortly [email protected] after moved up to the Chief. The reason I chose Digitrax is that I feel that with their Loconet system any additions in the future Re: Opening Cab of P2KSW-P Posted by Christian on February 26, 2000, 04:47pm will be just that an addition not an obsolescent. As far as using Lenz decoders with a Digitrax system they are compatible and To E.T. Regarding electrically conductive adhesives, I'd rather easy to program. Hope this helps you. Regards. Leonard Stern, not post information regarding my employer on this list so Email: [email protected] please contact me directly at [email protected] Re: N-scale decoder install Opening Cab of P2KSW-P Posted by Bill Herbert on February 14, 2000, 10:48am Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 26, 2000, 06:25pm Jim, The Empire Builder is a very good choice. Since patience & Just one additional thought...I'd recommend just using the 12V ingenuity both come into play, you'll have to decide whether to microbulbs that Tony sells here. No fooling with resistor values, use replacement frames or your personal skills. I recently put a no extra connections to complicate things and take up space...I DZ 121 in a GP-9, but had to sacrifice the rear light to get it in. do subscribe to the KISS principle, and it's been working. More frame modification might have let me keep the light, but I BTW, If you haven't yet done so, I think you'll find actually wanted it done quickly. I am using both DIGITRAX and LENZ DOING the installation is simpler than it sounds...the P2K SW- decoders with good results. You will need to status edit for any 9/1200 was only my second decoder/light bulbs installation, and decoders that are not 128 speed steps. Your manuals will show was not only relatively painless, but has been rock solid reliable you how. Regards,[email protected] for almost a year now! Believe me...I'm speaking as a member in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Hopeless Re: N-scale decoder install Klutzes...just go to it, take your time, and have some fun! Posted by Anthony on February 14, 2000, 01:23pm I have instaled 20 Digitrax decoders in Atlas/Kato N scale RS3 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Opening Cab of P2K Posted by Norman Beveridge on February 28, 2000, 08:10pm mechanisms without trouble. The frame needs to be modified and the rear light module removed. You can purchase one Except for the cab light, I did not find the P2K SW9 to be commercial frame (Aztex Manufacturing) and use it as a guide difficult. I guess that anyone who put Dynatrol receivers in locos for your own modifications. I always run all my units in sets of would understand what I am saying -- nowadays the P&P two that are hard-wired together and have no longer any problem decoders have us spoiled! Putting a NCE D102 into this loco is with electical pickup. just not that bad, IF you realize that you don't have to use the [email protected] wires on the decoder! Pull out the loco's diode light board, and drop the decoder in its place. Take one wire off the decoder at a time, and solder the corresponding loco wire (trimmed to a comfortable length)to the solder pad on the decoder. Then take

132 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 lights so I do not have to buy extra lights at 1.98 for 2 (CDN $) whereas 150 or 220 ohm resistors are 25 for a buck. Also I,m a Posted by Leonard Stern on February 13, 2000, 12:15pm glutton for doing it the hard way (vbg). Thanks for the advice Hello all: I will be installing a DH121 into the LL GP20. Since and I will keep you posted once I complete the install. Regards. there is no socket on the board I will be hardwiring the decoder Leonard Stern, email:[email protected] wires to the numbered solder pads on the board follwing the NMRA standards. However before I do this is there any modifica- PK2 SW resistor value tions I have to make on the board? I wish to retain the original lights and do not want to blow them or damage the light functions on the Posted by Chris Olesen on February 09, 2000, 09:54am decoder.Any advice will be appreciated. Leonard Stern, NOTL., Any recommendations for resistor for the following: HO PK2 905-468-5759, Email: [email protected] SW9/1200, Lenz LE105XF replaces factory light board, retaining factory bulbs. I've looked for info on the bulbs in the loco literature Re: Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 but could not find any. Thanks Posted by Leonard Stern on February 15, 2000, 11:48pm Hi All: still waiting for an answer to my question. Any help will Re: PK2 SW resistor value be appreciated. Regards. leonard stern. email: Posted by DJRock on February 09, 2000, 11:14pm [email protected] I read in Loys Toys newsletter to use a 150 ohm resistor. This was inreferance to installing a Re: Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 Digitrax DN140 or DZ121 decoder. Posted by Bernhard Gielau on February 16, 2000, 12:46pm Hope this helps. I've found it much simpler to remove the light board, original DJR lights and all stock wiring. I then replace the lamps with 12V bulbs with 23ohm resisters and hardwire the DH121 to motor, Re: PK2 SW resistor value track pick-ups and lamps. I tape the decoder into the space left Posted by Leonard Stern on February 10, 2000, 12:34am vacant by the lamp board. If the GP20 is anything like the GP7 I used 150 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in my installation. I removed all or GP30 (I don't have a GP20) this should work fine. I have the diodes and soldered in the resistors between the blue, white three LLP2K engines wired like this. and yellow wires. The decoder is a DZ121 which was placed in the front weight after milling out the space required. This Re: Re: Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 installation kept the original lights and board (minus the diodes) Posted by Leonard Stern on February 16, 2000, 05:49pm so that the brass contacts of the lights on the shell could still be Hello Bernard: Much thanks for your reply. If I stay with the used. All wiring should be as neat and tidy as possible otherwise DH121 I will do as you suggest i.e. remove the board and hard there may be difficulty getting the shell on and the contacts to wire the decoder direct except to use the 1.5 v orig. lights I will work. Hope this helps you. Leonard Stern. Email: use 220 ohm resistors. I may decide to go with a DN 141 in [email protected] which case I will remove the small weight at the rear end of the GP20. If so have you any suggestions on this? Leonard Stern. Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Email: [email protected] Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 10, 2000, 08:54am Yikes...and I thought I was doin' it the hard way by simply Re: Re: Re: Decoder installation in a LL P2K GP20 pulling the cab apart and soldering in a 12V 30mA microbulb at Posted by Bernhard Gielau on February 16, 2000, 09:55pm each end! (Took about 20 minutes) LOL! Leonard: Not shure why you'd go to a DN141 unless you want the FX features but then why not the DH140? Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value I have no experience with the GP20 - other LLP2K engines Posted by Leonard Stern on February 10, 2000, 11:45am don't have removable weights in rear. Usually removing the Glenn: I am a glutton for punishment and too much of a "leave it stock lamp board makes plenty of room for any decoder. I as original" person. If I get a 2nd SW9 I will install the decoder suggest you try higher resistance values for the stock bulbs - in place of the orig. board and change the lights to 12v. No you can always reduce the values but if its too low you'll burn milling and no resistors. Gee; it will be so easy. LOL. Regards. the bulbs. There are too many types of 1.5volt bulbs out there to Leonard follow any rules. I've burned several trying to abtain brightness. Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value That's why I replace them with 12volt 50 mA bulbs with 22ohm Posted by Chris Olesen on February 10, 2000, 12:16pm resisters - they've always worked and I don't have to go back and replace them. Leonard, Glenn & all, Thank you very much for your help. Although the LE105XF Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoder installation in a LL P2K G preserves the weight, It is by no means a drop in. And of course, Posted by Leonard Stern on February 17, 2000, 12:11am I had to cut the tabs on the motor ends that held the factory board Bernard: The LL P2K GP20 has a removable weight. Unfortu- so I can't use Tony's new drop-in decoder! Being my first-ever nately the width is just slightly smaller than the width of a DH install didn't help either! Don't know how I would have gotten decoder, so that is why I may go the DN route. As far as the through it without all of your help - thanks again! lights are concerned I try as much as possible to use the orig.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 133 Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor va Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 10, 2000, 02:26pm Posted by Roger Robar on February 13, 2000, 07:20pm Yepper. I'm a glutton for punishment too...just got done putting a I use a short lenght of brass tubing cemented to the top of the Soundtraxx DSD in a Spectrum Light Mountain...ALL cab roof and shove the 12v mini- bulbs Tony sells into it. This hardwired, circuit board clipped & discarded...light bulb moved directs the light through the lens and dispense any heat build up. forward and light conduit discarded (it was a wussy little light before) and a SEVENTH wire squished into the cab PC board to Elec. pickup for tender use the sound synched firebox flicker...AIIEEEEEEEEE.. Posted by Don on February 08, 2000, 01:24pm She shore is purty though:) Does anyone have recommendations for modifying the Rivarrossi Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Challenger Tender for electrical pickup? Is there a website which Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 10, 2000, 02:30pm addresses this problem? Does the Bowser pickup kit for the Con- Whoops...got sidetracked there...my L&N SW9 has a Lenz Cor tender model do the job? Thanks. LE103XF supplied by Tony last February...but if I had to do any Don milling, I don't remember it...fit well in there. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Decoder for Stewart FT's Posted by Dennis Smerz on February 11, 2000, 10:53am Posted by Tom Bailey on February 06, 2000, 05:55pm Me too! Just finished a SW9 decoder install. Removed old board I'm trying to install a NCE D102EU into a Stewart FTA. I know and installed new 12 V lights (cab and forward). Had to go back there's a DCC plug, but I'm finding it too tight a fit for the light and put in a 55 ohm 1/4 watt resistor to the cab light and open up board and the decoder. So, what I want to do is remove the light the grey cover that holds the light in the cab roof. Looks pretty board and let the decoder do the the work of the light board. Has neat now. A little light gets into the cab and you can see inside. anyone out there tried this, and if so, how do you wire the head- Now I have to do a little painting on the figures and interior. light, class lights and numberboard lights? If not what decoder have Found the heat from the bulb was starting to destort the roof. I people successfully installed using the DCC plug? I'd rather not use caught it in time. So, for those of you that have put in the 12 V a N or Z scale decoder. Also, I'd rather not put the decoder in the B bulbs, check for heat build-up. unit. Any ideas? Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Re: Decoder for Stewart FT's Posted by Dennis Smerz on February 11, 2000, 11:08am Posted by Bob Miller on February 06, 2000, 06:11pm Just a follow-up. I also received with an order from Tony's I have placed a D102US in a Stewart FTA and FTB in place of Trains a Tech Bulletin containing references to Life-Like locos the circuit board, but haven't bothered with the lights yet, just and in there Tony instructs to use a 150 ohm 1/4 watt resistor on hardwared the decoder to the track pickups and the motor the SW9/1200 factory lights. Tony does stay on top of what he brushes. sells. Don't expect any great problems with the lights when I get around to it. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Posted by Leonard Stern on February 11, 2000, 11:33am Re: Re: Decoder for Stewart FT's Dennis: The main reason I wanted to keep the original lights was Posted by joe binish on February 10, 2000, 12:50pm just for the reason of heat on 12v bulbs and I did not want to I installed an NCE da-102us in my FTs, replacing the light board take the cab apart. I did use 2 150ohm resistors and removed the and the LED board in the nose. I used 14 volt bulbs for the diodes as stated in a previous message. I was very pleased with headlamp and fabricated new clear class lights with fiber optics the installation and that little engine just purrs along like a fine and a 1.5 volt bulb (and resistor). the class lights I wired to clock. It starts at click 1 and reaches it's operating speed at click function 1 on the decoder. If you want a picture let me know 8. I plan to get another and try a different installation by direct([email protected]) and I will email or snail mail you a removing the board entirely and using a lower price decoder than shot. a DZ121. This will avoid milling the front weight however I will have to hardwire the lights as the contact mechanism will be Walther's Rotary on DCC gone. Regards. Leonard Stern. NOTL., Email: Posted by Bernhard Gielau on February 05, 2000, 03:43pm [email protected] I'm looking for suggestions on how to run the Walther's Rotary Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PK2 SW resistor value Snow Plow on DCC without using a decoder. Out of the box the Posted by Glenn Horowitz on February 11, 2000, 10:07pm blade rotates about half the speed as when on analog DC. It has an Odd. I've had no problem with heat distortion. Cab gets warm, LM7805 voltage regulator to control maximum voltage to the motor. but that's it, even over a few hours of constant use. I used the I tried replacing the diodes installed with a bridge rectifier. On 12V 1.7mm microbulbs, p/n 18-712-10 that Tony sells. analog DC this works great - the rotor now turns regardless of track polarity. But on DCC the motor just humms as if its getting AC power. Any suggestions?

134 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Walther's Rotary on DCC Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by Leonard Stern on February 05, 2000, 09:09pm Posted by Leonard Stern on January 30, 2000, 12:51pm Bernard: The rotary is just like a loco without a decoder. All Robert: I will attempt to help you but several questions first. unequipped decoder locos (and the rotary) on the DCC track will What computer are you using? Is the PR1 Programmer using the hum. If you wish to control the motor just dial address 00 on PR1WIN (Tanner) or PR1DOS (Kabat) software? What version your DCC throttle. You will then be able to increase and of the software do you have? What power supply for the PR1 do decrease speed but even at no speed (idle) the motor will hum. you have? Have you attached the PR1 to a programming track? Remember only one non-decoder loco (rotary) can be operated If so does the "PR1 connected" show a red slash? ditto for on a DCC layout. I hope this helps you. Leonard Stern, NOTL., "Loco on track"? 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). Email: [email protected] Let me see these answers and I will help you if I can. I'm not very good with computers but I also had similiar problems that Switcher Decoders you have and have managed to get the PR1 to work with both the Win and Dos software. Regards. Leonard Stern. NOTL. Posted by Norman Beveridge on February 01, 2000, 09:26am 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). Email: [email protected] I see the new TTX/SW12 decoder for P2K switchers. Will this one work in older P2K locos which do not have the NMRA 8 pin plug? Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Also, maybe I have asked this before, I would like to know what is Posted by Dave Chance on January 30, 2000, 03:49pm the recommended decoder for Atlas Alco S2/4 switchers? What The modem in your computer may be on "com2" which will about Kato NW2? I would prefer NCE decoders if possible, but I'll signal "plug and play" to set the second com port in your listen to any suggestions. computer to "com3". If this is the case, set your second port to "com4" and this should work. To determine what com ports are Re: Switcher Decoders in use, click start, settings, control panel, system (double click), Posted by Leonard Stern on February 01, 2000, 01:45pm device manager tab, ports. Norman: I installed a Digitrax DN140 in an Atlas S-4. In The PR1 does not have to have external power at this point. In reference to your 1st question I suggest you email TTX and ask fact I usually apply power after bringing up the programmer them. I see no reason not to use NCE decoders as long as their software, however, it will work either way. Once the power is size is appropiate to your installation space. If you need more on, check by putting a loco on the track. If working the red slash info on the S-4 installation please reply. Regards. Leonard Stern. over loco will go away in PR1WIN and "loco on track" will NOTL., 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). Email: appear if using PR1DOS. [email protected] Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Set02 Programming Posted by Robert Jackson on January 30, 2000, 04:34pm I appreciate the responses I have had. As for further information, Posted by Gale Saxton on January 30, 2000, 03:06pm my computer is an 80486, 100mhz PC running under Win95. I'm unable to program any Northcoast DA102 decoders to a 4-digit My PR-1 is setup with Pr-1Win (Tanner). The computer is address using a Lenz Set02. totally dedicated to the railroad. Before this problem it had both a Programming other CV's is ok. sound card and an internal modem (from a previous usage). I Programming 4-digit addresses on Lenz decoders is ok. have removed both with no help for the problem. The program- Has anyone seen this problem and is there a work-a-round? ming track is powered with a Model Power transformer using Gale Saxton the fixed DC output, that may turn out to be a problem, but I am sure that it is not part of this problem. When the PR-1 is booted PR-1 Programmer Problem up with programming track powered neither red slash appears Posted by Robert Jackson on January 27, 2000, 11:02pm which has to mean that the Comport is recognized, but I cannot My Digitrax PR-1 programmer will not let me select COM 2 select Comport 2 with the software, only Comport 3, which eventhough that is physically where the PR-1 is attached. I have leads to a conflict with the mouse and lock-up of my computer. tried all the obvious things like changing interrupts and so-forth. Thanks to all who have responded and to those that may yet Also had a technician test the serial ports of my computer. They are respond. I am going to try to implement the suggestions OK. The PR-1 will only permit selection of COM 3 which puts it in responders have made this evening hopefully. conflict with my mouse on COM 1 and locks up the computer. Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Nothing I have tried solves this frustrating problem. Does anyone Posted by Leonard Stern on January 30, 2000, 05:25pm have insight into this matter? Anyone had the same experience and Robert. The PR1 requires a FILTERED DC source. Many users has a solution? All praise to whomever has an answer. Thanks, use 2 9v batteries in series to get a pure 18v dc supply. I would Robert suggest this as a start. To read and write to a decoder this type of power supply will avoid any problems. Since you are using PR1WIN when you start up it should say that "PR1 connected" i.e. NO red slash. Also if you have a loco on the programming

