Confused about decoders

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

My husband and I are getting ready to purchase our first locomotives (he wants a Rivarossi Heisler 2 truck steam, and I’m getting the Athearn Genesis Santa Fe f7a/b, in HO) and we are very confused on what decoders to put in.

We both want realistic sound, lights, whistles. And my husband wants to see and hear the steam from his loco. I went to Tony’s train xchange where they have both of our locos with decoder installations combos. Now, they list a “128 ss decoder” or a “Soundtraxx LC (low cost)” The Soundtraxx was a lot more money than the “128 ss”. I emailed Tony to ask what the difference was in the decoders and if they would work with a Digitrax Zephyr, and the short reply was “the Soundtraxx is a 128 speed step, please call.” This not only did it not answer my questions, but just confused me more. I tried looking up these decoders at Tony’s website, but found nothing.

Can somebody explain what kind of decoder I need to get to these locomotives to do all the stuff that I mentioned . And would the 2 options that Tony offers do the what we want? Do we need to purchase speakers to hear the sounds from the locomotives?

Thanks in advance
Cindy[:)]

2

I have a 2 truck Heisler with a Digitrax decoder. Since I was not concerned about sound, I just used a basic Z scale decoder as recommended on the Digitrax site. I would suggest that you contact www.loystoys.com. They have been most helpful for me.

Bill

3

Hi Cindy;

Tony suggested you call because of your confusion. It is a free call (Voice: 800-978-3472), and they are happy to explain things to you, and make sure that you get what you want and expect. And that may be different from the standard configurations listed on the website.

The “128ss” decoder does NOT have sound. The Soundtraxx LC installion, which is a combination sound and 128ss decoder; from Tony’s is complete, ready to go, just put it on the layout and run.

Both are compatible with the Zephyr.