What are decoders and how do they function?
Decoders are the electronics that go within each locomotive. Decoders operate the locomotives motor and can control the locomotives functions. You can currently purchase decoders with anywhere from only a single light function to one with 8 functions. The more functions the more items you can control. That introduces the first decision you must make. How many functions do you want? If your command station can only send one function and you have decoders with 8, that command station can still only control a single function. Decoders also have various motor control features. Most of the older entry level ones hadspeed and direction, while the more advanced ones have, for example, acceleration, deceleration, consist control, and motor back emf control. Modern decoders offer a big selection of drives, special lighting effects. Drives can include, but don’t always, silent drive, selection -drive, advanced generations of load compensation, etc. And there always a broad selection of drop in b