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 135 track there should also be no red slash through the loco icon. In Re: Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem any case click on PR1 on the top bar and go to "interface" This Posted by Leonard Stern on February 10, 2000, 12:51am will allow you to select the proper com. Also the baud rate Correction to previous mentioned web page for Digitoys. should be set for the lower of the two values for now. If later www.digitoys-systems.com you have no problems you may set this at the higher level. The buffer should be defaulted to 250 and the ACK box should be Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by Paul Federiconi on February 15, 2000, 01:56am checked. Try the above and reply if you wish. Regards. Leonard Stern. NOTL. 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). Email: I also have a problem with PR1-WIN recognizing COM1. I [email protected] have a Pentium computer with two 9 pin serial ports. I believe the PR1 needs to be upgraded to work on Pentium computers Re: Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem with Win 98SE. Posted by Leonard Stern on January 30, 2000, 05:43pm It seems to me the software can only work on 386/486 comput- Robert: One more thought. If you do not have a PR1 manual I ers with 25 pin comports. That's my opinion. suggest going the digitrax.com site and under "Computer I hope Tanner and Digitrax fixes that problem. applications" you can download the manual. Also Digitoys.com Paul is the source for any updates for the PR1WIN. Regards. Leonard Stern. Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by Bernhard Gielau on February 16, 2000, 12:41pm Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem I have a Pentium running Windows 98SE. My PR-1 is Posted by Leonard Stern on January 30, 2000, 06:43pm connected on Com2 - never had a problem. Could be because I Robert: More info. I just read on the onelist/digitrax list that loaded the PR-1 software while still on Windows98 and later many people are having problems with PR1 recognizing ports. upgraded to Win98SE. You computer vendor could also change Don Crano gave a pretty good write up at what it could be. In the comm connection to a D-25 connector to accept the PR-1 - essence the PR1 is built for com's that are RS232 compliant. It its just a cable plugged into the motherboard. appears that some computers have "almost RS232 compliant com's". Could that be the problem you are having? Don Crano Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by Dale Gloer on February 17, 2000, 09:17am suggest replacing these almost compliant com's with a com port card. As I mentioned I am not a computer person so I cannot there is no difference in COMM ports between the ones with 9 personally comment. Hope this helps you. Regards. Leonard. pin and 25 pin connectors other than the connector. A full serial port implementation uses less than 9 wires and the PR-1 does Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem not use that many. every computer shop has adapters between 9 Posted by Paul Bizier on February 07, 2000, 09:35am and 25 pins. All you need is to get an adapter. Bob: I've never had my PR-1 work on a Windows 95/98 computer Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by flange on February 17, 2000, 05:45pm (I've tried 4 - from Toshiba notebooks, to Acer Pentiums, to eMachines Celerons) regardless of the port setting. I ended up I have been having a very difficult time with my PR-1. I've sent scavenging an old Compaq 386/25 that still had Windows 3.11 the PR-1 back to Digitrax for repair, but it still won't work. The on it - BINGO! Not a problem. "PR-1 connected" comes on, but the red slash over the loco I'll probably get multiple postings saying I'm wrong, but this is won't go away. Before the repair, the loco just sat on the prog what's worked for me... track; now at soon as the 2-9v bats in series are connected, the Paul motor starts to run. One thing I'd like to see from people who have working PR-1s, how about some info about what kind of Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem voltage readings are to be found. Here's what I had pre fix: Posted by Leonard Stern on February 07, 2000, 03:53pm I get 4 ohms of resistance across the rails with the engine on the Paul: You are not wrong! Your comments do show that the rails comport is usually the most of the problems concerning the PR1 I get 100 ohms of resistance across the rails with the engine off whether it runs on the Win or Dos programming. As I men- the rails tioned before I am not a computer person so I have no real I get 17v dc across the batteries advice to give to solve the problem you have had on the other I get 40mA dc current flow through the batteries (engine on or computers other than the old 386 with Win 3.1. Could it be that off rails no effect) with PR1 program running the FIFO option was not disabled? Regards. Leonard Stern, I get 30mA dc current flow through the batteries (engine on or NOTL., Email: [email protected] off rails no effect) with PR1 program not running Re: Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Re: Re: PR-1 Programmer Problem Posted by Leonard Stern on February 09, 2000, 10:48pm Posted by Leonard Stern on February 17, 2000, 08:31pm To All: Just learned from the Digitrax onelist that there is a good I use the PR1 hardware with both the WIN and DOS software FAQ's section for the PR1. This can be seen at digitoys.com. and so far all is OK. Here is my setup: Samsung laptop,386,Win Regards. Leonard Stern 3.1. The PR1 is connected with an adaptor to the serial port. The

136 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 white and blue wire from the PR1 are connected to the program- Re: Momentum ming track; the red and blk wires are connected to the pure DC Posted by Mark Fisher on January 28, 2000, 12:15am supply; 2 9 volt batteries (new and in series). The voltage across Page 3 of the Procab Manual version 1.3 says that momentum is the batteries is +18 DC and the voltage across the rails is 1.5v a feature that will be addded later as a free upgrade. It is AC. The serial interface is set up as follows: Com 1, baud currently mapped to the Brake function if you use the shift key. 16457, buffer 250, write ACK box is checked, allow direct programming is not checked. When the engine (with a tested Bachman 2-8-0, Soundtraxx decoder) is put on the programming track the red slash on the Posted by Laddie Hanus on January 21, 2000, 01:50pm loco icon goes off. I then click on installed programmer and then digitrax programmer.I then can read and write the decoder. One In one of Tony's tips he says in more thing; make sure all wire connections are correct and tight order to install the DSD 150 in and that the track is clean. Hope this helps you. Leonard Stern. the 2-8-0 to remove the circut board. I think I know which wire go email: [email protected] to the motor and which go to the headlight but what are the wires on the 2 prong plug for? And what is Homasote roadbed the wiring on the 4 prong plug, near as I can figure out the red and black are the motor and the 2 read are the headlight. Posted by Leonard Stern on January 26, 2000, 09:46am Laddie Does anyone on this list know of a source for Homasote roadbed in Canada? There is a dealer for Homabed*R (made of homasote) in Re: Bachman 2-8-0, Soundtraxx Posted by Ed McCamey on January 21, 2000, 03:03pm California however the freight charges to Canada are very exces- sive. Information is appreciated.Thanks. Leonard Stern, NOTL. The two pin plug is the power from the engine drivers on each 905-468-5759 (tel and fax). Email: [email protected] side and match to the tender truck pickups as well. The 4 pin plug does go to the motor and the front headlight. It's easy to run Re: Homasote roadbed a continuity from the two pins and determine the side they apply Posted by Thomas Gleave on January 26, 2000, 06:25pm to. Leonard, How much do you need? Lenz Set 02 I have 2 cases of it that Iam not going to use Posted by John Meck on January 20, 2000, 03:12pm Call me I live in N.Y. Does anybody know if any of the new Lenz Set 02 function keys (631) 951-9187 will be non-latching? I would like to hold the horn/whistle key down for as long as I want to. Thanks in advance. Momentum Re: Lenz Set 02 Posted by Chuck Snyder on January 24, 2000, 12:00pm Posted by G. Saxton on January 21, 2000, 11:34pm I have a new NCE Procab. The upper right button is marked Debdie Ames told me that the momentary function key 'might' be "Momentum", however the documentation shows this key as considered in a future release. Because of all the features "Brake". I can't find anything in the manual regarding the use of currently in the LH200, they apparently ran out of programming Momentum, what it does or how to program it. room. Part II It appears to me it is not possible to program the Soundtraxx diesel bell function to actually operate when the Bell button is Tender pressed. Agreed? Posted by Ernie Picciotti on January 19, 2000, 10:35am Thanks in advance for any help. Finally got into the tender web. Chuck Thank's guy's Re: Momentum Posted by Steve Z. on January 25, 2000, 08:46am Ernest Picciotti Chuck: Posted by Tender on January 18, 2000, 12:48pm You're right. Soundtraxx made the bell and horn fully Still unable to get into htt://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/locos.htm or remappable on STEAM decoders but not fully remappable on htt://members.aol.com/4dcc/hropen.htm Any help eill be appreciated. DIESEL (go figure). However, you CAN remap the NCE procab (Cab Setup) to switch the horn and bell functions to Re: Ernest Picciotti match the Soundtraxx diesel. Then remap any Soundtraxx steam Posted by Bernhard Gielau on January 18, 2000, 01:28pm decoders (which are fully remappable) to match the diesel I was just into their site without any problem - I just copied the decoders and NCE procab and you're all set. By the way, all url and pasted it into the address bar. NCE/Wangrow cabs can have the bell and horn remapped.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 137 Re: Re: Ernest Picciotti My hobby shop dealer reccommened using automotive brake Posted by Ed McCamey on January 18, 2000, 01:45pm fluid to remove decals. It worked for me. Of course, you should Must use HTTP:// Not the HTP test this out on a small area to see if the finish will be affected. Hope this helps. Re: Ernest Picciotti Sincerely, Posted by Dave Chance on January 18, 2000, 11:07pm Jean I use http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/homepage.htm It works fine for me. Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals Posted by Bernhard Gielau on January 18, 2000, 01:13pm Tender Caution with brake fluid - it will remove most paints and could spoil your model. Have you ever dripped some on your car Posted by Ernie Picciotti on January 17, 2000, 12:39pm while filling the brake reservoir? To Ed McCamey, How do I get into the wire4dcc site? When I type in htt://members.aol.com.wire4dcc/hropen.htm I get an unknown Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 21, 2000, 09:39am host message. Regard's Ernie Also, brake fluid may etch some plastics (Stewart F's, in my Re: Tender experience!!!), causing the plastic to be brittle. Be very careful. Posted by Mike T on January 17, 2000, 01:03pm I do not advise brake fluid for removing decals, unless you also http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/locos.htm is correct address want to remove the paint. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals NCE signal line Posted by Jean C. Piquette on January 25, 2000, 08:41am Posted by Bob Miller on January 17, 2000, 09:22am Hi Norman, To those who responded to my question about running two nce That's very interesting. I've used brake fluid on Stewart F's, and signal lines and being able to run engines on either without selecting have never had a problem with either etching of the plastic or the engine over, the problem I was having with this is solved. I removal of the paint. decided to work with it a little more and using the two cab plugs on Of course, I do wipe the surface clean immediately after the the command station was able to establish two shorter signal lines decals are off. instead of one longer one, and everything runs fine. We live and Sincerely, learn. Bob Miller Jean Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals Removing Decals Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 25, 2000, 09:12am Posted by Greg Fritz on January 15, 2000, 11:41am I would be interested to know if your experience with brake I have an Rock Island Atlas RS-3 that I would to decorate for a fluid and Stewart shells is recent. The shells which were etched private road name. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best by the brake fluid when I tried it were all purchased before 1992. was to remove the Rock Island road lettering from the loco without I think that caution is warranted, regardless -- we don't want to damaging the paint. Thanks in advance! risk ruining a $100 model! Re: Removing Decals Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 17, 2000, 04:31pm Posted by Jean C. Piquette on January 25, 2000, 12:28pm Years ago, a little Solvaset and a PINK eraser rubbed lightly Hi Norman, would do a good job removing the lettering. It leaves a matte I believe the Stewarts that I did this on were purchased In 1995- finish (i.e. removes the gloss). With care new decals can be 1996 or so. applied and then the usual "dullcote" finish will hide the And I'm certainly with you on not wanting to damage expensive changes. models. [Of course, diesel shells aren't all that expensive to I do not know how well this works with the modern laser replace.] That's one reason I suggested testing on a small area printing. Most of the modifications I make these days I simply first. I actually tested on some junker plastic cars before I ever paint over the old lettering (sometimes even by brush!) since the tried it on any diesels. Is it possible that not all brake fluids are paints are so easy to match. the same? Re: Re: Removing Decals One relatively safe test anyone who wants to try this might do is Posted by Bernhard Gielau on January 17, 2000, 09:52pm to sparingly apply some brake fluid to the *inside* of the diesel shell first, keeping a towel around to quickly wipe it off if any I have had good results using Fantastic on a Q-tip to remove damage starts to occur. factory lettering. But it doesn't always work. As I said, I have had good success with this. And now I've tried Re: Re: Re: Removing Decals it on a LifeLike P2K, a Roco, and 9 Katos, all with no problems. Posted by Jean C. Piquette on January 18, 2000, 10:00am Sincerely, Hi Greg, Jean

