I went on the HAG website and began to look at locomotives. I am somewhat new to railroading, and found something I have never heard of or realized before. They have a part that asks if I want to look at Digital or Analog Locomotives. Does anyone know the difference? Is it just the circuit boards?
I would think digital locomotives would be DCC equipped. Analog would be DC only.
Most DCC equipped engines will work on DC also. However, if you buy the DC version (analog) you will need to install a DCC decoder into it to use it on a DCC system.
Bill
DT,
You must be referring to DC or DCC locomotives. There’s a “circuit board” inside (or can be installed inside) the locomotive shell called a “decoder”. The decoder is a circuit that receives boosted digital messages or “commands” from a device called the “command station”, that are transmitted from a cab or throttle.
Each decoder has a specific “address” given to it which can be programmed by the user so that you can communicate the commands to that locomotive specifically, even if you have other decoder-equipped locomotives on your layout. With a decoder, you can run your locomotives indepentently of one another - even on the same track. Simply put: With DCC you control your locomotives; with DC, your layout.
Hope that helps…
Tom
Thanks that helps.
I bought a LL Proto 2k 0-8-0 that was DCC and sound equiped.
I did realize that the engine would infact run on DC, but I didnt realize that it would have all the functionality of a DCC engine. all the sounds were there for me to take advantage of. it blew me away. If I was just starting out I would never consider buying an analog engine. I would just make sure that the DCC engine would run on DC as well. That way if you ever do decide to go DCC latter, your roster is all set and you have no reason other than $ to go DCC.
That all said, I only have 3 engines total, the DCC one is one of them too. the other is DCC ready, the 3rd is DCC’able, if i choose to. my wife has a DCC ready K4, my son is the one that is in the worst shape, he has two F7’s that are not DCC ready.
Bottom line. if you are just starting out, get a Digital engine. make sure it can run on DC as well though. regarding the extra $ for it, well, its better to front the $ now and get it full featured then to have to hack something in latter.
just my 2cents worth.
Kevin
You can run DC engines on some DCC (Digitrax) systems, but only one at a time and they need to be parked on a “dead” track. If you are new, consider starting with DCC. It is as easy to learn as DC and is WAY more fun.