Digitrax Chief with DT200

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have a friend that would like to sell me a Digitrax Chief with a DT200 controller(Instead of the usual (DT100, DT300 or DT400).

Questions:

  1. What is it worth with a DT200 Controller? I have seen Chiefs with a DT400 for around $350.

  2. Is their any issue with using the DT200 as the only/main controller other then possible limiting the number of loco to 99?

I would probably purchase a DT400 at some later time but want to make sure the chief is usable with only a DT200. From what I heard, the LHS sold the original controller to another customer then sold the chief with the DT200.

2

Are you sure it’s a Chief? The Chief came with a DCS100 command station/booster and a DT100 throttle. The Super Chief has the DCS100 and a DT400.

The set that came with the DT200 was the Big Boy, with a DB100A booster (the DT200 was the command station). Digitrax offered a kit to convert the DT200 into a regular throttle (exactly the same as a DT100) if you expenaded with a higher end command station. But I believe that has long been discontinued.

What matter here is what booster he is offering to sell you. If it’s a DCS100, then I would assume the DT200 has been converted, so that would be exactly the same as a Chief system.

3

rrinker,

Thanks for the reply,

My Friend bought it from the hobby shop as a used system (he hasn’t used it since it was purchased it. He is planning on purchasing a NCE system if I decide to buy it from him, since he wants to have the same system as his club.

From what I remember from when I looked at the command station/booster it was a DCS100.
The throttle said DT200, but I don’t know if it was converted to a DT100 with the Digitrax conversion. It also doesn’t include the separate modular box to expand the LocoNet Connectors as the sets do.

This would be my first DCC system; I just don’t what to have to purchase additional Items initially. I need to keep the cost down otherwise I’ll need to wait to purchase a super Chief.

4

You could always do wat I did, for the same reason. I know when I get my full layout up and running it will not be nearly enough power, but I bought a Zephyr. It was plenty for my test track and allowed me to experiment with things and start putting decoders in my locomotives. Right now I am in the midst of building an 8x12 layout, I will need far fewer than 10 locmotives running but more than 2.5 amps, so I am looking at getting a Super Empire Builder set. The Zephyr will be the command station, so I will have the programming readback and all the other goodies of a DCS100 (just fewer ‘slots’), and the 5 amp power of the DB150 to run trains. Plus a DT400 so two people can have fun at the same time. The Zephyr output will drive stationary decoders to power my turnouts. When I get far enough around the walls with the ‘big’ layout design, I will need to be able to run more than 10 locomotives, so at that point I would be looking at a Super Chief, and having two 5 amp boosters to distribute power.
I checked the pricing, it’s generally cheaper to get the starter set than to buy the booster and throttle seperately. This is why I went with Digitrax, I can expand as my layout expands, and not have any cast-off useless equipment. And I didn’t have to spend $300+ from the start.

5

I’m doing pretty much the same thing for my under-construction 7x9.5 layout. Started with a Zephyr, and when I need more power I’ll add a Super Empire Builder. Since I’ll be running it solo, one DT400 will be fine.

And yes, it is a lot cheaper adding a larger starter set to the Zephyr than it is buying the pieces individually. Last time I priced it, the SEB is at least $40-50 cheaper than its component parts.