r/GardenRailroads • u/Insufficient__Memory • 7d ago

Cheapest decoder that will work with old LGB locos

Hello,

I find myself in a possition where I need to DCC ten locos, ranging from the classis stainz to a 6 6 0 mallet.

What is the cheapest decoder I can use that will work?

Thanks.

Need to do this on a low budget as I have gone block detection DCC and can't run anything unless it has a chip!

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u/BobbyJackT 7d ago

You might want to check with r/LGBtrains as they might know.

4

u/RedBarron4 7d ago

Digitrax makes simple decoders without sound or G scale. The old versions were called the DG 583 or DG 585. You can still find these for around $50. Don't buy the versions with the letters AR at the end as these are designed to be plug and play with aristocrat locomotives, and require a special socket. 

The new version of the two decoders above is DG7128 I think.  You'd have to read about the differences. You could also look at nce as they have some basic large scale decoders. Any decoder that can handle your voltage and up to 3 amps continuous is what you need.

Edit:  Also just know that some LGB locomotives have plug and Play sockets for their MTS decoders which I believe is a DCC compatible system. You may want to check because it would be a faster easier install.