138 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing Decal whole lashup accelerates / decelerates smoothly, without having Posted by Robert Jackson on January 27, 2000, 10:52pm to change the basic A/D characteristics of the loco when running I can attest that not all brake fluids are the same. DOT 3, is standalone. different from DOT 4 which is different still from DOT 5. Re: Re: Re: Accel/Decel Without going into the chemistry the difference is intended to Posted by E.T. on January 17, 2000, 12:15pm increase boiling points and reduce hygroscopic nature of the I'm at the head of the line for not being normal, but in this fluids. I have no specific experience with each as a decal instance could you please explain to me what a "normal A/D remover, but I echo those who have found that certain plastics CV" would be set too, in relationship to CV23/CV24? Could can be ruined with brake fluid--it removes the plasticizer. you also (by reading post Re.Accel/Decel)explain where, "I just Re: Removing Decals don't get it". Thanks E.T. Posted by D. Smith on January 28, 2000, 02:08am Re: Re: Re: Re: Accel/Decel Greg Fitz, Posted by Steve Z. on January 17, 2000, 02:05pm Easiest solution is not to remove it and buy an undecorated shell. CV19 holds the consist address. If non-zero, loco will respond Then paint it to the correct color of your particular roadname. to this address for speed and direction. It may or may not Ive been looking for a RI RS-3 for years. You could sell your respond to consist address for other effects (sound, lighting, shell to people like me. Contact me @ [email protected] if etc.) It depends on the decoder. CV3 and CV4 are acceleration / you would like to have me buy your shell. decelleration CVs. The higher the number the longer it takes the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Removing D loco to acc./dec. to the selected steed step. The A/D trim CVs Posted by Jean C. Piquette on January 29, 2000, 06:38pm (23/24) are NOT supported by all decoders. They get combined Hi Robert, with CV3/CV4 (I don't remember if its added,subtracted,etc.) Thanks for the information on the differences betwen brake The are used when combining loco's with different A/D rates fluids. together in a consist so that they will work together. You could, I just looked at what I used (which will wind up being a lifetime of course, change CV3/Cv4 of 1 of the locos to match the other, supply), and it's STP Heavy Duty DOT 3. I've tried this on but, theoretically, this using CV23/CV24 allows you to keep the several plastics, all with no problem. basic A/D parameters of a loco intact and simply reset the trim Of course, all you need is a very small amount. I put a paper CVs back to default when you are done consisting. towel over the lip of the container and tipped it over, getting the Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Accel/Decel towel moist with fluid. Then, it's a few light swipes over the Posted by E.T. on January 17, 2000, 06:17pm decal, then quickly wipe off any excess. Decal is gone, finish is Steve, thank you. I think I got it now, but still do not understand unharmed. "if non-zero".Also, can you explain "trim CV's"? Thanks again Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves what they're E.T. willing to do. Sincerely, Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Accel/Decel Jean Posted by Steve Z. on January 17, 2000, 10:56pm E.T: When you setup an "advanced" consist in decoders that Accel/Decel support it, your DCC system will place the consist number you Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 14, 2000, 04:39pm assigned (1-127) in bits 0-6 of CV19. The high order bit (bit 7) of CV19 is the direction of the loco in the consist - 0 for normal Okay, so CV3 is acceleration and CV4 is deceleration. Then what and 1 for reverse. The decoder is programmed by the manufac- are CV23 (acceleration adjust) and CV24 (deceleration adjust) used turer to respond to speed/direction commands sent over the rails for? to the consist number. If CV19 is ZERO, then the decoder Re: Accel/Decel assumes that consisting is inactive and it will respond to its Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 14, 2000, 11:28pm normal address for speed/direction commands. If you have MU lashups (A-B-A) which have their own Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Accel/Decel indevisual address' you can asign a new consist address (maybe Posted by Steve Z. on January 17, 2000, 11:25pm a specific train number) that supercedes the indevisual address'. E.T.: Now, lets say we have a consist that contains 2 locos - 1 Now that your consist has its own address, CV23 and CV24 originally setup (by using CV3) to accelerate quickly and the can have a value set which will transpose to the address' of the other to accelererate slowly. The consist would not run very well A-B-A lashup. This feature allows you to use one address to because the 2 locos would not be matched - the first would be control the CV's of MU lashups. pulling the second until they stopped accelerating. That's where Re: Re: Accel/Decel CV23 comes in. It gets added to CV3 upon powerup or upon Posted by Steve Z. on January 17, 2000, 10:10am reprogramming. You would program CV23 of the second loco CV23 & CV24 are used to ADJUST the normal A/D CV's. "on the main" effectively speeding up its acceleration until it Useful (sort of) when the loco is added to a consist so that the matched the first loco. The consist would then run correctly.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 139 When you kill the consist, you would then reset CV23 "on the system)decimal 103 or hex 67. This will give you a low dynamic main" back to its default of 0, thereby restoring the original brake an moderate volume on the engine exhaust. Remember that acceleration characteristics of the loco. The same applies to CV4/ increasing your volume may cause distotion and premature CV24 for deceleration. Is it a pain ?? Sure it is !! That's why failure of speakers. Reply letting me know what you think and most people don't use it much. Hope this helps!! we can adjust accordingly. Hope this helps. E.T. Re: Re: Sountraxx Question Drive Frequency Posted by Chuck Snyder on January 14, 2000, 02:20pm Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 14, 2000, 04:36pm E.T. I see that my decoders have what is called "programmable motor Thanks for your response. At first I was going to tell you I had a drive frequency" in CV9. What is it? What do I use it for? manual then I realized I have a NCE manual but not a Soundtraxx. I'll try to get one per your suggestion. I was Re: Drive Frequency surprised that there is no listing of the various CV functions in Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 14, 2000, 09:35pm the NCE manual, i.e., what controls the bell, the whistle etc. Vitually all DCC decoders drive the motor using Pulse-Width- Thanks again for your help. Modulation (PWM). One of the drawbacks is motor hum and/or Chuck buzz.CV9 allows the user to program a drive frequency (usually a value between 170 and 190)for quieter motors. Re: Re: Re: Sountraxx Question Posted by E. T. Halloran on January 14, 2000, 03:09pm Re: Re: Drive Frequency CV values is the information that the decoders store internaly. Posted by Steve Z. on January 17, 2000, 10:04am The command station searches out these values when prompted. We play with this one alot. Usually, the higher the frequency, the Generaly a list of CV values come with the decoder and not with better the motor runs. Zimo and some others have a supersonic the user manual of the command station. CV values has an upper setting (19K) which is really smooth. There are some types of and lower binary code. 00000000 would mean (if representing motors for which high settings are not recommended (coreless, I volume) no sound and 11111111 would mean maxium sound. If think, but not sure) you split these codes up as in 0000/1111 you would have no Re: Re: Drive Frequency sound on the upper code and maximum volume on the lower Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 17, 2000, 04:41pm code. Visa-versa 1111/0000 would represent no sound on lower For my decoders, CV9 is described like this: and maimum sound on upper code. E.T. "This CV determines the total PWM period for the uploadable speed table. Each unit = 128uS. This allows a frequency of 30hz TTX--PS/AR to 279hz. 279hz comes from using each speed = 1 count. This Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 10, 2000, 12:18pm yields max speed = 28*128uS for a 3.58mS period which equals Can the new TTX-"PS/AR"(power shield/automatic reverser)have 279hz." more While I do have a master's degree in mechanical engineering, I than one LED connected to the XLEDA and XLEDK outputs? have spent 25 years designing chemical plants and refineries, so the above paragraph means nothing. How do I get to 30hz, and reverse blocks what does it do for me? Ditto for 279hz. The default value is 195. What does that get me? Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 09, 2000, 09:05pm The NCE manual shows 10 "built in" alternate speed tables, Does the "PS/AR" require the whole train to be in the insulated ranging from 30hz to 180hz. What do these do for me? block to work, please explain.

Sountraxx Question DCC Decoder plug wiring for Bachmann K-4 Posted by Chuck Snyder on January 13, 2000, 05:46pm Posted by Dave Nobles on January 06, 2000, 07:28pm I'm the new owner of NCE DCC and a Soundtraxx GP30 put I have a Bachmann Spectrum K-4. I run my R/R on NCE DCC. together by Tony. I'm basically happy with the system but wonder if Does anyone know the wiring connections for the "plug" to the I can increase the volume of the diesel engine sound (as opposed to decoder. I have to connect the NCE decoder to the plug first. Thank the bell and horn) which are fine. I think this is CV 61 based on a You All recent article in MR. I'd appreciate any guidance on how make the Re: DCC Decoder plug wiring for Bachmann K-4 change. Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 07, 2000, 02:58pm Thanks for any input. The standard 8 pin plug is as follows: Re: Sountraxx Question 1 = motor right Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 14, 2000, 01:47pm 2 = rear headlight The easiest way is to get a Soundtrax users manual from TTX. 3 = F1 Appendix C is a binary/hex conversion chart. You may want to 4 = left rail pickup try programing CV61 to a value of (depending on your 5 = motor left

140 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 6 = forward headlight Atlas Classic GP-7/RS-3 Decoder Install 7 = headlight common Posted by Dave Chance on December 30, 1999, 10:29pm 8 = right rail pickup Remember that this starts in the corner for 1, runs down to 4, I have several Atlas Classic GP-7's and a couple RS-3's that I want across to 5 and up to 8, such that 8 is across from 1. This to install a DCC decoder. It is really tight with a DH121P in the arrangement is symmetrical, so that if you plug it backwards, it GP-7. Does anyone have any ideas? Will the NCE/TTX RS-2 or still works (i.e. motor to motor, track to track, etc.). Backwards GP-7 decoders work? Any help will be appreciated! would merely result in swapping direction on the loco, which is Re: Atlas Classic GP-7/RS-3 Decoder Install programmable anyway! Posted by Leonard Stern on January 01, 2000, 01:44pm On Dec 21/98 I installed a DH120(now replaced by DH121) in Rivarossi Challenger Tender an Atlas GP7, Reading #608. I hardwired the wires directly to Posted by Don on January 06, 2000, 12:01pm the socket as I did not have an available plug. The board was left Can someone advise me as to how best to disassemble the Chal- as is with no changes. It would appear that the plug has too lenger Tender for installation of a sound decoder and speakers? much height so direct wiring was the answer for my installation. Also, what would be the best way to put pick-ups for track power John, at Digitrax helped me out on this. The completed engine on the tender? Thanks and installation operates well as expected with Atlas engines. Hope this helps you. Leonard Stern, NOTL. (1-905-468-5759, Re: Rivarossi Challenger Tender tel and fax), email: [email protected] Posted by Ed McCamey on January 06, 2000, 04:32pm Re: Re: Atlas Classic GP-7/RS-3 Decoder Install Check out the wire4dcc pages with specific locomotives. The Posted by Leonard Stern on January 01, 2000, 01:54pm actual tender page is: http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/ hropen.htm Dave: My previous response was for the Atlas GP7. As for the This will help a lot! RS-3 I used a NCE D102-US decoder. I removed just enough of the circuit board material on each side to fit the very narrow Decoder for Walthers SW1 body. However I believe that Tony has a specific decoder for this engine. Good luck and keep me posted if you wish. leonard Posted by Roger Robar on January 06, 2000, 07:55am Stern, NOTL., 1-905-468-5759 (tel and fax) email: What decoader has anyone used for the Walthers HO SW-1 model? [email protected] I have a DN140 that will be a rather tight fit in the roof of the cab, there is no room under the hood especially if one wants to install a LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install??? headlight. Thanks for any info. Roger Posted by Bob Holding on December 30, 1999, 04:02pm Re: Decoder for Walthers SW1 I have read in this forum of some people having trouble with Posted by Larry Keller on January 06, 2000, 08:38pm underpowered decoders in LL P2K E6's & E7's. apparently the Roger, stock motors draw too much current and smoke decoders. I used a DN93 (predecessor to DN140). It was a tight fit in the Here is my question. Has anyone experianced similer problems with cab, but it did fit. You could use a DZ121--it should fit with the LL P2K E8/9 loco? I just purchased one, was going to install a plenty of room to spare. Digitrax DH140. Can anyone shed light before I blow it for myself? Informitive site Re: LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install??? Posted by E.T. Halloran on January 04, 2000, 02:56pm Posted by Larry Keller on December 30, 1999, 05:01pm If you want to have an up-lifting experience with a touch of humor Bob, and raw honesty about the model railroad industry,take the plundge For what it's worth, I've installed DH84 (predecessor to DH140) and web up to hotrains.com I guarantee you will be,if not any thing in 4 p2k E8/9s and have not had a decoder failure in any of them else, laughing with delight in 3 to 4 years of regular running. This of course is no guarantee that you won't smoke a 140. I thought it was just some of the Re: Informitive site PAs that had problems smoking decoders, but I guess not? Posted by Don Vollrath on January 06, 2000, 08:58am I've looked for this site several times and always get a 'can't find' Re: Re: LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install??? error. Do you have a more complete URL? Posted by Bob Miller on December 30, 1999, 06:26pm I have an E6 A & B running fine with a North Coast 102us Re: Re: Informitive site decoder. Have not had any problems with it and I ran it a couple Posted by E.T. on January 20, 2000, 09:12am of weekends ago during Santa Fe Modelers tour and kept it http://www.hotrains.com/ running for some length of time with 6 brass passenger cars.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 141 Re: Re: Re: LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install??? doesn't have it, it is because of the manufacturer letting him Posted by John Orminski on December 31, 1999, 07:44am down. Regards. Leonard Stern. Hi there. I've also got experience with the Digitrax DH84 in a PS How are you coming along with your S-2? P2K E8 and have never had any problems with it after 3 years. Re: Re: In defense of Tony Re: Re: Re: Re: LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder install??? Posted by Bob Miller on December 21, 1999, 03:12pm Posted by DJRock on December 31, 1999, 11:50am Hi Leonard: I have installed DH140 decoders in My S2, in all its glorious pieces is laying on the workbench 2 proto E7s and 1 E8 and had trouble with the circuit boards in waiting installation of a (shudder) Digitrax decoder I purchased the E7s. There were shorts in the circuits for the motors. After I locally. After Christmas, will make the installation. replaced the boards, problems gone. Re: Re: Re: In defense of Tony I always check my installations with an ohm meter after a Posted by Steve Z. on December 22, 1999, 08:15am decoder Bob, I'm glad to see you've not blaming Tony for the manufac- installation before I power up the loco. turers' marketing hype. As a 30 year veteran of the computer DJR industry, I can tell you that the DCC manufacturers have elevated Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: LL P2K EMD E8/9 Decoder instal the concept of "vaporware" (announcing and marketing stuff Posted by Bob Holding on January 03, 2000, 01:12pm that's nowhere close to being ready, if it's even designed) to a Thanks, guys for your quick response to my LLP2K E8/9 new artform. Tony tries to filter the hype while still keeping us decoder question. This gives me confidance in the project, I will all informed of what the future will hold may hold. Occasionally, go with the DH140, checking with ohm meter b4 powerup. he is caught with his "pants down", so to speak, when a If anyone else has thoughts on the subject, please feel free to manufacturer truly misleads him. jump in. Bob NCE question Posted by Bob Miller on December 15, 1999, 08:54am Building Structure I have emailed NCE but no response. I have two railroads, both Posted by Thomas Gleave on December 24, 1999, 11:00am NCE with Master series command stations. The second added later Looking for a picture of FSM coal dock. Kit #155. and I did not get a master cab at that time. Since then I received a Does anyone have one out there? Procab for the second railroad. However, it will not do consisting, You can e-mail it to me at but instead returns a string of gibbrish on the display when I select [email protected] consist. There are a couple of other quirks on this system, so I have to switch cabs betwen systems to do consisting, etc. Is the procab In defense of Tony just not compatible with the Master command station or is there a cab problem? Posted by Bob Miller on December 21, 1999, 08:45am I recently was venting my frustration with NCE and a problem Re: NCE question Posted by Van Saxon on December 15, 1999, 03:32pm which I was not getting resolved. Someone suggested Tony as a knowledge source and I responded badly saying Tony and I don't Both systems should work together without any problems. It get on well. I don't know him personally, but he has been helpful might be the throttle or it might be one of the command station when possible in the past. The frustration is being unable to get settings. Keep trying Jim at NCE and try rereading the manuel. components on a timely basis, which is certainly not Tony's fault. Re: Re: NCE question So I want those who saw my posting to understand I have no Posted by Bob Miller on December 16, 1999, 12:29am problem with Tony and continue to do business with him. Merry Thanks, but I can only read the manuel so many times. In fact Christmas to all of you railroaders. the new manual is so small that it can easily be lost. Re: In defense of Tony NCE DCC is high on my list, NCE the company is low. Posted by Leonard Stern on December 21, 1999, 11:30am Re: NCE question Bob: Pleased to hear that you really do not have a problem with Posted by W. Falconer on December 16, 1999, 03:51pm Tony. I have met Tony personally when I purchased my Chief I noticed you hadn't any replies to your email to NCE. system from him. This was at his former place of business and I To get through to Jim you need "NCE" or "DCC" somewhere in was impressed at his setup for handling all dcc installations. the subject line. Unfortunately Tony suffered a fire caused by lightning and was out of house and business for a little while. Now all appears to Re: Re: NCE question be back to normal. He really is an expert on all this DCC no Posted by Bob Miller on December 16, 1999, 05:22pm matter what brand. His web page is always up to date and if In the 9 months I have been dealing with NCE, I can't say I have something is not available he lets you know. In any case if he ever heard anything about nce or dcc in the subject line. He sure got my orders I sent through email.

