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DCC Mobile (Engine) Decoders
Recommended decoders for specific HO scale model
locomotive installations
compiled by Richard Schumacher
Index for this page
- Table of decoders for
specific HO scale locomotives:
Athearn, Atlas,
Bachmann Spectrum, ER Models, Intermountain, Kato, Proto
1000, Proto 2000, Stewart
- Table of HO scale mobile
decoders:
Atlas, Digitrax,
Lenz, North
Coast Engineering (NCE), Soundtraxx, Train Control Systems (TCS)
This is just the start of this list. More decoder
options and installations are constantly being added.
Locomotive manufacturers and models are listed
alphabetically.
- Click on the camera icon to see an
installation of that specific DCC decoder in
that specific model engine.
- Click on the locomotive manufacturer's name to
go to their website.
- Click on the decoder to go to summary
information on that decoder.
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Athearn |
Regular Diesels |
Digitrax
DH142AT |
|
| Athearn
Genesis |
F3A/B, F7A/B |
|
|
| Athearn
Genesis |
SD60 |
Digitrax
DH150A |
no
solder replacement |
| Athearn
Genesis |
SD70/SD75 |
Digitrax
DH150A |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| Athearn
Genesis |
4-6-2 Light Pacific |
|
JST in
engine |
| Athearn
Genesis |
2-8-2 Light Mikado |
Digitrax DH142 |
JST in
engine |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Atlas |
AEM-7 |
NCE D14SRP |
|
TCS
TH150DP 
plug and play |
| Atlas |
C30-7 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE D14SRP |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Atlas |
C424/425 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| Atlas |
GP7 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE D14SRP |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Atlas |
GP38 Master
Series |
Has built-in Atlas decoder |
|
| Atlas |
GP38/GP40 |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Atlas |
RS3,
original
Kato Powered |
|
|
| Atlas |
RS1/2/3 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP |
| Atlas |
RS11, original
Kato Powered |
|
|
| Atlas |
RS11, new
8-pin |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Atlas |
RSD4/5/12,
original Kato powered |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| Atlas |
S1/2/3/4 |
NCE ATLS4,
specific replacement |
|
| Atlas |
U23B, 8
pin |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| NCE DA-SR |
| NCE KRS-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Atlas |
U33C/U36C,
8 pin |
Digitrax
DH150A, no solder replacement |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE D14SRP |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
0-6-0
Dockside |
|
needs
to be wired |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
2-8-0
Consolidation |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| DSD
B280LC
plug and play |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
4-8-2 Mountain |
DSD
B280LC |
|
| NCE D14SRP |
| TCS
TH150DP |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
2-10-0 Russian |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
K4, 8 pin |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
3 Truck Shay |
DSD
B3TSLC |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
44-tonner, old |
|
requires
rebuilding |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
44-tonner, new |
|
needs
to be wired |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
Acela |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Bachmann
Spectrum |
Doodlebug |
|
Wiring
issue on socket |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| ER Models |
FP7 |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| ER Models |
Baldwin
Sharknose |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Intermountain |
F7 |
NCE KRS-SR |
|
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Kato |
C44-9W |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE D14SRP |
| NCE DA-SR |
