Good day everyone. I moved to the US about 3 years ago and am finally getting back into model railroading. I have agreed with my wife that I will build and run a 1-gauge layout on our front porch around a Christmas tree. The layout will be a loop with a passing siding. I have 2 MAXI locos with DELTA decoders which will run in opposite directions around the loop. I will be using my CS2 with 72441 braking sections. I understand that the slowing down won't work with the DELTA decoders but the stop section will.

To improve the experience for my grandchildren I am seriously considering upgrading the decoders in the 2 locos to Loksound 5 decoders and fitting smokers in both locos. The maximum motor current of the normal ESU Loksound decoders is 1.5Amps while there is a 5Amp XL version that is available but at twice the price. I would like to fit the cheaper/normal decoders and was wondering whether anyone had any experience of the need for the XL decoders in a MAXI loco? One of the MAXI locos came in a starter set with a 32VA analog transformer. This is quite close to 1.5Amps power supply and would be used for the motor and incandescent lights. Hence I am leaning towards the cheaper decoder.

I also have a 55032 starter set with a class 80 locomotive and a 32VA transformer. Again does anyone have any experience installing a standard decoder in a 1-gauge loco of this size?

Regards

Hi Per

Thanks very much. The L decoder has a maximum motor current of 3Amps. Just what I need! I had not noticed this decoder and it will be a good match to the MAXI locos.

Regards