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Select your scale and choose your Locomotive model.
Remember, all Digitrax decoders are rated for at least 1 amp so all decoders will work in HO scale locos no matter what size they are!
Z Scale-Works in Z, N & HO
N Scale-Works in Z, N & HO
HO Scale-Works in HO
S Scale-Works in O, S & G
O Scale Works in O, S & G
G Scale Works in O, S & G
Digitrax Decoder Selection Charts By Scale, Manufacturer & Locomotive
Z scale Decoder Selection Chart:
Manufacturer |
Locomotive Model |
Recommended Digitrax Decoder |
Micro Trains |
Z Scale Diesel Locomotives |
DZ143, DZ125 |
Micro Trains |
Z Scale GP-35 Locomotives |
DZ123M0 |
N scale Decoder Selection Chart:
Manufacturer |
Locomotive Model |
Recommended Digitrax Decoder |
Arnold |
S-2 |
DZ143, DZ125 |
Atlas |
2-6-0 |
DZ125 |
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2 Truck Shay |
DZ125 |
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B23-7 |
DN163A0 |
| |
B30-7, B36-7 |
DN163A0 |
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C-420 |
DN163A0 |
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C-628, C630 |
DN163A0 |
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Dash 8-40B, Dash 8-40BW, Dash 8-40C |
DN163A0 |
| |
Dash 8-32BWH |
DN163A0 |
| |
GP7 , GP7TT
Released after 4/2006 |
DN163A2 |
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GP9
Released after 4/2006 |
DN163A2 |
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GP15-1 |
DN163A2 |
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GP30 & GP35 Released after 9/2007 |
DN163A2 |
| |
GP38, GP38-2 |
DN163A0 |
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GP40, GP40-2 Released after 4/2005 |
DN163A0 |
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H15-44, H16-44 |
DN163A0 |
| |
MP15DC |
DN163A3 |
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RS-1 |
DZ143 , DZ125 (with Frame Modification) |
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RS-3 |
DZ143 , DZ125 (with Frame Modification) |
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SD-7 Released after 10/2003 |
DN163A0 |
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SD-9 Released after 8/2005 |
DN163A0 |
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SD-24, SD-26 |
DN163A0 |
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SD35 |
DN163A0 |
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SD50 |
DN163A1 |
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SD60, SD60M & SD50 |
DN163A1 |
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Trainmaster |
DN163A0 |
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U23B, U25B Released after 11/2002 |
DN163A0 |
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VO1000 |
DZ143, DZ125 |
Click here for Kato Japanese Prototype Decoder Recommendations
LifeLike
|
Alco
S-1 Switcher |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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2-8-8-2
Mallet |
DZ143,
DZ125 Mount
in cab, motor is isolated |
| |
FA1/FB1 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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F7 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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F40PH |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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FM
"C Liner" |
DN163M0 |
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GP18 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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GP20 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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GP38-2 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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SD7 |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
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SW1200
Installation Instructions |
DZ143,
DZ125 |
Steam Locomotives |
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Most N scale Steam |
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DZ143, DZ125 (Tender Install) |
*For N scale applications there are replacement frames available for many popular locomotives.
These frames use DN121, DN142 or DZ143 decoders. Click here for more information about replacement frames.
For N scale applications most modern high efficiency can motors draw less than 1/2 amp when running and less than 3/4 amp when stalled at 12 V DC. However, we have found that many Kato N-scale locos actually draw more than this when properly tested. Therefore, we recommend the DN121, DN142, or DZ143 or other 1 amp decoder with these locos. Using decoders that are rated for at least 1 amp in N scale operations has proven to be the most reliable solution over the long term.
