DCC Decoder

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woodcamp66213

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I'm the new guy getting into trains, etc. I purchased Lionel Berkshire Set. The instructions state it's already equipped with a DCC decoder. "If you wish to replace the Lionel decoder with a decoder from another manufacturer". It goes on telling me how to do this. My question is once I purchase, say an NEC Starter System do I need a decoder for that, and will a decoder come with that system?

Jim
 
woodcamp66213 said:
My question is once I purchase, say an NEC Starter System do I need a decoder for that, and will a decoder come with that system?
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No, the decoder will need to be purchased separately from a manufacturer of your choice. The DCC system will not need a decoder. It will run any locomotive with a DCC decoder installed.
 
First, welcome to the forums, we are glad to have you!

Considering you are asking about a DCC Decoder I'm going to assume you have a Lionel HO set.

Is this your set?
www.lionel.com

HO Southern Pacific Berkshire Freight Set

Manufacturer of model trains and accessories in O and standard gauges.
www.lionel.com www.lionel.com

woodcamp66213 said:
My question is once I purchase, say an NEC Starter System do I need a decoder for that, and will a decoder come with that system?
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I'm by no means an expert on DCC, but I do have an NEC system. As far as I know they don't come with a decoder as a decoder is needed for the locomotive, not the system.

The factory installed Lionel DCC decoder should work with the NCC system, but I have no firsthand experience or knowledge.
 


Mike (@migalyto) is 100% correct, the decoder is for the loco, your DCC system just tells it what you want the locomotive to do, any DCC system will work with any decoder.

I have a Digitrax system and have locomotives with Hornby, Bachmann, Zimo, ESU, BLI Quantum and LaisDCC decoders to name a few
 
woodcamp66213 said:
I'm the new guy getting into trains, etc. I purchased Lionel Berkshire Set. The instructions state it's already equipped with a DCC decoder. "If you wish to replace the Lionel decoder with a decoder from another manufacturer". It goes on telling me how to do this. My question is once I purchase, say an NEC Starter System do I need a decoder for that, and will a decoder come with that system?

Jim
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The NCE would be a good DCC starter system. By any chance, does Lionel mention what brand of decoder has been installed in their loco?
 
Mixed Freight said:
The NCE would be a good DCC starter system. By any chance, does Lionel mention what brand of decoder has been installed in their loco?
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No the manual just says "Your locomotive is already equipped with a DCC decoder." Then it just says how I can replace it with another manufacturer decode and how to do that. I've ordered the NEC Starter System and see where that takes me.
Another question has come up. While laying the track I tried to cut some flex track to size but have a heck of the time getting the rail joiners to go on the cut portion. What's the trick to get that done?

Jim
 
woodcamp66213 said:
No the manual just says "Your locomotive is already equipped with a DCC decoder." Then it just says how I can replace it with another manufacturer decode and how to do that. I've ordered the NEC Starter System and see where that takes me.
Another question has come up. While laying the track I tried to cut some flex track to size but have a heck of the time getting the rail joiners to go on. What's the trick to get that done?

Jim
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File off the burrs where you made the cut.
Assuming you have the right joiners to begin with...
 
Here's a 7 year-old YouTube video comparing Lionel's Berkshire to a Bachmann Berkshire........ Lionel HO Vs. Bachmann Berkshire
That, along with skimming thru a Lionel HO Berkshire Owner's Manual , tells me that Lionel's decoder is apparently proprietary, and not just another brand of decoder. Which also tells me that Lionel may be a little more serious about HO scale now than they have been with some other attempts in the past. Interesting.
 


woodcamp66213 said:
While laying the track I tried to cut some flex track to size but have a heck of the time getting the rail joiners to go on the cut portion. What's the trick to get that done?
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Use a flat file to take off the burrs and slightly trim down the end of the rail so the joiner will fit.
 
Smudge617 said:
any DCC system will work with any decoder.
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Have to revise this, I'm correct except a DCC system will not work with a Lionel TMCC decoder, which I believe is the one in your Berkshire Locomotive. So as @migalyto has posted, do some research and see what brand decoders will work for you, rather than the mish-mash I have.
 
Smudge617 said:
Have to revise this, I'm correct except a DCC system will not work on with a Lionel TMCC decoder, which I believe is the one in your Berkshire Locomotive.,
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I was just doing some reading, and it looks like it may use LCS (Legacy control system) limiting your options down the road.

Now I see why the desire to swap decoders to work with a normal DCC system.
 
Mixed Freight said:
Here's a 7 year-old YouTube video comparing Lionel's Berkshire to a Bachmann Berkshire........ Lionel HO Vs. Bachmann Berkshire
That, along with skimming thru a Lionel HO Berkshire Owner's Manual , tells me that Lionel's decoder is apparently proprietary, and not just another brand of decoder. Which also tells me that Lionel may be a little more serious about HO scale now than they have been with some other attempts in the past. Interesting.
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That locomotive is 8 years old now. So I would say Lionel getting serious pretty much fizzled out, for a variety of reasons.
 
I hope if they ever do get serious about HO, they make better looking models than they do in O scale. I had toys from Lionel in the 60s that don't look any better today than they did back then.
 
Smudge617 said:
Lionel TMCC
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Train Master Command Control (TMCC) is an outdated proprietary system used in O-gauge Lionel trains. Lionel's Legacy System is an upgraded system that replaced TMCC in 2006.

As far as I know TMCC and Legacy have only been used in Lionel's O-gauge trains.
 
RhB Michael said:
I hope if they ever do get serious about HO, they make better looking models than they do in O scale. I had toys from Lionel in the 60s that don't look any better today than they did back then.
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It depends on how much you are willing to spend.

Lionel's Vision Line Big Boy
1723873326990.png
 
Bruette said:
Train Master Command Control (TMCC) is an outdated proprietary system used in O-gauge Lionel trains. Lionel's Legacy System is an upgraded system that replaced TMCC in 2006.

As far as I know TMCC and Legacy have only been used in Lionel's O-gauge trains.
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Thanks, nice to know when I'm wrong, only way to learn. :)
 


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