142 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 I am getting to think he just doesn't care about customer service. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question Posted by Bob Miller on December 22, 1999, 12:01pm Re: Re: Re: NCE question Posted by Norman Beveridge on December 16, 1999, 09:56pm Steve: this is the first time I was aware of any internal battery in the Master series command station. I have two of them, one on It is unfortunate you are having this problem. When I was trying each railroad, but the battery escapes me. However, the problem to get past some start up problems earlier this year, he not only did go away the morning I called Nce. I was going to have it up answered my e-mail, but made a phone call as well!!! during phone call, problem gone. Jim thought I was having Anyway, I hope you get your problem solved. I don't have noise on the bus line by it touching a power bus line. along with enough experience to help. the defined problem, I could not get the CAB04 throttles to pick Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question up a loco assignment. That went away also. Posted by Ernest Picciotti on December 16, 1999, 11:12pm Thanks I can not believe Bob Miller is having such a hard time with Bob Miller NCE. I have had a Power House Pro system for a year now and Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE questi any time I had any kind of problem due to inexperance mostly Posted by Steve Z. on December 22, 1999, 01:58pm Jim alway's helped me solve them. Bob: I have a System 1 (made by NCE) and a Powerhouse Pro. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question The System 1 definitely has a battery and I'm sure the Power- Posted by Bob Miller on December 16, 1999, 11:45pm house Pro must have similar circuitry (battery, capacitor, non Gentlemen, don't get me wrong. I like the NCE product, but I volitile memory?) to keep permanent consists and other system have had difficulty since March unless I telephone him and catch settings alive between sessions. In any event, on rare occasions him there and available. I got tired of the telephone calls, but he (2 times in over three years of heavy use) the memory of our very seldom has answered my emails. And I feel I have invested System 1 that holds this stuff got corrupted and we had to clear a fairly large sum with him considering I am running two it. Once we did, we were fine. different layouts. However, I am going to phone him again Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE qu tomorrow. The sad thing is all the years I used Dynatrol I never Posted by Bob Miller on December 22, 1999, 06:17pm had problems with help or getting product. Progress isn't always Thanks Steve. Guess I wasn't thinking along that line. After 33 easy. years of computer programming and systems work I should Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question have thought about the command having battery backup, but Posted by Steve Z. on December 17, 1999, 08:38am didn't. Don't think that caused this particular problem as the Never had a problem contacting NCE. Always got a good command station is new, although I have seen pc's come in with response. Tony knows as much about NCE as anyone. Did you low or dead batteries. try contacting him? Bob Miller Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE questi Posted by Bob Miller on December 17, 1999, 11:49am Posted by Don Vollrath on January 06, 2000, 09:03am Well, it is always a new day. I went to the railroad to bring up the Bob, DCC before calling NCE. I selected consisting setup, and it See the NCE PhPro manual, right after the 'changing the came up okay. Selected advanced and again okay. Was able to EPROM' page. enter a new consist and it worked. Turned system off, brought it Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE qu up, killed a consist and entered two more. It is working fine Posted by Bob Miller on January 06, 2000, 10:54am today. The day I had the problem was flaky, I even had to assign Don: not sure what you are refering to in the manual. I have two a loco to the cab04 throttles initially from the procab as they master series command stations, two different layouts. First would not do a loco select. have been fine ever since. Who came with a System One looseleaf manual which I can't find knows. Everything fine now. As far as Tony, he and I don't seem anything in. Second station came a few months later with no to get along too well. manual because they weren't available. I can't find an eprom page Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NCE question in the system one manual, so am at a loss. Posted by Steve Z. on December 22, 1999, 11:17am Bob Miller Bob: I should have mentioned this earlier, but sometimes erasing Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NC the command station memory fixes the type of problem you have Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 07, 2000, 02:56pm (remove AC power, remove battery or flip slide switch depend- The NCE manual is available on-line. You can get to it from ing on type of NCE manufactured command station). The Tony's page if you go to the NCE manufacturer's site. problem could be caused by a low internal battery to begin with. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: NC Posted by Don vollrath on January 10, 2000, 09:04am Go to the NCE website and download an updated PHPro manual. (pdf format) You can get there via www.TTTrains.com.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 143 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re > Posted by Bob Miller on January 10, 2000, 12:37pm Re: Genesis Mikado Thanks, have already gone out to the NCE site, which I have Posted by Roger Robar on December 04, 1999, 08:41am bookmarked and downloaded. The pulling power is effected by an out of balance model, you Bob Miller have to add weight to the front end. I use sheet lead cut to size. This is what I did: Fill the sand dome. Fill the spaces over the Nice Site front two axles between the false spring hangers. Make sure the Posted by John Mangan on December 06, 1999, 08:15pm lead doesn't touch either side(a short will occur). I used 5 layers, Site looks great. Nice message board. fasten the first piece with double stick tape, yes I know this will I also run a VT Trains site called "Railroads of Vermont - Modeling take away some of the 'see thur' look but it's worth it. Fill the & History". Feel free to check it out HERE square hole in the steam chest yoke,leave room for screw. After - John re-assembly and before you add the smoke box front you a can slide in lead between the plastic shell and the cast weight on Athearn 2-8-2 wiring ONE side only. Do not glue in case you have to take model apart. Check all wire connections,they break easy. See my other Posted by Roger Robar on December 03, 1999, 02:18pm Bulletin Board. The motor wires (orange and gray) are extremely tight fit between Roger Robar the motor mount casting and the plastic superstructure. To gain room and relive the strain on the wires, cut off the backhead, install Light Fx's a 4x6 styrene strip spacer formed to the curve of the backhead, glue Posted by Wayne Wicker on December 01, 1999, 09:43pm and paint. Check ALL wire solder connections before reassembly, some connections are poorly soldered, I talk from experience. Read What is the voltage of the light fucntion? Would I have to use a Tony's 'Tips' on this model. Also read the MR 2-8-2 update, Jan. resister for 1.5 v. bulbs? Are all the decoders the same voltage? 2000, pg.42. Thanx. Re: Light Fx's Genesis Mikado Posted by Joe Binish on December 15, 1999, 01:18pm Posted by Glen Duke on December 02, 1999, 06:47am The voltage of functions is whatever is accross the rails(Ithink). > I think part of the problem is poor pulling capacity is the You will need to use a resistor for 1.5 volt bulbs. I have used a excessively 250 ohm resistor, which yeilds a fairly bright light. I would > stiff suspension. expirament, keeping in mind that a brighter light (lower resistor > value) will result in shorter bulb life. > I managed to change the springs for a more lightly sprung Re: Re: Light Fx's > configuration, but Posted by Van Saxon on December 15, 1999, 03:35pm > it was a whole lot of tedious work-far more difficult than any the voltage from the function output is a little less than track due > brass engine to the circuit requirements. I would start with a value of 470-510 > I ever worked on. (It requires making a jig for reassembly plus ohms and only go down as you need > drilling new > seats for Northwest Short Line springs.) > CTC 80 > I, too, found broken wires appearing after working on the engine. Posted by A.J. on December 01, 1999, 12:22pm I wires I have acquired a CTC 80 set up. Has anybody had experience with > going to each of the split sides broke for no other reason that the this system. Any copies of manuals or wiring schematics would be usual appreciated > wear and tear. I had to drill and tap into the frame and attach new please reply to [email protected] wires. > Decoders for P2K SW9 > To improve performance, I also installed brass tender trucks with Posted by John Orminski on November 30, 1999, 09:26pm > wipers and > fully wired the tender. Now that I know which decoder to put into my GP-30's, can > anyone help me with a decoder and install location for the P2K > It is a much better engine, now. SW9?? I've got a couple of these as well and want to convert them. > I've got a few Digitrax DN140 decoders and just wonder if they'll > Glen Duke fit, and if so, where. > If these aren't the best choice, what is? > > Thanks.

144 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Decoders for P2K SW9 Bachmann Light Mountain Posted by Leonard Stern on December 01, 1999, 11:56am Posted by Charles A. Cole on November 29, 1999, 11:02am I assume that this is an HO model. If so I am installing a Although the new Bachmann Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 Light DZ121(when it is returned from Digitrax). I followed the Mountain comes DCC ready, the tender is too small to accommo- installation procedure that Don Crano has posted on the date most decoders. A screw that goes through the bottom center of Onelist.com/digitrax list under files. If you are unable to log on the tender to hold the top in place further interferes with decoder to this list please respond and I will give you all details. For a mounting. start though I milled out part of the front weight to accept the dz121 decoder.The amount of metal removed is not much so the Re: Bachmann Light Mountain traction is not affected from the original. Good luck. Leonard Posted by Joe Binish on December 01, 1999, 01:13pm Re: Re: Decoders for P2K SW9 Charles, the tender for the mountain is the same as the tender for Posted by Norman Beveridge on December 02, 1999, 09:22am the consol( Ithink) I removed the coal load and then cut away part of the plastic deck under the coal load to accomodate a DH- I find that the NCE D102 decoder is easy to install with no 140. Joe chassis milling. The cavity for the light board on top of the chassis is plenty of room. Carefully remove the light board, preserving the loco wires -- the electrical wipers loco wires will be used instead of the decoder wires. Mount the Posted by Michael Tillger on November 25, 1999, 10:33am decoder on double sided foam tape, taking care that the solder Does anyone have any experience with adding electrical wipers to pads are on top. Now you can unsolder the decoder wires ONE there locomotive fleet, especially steam locomotives. Thanks AT A TIME, being careful to note the function of each. Before desoldering the next decoder wire, trim, strip, tin, and solder the Re: electrical wipers Posted by Bernhard Gielau on November 25, 1999, 05:32pm loco wire which corresponds to the decoder wire just removed. Continue this process one decoder wire and corresponding loco Brass or Plastic? wire at a time until all wires are swapped out. Re: Re: electrical wipers The track power pick up wires, motor wires, and front head light Posted by Mike Tillger on November 26, 1999, 07:46am are easy. The cab light is another matter. For the front light I Both, mostly steam, suggest you replace the bulb with a Miniatronics 18-014-10. Re: electrical wipers Re: Re: Decoders for P2K SW9 Posted by Bernhard Gielau on November 26, 1999, 10:51pm Posted by John Orminski on December 20, 1999, 09:42pm Use thin phosphor bronze strips to wipe on the top edge of the Thanks to both Norman and Leonard for their advice. I'm going insulated driver flanges. Solder wire to the phosphor bronze and to try it yet another way, with a Digitrax DN140 decoder (I had then epoxy to a styrene block. Epoxy the block to the frame. one lying around). I've milled out part of the front weight, and Watch that the added strip doesn't come in direct contact with the am looking at keeping the original bulbs and circuit board if I frame or other metal. Brass wipers deform too easily. You can can figure out which traces to cut. also add wipers to the insulated tender wheels. This will greatly The cab light isn't that hard to get out, so replacing the two of improve the running of your engines. them and the light board may be an easier way to proceed. I'll keep you posted. Re: Re: electrical wipers Thanks again!! Posted by Mike Tillger on December 04, 1999, 03:16pm Re: Re: Re: Decoders for P2K SW9 Do you make your own wipers or do you purchase them Posted by Leonard Stern on December 21, 1999, 11:20am commercially? If you make your own what thickness material do you use? John: I went through the same thought process as to where to cut the traces. Loy Spurlock gave me the answer. If you do keep Re: Re: electrical wipers the original board make the cuts so that the light circuits i.e the Posted by Bernhard Gielau on December 05, 1999, 08:51am white, yellow and blue are kept separate from any other I purchased some 6" long phosphor bronze strips 3/32" wide - connection. The next trace will be for the truck/track feeder they are less than .005" thick. wires. The next trace will be the orange/grey and motor wires. In other words keep each section of the decoder separate just as Re: Re: Re: electrical wipers Posted by Roger Robar on December 06, 1999, 07:28pm Norman described. Keep the wiring as neat as you can since there is very little space. If you do not change the bulbs(1.5v) You can buy wiper material (phosphor bronze) from Clover you will need to use 270 ohm resistors. If you change to 12v House, P.O. Box62, Sebastopol, CA, 95472 A great article on bulbs the resistors are not necessary. Good luck. Leonard Stern. how to add wipers was in the March 1995 MR. "Contact! the key to reliable performance." by Jeff Johnston. This author also had 3 other good articles in MR, Jan.1995 'add balanced weight'. Feb.1995 'replacing driver springs'. May,1995 'drive line replacement'.Roger Robar