HO Scale Selection Chart:
Manufacturer |
Loco Model |
Premium Decoder Recommended |
Basic Decoder Recommended |
Athearn |
Genesis F3-7 |
dh165A0 |
DH123D |
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Genesis 2-8-2 |
DH163D |
DH123D |
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Genesis 4-6-2 |
DH163D |
DH123D |
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Genesis SD70-75 |
dh165A0, DH163D |
DH123D |
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GP60M RTR* Plus AND all other RTR Plus |
DH163D |
DH123D |
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Regular Diesels |
DH163AT |
DH123AT |
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SD70 |
|
DH165A0, DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
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SD75 |
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DH165A0, DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
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SD80 |
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DH165A0, DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
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GP60 |
|
DH165A0, DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
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Genesis Light
Mikado 2-8-2 |
|
DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
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Genesis Light
Mikado 4-6-2 |
|
DH163D, DH123D, DZ143 |
| RTR* - "Ready To Roll" |
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Atlas |
AEM7 |
DZ143 |
DZ125 |
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B40-8 (Decoder Upgrade) |
DH165A0 |
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C30-7 |
DH165IP |
DH123P, DZ125PS |
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C424, C425 |
DH165K0, DH165IP, |
DH123PS, DZ125PS |
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DASH 8-40B |
DH163PS |
DH123PS |
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DASH 8-40C |
DH163PS |
DH123PS |
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GP7 (Pre 2003) |
DH165A0, DH163D |
DH123D |
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GP7 (2003 and later) |
DH165IP, DH163PS |
DH123PS, DZ125PS |
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GP38 (Decoder Upgrade) |
DH165A0 |
|
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GP40 (Decoder Upgrade) |
DH165A0, DH165IP |
DH123D
DH163D |
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H-15-44 |
DH163PS |
DH123PS |
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HH600 / HH660 |
DZ143PS
DZ125PS |
|
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RS1 & RS3 |
DH165A0, DH165K0 |
|
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RS3 |
DH165A0, DH163K0 |
|
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RSD4/5 |
DH165A0, DH163K0 |
|
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RS-11 |
DH165A0, DH163K0 |
DH123D |
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RSD4, RSD5, RSD12 |
DH165A0, DH165K0 |
|
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S-2, S-4 |
DZ143 |
DZ125 |
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SD24 |
DH163PS |
DH123PS |
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SD35 (Decoder Upgrade) |
DH165A0 |
|
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U23B |
DH165IP |
DH123P, DZ125PS |
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U23B |
DH165A0
DH163D |
DH123D |
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U33C & U36C |
DH165A0, DH163P |
DH123P, DZ125PS |
HAG Locos |
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HAG501 factory installed or DH140Uxx Retrofit |
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For HO applications, most modern high efficiency can motors draw less than 1/2 amp when running and less than 1 amp when stalled at 12V DC. These motors are suitable for use with 1.5 amp (DH163, DH121, DH150 plug n'play decoders), or 1 amp (DN142, DN121, or DZ143) decoders.
Note: Some older HO motor designs (older Athearn open frame motors, Pittman motors, etc.) may exceed the 1.0 amp limit and you may need to use a 1.5 amp. 2.0 amp or other higher current decoder such as the 3.0 amp DG380L in these applications.
G Scale Selection Chart:
Manufacturer |
Locomotive Model |
Recommended Digitrax Decoder |
LGB |
All |
DG583S |
O & S Scale & Hi Rail Selection Chart:
Manufacturer/Loco Model |
Digitrax Decoder Recommended |
Most O Scale** |
DG583S |
Most S Scale ** |
DG583S |
Decoder Selection Guide
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Choosing the “right” decoder for your installation is fairly simple.
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Check the recommendations below to see if your loco is listed.
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Decide which features you want to use in your installation.
Click on the decoders offered to investigate what is available or click here to learn more about decoder features and decoder functions that are available.
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If your loco is not listed here, check with your Digitrax dealer for a recommendation.
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Look inside the loco to determine how much room you have and whether there is a plug ‘n play interface available. Click here to see the installation options available.
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Test the stall current of the loco to be sure the decoder is rated for enough current to run the loco reliably.
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This page provides links to several different decoder installation sites that are not maintained by Digitrax. These links are provided as a resource for our customers and Digitrax does not take responsibility or credit for information contained on sites other than its own.
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