Just bought this set myself, the F40PH runs so smooth I'm afraid to convert it to DCC. My Kato NW2 actually crawled better before I installed the Digitrax decoder.
I converted my F40PH to DCC with a TCS decoder. I found that setting the acceleration and deceleration momentum CV's to 11 really helped smooth the locomotive's performance. The TCS decoder also comes with a rear headlight that can be controlled, so I'd recommend getting the decoder for the added functionality.
@@bigshouldersrails1318 Thanks for the tips. My NW2 has a Digitrax DN123K3 and it's an older model but it does have a rear headlight. I currently have accel/decel set at 10/8. I'll try bumping it up a notch or two. I already have both headlights forced on, I dislike the directional lights.
I only have experience with TCS and NCE decoders so I'm not sure how the momentum settings on a Digitrax decoder affect the performance, but it's worth tweaking. How does the motor overall run? I (stupidly) burned out a motor on a Kato AC4400CW and it ran pretty rough before I dropped a new motor in.
@@bigshouldersrails1318 I only have 2 Kato locos (F40PH and NW2) but they are both incredibly smooth. I also have two ScaleTrains Rivet Counters (Both Dash 9's) and two Atlas locos. In order of smoothness: Kato, then Scaletrains, and Atlas bringing up the rear. Honestly they all run awesome compared to the Bachmann locos I used to run in the 1980's. The hobby has come a long way in 30 years. Of course one needs to keep in mind that those Bachmann locos were nowhere near the cost of today's locos. I'm pretty sure they were all $20 to $40. Today's prices are out of control, lol.
Nice layout
Just bought this set myself, the F40PH runs so smooth I'm afraid to convert it to DCC. My Kato NW2 actually crawled better before I installed the Digitrax decoder.
I converted my F40PH to DCC with a TCS decoder. I found that setting the acceleration and deceleration momentum CV's to 11 really helped smooth the locomotive's performance. The TCS decoder also comes with a rear headlight that can be controlled, so I'd recommend getting the decoder for the added functionality.
@@bigshouldersrails1318 Thanks for the tips. My NW2 has a Digitrax DN123K3 and it's an older model but it does have a rear headlight. I currently have accel/decel set at 10/8. I'll try bumping it up a notch or two. I already have both headlights forced on, I dislike the directional lights.
I only have experience with TCS and NCE decoders so I'm not sure how the momentum settings on a Digitrax decoder affect the performance, but it's worth tweaking. How does the motor overall run? I (stupidly) burned out a motor on a Kato AC4400CW and it ran pretty rough before I dropped a new motor in.
@@bigshouldersrails1318 I only have 2 Kato locos (F40PH and NW2) but they are both incredibly smooth. I also have two ScaleTrains Rivet Counters (Both Dash 9's) and two Atlas locos. In order of smoothness: Kato, then Scaletrains, and Atlas bringing up the rear. Honestly they all run awesome compared to the Bachmann locos I used to run in the 1980's. The hobby has come a long way in 30 years. Of course one needs to keep in mind that those Bachmann locos were nowhere near the cost of today's locos. I'm pretty sure they were all $20 to $40. Today's prices are out of control, lol.