Thank you Mike c.

Would it be correct to assume the housing needs to come off before I can reach that magical programming button?

I found a manual online. I believe the 460 can be programmed with a "central unit" that has a "10-digit keyboard", with an "Off" key, a "direction reversing switch" and a "Function" key. Considering this train is probably as old as I am, what would be the modern day control unit that provides backward compatibility with such a unit?

Thanks again!

PS - I would love to have a Loksound decoder but budget is tight :)

A 64610 Decoder (Lokpilot V4.0) would cost 33 EUR (even less with VAT rebate). An older 54610 would be 30 EUR (ETS prices) (Shipping to HK by small packet/lettermail should not cost too much.)

That would enable you to program (enter programming mode) remotely using most standard controllers
If you can't program the OEM one in your Roco model, check with a local shop if they have a 6021 or MS/CS that you can use. Asking a dealer to see how the new technology works with older material is often perceived as an opportunity to try to sell you that technology, so many will allow this. The only thing is you can't do it to many times before they figure out you are not interested.

Regards

Mike C

Yes, indeed.

No, I cannot. I think it is a decoder from the V3 generation, but there were several types (DCC only, DCC/MM/SX, MM/mfx).

If it is a decoder with MM protocol then it can be programmed using either of those. But in that case changing the address using the IR controller should also work.

The IR controller can change the address.
Other devices can reset the decoder to factory defaults, adjust acceleration and braking delay, set intensity of headlights, adjust speed curve and maximum speed and some other changes.


If it is a decoder without MM protocol then the IR controller won't do anything with it.
If it is a decoder with MM protocol which is disabled in the decoder then the IR controller won't do anything with it. A 6021 or an MS1 won't help in that case either.

As an optimist, try the address changing sequence a few more times (5+).

Just to be sure: Is there a centre-rail slider under the loco? A two-rail loco or a three-rail loco without slider will not work on three-rail track.

I think your simplest solution is to have someone with an MS2 or a Central Station change the address on the loco without even opening the loco.

Go to a dealer/friend, tell him that this is what you want done. EXPECT to pay a fee for the service if you go to a dealer; they, too, need to make a living.

Unless the decoder is an MFX decoder (I doubt it, given the age of the loco, but then you said the decoder was changed), the first thing the dealer/friend would have to do is search for the loco in the database of the controller (this can take some time) and then once the loco is found, he should RUN the loco back and forth for 30 seconds chcking a couple of functions just to make sure all is in order.

THEN the dealer would change the address to one of the four you have.

YOU then check with your own controller (and power supply and 3 feet of track) that the loco does indeed work. Check the lights going on and off and the other four functions you have. (But they may not all work, depending upon the decoder, maybe none.)

Total time on the premises: maybe 30 minutes, more or less.

You then PAY the dealer the equivalent of 25 Euros or so. If no money is asked, then buy something at the store for at least the same amount. If it's a friend, then you decide what to do to thank him.

My two cents' worth.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone. I found a shop in D-dorf who will be able to help. I really like this Roco version of the Danzas Re 460 so don't mind dropping some euros to get it properly sorted.

Both the MS2 and CSx have a function called "Find a loco (address)"
That's exactly for the task/purpose you are referring to (i.e. unknown address).

Thank you, Eroncelli and HO, MUCH appreciated.

This is really helpful information for all of us in dealing with used locos.

I just spent an amazing week in Dusseldorf, Germany and the guys at Menzels Lokschuppen & Töff-Töff helped me to change the Roco Danzas decoder address in literally less than a minute. I bought a BR146 DB Cargo (with LokPilot V4.0 decoder) off them and here is a picture of both trains running together on the same address. Together with ebay.de purchases I bought back a significant amount of rolling stock to go with the two trains.

In fact I just bought 45 C track pieces including 24671/24672 minutes ago to expand my big oval set up compromised of 85 C tracks and I am holding my breath for being able to run it all on a single 36VA transformer :)