Hello Jeffrey.

I am pleased to report that my layout is operational, at least in regard to the locomotive. When the decoder is delivered, I will program it to get the turntable going. I still have not programmed the turnouts, but that is my next task. So far, the DCC controller has functioned as advertised.

Mose

Jeffrey, you are a fountain of knowledge. I hope I'll become knowledgeable and experienced enough to "pay it forward" with some newbie as you have with me. However, at age 82 I don't know if I'll have enough time left to gain all that knowledge. Thanks for all your help and your willingness to share.

Mose

Hi.

I checked out the Digitrax decoders you suggested, and they are both HO scale and for locomotives. So I am assuming they might work for the turntable as well but am not sure since turntables were not a choice on the drop=down menu.

I searched for N scale 8-pin decoders and on the Train World site the only decoders that popped up were sound decoders. Is that all that I need a decoder for? The Bachmann DCC controller is supposed to control the movement functions, and if there is any sound available that would be an added benefit, but one I don't care if I have or don't. The turntable instructions don't specify what functions the decoder would control, so if you can clarify that, I'll either keep searching for an appropriate add-on or let it go.

Thanks!

Mose

Thanks Jeffrey. I am learning a lot very quickly and also learning that I don't know a lot. I will check out the Digitrax decoders you recommend.

Mose

I have the Bachmann 5.5" turntable in hand and need a decoder. Both the suggested decoders are sold out and/or discontinued. How or where do I go to find an alternative? Bachmann the company is not very helpful in that the recommendations for the product are not available and no information is provided for a work-around.

Thanks for the input. My whole layout is only 35' of track. I suppose I could easily add another feeder rail, but maybe I'll wait to see if I can even get the layout and loco to work in the first place.

Mose

Thank you so much Jeffrey. I appreciate your taking the time to educate me. So far, I am finding that I get as many questions generated as I find answers in my research.

My layout will be 33" by 80" (built on an old door that I expanded with added-on lumber around the edges), and I included one feeder rail in the layout plan (using AnyRail software.) I am reading through the basic DCC wiring booklet written by Mike Polsgrove, and he recommends feeder wiring for every section of track. My layout is basically a point to point plan with four main sidings servicing 7 industries and a service siding for loco layover and switching uses. I don't see why a single feeder track won't be sufficient, and I will be running only one locomotive at a time.

What do you think, if you don't mind my answering.

Mose Price

After more than 60 years of wanting to start a model railroad, and along the way hitting various obstacles preventing doing so, I have finally begun. Nothing about it is the same as my old Lionel train set when I was a youngster, and I am on a steep learning curve. For instance, i want to install a turntable on the layout i have designed, and chose the Bachmann 5 1/2" turntable. The message included online with that turntable information is:

"Requires separate power pack/speed controller for operation in DC mode (Item No. 44211 recommended). Requires DCC control system and DCC decoder for operation in DCC mode. Each sold separately."

I dutifully searched online for a DCC Decoder and could only find a sound decoder. Is that what is meant in the Bachmann online message, or is there another sort of DCC decoder of which I am unaware? I cannot understand why I would need a sound decoder for a turntable. I am awaiting delivery of a Bachmann DCC controller, and had thought that would be all I needed to operate DCC features on locos, stock, and parts where eqiuipped.

To further explain, there are no model railroad stores anywhere near where I live that I might have access to somone I could ask about all my getting started questions. I hope to get my new benchwork constructed finished today so I can really get atarted when all the stuff I have ordered online sight-unseen arrives.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.