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 145 Re: electrical wipers Decoders for P2K GP-30 Posted by Glen Duke on December 11, 1999, 11:14am Posted by John Orminski on November 15, 1999, 09:48pm I used the Tomar pickups to add tender contacts for the Genesis Has anyone got some advice as to which decoder is the easiest to Mikado. They wipe all four tender axles. (I also installed brass install on the new GP-30's from Proto 2000? I'm running a Digitrax trucks, but that really isn't necessary. It's just better.) In addition, system, but aren't averse to putting in another manufacturers I used two of the Tomar strips INSIDE the tender as wiring decoders. I saw a recent ad in MR for one specifically designed for blocks. I then ran a wire from one of the tender truck wipers to this engine but can't remember whose it was. the (+) wiring block; did the same for the (-) side. Then attached Thanks. the engine's red and black wires to the proper wiring block. Did the same for the decoder's red and black leads. It works great. Re: Decoders for P2K GP-30 Posted by Leonard Stern on November 15, 1999, 11:03pm Re: Re: electrical wipers Posted by Leonard Stern on December 13, 1999, 11:34pm Tony's Train exchange the sponser of this BBS has just what you need. See his product list under Digitrax. I used a similar set-up. The contacts (wipers) were from MRC the same type that they include in their 2-8-0 kits. I used them in Re: Re: Decoders for P2K GP-30 my Mantua engines which are notorious for poor pick-up and Posted by John Orminski on November 16, 1999, 09:21pm with these wipers plus the wiring to the inside part of the tender Thanks for the note. After I posted mine, I did see the decoders I eliminated all pick-up problems. on the Digitrax page. I'll have to try a couple. Does anyone have any experience with them, vs. Digitrax decoders? MRC Re: Re: Re: Decoders for P2K GP-30 Posted by Bill Stone on November 17, 1999, 08:50pm Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 18, 1999, 09:15am Have On-Board but unhappy with The special decoders which are plug in for P2000 GP7 and performance. Have a sound unit that is always a problem, GP30 and etc. are super!!! They also work for a host of other but I like it for the grandkids...if I go MRC does it have a function applications. They are made by NCE and have all the abilities for to blow the horn, and ring the bell programming which are in the other NCE decoders. I am sure like OB? Money is an issue that they would be handy in a Digitrax system as well. I have but later on I will get an engine with Soundtrax....right installed and used them in LL GP7, Kato RS2 and SD45, Atlas now I simply want to get running but unsure about which U33C and U23B, etc. system longterm is right. I'm not electrical wizzard need Re: Re: Re: Re: Decoders for P2K GP-30 Posted by John Orminski on November 21, 1999, 10:41pm a simplicity. Need your advice, thanks! Many thanks. I'd seen the ad for the NCE decoder in MR but didn't know it was the same as the one listed on the Digitrax Re: MRC page, since it's called out as a "TTX", not an "NCE. I thought Posted by Gale S. on November 18, 1999, 09:29am maybe that it was a "TOny's" decoder. I'll try a couple. MRC has only one auxilliary function. Soundtrax works best with at least 4-aux functions to take Decoder for HO P2000 PA's advantage of the various sound tracks. Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 12, 1999, 05:05pm Check out the new Lenz02 starter set or the Digitrax Genesis instead. Can someone recommend a decoder for the HO P2000 PA's? I think Tony's tech tips point towards a load compensated decoder, Re: Re: MRC but which one? Do the newer, better, cheaper ones work? Posted by Bill Stone on November 19, 1999, 10:55pm Thanks Gale, I only see Lenz 01 starter on Tony's product Re: Decoder for HO P2000 PA's Posted by Leonard Stern on November 12, 1999, 06:46pm list, am I missing 02? Norman: I installed a DH83FX in a LL P2K PA sometime ago Re: re: i.e. before the compensated decoders were available. My reason Posted by Gale Saxton on November 20, 1999, 09:24pm was that the motor in this loco even though drawing 1 amp at Bill, stall would require a heavy duty decoder to combat this back emf The Lenz Set02 is supposed to be released by Lenz North problem. I have had absolutely no problems using this setup. In America on Dec 1. my research I noticed that the problems that others were having You can check it out at www.lenz.com. I've seen some pricing related to using lower rated decoders(at a lower price). I hope on the web indicating that it would be cost competive with the this helps you in your decision. Leonard. Genesis. I'm sure Tony will have it when it's available. Gale

146 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 MDC shay locomotive limited. I have only once NCE decoder that I can use, but it saves me the cost of a total conversion at one time. I am happy with nce. Posted by Dave Greco on November 09, 1999, 06:30pm Having proablems with your 2 or 3 truck shay? Digitrax users converted to NCE I am willing to answer any questions about any proablem that you are encountering with your shay. Posted by Paul Deis on October 29, 1999, 12:41pm Lastnight setup NCE system on friends layout and ran some trains Re: MDC for the first time. Converted 2 Digitrax owners to NCE one they Posted by Dave Greco on November 09, 1999, 06:33pm saw the ease of use and setup e mail me at [email protected] Re: Digitrax users converted to NCE MDC shays Posted by Dave Chance on October 30, 1999, 08:00pm I started with NCE designed Wangro System One, I soon Posted by David Greco on November 09, 1999, 06:26pm switched to Digitrax Chief, along with several of my friends. Having proablems with a MDC 2 or 3 truck shay? Reason, Digitrax is easy to program, and easy to use. It is very I am willing to answer any questions about any proablems reliable and the price is right. I have no beef with NCE, just hate Thank You to see Digitrax bashed so often by NCE/Sys' One users. Shinohara Turnouts: 4 Sale Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NCE Posted by Leonard Stern on October 30, 1999, 09:55pm Posted by Bill Gaver on November 07, 1999, 11:57am Dave I agree with you. This is not a forum for this type of NS code 70 Shinohara: New: comments but rather a place to help out each other with our 1-double crossover,1-30 crossing, needs for DCC no matter what system we use. 1-threeway, 1-double slip Some never used, others mint: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NCE 10-#6 left, 6-#6 right, Posted by Richard Anderson on November 04, 1999, 10:47am 7-#4 left, 3-#4 right. Sell lot I've been running trains with DCC for almost 6 years now and $175.00 including shipping. have experience with all the major DCC systems, either on my Contact: [email protected] own layout or while operating on other people's. if interested. With this experience, I have a hard time believing that someone would think that Digitrax is easier to use than System 1 or NCE. Re: Shinohara Most people have their NCE setup and running in less than 15 Posted by Bill Gaver on November 12, 1999, 05:12pm minutes. The display cab menus lead a person through all the Shinohara code 70 NS turnouts programming steps. All programming is done in plain English, 4 Sale are no longer available. not computer code. Every function has it's own button instead of multi-use buttons where a specific sequence of pressing buttons motors-coreless??? is necessary. Posted by Mike Tillger on November 06, 1999, 06:51am Don't get me wrong - Digitrax is a competent system. But easier What are coreless and ironless core motors?? How can you tell to use? No way!! You'll never convince me of that. which is which? What manufacturer used coreless motors? Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NCE Posted by Dave Chance on November 04, 1999, 08:57pm Re: motors-coreless??? Posted by Dave Chance on November 09, 1999, 08:18pm Richard, I think if you will re-read my posting, you will see that Mike, I never said Digitrax was "easier" to program. I said it is "easy" Ironless core and so called coreless motors are DC motors to program, which doesn't have any hidden meanings. I have designed to have very low armature inertia. In simple terms, the found a few "features" that require careful thought before armature is coils of copper wire wornd on a paper form with pushing the buttons, but overall, it's quite simple, at least for me. epoxy to hold its shape. Normally it turns around a stationary The manuals are more confusing than need be, due inpart to the magnet. Micro-Mo and Maxon are two brands but there are terminology. others. There are other designs also but this should help. I'm sorry if I ruffled any feathers, but differend opinions is what Dave sells different systems. Dave NCE and DCC Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NCE Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 10, 1999, 09:43am Posted by Bob Miller on November 05, 1999, 08:45am Dave, et al, I use Nce. I also am a Dynatrol user, who has the interface that I would like to know if you have experienced "hysterics" with allows NCE DCC and Dynatrol to share the same power, so I am Digitrax. Part of my dislike towards Digitrax comes from experiences related toloss of control when large numbers of

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 147 operators are using the system simultaneously. Apparently the down the Loconet communication voltage and will cause Digitrax control bus is not very robust in that a large number of Loconet to become unstable. users will "pull down the signal", causing the signal to be If anyone is starting to use more than 3 of the UT1/UT2 or other attenuated, thus causing loss of control. Have you seen this? throttles without batteries you should get some UP1/2/3 panels Maybe it is okay for small numbers. and power those panel with a "wall-wart" transformer. Problem gone. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NC Posted by Leonard Stern on November 10, 1999, 01:10pm NCE Wireless/ Radio Throttle? The loss of signal strength in a Digitrax system is usually caused by inadequate wiring. The main bus should be 12ga and the Posted by Dustin Smith on October 28, 1999, 05:39pm feeders 16ga(recommended for large layouts). You could also Hello all, Ive been trying to find out information on NCE Radio use 14ga and 18ga for smaller layouts. Also no looping of bus is throttle. But I cant find any detailed information like if all NCE recommended. If you can be more specific with the problem you DCC packages come with a radio throttle? Also, do you have to described perhaps we can zero in on the answer. However connect the cab/ hand unit every time you want to address your loco inadequate wiring is the usual cause of the problem. Leonard consists? Any other things that you think that is either good or bad, Stern please share! Thanks for all the help! Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted t Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 11, 1999, 11:59am Atlas Layout #29 & DCC Leonard, Posted by Angelo Infinito on October 27, 1999, 08:28pm Thanks for the quick answer, and I hope it helps avoid problems Wayne, for all DCC users. I was wondering what DCC system you wound up going with. I I observed this on Digitrax systems used by others, and this am considering the Digitraxx Chief. I too am in the process of problem in part pushed me to NCE instead. But the problem of building Atlas Layout #29 the Central Midland, and am trying to inadequate wiring will affect any system,. and thus your advice figure out how to wire the power districts and the wye section. is most valuable to all. Angelo Infinito Thanks again. Re: Atlas Layout Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted to NC Posted by norman Beveridge on November 09, 1999, 09:27am Posted by Dave Chance on November 11, 1999, 08:54pm Please consider the NCE Powerhouse Pro. It is superior to Norman, Digitrax, much easier to use, and costs less than the Digitrax In addition to inadequate track wiring, I have experienced two high end systems. problems related to heat. Our command station has overheated a Only if everyone locally uses Digitrax should you consider one, few times and a fan got rid of this problem. Ocasionally a and even then you'd be settling for less. decoder will overheat and shut down. This is probably due to high current motors (older brass steam locos) and track voltage Atlas #36 DCC Power Districts too high. Setting the loco off the track for a few minutes restores Posted by David Foster on October 26, 1999, 09:59am control. This is a decoder/loco problem not Digitrax problem. I have heard of some problems related to using DT100IR's Has anybody have an idea on how to wire power districts for Atlas without the battery, but I haven't seen it. layout #36 Oregon Pass? Thanks for any help. Dave... Wanted Dynatrol Stuff Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users converted t Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 12, 1999, 04:58pm Posted by Mojave Railroad on October 25, 1999, 09:23pm Dave, Wanted Dynatrol equipment. I will buy your complete system or Thanks for the feed back. parts. Email me at [email protected] To describe the problems a bit more, these problems were not Re: Wanted Dynatrol Stuff single decoder failures. Rather, everything on the railroad went Posted by Jim Kuppler on November 18, 1999, 12:45am crazy -- all locos starting and stopping at random, and no one in I have some Dynatrol equipment control. that will be available for sale. Send me an email if interested. I I suspect that these were bus wiring problems as previously will need help mentioned. describing the components. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Digitrax users convert They were used on an On3 layout. I live in Seattle,WA. Posted by Chris on November 14, 1999, 01:13am [email protected] There can be a problem with Loconet being "drawn down" if too many of the new "non-battery" throttles are used. This will draw

148 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Walthers SW-1 decoder Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation Posted by Jerry Zeman on October 24, 1999, 12:00am Posted by Tom Murray on October 15, 1999, 10:08pm Could somebody recommend a decoder for installation in above This may be already posted somewhere, but any help on how to subject loco? Tried NCE D102 and it is too long. install a digitrax decoder into an Atlas RS3 (HO)would be greatly regards, appreciated. Jerry Zeman Thanks Re: Walthers SW-1 decoder Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation Posted by Joe Binish on October 24, 1999, 06:09pm Posted by Leonard Stern on October 16, 1999, 04:54pm I am in the same boat. The way I see it, the only places for a Hello Tom: Digitrax has a special decoder just for this loco. decoder are in the cab or in the spot where the cast fuel tank is. Tony at TTX(this BBS) has the product. If Digitrax ever gets the DZ-121 out, that one would work in Re: Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation either of the above spots. Or try a DN-140, I put one in the fuel Posted by Norman Beveridge on October 19, 1999, 05:10pm tank area of a Kato NW-2. The NCE D102 and DA102 are well suited to the Atlas RS3, yet Re: Walthers SW-1 decoder cost about $10 less than the Digitrax DH150 series decoders. Posted by Corey Lynch on October 28, 1999, 01:01am Re: Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation We have a Walthers SW-1 at our club layout, and it has a decoder Posted by Jean Piquette on October 28, 1999, 04:22pm in the cab. (makes it look a little odd up close) Not sure what it is, but if you want the actual kind, I can find out for you if you I have a writeup on this installation posted on Allan Gartner's want. web page at Corey Lynch http://members.aol.com/locochaser/dh150ajcp.htm. The only [email protected] thing I do differently now from what's in the writeup is that I use VP - Rensselaer Model Railroad Society 12V Atlas replacement bulbs instead of the 1.5 Grain 'O wheat NEB&W RR bulbs. The 12V bulbs require no resistors. Re: Re: Walthers SW-1 decoder Posted by Doug Harding on October 31, 1999, 04:05pm Re: Re: Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installation Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 10, 1999, 09:32am I installed a Digitrax DN140, the DZ was not out. The DN140 is just a hair to long to fit up in the hood between the fingers of the The web site given in your posting does not work. Can you weight, it rubs on the flywheel when you put the body back on. check it? I would very much like to review the installation in the So I put mine in the Cab. I does look funny. I saw the DZ at the RS3. National Hobby Show at Chicago in teh Digitrax booth last Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installatio thursday. So it does exist. It would fit above the front truck Posted by Mike Tillger on November 14, 1999, 08:28am between the weight. I believe it is .6 amp and not have enough You will find that info and more at http://members.aol.com/ amperage. wire4dcc/locos.htm Installing a DZ121 in a PP 2K SW 9/1200(HO) Re: Re: Re: Re: Atlas RS3 (HO) decoder installatio Posted by Jean Piquette on November 15, 1999, 04:05pm Posted by Leonard Stern on October 22, 1999, 01:50pm The problem may be the period at the end of the web address. I have prepared the weight to accept this decoder. I wish to retain Copy the web address and delete the period at the end. the circuit board and the original light setup. I understand that I need to cut three traces. However I do not know where to cut the traces Atlas layout # 29 as this circuit board is not marked as in other LL locos. Any help on this installation would be appreciated. Thanks. Leonard Stern. tel Posted by Wayne Long on October 15, 1999, 09:58pm and fax 905-468-5759. Has anyone built the Atlas layout The Central Midland? I have the benchwork completed Dynatol for Sale and the road bed down and would love to share comments with you. Posted by Buzz Marsh on October 19, 1999, 04:02pm 2 ea FFC Cabs, 4ea RL Receivers Re: Atlas layout Posted by Angelo Infinito on October 27, 1999, 12:45pm with Channel Plugs $200.00 Hi Wayne, Contact: I am currently building the same layout. I have the bench work E-Mail: up and am just laying out the track so I can see where I need to [email protected] put down the roadbed. I modified the plan slightly by extending the shorter part of the "L" out 7 feet longer. Angelo

