Trix DCC compatibility

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I’m looking for a German diesel locomotive in HO that will work on an MRC Prodigy Express system. I’ve found one locomotive in particular but I’m not sure if it’ll work on an MRC system. I’ve seen the other forum about this, but I wanted to make sure I’m buying the right product. The locomotive is found here: http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/erh_detail.asp?mn=2&stock=T22074&erh_find=T22074&sc=All

Thanks

2

That one will work. The Maerklin versions are 3 rail AC and have Maerklin decoders which wouldn’t work, but the Trix 2-rail DC versions will respond to standard DCC commands.

–Randy

3

Thanks, that clears it up.

4

I just purcahsed a set of ALCO PA-1 locomotives by TRIX (Maerklin’s DC/DCC line). The problem is that they sometimes, but not always, start at some speed near max or so when I first apply power to the track. I use Digitrax DCC. The only way I seem to be able to defeat this is to put the command station into “Op” mode, then selecting loco 60 (that’s the address coded to the PA-1s), making sure the speed is set to 0 and then selecting the locos I want to run. Once, however, I even noticed that, while it stayed put at power-up, it decided to start moving after some minutes of my operating other locos on the layout. That did it, I stopped using them.

TRIX tech support is just about non-existent; got no reponse to my e-mail. The manual shows very few CV values in a brief table, most of them using the NMRA standard values.

Do you have any ideas what may be wrong? Or what I might check next? I really like the locos and would love to get them to run reliably.

Tammo

5

The manuals that come with the TRIX locomotives are marginal. For CVs, it’s best to download the latest decoder manual instead. I’ve found the Loksound manual quite handy and informational and have a copy of it in a binder.

Tom

6

Take care with TRIX DCC compatibility. I´m affraid that they don´t follow strictly the NMRA standards. I had problems with a TRIX model, such as sounds going away aftyer a minute of running. The USA service, Walthers, didn´t fix it, so I sent the loco to Germany, where they said has changed the decoder. Now, I´m testing the loco…In my opinion, I will not buy a TRIX model, at least with factory installed decoder. Beside, there is not information about CVs in anywhere, and I cannot know, up today, what decoder has aboard. Bye

7

In this thread you will find a link to a trix manual. On page 11 you will find the english version of CV descriptions. Looks like CV29 Bit 2 is the setting for DC operation. Turn it off to try to fix the run away issue.

Edit: Page 3 of the manual describes CV29 more also.

http://germanrail.8.forumer.com/a/trix-dcc-dekoder-manual-needed_post2453.html

8

BTW, the model pictured is of an Austrian prototype, not German. German locos have a “DB” logo, not “OBB”.

9

Yes, I know. I’m planning to model Austria and Germany.

10

This sounds like it might not work. Where else can I find a German (or Austrian or Swiss) locomotive that will work with an MRC system? Or should I use a German DCC system?

11

There is no such thing as “German” DCC. DCC was developed by the German company Lenz and has become NMRA standard. Trix locos of today are fully compatible with any DCC control you may use.

Years ago Trix had their own system called “selectrix”, which was not fully compatible, but that´s history in the meantime.

For other locos of German prototype, you may want to take a look at Roco or Fleischmann (now owned by Roco). Both have a fine range of Diesel and electric locos of German prototype. As with Trix, they are not at all cheap, though. A cheaper alternative may be Piko, who also run a line of “bargain” locos of modern outline.

Roco´s and Fleischmann´s products can be viewed here,

Piko´s products can be viewed here

There is one issue to remember. European locos have wheels, which do not necessarily follow NMRA RP25, so their flanges are a little deeper. Some of them may be able to run on code 83 rail and smaller, but to be on the safe side, you will need code 100 rail.

12

I see. Thanks for letting me know about the wheels, I’ll look out for that.

13

The wheels on European models are not RP25 but will work on code 83. Roco, Fleischmann, Piko and Trix will definitely work on code 83. You don’t need code 100.

/stefan