Trix Mobile Station - Programming and SX+DCC issues?
Hello all, I am new to this forum, and new to N Scale, German railways, and DCC! My previous experience was with "O Gauge" Lionel /MTH versions of their digital systems...which are very different (and somewhat popular here in the states). I've started my 'new' hobby with the Minitrix 11120 Era IV Super Starter Set, which incudes Trix's Mobile Station and two locos (a Class 03 steam and Class 221 diesel - each of which operate in Selectrix by default). These are working fine. Then trouble starts... I added Minitrix's 12440 Dutch TEE, and after some fits, I have that running in DCC mode with CV1 at address #3 (I think). But here is the problem, when I go into the "Service" menu, select "R+PRG DCC", and enter "CV001", it appears to read the decoder, but then the answer I get back is "CV001-D000"). Can an engine have an address of zero? Even if the answer is yes, when I try to 'write' a new address (for example, 5), it does the 'read / write' work, and the answer STILL comes back as "CV001-D000", as if nothing changed! (Note: all this is done on a seperate programming track seperate from the layour) I am having different issues with trying to program a LENZ decoder for KATO's Thalys train, but I won't get into that now. I guess my question is, does anybody use the Trix Mobile Station to program decoders? Have they had problems with using it to change, read or write CV's? Is their something more to the issue with the "Selectrix + DCC" operating mode that is a problem? Is my MS bad? Thanks from this new user trying to figure it all out!

Trix Mobile Station
I've been watching this post to see if anyone replies...I am considering a Trix starter set that would include this DCC component but am wondering about compatibility outside the world of Trix. I don't suppose you've used it to control turnouts, etc., have you? Are you generally pleased with it's performance and how it operates? Paul

Trix mobile station
I recently acquired one of these and I must say I have found it difficult to use. The results on programming were variable. It now sits unused in the bottom of the cupboard. On my main layout I use LEnz and Roco so it might just be that I have got so used to their programming protocols. The Roco Multimaus is somewhat intuitive in use. The Lenz is a bit more complex but also much more flexible. The Trix is not intuitive. Perhaps I am being unfair to the Trix unit, and would welcome any comments from satisfied users. David

I think the problem is more with the Trix 'dual mode' decoders than the mobile station. My experience with DCC controllers is limited to just the Trix Mobile Station, but I do happen to agree that the experience is not very intuitive and I am having to check what programming functions are done in the "Read + Prg" vs the "add loco" menus gets annoying. As I stated above, I think my problem with the Minitrix's 12440 Dutch TEE has more to do with 'confused' instructions going to the 'dual mode' decoder in the locomotive. While the MS says its in DCC mode and replies accordingly, it cannot be programmed in DCC mode. When I try to run the locomotive using the DCC address (as you may know, you can 'add the loco' and use its name to select it, or select the operating mode to select the address and operate it) it states that it is 'blocked' in DCC mode...as if the locomotive is operate in Selectrix / SX? Very strange. Again, when I select the 'name' version of the loco in the MS (with DCC address) it works. Its made me very hesitent about adding any more DCC/SX dual mode locomotives from Trix, and I will likely go with using locos from Trix that use the NEM 651 interface and add my own Lenz or ESU decoders. Depending on how much I want to invest in this in the future, I may upgrade to new ESU controller...but at US $500 I'll need to see how serious I am! One more comment, to be fair to trix, both the Trix locos that came with the set, the Class 03 steam and Class 221 diesel, which are also dual mode, both seem to work fine / flawlessly.

Jerry, Any further progress with this issue? I'm considering the HO 21509 set with two steam locomotives and will also include the mobile station. I am resigned to the fact too that replacing the MS might be inevitable. Paul

I can provide an update on some of the challenges I have had. I was eventually able to change the address of the TEE with the MS, it required that I change my format in the MS to DCC only (rather than dual mode w/Selectrix) which is now the only mode I operate in (straight DCC that is). I do believe my problems were a result of 'confusion' in the 12440 decoder when I attemted to change CV's while operating in 'dual' mode. Perhaps dual mode is fine for normal opeations (I had no problems with that), but in terms of programming, it was a problem for me. And to be fair, when I first attemtped to add the 12440 I wasn't really sure of what I was doing (still being fairly new to not only DCC, but the MS itself), and may have inadvertently added it as BOTH an SX and DCC loco! I don't recal, but somehow I was able to undo any damage that I might have caused (if any!). I had some other programming issues with a Lenz decoder (attempting to get it into the non-powered unit of the KATO Thalys set so that the lights would work) that turned out to be unrelated to the MS, but that just turned out to be issue that the Lenz decoder required a 'load' in order for it to be read and programmed. I merely programmed the Lenz decoder in the powered unit (just reversing the CV29 bit for the light direction), and then installed it into the non-powered unit and it now works fine! So my recommendation at this point is that it is probably not the easiest system to program, but my experience is limited, and as someting of a novice, and some trial and error, and the 'cost' it all works for me - for now. I like the form factor a lot, and until I see the need (which I thankfully don't have now) to upgrade to the EcOs or Viessman 'fancy' units (and pricey!), I'll stick with the MS. There are some other forums where there had apparantly been some problems with the wheel losing contact and therefore it was not working, but that is something that it sounds like was fixed by Trix, and would likely be under warranty. I have not had that problem, and I've dropped it a couple of times! Hope this helps!

Yes Jerry, this helps very much! Thanks