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 149 Bach. 2-8-0 What booster to use? Posted by Ross Williamson on October 13, 1999, 10:36pm Posted by Brian on September 28, 1999, 02:36pm HELP!My Bachmann 2-8-0 runs really bad.Both of them stall in I have a program (Fastclock+DCC) that allows me to use my Mac curves or straights at time, lights go out unit runs or vice versa.I laptop (connected through the serial port) to a DCC Booster to run have cleaned track and engines but no luck.I sent them to Bachmann my trains, but I am not sure what brand booster to use, and how to for repair and marked them so I could tell if they where removed wire it..... I need one with an input to connect to "transmit" and form the foam.1 was and the other was not both still run terrible "ground" pins on the laptop. Can anyone help? .Service rep. said nuttin is wrong w/ units.I,m fustrated with AOL inst. msgr. "NPscaleN" Bachmann service and need some tech advise to fix.Thank you . Thanks! -Brian Re: Bach. 2-8-0 Posted by Leonard Stern on October 16, 1999, 04:38pm Re: What Hello Ross Here a few suggestions. You can take off the boiler Posted by Ed McCamey on October 20, 1999, 02:31pm by removing the drawbar and the lead trucks. Then remove the You have to use a DIY built booster screw between the drawbar and the rear drivers and the screw that is like the NMRAF stuff. between the cylinders.Pull out the running steps carefully from See the info at: http://adcc.webjump.com/ the boiler(they are tabs in the boiler). Then lift the back of the cab and slide forward. The drive mechanism will now be DCC wiring exposed. This would be a good time to lubricate the worm with Posted by Wayne Long on September 23, 1999, 09:24pm proper grease and oil the bearings of the drivers and motor. Turn the mechanism over and you will see brass sliders going to the What kind of guide lines can I use to decide where my layout drivers. These brass sliders should be touching the wheels as should be divided into blocks or sections for DCC use? you move the wheels from side to side. If they do not, loosen Also should both sides of the track be broken or just one? ever so slightly the small screws of the hold down plate. This Re: DCC should free up the spring mechanism that operate these sliders. Posted by Ed McCamey on October 20, 1999, 02:33pm Also the drawbar has two positions and I would suggest you Break it up in areas for spreading the power use the furthest one for ease on curves. Give this a try and let me around. Dense trackwork (yards) get more blocks know if this solves your problem. and long runs get split. You can also break it up for signaling at a later time. On Board For Sale See: http://members.aol.com/wire4dcc/homepage.htm Posted by L. D. Daugherty on October 13, 1999, 10:26pm Re: Re: DCC Have the following Keller equipment for sale. Posted by Norman Beveridge on October 21, 1999, 12:17pm Mixer: M10 assembled with panel and meters: $50 The DCC web pages mentioned by Ed are good, but as I said Throttle: T1 Channel 9: $15 recently, the comments regarding block vs. common rail wiring Throttle: T1 Channel 8: $15 only apply to Digitrax. Without modification, Digitrax will not SS: Steam Sound unit for Channel 9: $35 work with common rail wiring. Solution: use other than Digitrax Please contact me @ [email protected] boosters. Common rail works well with the others, and greatly simplifies wiring. RE: designing Posted by ed bradbury on October 05, 1999, 06:55pm Designing for DCC You should read some of the information concerning boosters, Posted by Craig Dunn on September 20, 1999, 07:23pm wiring, etc in tried & true trains web page. Has anything been written that would help with design work for a Re: RE: designing DCC portable modular layout in HO? The layout has four 5 foot Posted by Norman Beveridge on October 12, 1999, 05:52pm square coners and the modules are 7 foot by 42 inches. Overall the Be careful of the information on DCC wiring on TTTRAINS layout is 45 feet by 12 feet. Any suggestions appreciated and on the DCC web pages. Most of this applies ONLY to Re: Designing Digitrax, and is unique to that system because the outputs are Posted by Gerry Hopkins on September 22, 1999, 08:00pm NOT optically isolated in the booster. To my knowledge, all Craig, other systems have the optical isolation feature and thus will We have a module system in work with "common rail" wiring -- i.e. if you can wire for Sydney Australia that is HO, regular DC, you can wire for any DCC except Digitrax. USA prototype and uses DCC. We currently used my EasyDCC system but it will run with Sys One and Digitrax. We use

150 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Peco Code 75 as the track Digitrax system but it is user friendly and feels comfortable in standard, with insulator at your hand. the back of the frog rails. Re: NCE Full details are given on my Posted by Jerry A. Shepardson on September 14, 1999, 02:09pm web page (with Photos)at http://www.flex.com.au/~gerrymmr I also have the Powerhouse Pro and I prefer it over Digitrax Regards because of ease of use. Everyone in my town with DCC has Gerry Digitrax. As I watched (and tried) their systems, I felt their had to be and easier way and the NCE system fit the bill. DCC Wiring Re: Re:NCE System Posted by Wayne Long on September 15, 1999, 12:09am Posted by Wayne Long on September 15, 1999, 12:14am Thanks everyone who responded to my question about NCE I have just finished benchwork on Atlas layout # 29 The Central DCC Systems. I have one on order from TTX but have never Midland seen one in the flesh. I have used the Chief on a friends layout and am ready to lay track. Since I am going to use DCC control and from what I have read I think I will like the Powerhouse Pro should I wire the track in blocks as shown on the plans or just split much better. I also think TTX is a great place to do buisness. it up into several sections to divide power? If anyone has the Atlas book item #13 and can look at this for me I would greatly appreciated it. This is my second layout. My first was DCC Wiring The Granite Gorge which I wired all as one track using An MRC Posted by Wayne Long on September 13, 1999, 10:01pm Command Control with no problems. Question: Is there any reason to wire a new layout in blocks if you This one is more complicated and I sure dont want to have to do it are going to use DCC control? over a second time . Wayne Long Re: DCC Posted by Bob Miller on September 13, 1999, 11:55pm NCE DCC system yes, makes it much easier to find problems by isolating the line into blocks. Posted by Wayne Long on September 13, 1999, 10:09pm All I am hearing about on the bbs is Digitrax. Is anyone out there Re: Re: DCC Posted by Steve Z. on September 14, 1999, 08:34am using a NCE system and if so how do you like it? How would you compare it to the Chief? Also, blocks are necessary for train detection if you plan to add signaling. If you plan to operate many trains simultaneously, Re: NCE blocks may be necessary to break layout into "power districts", Posted by Bob Miller on September 13, 1999, 11:53pm each with its own DCC power booster. I use NCE on two layouts, really like it. Only down side is delay in getting parts Switch machines Re: NCE DCC system Posted by Thomas Gleave on September 11, 1999, 03:36pm Posted by Steve Z. on September 14, 1999, 08:21am I need info.on, I have both a Digitrax Chief AND an NCE Powerhouse Pro. Scale Shops slow motion switch machine.#649-1040 Both are good, reliable systems. However, the NCE human How low does it hang? interface is FAR superior. The NCE system is intuitive and is And is it a good product. MUCH, MUCH easier to operate and also much simpler to use Are they reliable? to program locos. Digitrax is currently better supported by DCC Can anyone help? software vendors (automated layout control, etc.) This is for hidden staging yard with main yard above it. Re: Re: NCE DCC system Thanks!! Posted by Frank Bernard on September 14, 1999, 09:06am Re: Switch I have a NCE Powerhouse Pro and think that it is great. My Posted by Ed McCamey on October 20, 1999, 02:27pm friend has a Digitrax Chief system and the NCE is definately a John Wright in the UK uses these extensively more user friendly system. I also feel that the NCE decoders are and has several pictures of their installation. the best out there. Jim Scorse is very knowledgeable and is See his site at: http://home.freeuk.net/nmrabr/p87/home.htm willing to take the time to speak with you on the phone. If you are going to be using 4 digit addresses on your engines, the only Learning way to go is the NCE system since entering the engine number is done via the keypad and not spinning an encoder like on the Posted by Randy on September 10, 1999, 10:35pm Digitrax system. The throttle may be a bit bigger than the Thank you for the BBS. I just found it and I learned a lot tonight. Thanks Again!!

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 151 ONBOARD FOR SALE Re: Re: Bachman 4-8-2 and DCC Posted by Doug Harding on November 16, 1999, 09:24pm Posted by VINCE SWEARINGEN on September 08, 1999, 03:17pm Thanks for the information. I got a decoder installed and don't Never used ONBOARD with manual. Will sell for $20.00 by deal with the problem anymore, but it was sure frustrating. registered check or money order. Vince Swearingen, 206 Riva Ridge Drive, Fairview,NC 28730 (828)628-2757 O Scale DCC OLD REVELL N TRAIN SETS Posted by Nick Romzek on September 02, 1999, 08:09am Posted by Brian on September 08, 1999, 03:10pm I would Like help figuring out what size decoders I need for O Scale. Very Little Information out there. Hi all! I am looking for the old REVELL/RAPIDO set in the Northern pacific livery.... tu-tone green with the top half being Re: O Scale DCC darker. I would love to find one of these sets and would even pay Posted by van on September 03, 1999, 07:51am comission to somebody who could tell me where to get one.... Here I have converted over 25 engines and had to do most of them is a pic of the SANTA FE set in the series: with little help from anyone so I would be glad to lend you or http://www.redshift.com/~lowery/desertchief.jpg anyone else my experience. I can be reached via e-mail - [email protected] DCC Software Posted by Chris Howarth on September 06, 1999, 08:29am MRC Command 2000 Which PC-based DCC software is currently available to suit System Posted by Dave K on August 29, 1999, 05:52pm One or NCE that will work with the Auxilliary Input Unit (AIU) Any one have experience with this system not being able to turn the and Block Occupancy Detectors (BOD) for automatic train loco headlights on and off? operation? Re: MRC Re: DCC Software Posted by rob+ on September 09, 1999, 10:16am Posted by Leonard Stern on September 06, 1999, 02:07pm i have a mcr 2000 my headlite work great with my DCC engine It is my understanding that Digitoys Winlok will do the things that came with 2000. if your trying to turn your light on+off you are asking for. You can contact them at Digitoys.com and with a engine with out a decoder useing a trottle #1 this will not download a trial version. Hope this helps you. Leonard. work . this normal Re: Re: DCC Software Posted by Chris Howarth on September 07, 1999, 07:26am Grade crossing signals Leonard, Posted by R. Grandmaison on August 25, 1999, 10:23pm Thankyou for the information. Will contact Digitoys as I just switched to DCC Empire Builder. Can anyone help me rewire suggested - appreciate the help! the Circuitron DT-2 in order to have as realistic operations as possible of the alternation flashers. Bachman 4-8-2 and DCC Posted by Douglas Harding on September 03, 1999, 01:58pm digitrax pr1 Correction on previous message. Once a decoder is installed Posted by tim on August 09, 1999, 11:55pm correctly the Engine runs great on DCC. But it still does not run in HAs anyone used the PR-1? If so, is it easy to use. Problems? etc. analog on DCC. Without a decoder installed (correctly) it cycles with my booster (EasyDCC) on and off through the overload/short Re: digitrax Posted by Jack J on August 10, 1999, 10:01pm circut. I have used PR-1 quite extensively. Re: Bachman 4-8-2 and DCC I have found that it is important to have a very stable power Posted by Chris Shinn on November 14, 1999, 01:19am supply. I haven't seen an answer to this post, so I'll shoot. I use a homebuilt 12V filtered unit. If the decoder won't run analog, it probably needs CV29 I use PR-1 to do most of my initial programming and find it very reprogrammed to allow it to do so. useful for drawing speed curves The Bachmann 4-8-2 has a problem running on DCC without a to match locomotives eg. Athearn SD70I and Kato SD40-2 decoder. To silence motor noise they ran a capacitor across the motor poles (located on circuit board in tender). This causes a Onboard for Sale detected short. Just cut one leg to this and problem gone. Posted by Roy Kell on August 09, 1999, 03:50pm I have the following Onboard for sale, all is used but in good working order unless noted: 1 - M5 Mixer with Xformer in enclosure

