Zephyr, Super Empire Builder or Super Chief?
Which Digitrax Set and/or Other Components Do I Need For My Layout?

The Digitrax system is made up of many different components that can be combined in many different ways to customize your system to meet your needs. Usually, customers begin their Digitrax system by purchasing one of our starter sets and then adding more components later. Let's start with a comparison chart and then move on to specific questions that will help you decide which starter set is right for you.

What's the difference among the Digitrax Sets?

I have a 4x8 layout, I want to run 2 or 3 trains. I will operate the layout by myself or with possibly one other operator. It's a really basic operation. Which Digitrax set is best for me?

The Zephyr Set will probably do what you want. You will need the basic Zephyr 1 or 2 mobile decoders for the locomotives. You can add up to 10 throttles to your Zephyr Set so that adding another operator is simple. You can use one or two smooth DC power packs as throttles to for additional operators to run trains by using the Jump Ports on your Zephyr. If you want to have a walk-around throttle, you can add any LocoNet throttle by just plugging it in to the LocoNet port on the Zephyr. Click here for more information about Zephyr.

I have a small layout, I want to run 4 to 6 trains. I will run the layout with 2 or 3 operators. I don't need anything fancy like switch control or signaling. What do I need?

The Zephyr will probably do what you want. To accommodate the additional operators, you will just need to add more throttles. Depending on the current draw of your locomotives, you may also need an additional DB150 booster. Of course you will need decoders for your locomotives, too.

I have a small layout and it looks like the Zephyr is for me. The Super Empire Builder is more expensive but has more features. Why would I spend the extra money for the Super Empire Builder?

The Super Empire Builder has many features that the Zephyr does not. If these features are important to you, then you should consider buying the Super Empire Builder for a smaller layout. See the starter set comparison chart above for a feature by feature comparison of the three Digitrax Sets. Super Empire Builder can run up to 22 locos and addresses and Zephyr can only do 10. Super Empire Builder has better speed control because it uses the DT400 throttles with encoders for speed control. These encoders give better access the 128 step capabilities in all Digitrax decoders. Super Empire Builder gives you access to Functions F0-F12, Zephyr can access only F0-F8.

I have a small switching layout, I am interested in low-end speed control and want to control turnouts from the hand held. What components do I need?

All Digitrax starter sets give you access to stationary decoder controls for turnouts. If you want to do this from a walk-around hand-held you should consider Super Empire Builder or Super Chief. If you are interested in automated route control, you might want to consider the Super Chief Set.

I have a medium/large sized layout with a reversing district. I want to operate 6-10 trains with several operators. I am interested in turnout control, prototypical consist operations and signaling to be added later. I might want a computer added later, too. Which components do I need?

You will need a Super Empire Builder or Super Chief with additional throttles for the operators and an additional DB150 booster or PM42 for the reversing district. You will also need at least one additional DB150 to provide enough power to run 6-10 trains. You can choose and Digitrax LocoNet Throttle (like DT400s, DT300s or UT2s or UT1s) for the additional throttles depending on how you operate the railroad. You will need DS54's or DS44’s to operate turnouts and an MS100 and software to hook up your computer. You will also want to look into BDL16s & RX4s if you want to add transponding. Once the system is installed, you can add the turnout control, detection, signaling, transponding and computer control later if you wish.

We are a LARGE club layout. We have several reversing districts, 25 operators and run 30 trains at a time. We want computer control, turnout control, signaling. You name it, we've got it. What equipment do we need to run this layout?

You probably need the Super Chief Set with additional throttles, boosters, mobile & stationary decoders & detectors.

A typical HO layout of this size would need approximately 5 boosters & power supplies to provide enough power to run 30 engines. The DCS100 command station/booster will be one of these boosters so; you would need four additional DB150 series boosters. In addition you may need to add cooling fans to get the most power from your boosters.

You will need enough LocoNet throttles for all the operators. You can mix & match DT400s, DT300s, UT2s, UT1s & other LocoNet throttles that will be released in the future, too. You may even want to use a Zephyr as a stationary throttle in one of your yards. Many clubs have each operator bring his/her own throttle from home & purchase a few units to have on hand for visitors.

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I want to sit back & watch my railroad run. Can you do that with Digitrax?

The Digitrax Command Control System is designed for prototypical operation. The objective is to provide realistic operation so that the models run like the real thing. To do this you need an engineer in control of each locomotive. The starter sets are not designed for automated train control. To set up automated operation, you can set up the layout with detection and or transponding and use a computer to handle the automated operations.

I want the top of the line Digitrax Set. Which one should I buy?

Super Chief.

I have multiple reversing districts, do I have to buy a separate booster for each one?

No, you can run more than one reversing section off a single booster. The only problem that might arise is if you have more than one set of wheels crossing more than one set of gaps at the same time. In this case, the booster will detect a short and shut down (unless the polarities just happen to be matched up in which case you won't see a problem). We recommend that you set up your layout with the minimum number of boosters at first and then add boosters if problems show up once you are operating. See DCC: The Wave of the Future for a discussion of reversing section wiring. You can also handle automatic reversing with a Digitrax PM42.

You should also know that you do not have to automate your reversing sections with a booster if you do not want to do so. You can handle reverse sections with a toggle switch in the traditional way. There are also products sold by various third parties to handle automatic reversing which are less expensive but do not provide booster capabilities. These may be just what you need for your layout.

What is the upgrade path from Zephyr to Super Empire Builder to Super Chief?

Zephyr consists of a DCS50 throttle/command station/booster all-in-one unit. To move up to Super Empire Builder, you just add a DB150 command station and a DT400 series throttle and continue using your DCS50 as a throttle and booster. A Super Empire Builder consists of a DB150, a DT400 and a UP5 panel. If you have a Super Empire Builder and want to move up to a Super Chief you simply add a DCS100 and you are ready to go!

I own a Digitrax Starter Set that is now discontinued. Can I still use it and can it be upgraded?

LocoNet gives you the ability to use all Digitrax LocoNet components in your system no matter when you purchased them. You can continue to use what you already own with the new components that are available now. This will work with all starter sets except for Challenger. If you have a Challenger Set and you want to move up, the best thing to do is to purchase one of the new sets and use the DB100 series booster that came with your Challenger as an extra booster or auto-reversing booster on your layout. The CT4 throttle that came with the Challenger Set is not a LocoNet throttle, it is an analog throttle that can’t be used with LocoNet.