| NCE KRS-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP |
| Kato |
GP35 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP |
| Kato |
NW2 |
Digitrax DH142 |
requires
replacement frame |
| Kato |
RS2/RSC2, 8
pin |
Digitrax DH142PS |
|
| NCE D14SRP |
| NCE KRS-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Kato |
SD40 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| Kato |
SD40-2 |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Kato |
SD45 |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Proto
1000 |
F3A/B |
|
|
| Proto
1000 |
RDC |
|
|
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Proto
2000 |
0-6-0 |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
0-8-0 |
NCE P2K-SR |
|
| DSD
LL080LC |
| Proto
2000 |
2-8-8-2 |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
BL2, old, no socket |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
BL2, new |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
E6 |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
E7 |
TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
|
| Proto
2000 |
E8 |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
FA1/FB1, 8
pin |
NCE D14SRP |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Proto
2000 |
FA2/FB2, old, no socket |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
GP7,
8 pin |
NCE P2K-SR |
1.5v
original bulbs |
| Proto
2000 |
GP9 old, no socket |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
GP9 new, 8 pin |
NCE P2K-SR |
1.5v
original bulbs |
| Proto
2000 |
GP18, old, no socket |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
GP30 |
NCE P2K-SR |
1.5v
original bulbs |
| Proto
2000 |
PA |
Digitrax
DH150K |
Current problem on some motors |
| Digitrax DH142 |
| Proto
2000 |
S1 |
|
Possible
electrical problem for DCC |
| Proto
2000 |
SD7/9, 8pin |
|
|
| Proto
2000 |
SD60 |
Digitrax
DH150K |
1.5v original bulbs |
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE P2K-SR |
| Proto
2000 |
SW8/600/900 |
NCE SW9-SR |
|
| Proto
2000 |
SW9/1200 |
NCE SW9-SR |
Requires
soldering |
| Manufacturer |
Model |
Decoder |
Notes |
| Stewart |
AS16
Kato Drive |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Stewart |
Century C628 |
DSD
C628LC |
|
| Stewart |
F3A/B |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| Stewart |
F7A/B |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| Stewart |
F9A/B |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| Stewart |
FT |
Digitrax DH142P |
|
| Stewart |
RS12
Kato Drive |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Stewart |
U25B
Kato Drive |
Digitrax
DH150K |
|
| Digitrax DH142 |
| NCE DA-SR |
| TCS
TH150DP
plug and play |
| Stewart |
VO-1000 |
NCE KRS-SR |
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This is the start of a table of specs on available
decoders. We are limiting this table to "modern
design and feature set" decoders that support
28/128 speed steps, extended addressing, advanced
consisting, and uploadable speed table.
Mobile decoder manufacturers listed alphabetically.
Click on the decoder manufacturer's name to go to their
website. Dollar amount listed is the manufacturer's
suggested retail price.
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| Atlas |
340
$29.95 |
1.0a
2 (200ma) |
1.52"x
0.67"x 0.13" |
2 function |
Atlas form factor |
similar to DH150
& NCE DA-SR |
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| Digitrax |
DH142
$52.99 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.67"x
1.05" x 0.25" |
4FX, T |
9 pin JST and
harness |
|
| Digitrax |
DH142AT
$60.95 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.67"x
1.05" x 0.25" |
4FX, T |
standard Athearn
harness |
|
| Digitrax |
DH142P
$56.99 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.67"x
1.05" x 0.25" |
4FX, T |
8 pin medium plug |
|
| Digitrax |
DH142PS
$56.99 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.67"x
1.05" x 0.25" |
4FX, T |
short 8 pin
medium plug |
|
| Digitrax |
DH150A