152 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 1 - M5 Mixer missing ammeter Re: Re: Re:Wireless 3 - K116 Keypads Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 12, 1999, 05:02pm T1 Ch6 But even Tony's is sort of out of date, because of the manufac- T1 Ch7 turers' sites which are linked! Too bad. Even local hobby shop T1 Ch8 owners seem to have no clue as to what is available and when. T1 Ch8 Unused Tony is truly well informed. Call him!!! T1 Ch9 Unused T2 ChD Unused decoder in Atlas S2 T1 Ch5 Do not know if it works Posted by Bob Miller on July 14, 1999, 03:48pm T1 Ch9 Do not know if it works Steam sound module Ch 5 Unused Want to install decoder in Atlas S2. looking for the hookup for Steam sound module Ch A Unused motor brushes, find that one is the brass nut on top of motor, the Manual and original yellow handle screwdriver!!! other seems to be the frame around the motor. Anyone else done Roughly $1000 based upon TTX price list, will sell for $600 OBO this? Is that motor isolated from chassis? any ideas? Plus insured shipping from Chicago. Re: decoder in Atlas S2 Or will trade for Digitraxx or Soundtraxx decoders. Posted by Bernhard Gielau on July 21, 1999, 09:42pm Thanks The bottom brush is not insulated from frame. The frame is not Contact email [email protected] for questions or offers. in contact with either track pick-up. I installed a DN140 decoder and worked fine. Wireless at NMRA 1999 Re: decoder in Atlas S2 Posted by Paul Deis on August 01, 1999, 07:14pm Posted by Bernhard Gielau on July 21, 1999, 10:01pm Did anyone have any interferance problems with the wireless PS - See article by Larryb Puckett in Oct 97 issue of Model throttles used on the layouts operating at the national train show? Railroading page 32 for installation instructions. Re: Wireless at NMRA 1999 Re: Re: Posted by Harlan Warden on October 24, 1999, 12:17pm Posted by Bob Miller on July 24, 1999, 06:49pm I was very involved with control and wiring for the large Thanks for the info in Model Railroading, however, that National Ntrak layout in St Paul. We used Digitrax radio installation is for N scale, I do HO scale, so not sure the design throttles for the outside laine, which followed the entire of the chassis is the same for both scale. perimeter. Multiple trains were operation. One receiver was used at one end of the layout. No interference was noted. Only Re: Re: Re: significan loss was when operator was behind one of the large Posted by Frank Bernard on July 29, 1999, 03:55pm pillers. I just installed a NCE N103 in an Atlas S2 and it works fine. I installed the decoder in the cab. You just need to frost up the Wireless throttles windows and you will not be able to see it. I left the circuit board in the unit and did some cutting to make the proper isolations so Posted by Paul Deis on August 01, 1999, 07:12pm that the decoder could be hooked up. The S2 has great slow What is the real word on the delivery of the wireless throttles from speed operation. If you are not adding reverse lighting, then this NCE or Wangrow decoder will be fine. If you want reverse lighting, you can use Re: Wireless one of the function outputs but will not have automatic reversing Posted by Bob Miller on August 02, 1999, 12:44pm of the lights. If you want a drawing of the modified circuit board Good luck on finding out anything. Alomost impossible to get just send me an email at [email protected] the non radio throttles. Re: Re: decoder in Atlas S2 Re: Re:Wireless Posted by Norman Beveridge on August 06, 1999, 09:24am Posted by Dustin Smith on November 11, 1999, 09:01pm It is true that the frame is not in contact with the rails, but why I may be a bit confused about getting the non-radio throttle. That risk it? The motor is easy to remove by taking out one screw. shouldnt be a problem but from what I have heard getting the Then take a piece of .010" styrene, cut to fit, and drill a hole for radio throttle is tough to find. seems the demand is greater than a screw. Do not use the metal screw, but replace it with a plastic the supply. Anyone heard any more information??? screw (may need to re-tap the screw hole). Solder a small wire to PS wouldnt it be nice if all DCC manufacturers would update the bottom motor brush contact and you are ready!!! their websites as most of the information is at least 6 months or Re: Re: more old. Tony's seems to be the most recently updated. Posted by Bob Miller on November 13, 1999, 11:48am I am still struggling with the decoder installation for an Atlas S2 in HO. I am using a dual signature nce decoder. I simply need to

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 153 know where to solder the orange and gray wires to on the look for a second brush cap on the bottom. Isolate the motor chassis for motor pickup. Have smoked a decoder already. from the frame so as not to cross the ac signal form the controller with the dc current you want to send to the motor from Re: Re: Re: the decoder. then connect both wire, one to each brush. Posted by Leonard Stern on November 13, 1999, 11:25pm Hello Bob. Is the atlas S-2 similiar to the S-4? If so please Re: Re: advise as I have installed a DN93 in an HO atlas S-4. Communi- Posted by Bob Miller on November 16, 1999, 02:07pm cate directly to my email. [email protected]. Leonard What you say about the gray and orange wires is true. However, the Atlas S2 came with a circuit board (which I discarded too Re: Re: Re: Re: quickly) which had no wires except track pickup wires on the Posted by Leonard Stern on November 13, 1999, 11:36pm board. I was told by others on this forum a month ago that To All: I used the instructions given by Loy Spurlock of engine had the motor isolated from the frame. I now find out Loystoys in his web site. www.loystoys.com. I used an Unimat from Atlas that is not true for the one I have, and that is the to mill out the rear end of the weight. The decoder shows problem. I had to order an 80cent part from Atlas to make the partially into the cab but you can camoflage this as you wish. motor isolated. so all work has stopped pending arrival of the Then use the existing board by following the suggested cuts in part. Loy's document and do the wiring as shown. I ended up with only the front light and I am pleased with the result. Regards. Re: Atlas HO S2 Leonard. Posted by Bernhard Gielau on November 17, 1999, 02:38pm Bob: Re: Re: Re: I have installed DN140 decoders into this and other similar Posted by Chris on November 14, 1999, 01:10am ROCO built engines such as the FM switcher from Walthers and You say your looking for a tender-drive pacific from Roco - they all have the same motor. power pickup locations for The key is to insulate the motor brushes from the motor frame orange/grey wires? and then wire the brushes to the decoder orange and grey wires. NMRA standards have rail If you need more help e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll pickup as red/black. Power write you how I did the installations. to the motor is orange/grey Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 18, 1999, 09:12am Posted by Bob Miller on November 14, 1999, 05:07pm Actually, the motor can be isolated with a plastic shim and plastic Apparently I didn't make myself clear on the decoder in the Atlas screw. Remove the screw from the bottom of the motor, thus S2. I know what the wire standards are, I have wired 31 freeing it from the loco's frame. Fit a piece of .010" plastic sheet decoders in the past few months. My question was on the Atlas to the motor cavity in the frame, including not just the bottom but S2, not using the circuit board, where exactly on the motor do also the sides, front and back (one pice of plastic with folded the orange and gray wires attach? Normally these are easy to "tabs" will do), and then open a hole for the screw. Replace the find on other brands, on the Atlas S2, I have attached the orange metal screw with a plastic screw (actually, I have found that the wire to the large brass nut on top of the motor on the frame, screw is not really needed). The wire for the bottom motor brush where do I attach the gray wire? To a screw??? Where??? can be attached anywhere to the motor frame, as it is in contact Re: Re: with the brush cap. For best results, though, attach it to the cap. Posted by Bob Miller on November 14, 1999, 07:46pm If you keep the circuit board, wiring is easier to do by isolating a Thanks to those who offered suggestions. Thirty minutes ago, I few spots on the board and soldering to it. The motor must still smoked a second decoder, orange wire resistor after I had the be isolated from the frame. Alco S2 up and running. So am giving it up, not worth the Re: Re: replacement bucks I will have to send NCE to repair them. I am Posted by Bob Miller on November 18, 1999, 09:32am going to trash the Alco S2 and forget switch engines at least until Thanks for all the advice. I have installed dynatrol receivers for NCE can finally deliver the dual signature N gauge decoder they years which use the same four wire principle as DCC. In fact, I have promised forever. Thanks again to those who replied. still think Dynatrol is superior in many ways to what the NMRA Re: Re: Re: has crammed down our throats as a non standard standard. but I Posted by JCS on November 16, 1999, 01:17pm am moving with the times, and have installed 30 something nce Bob, I have followed your thread both here and on the Atlas decoders to date without smoking any until this engine came forum. I haven't spoken up before because I've never installed a along. I don't do Athearn chassis so that may be why I haven't decoder in my life. I do, however, notice that you are asking hit it before. But I have learned a valuable lessons, thanks to all where to put the second (grey) wire to the motor. All dc motors of you for your help. have 2 brushes, usually mounted directly opposite one-another. If you put the orange wire on the top of the motor, the grey one has to go on the bottom. Take the motor out of the chassis and

154 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: Re: re: Re: LE103(no light) Posted by Norman Beveridge on November 18, 1999, 12:33pm Posted by joe binish on July 22, 1999, 05:22pm I really prefer Dynatrol as well, but for similar reasons I am read the current issue of mrg, larry p. suggests hooking the moving on to DCC. It's a shame we couldn't get 9999 channels, headlamps (use 14v bulbs) directly to the decoder to bypass consisting, and $22 receivers from PSI. The cost difference resistors nf the p1k wiring between Dynatrol receivers and DCC decoders alone is enough Re: Re: re: Re: LE103(no light) to push me over the line. Posted by Leonard Stern on July 30, 1999, 11:33am Re: Re: Joe Binish: Thanks for your advice. I followed Larry Pucketts Posted by Bob Miller on November 19, 1999, 11:33pm suggestion connecting the blue and white wires directly but no But I do have the best of both worlds, since I am using the luck. I finally connected the black and the blue wires to the 12v Dynatrol DCC interface to NCE's DCC which lets me run both light and it does work. However I do not have the F0 control Dynatrol and DCC at the same time, using the Dynatrol DPS's and the light stays on all the time (albeit at half voltage).I can live for power instead of boosters. Of course the tradeoff here is I with this arrangement but if you have a furthur suggestion it have to use a dual signature decoder from nce that is more would be appreciated. expensive, but with my investment in Dynatrol, I can move Re: re: Re: re: Re: LE103(no light) much slower into DCC. I have 30 something engines with Posted by joe binish on August 13, 1999, 11:49am decoders, and about the same number with Dynatrol receivers yet. you might want to test the decoder to make sure the function is not burned up. if you want the headlamp to be on all the time at LE103 (no light) full intensity, connect directly to the track power pickup, red and black wires. Posted by Leonard Stern on July 08, 1999, 11:43am I completed an install of the LE103 decoder in a P1K F-3(HO). I DT300 Throttle programmed it with the PR1 and track tested the loco. All works Posted by Allen Gaspers on June 22, 1999, 08:10pm OK except I am unable to get the light to operate. I retained the original pcb board and light(1.5v) and soldered the decoder to the Can anyone tell me anything about the new Digitrax DT300 throttle. P1,4,5,6,7,8 points on the board after cutting the three traces as Allen marked. I did not change the light connections. Would appreciate Re: DT300 any help in solving this no light problem. Posted by Thomas Gleave on June 23, 1999, 05:37pm Re: LE103(no light) As of April, Digitrax did not plan to make a DT300. Posted by Fred Pariselli on July 09, 1999, 02:31am I spoke to them via. phone. They will be releasing other Try replacing your 1.5v bulb with a 12v bulb or higher.If handhelds. concerned about heat,solder a 470 ohm 1/4 watt resistor to one But not a DT300. line of the 1.5v ( watch out for heat)bulb.Insulate all bare They may have made one . soldered joints. The 1.5v bulb that you are now using may be Can,t fined any info. on it. burnt out, replace or test it. Soundtraxx Programming Re: LE103(no light) Posted by Paul Wussow on July 13, 1999, 08:14am Posted by Steve Z. on June 15, 1999, 09:49am I have been looking for a way to use the lights in brass diesels We change addresses on Soundtraxx decoders all the time without which have 1.5V lights. Some people have suggested that I use a incident: new short, new long, short to long, long to short. Maybe resistor and 2 diodes. I have not tested this yet. But it is much your command station is somehow screwing things up ?? better to use the installed headlights. Any other Ideas? DCC in Bachman Center Cab Re: Re: LE103(no light) Posted by Leonard Stern on July 18, 1999, 11:24pm Posted by Doug Harding on June 09, 1999, 11:48pm Dear Fred: Thanks for your reply. I have checked the 1.5v bulb Need suggestions for DCC decoder for installation in a Backman and it works. The problem is that there appears to be no power Spectrum Center Cab. The hoods are too narrow for the Lenz 103 to the light contacts. Testing with a 12v bulb before the resistor or Digitrax DH120. Suggestions related to the light bar would be and diodes works on the black and red but this setup negates the appreciated. F0 function as the light would stay on all time. It could be the Re: DCC in Bachman Center Cab resistor and diodes but I checked the cut traces and they are in Posted by Michael Mosher on June 24, 1999, 09:27pm order. Any furthur suggestions would be appreciated. I installed a Digitrax DN-144K decoder in a 44 tonner. This decoder was intended for N scale Kato C44-9W but it is the same size as the Bachmann 44 tonner light board. You need to remove the motor connection "wings".

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 155 Onboard et. al. Re: MRC Decoders Posted by Sean on May 09, 1999, 07:11pm Posted by craig dunn on June 07, 1999, 10:28am When programming MRC decoders on the Digitrax Chief, the Has anyone been able to run Onboard at the same time running a DT100 will say FAIL after writting to the decoder, WRONG, it DCC system? It seems when Keller closed shop, that was the may say fail but it wrote to it. Make sure the CV29 is set for 28 direction he was headed. Please reply to [email protected] steps and the status corrosponds to the 28 step ops. See book for Re: Onboard details. Posted by Mark Gurries on June 19, 1999, 10:04pm Keller never finished his version of DCC. The NMRA Throttle/lite standards made it difficult if not impossible to allow operation of Posted by Thomas Gleave on April 28, 1999, 11:43pm onboard at the same time. However, you can use Keller Onboard The DT300 is only a rumor. sound units with DCC. But, it takes a little electrical knowhow Spoke to Digitrax, they will be releasing other and the desire to take apart you sound unit and modify it. throttles but not a DT300.

Soundtrax & Programing throttle/lite Posted by Thomas Gleave on June 06, 1999, 09:07am Posted by E. T. Halloran on April 21, 1999, 02:39pm Problem: Has anyone installed a back-lite in the DT100 for nite operation? Myself and friend have 3 soundtrax decoders, when changing Also illuminate address from stanard 03 to another buttons and dials. we lost directioal lighting in all 3. 1 is in llGP9,1 in LLGP7, 1 in Bach. 2-8-0. Re: throttle/lite All sounds still work properly but no lighting. Posted by Sean on April 25, 1999, 05:39pm Has anyone ever come across this before. The trouble with installing a lite is that by opening the throttle, Can it be changed. you void the warrenty. Now if you know what your doing, then Re: Soundtrax you can make your own repairs within reason. Digitrax will Posted by Thomas Gleave on June 16, 1999, 04:17pm soon be releasing the DT300 which will be the competitor with the big fancy Wangrow cab. That will hopefully be backlighted. Problem solved. Speed steps were not matched. All is well DCC and Dynatrol Posted by Bob Miller, MMR on April 14, 1999, 08:47pm CVP Products/turnout cntrl I am running both on a system that has been regular dynatrol for Posted by Mel Chase on May 18, 1999, 01:50am years, and am having good luck, even though losing a few of the Dynatrol channels. Biggest problems has been getting the compo- Website: www.cvpusa.com nents I need, dealing with two vendors and a shop is frustrating P.O. Box 835772 after dealing with just dynatrol for everything. But they are Richardson, TX 75083 compatible. 972-422-2169 972-516-9527 (fax) The AD4 accessory decoder is featured in the Setember 1998 Model MRC COMMAND 2000 Railroader. It starts on page 98 by Keith Gutierrez and Lee Rayburn. Posted by Roger on April 08, 1999, 11:48pm Anyone using the MRC Command 2000 and not regretting it? Power filter I need help making a decision. Posted by Bill Baldock on May 08, 1999, 01:06am Re: MRC COMMAND 2000 Has anyone out there worked Posted by Jay on April 09, 1999, 03:03pm out a good filter for powering I recently began using the MRC 2000 and I have not experi- old sound systems off DCC enced any problems. track power? Re: Re: Posted by Roger on April 09, 1999, 09:30pm MRC Decoders Jay - what other DCC control units did you consider? Posted by D.A.Holl on May 03, 1999, 03:13pm What kind of power supply did you hook up to it? Has anyone succeeded in programming the Athearn F7 with an MRC decoder using Digitrax Chief? If so, how did you do it?

156 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Re: Re: Re: work with either system, but standard DCC decoders cannot Posted by Dave Poor on January 15, 2000, 06:17pm read the Dynatrol DC digital signal. I use the MRC Command 2000 system. Overall I like it. Several The advantage of Dynatrol DCC is that most of the Dynatrol drawbacks are inabilty to move around the layout with train if analog channels will work right along with the DCC. Thus you you are using throttles 1,2,3 group a and 1,2,3 in group b. You would not have to replace your Dynatrol analog receivers are tied down to the command center. Another is inability to cut wholesale. engines away from each other on same track as with the NCE system. Had I known what I was getting at the time, I'd have Turnout machines gone with NCE Posted by Thomas Gleave on March 07, 1999, 09:14pm Re: Re: Re: Problem, Posted by Ed Briley on January 18, 2000, 10:35pm I need to know how to be able to switch the same turnout machine I would think one would quickly outgrow the MRC system (tortoise) from 2 different track panels in 2 different locations. except on a very small layout. I wrestled with a Digitrax vs Also has to have panel leds included for indication EasyDCC decision. Winner was EasyDCC-you don't program Iam wired for Bi polar DC with SPDT toggles. from the hand held units, only from the Command Station so a Can it be done? carless operator cannot mess up everyone's programming during Can anyone help? an operating session. Also with EasyDCC you don't have to Re: Turnout machines memorize l o n g Posted by Steve Z. on March 10, 1999, 08:25am key stoke sequences to do stuff on the fly. Just follow a logical Replace toggles on both panels with SPDT On-Off-On (center sequence. off) momentary toggles. Attach tortoise to DPDT latching relay Good Luck, which will switch polarity to switch machine (and thus direc- Ed tion). Wire toggles to pulse appropriate side of latching relay to move switch in correct direction. Use normal tortoise contacts to Command Turntable with a Digitrak DS54 light LEDs on both panels. Posted by Dennis Smerz on April 03, 1999, 07:37pm Re: Turnout machines Can anyone help me with info on Posted by Mel Chase on May 06, 1999, 09:23pm to setup and command a Heljan I am using CVProducts AD4 kits to control my turnouts and turntable (indexing) with a grade crossing lights. They can be operated from my Digitrax Digitrak DS54 unit? Throttles or one or more push buttons located elsewhere Re: Command (provides a ground to the AD4 input). Each board will contol 4 Posted by Dennis Smerz on April 20, 1999, 12:40pm switch machines or other accesories. The kits take less than an Does anyone out there have any hour to build and come in 2 sizes. Normal size to control experience or attempts at indexing Tortoise type machines and heavy duty. I have programmed the any turntables using a Digitrax grade crossings so the lights flash alternately every second. They DS54 stationary decoder? have a very nice product. I am very pleased. Re: Turnout machines Circutiron Posted by Hal on May 14, 1999, 09:42pm Posted by Thomas Gleave on March 14, 1999, 08:23am Mel Chase- Circutiron Tc-3 board, does anyone have wiring diagram, it allows How can I find out about CVProducts? you to wire switch panels to control turnout machines from 2 Re: Re:CVP prods. different locations. Posted by Thomas Gleave on May 15, 1999, 07:32am They have a web site DCC vs Dynatrol DCC WWW.cvpusa.com Posted by E Bradbury on March 10, 1999, 09:34pm Re: Re: Can you tell me the difference between the NMRA DCC and the Posted by Craig G. on August 10, 1999, 11:54pm DCC system Dynatrol sells? Do you have a wiring diagram for the latching relay, tortoise and Re: DCC vs Dynatrol DCC switches? Posted by Norman Beveridge on March 22, 1999, 04:57pm Dynatrol DCC works with the digital signal piggy-backed to a switches DC track voltage, whereas standard DCC works with AC track Posted by Leo on March 07, 1999, 04:46pm voltage. The Dynatrol dual service decoders (NCE DS type) can I am looking for 6 gargrave switches with twin-coil polaris motor attached(in 1 piece)

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 157 TrainCam Re: ctc-80 Posted by Thomas Gleave on February 22, 1999, 12:11am Posted by George Bono on March 06, 1999, 11:25pm Go with DCC, Digitrax Cheif, great system Would like some feedback from owners of TrainCam. Any N scale users? Good and bad features. What to do and not to do. I will us it on N Decoder Selection scale modules and home layouts. TIA GB Posted by Don Vollrath on February 19, 1999, 05:37pm Does anyone have an unbiased selector guide for determining the Block Detection with Digitrax easiest DCC decoder installation for a variety of HO scale locos? Posted by Don McGinlay on March 01, 1999, 01:45pm Any way to install DCC in a Kato NW2 or a P2K SW9/1200 without butchering the metal or factory supplied pcb? I notice Digitrax has a block detector for the system (BD1 used in Tony, you handle and see a variety of brands. This should be right conjunction with DS54), but what is the feedback mechanism to the up your alley. operator? How do I know that a train is specific block? Thanks! Re: Decoder Selection Posted by leonard stern on February 19, 1999, 08:38pm Re: Block Posted by Thomas Gleave on March 02, 1999, 06:37pm i had a similiar question. got 2 answers. 1 from digitax and 1 from loys toys. both recommended a dz 120 or dz 121. you just You can either have detection display on a panel w/leds on side have to cut off a bit of the weight and cut 3 traces. no big deal. of layout, or have it on a signaling system. loys toys said that they will send a detail sheet for installation Re: Re: Block but i guess that implies that you order the decoder from them. Posted by Don McGinlay on March 07, 1999, 02:36pm keep in touch as i have yet to do this installation. leonard stern. Does the Digitrax system get an actual signal, so it can display it email [email protected]. on a throttle or can a computer application via an loco-net to RS232 interface detect an occupied block? MRC 2000 & Lenz Decoders Ideally, this would be perfect for complete automatic control by a Posted by Rex Elmes on February 06, 1999, 02:06am computer application interfaced to a Digitrax system. I was having trouble with my MRC 2000 DCC controller losing Re: Re: Block contact with Lenz 103 decoder equipped locos (MRC decoders had Posted by Steve Z. on March 10, 1999, 08:36am no problem). I found that a 0,022uF capacitor across the track feed Loconet does provide for block detection and switch feedback. fixed my problem. Winlok 2.x is a computer program which will display/use this info for automated control using Digitrax and other DCC PFM sound for sale systems. TTX sells it. Posted by Bob Du Bois on January 20, 1999, 02:55pm Complete PFM Sound System II for sale. Includes: console, reverb, Isolating motor N-scale audio splitter, 3 tape player w/tapes, several RF traps, capacitors, Posted by Ken Hurzeler on February 27, 1999, 02:42pm etc. for engine installation. Original boxes and manuals. Asking In preparing to install my 1st decoder, I still have questions on how $800. This is a complete system ready to go. I bought it new several the motor needs to be insulated electrically. I plan on converting a years ago. Kato SD-45. Can someone share there specific experience in this area or on other non-plug and play N-scale diesal. Model Railroad Photos Posted by George Swalagin on January 15, 1999, 10:53pm ctc-80 For anyone who is interested in Model Railroading Photos. I just Posted by norm on February 21, 1999, 02:52pm bought a Kodak DC210 Plus digital camera. I think computer digital restarting my railroad which has been down for sixteen months cameras are the way to go for model railroaders. I have 6 photos of because of move. my layout at my web site www.bestweb.net/~swal. Take a look and now i will have a much bigger layout from 15x15 to 50x30 see if you agree. Take some photos, load them into your computer, since ctc-80 is no longer in business should I go to the new system pick the ones you like, delete the bad ones, take some more. which is now a stardard or stay with ctc-80. Nothing like it for speed. Re: ctc-80 Posted by leonard stern on February 21, 1999, 04:08pm Digi dt300/& sound the digtrax chief is the way to go.it is innovative and support is Posted by Chris S. on January 15, 1999, 08:16pm excellent. In the latest MR, TTX lists new items for 1999 from Digitrax (dt300 & signal control). There is no info on the Digitrax or TTX websites yet, though.

158 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 Anyone who knows, please post. Sliding contacts are much more reliable than rolling. Now I just have to worry about wheel-rail contact and LPS-1 seems to take decoders with sound care of that except for construction dust. Posted by Fernando Russek on January 06, 1999, 06:43pm Plug Pinout For a MRC DCC command 2000 can I get decoders with sound included, and what equipment is needed to operate? Posted by Norman Beveridge on January 01, 1999, 02:37pm Although I have used command control (Dynatrol) for many years, Mantua Steam Locomotives I am new to DCC and would like to know the pinout for the standard DCC plug which is now included on many locomotives. I Posted by Mike Tillger on January 01, 1999, 06:13pm need not only the function of each of the 8 pins, but also their Any tips on improving the performance of the Mantua steam arrangement in the plug and socket. locomotives. Mine seem to suffer from poor electrical pickup. Some Also, I would like to know what values are allowed in the program- run good on left curves others better on straight track, still others on mable speed tables. I would like to restrict maximum speed for track curved to the right. I have gone over them mechanically and many of my loco sets. have improved some of them, but after installing a volt and amp Thanks. meter it appears that they have erratic electrical pickup. I definitely need to improve this before I convert them over to decoders. Any Re: Plug Pinout one have any suggestions. Thanks, Posted by Tomas Szoboszlai on February 22, 1999, 08:53pm Mike T. This is based on a Lenz 104XF. But, all should be the same. Pin 1= motor terminal former right rail Re: Mantua Steam Locomotives Pin 2= rear headlight Posted by Art Pitt on January 03, 1999, 11:10pm Pin 3= function F(1) I got rid of my Mantuas. If you have a Dremel tool, try cleaning Pin 4= Left rail pickup the wheels with a rubber disk. It may help. Mantua makes fine Pin 5= motor terminal former left rail looking locos, but I hate those traction tires. Pin 6= forward Headlight Re: Mantua Steam Locomotives Pin 7= Headlight positive common Posted by Steve Zeff on January 04, 1999, 03:39pm Pin 8= Right rail pickup Mine have problems, too !! If you come up with a solution, Basic decoders (including Lenz 103XF and 104XF) have no Pin please post it here. I am contemplating putting brass pickup 3 output. Advanced Decoders have extra outputs beyond those shoes on the tenders. on the NMRA plug. BTW, all this should be in the instructions. Re: Mantua Arrangement of the NMRA plug is couterclockwise starting at Posted by Roger Aultman on January 31, 1999, 01:12am top left, down three sockets, right one, up four. One weak point is the contact Something like: between the tender and the 1 8 trucks, make sure there is no 2 7 oxidation at this poin or 3 6 better yet attach a wire to 4 5 the trucks for better pickup. Re: Plug Pinout Re: Re: Mantua Posted by Don Vollrath on February 24, 1999, 09:17am Posted by Leonard Stern on January 31, 1999, 10:02am For a description of DCC standards and practices see various I too have had the same problem.In addition to the suggestions websites starting with www.nmra.org. Jump/Link to Standards already proposed I have this to offer. If you study the construc- & Recommended Practices (RPs) sites, maintained by other tion of the Mantua trucks the sideframes are pressed on the volunteers. RP 9.1.1 contains what you want to see about the bolster with a punch machine.The metal of these two parts are DCC plug. different and oxidation could occur in the unseen part of the However, these are only RECOMMENDED practices. Only a connection.There are 2 solutions:1)take the truck apart(this is not few engine manufacturers follow them exactly. an easy job) and reassemble using a brass screw threaded The LLProto-1000 F3 for example has holes in the PCB for through the connection between sideframe and bolster.2)replace DCC connections, not a socket, numbered per RP9.1.1, but they the trucks with a better quality. are of the wrong spacing, and you must cut copper traces to get DCC to work. Re: Mantua Steam Locomotives Posted by E. T. Hackett on February 13, 1999, 06:06pm In most cases you will need to trace out pcb wiring and compare it to DCC decoder info from the manufacturer before installing. Poor contact is a personal phobia of mine. I have installed wipers (phosphre bronze) on all axels (both engine and tender) of all my locos. Use lots of small wires rather than one big one.

Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007 159 Decoder programming Onboard for sale Posted by Stuart Hall on December 09, 1998, 02:37am Posted by Ken Jaglinski on December 03, 1998, 09:12am I have a Mac computer which I would I am switching to digital command control and have the following like to replace with another Mac. for sale in the near future! In the not to distant future, I T1 controller - E, E*, 2, F*, D*, E, D, B, 7, F, 4, 3, A, D, 5, F, C, 6 am planning to program decoders for at $15.00 each. my N scale layout. K220 Key pad - 2 at $25.00 ea Is there a program available on the K110 Key pad - 7 at 10.00 ea market for the Mac? Thanks, Stuart M10 mixer 1 at $20.00 Call 414-963-9643 Decoder install Email [email protected] write Ken Jaglinksi 863 E Birch Milwaukee WI 53217 Posted by Stuart Hall on December 09, 1998, 02:31am One for you Tony (TTX). Re: Onboard for sale I have an N scale OMI three unit Posted by craig dunn on June 03, 1999, 09:09pm gas turbine on order and would Do you still have the Onboard equipment? If yes, do you wish like to install Soundtrax decoders to sell it all at once, or will you deal in parts? Contact at Is there one available and more [email protected] importantly, can they be fitted Craig with decoders? Thanks, Stuart MRC 4000 Digitrax Chief Posted by tim on November 18, 1998, 10:06pm Posted by Chris S. on December 04, 1998, 11:58pm I have a 2000, any info on the 4000 would be greatly appreciated. Just hooked up new chief radio system 2 weeks ago. Great fun! MRC Command 4000 TTX article states there is a Posted by Randy on November 12, 1998, 03:20pm problem re: needing to short reg/green bus wires?? I have What the lowdown or the MRC command 4000? had no problems with DT100R. What are the feature improvements? I have run 3 with no throttle When is it expected to arrive? plugged in. What is the problem you describe ?? I also have heard about being able to link multiple Command 200 units. Re: Digitrax Chief What does this do for you? Posted by David Wakefield on January 04, 1999, 04:45pm Thanks Chris; No answer to your query, but just to let you know I have had the same experience. My DT100/IR works just fine without the shunt that TTX suggests. Perhaps a change in software/ hardware by Digitrax? David Re: Re: Digitrax Chief Posted by Zach on March 27, 1999, 09:51pm I ordered the radio-controlled Cheif from TTX when it first came out. I have no problems.

EasyCAB Master/Slave Posted by Ernie Poole on December 04, 1998, 03:29pm I have 4 EasyCAB power supplies. They are built and tested. I have gone to EasyDCC, so would make a good price to anyone inter- ested.

160 Original Tony’s Train Exchange Web Bulletin Board System, 1998-2007