$44.99 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
atlas |
4FX |
Atlas form factor |
similar to NCE
DA-SR & Atlas 340 |
| Digitrax |
DH150K
$49.99 |
1.5a
28/128
2/4 digit |
kato |
4FX |
Kato form factor |
similar to NCE
DA-SR & Atlas 340 |
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| Lenz |
LE103XF
$19.95 |
1.0a
3 funct |
|
|
standard wired |
thin profile |
| Lenz |
LE104XF
$24.95 |
1.0a
3 funct |
|
|
8 pin medium plug |
thin profile |
| Lenz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| NCE |
ATLS4
$29.95 |
1.3a
2 (bulb 40ma, led 100ma) |
Specific for
Atlas S1-S4 |
2EFX, SR |
Specific for
Atlas S1-S4 |
some soldering
required |
| NCE |
D13SR
$24.95 |
1.3a
28/128
2/4 digit |
1.65"x
0.63"x 0.12" |
3EFX, SR |
standard wired |
thin |
| NCE |
D14SRP
$29.95 |
1.3a
4 (bulb 40ma, led 100ma) |
1.08"x
0.65" |
4EFX, SR, FRM |
8 pin medium plug |
similar to TCS
TH150DP |
| NCE |
D15SR
$29.95 |
1.3a
28/128
2/4 digit |
1.10"x
0.63"x 0.275" |
5EFX, SR |
9 pin JST and
harness |
similar to DH12X
& DH14X |
| NCE |
DA-SR
$29.95 |
1.3a
4 (bulb 40ma, led 100ma) |
2.85"x
0.66"x 0.12" |
4EFX, SR |
Atlas/Kato
lightboard shape |
similar to DH150
& Atlas 340 |
| NCE |
KRS-SR
$29.95 |
1.3a
28/128
2/4 digit |
1.9"x
0.65"x 0.125" |
4EFX, SR |
8 pin medium plug |
|
| NCE |
P2K-SR
$29.95 |
1.3a
4 (bulb 40ma, led 100ma) |
1.92"x
0.63"x 0.12" |
4EFX, SR, FRM |
8 pin medium plug |
|
| NCE |
SW9-SR
$29.95 |
1.3a
28/128
2/4 digit |
SW9 |
3EFX, SR |
Proto 2000
SW9/1200 lightboard |
|
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD 100LC
$99.95 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.65"x
1.90"x 0.23" |
sound |
|
generic sound |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD
150
$179.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
0.65"x
2.32"x 0.40" |
sound, headlight,
backup, 2 effects |
9 pin JST and
harness (?) |
|
| Soundtraxx |
DSD AT100LC
$139.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
atlas |
sound |
Atlas form factor |
|
| Soundtraxx |
DSD B280LC
$155.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
3.5"x
1.25"x 0.3125" |
sound |
Spectrum 2-8-0
and Mountain |
speaker included,
easy install |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD B3TSLC
$155.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
|
sound |
Spectrum 3 Truck
Shay |
speaker included |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD C628LC
$179.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
C628 |
sound |
Stewart Century
C628 |
speaker included |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD KT100LC
$145.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
kato |
sound |
Kato form factor |
|
| Soundtraxx |
DSD LL080LC
$145.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
|
sound |
Proto 2000 0-8-0 |
speaker included |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD LL100LC
$145.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
|
sound |
Proto 2000 E6/7/8
& PA/FA form factor |
speaker included |
| Soundtraxx |
DSD LL110LC
$145.00 |
1.0a
28/128
2/4 digit |
|
sound |
Proto 2000 GP7,
GP9, GP30, SD60 |
|
| Mfg |
Decoder |
Specs |
Size |
Features |
Connector |
Notes |
| TCS |
T1
$19.99 |
1.3a
2 (125ma) |
1.0"x
0.68"x 0.25" |
2 function, D, QD |
9 pin JST and
harness |
|
| TCS |
T2
$32.95 |
1.3a
5 (125ma) |
1.0"x
0.68"x 0.25" |
5 function, D,
QD, FRM |
9 pin JST and
harness with one extra wire |
|
| TCS |
TH141
$29.95 |
1.3a
4 (125ma) |
1.01"x
0.665"x 0.25" |
4 function, D, QD |
9 pin JST and
harness |
|
| TCS |
TH150W
$34.95 |
1.3a
5 (125ma) |
0.69"x
0.85"x 0.19" |
5 function, D,
QD, FRM |
direct wired |
small |
| TCS |
TH150DP
$29.95 |
1.3a
5 (125ma) |
0.845"x
0.68"x 0.165" |
5 function, D,
QD, FRM |
8 pin medium plug |
similar to NCE
P2K-SR |
D=TCS Dither, EFX=NCE EFX, FX=Digitrax FX,
FRM=function remapping,
QD=TCS Quiet Drive,
SR=NCE Silent
Running, T=Digitrax
Transponding
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