Hi Folks,

I just received the Mehano TGV I ordered. What I hadn't quite expected was that it would be "digital ready" meaning that it has a slot to accept a decoder.

OK, fine. Time to learn something new. What I'm having trouble figuring out is what converter or conversion kit do I buy to make this train one I can run with my MS or CS1 (which I have now) or my CS2 (which I'll have as soon as they start shipping them to the US).

I searched through the Marklin database using the keyword decoder and also looked through the Veissmann catalog, but I couldn't figure out what it is I should be ordering. Can anybody help?

Am I going to need to do anything else besides plug in the decoder (and set an address) as part of this process?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Best regards,

Lee Sauer
Sacramento, CA

Lee, first you should find out what connector the loco has (e. g. NEM 651 or NEM 652).
If you take the ordinary ESU LokPilot you'll just have to plug it in and the loco should run (address 3 is factory default).
If you go for ESU LokPilot mfx then the loco should register automatically (this probably is the better choice for you since you ordered a CS2).

If you want to add a LokSound decoder you'll have to find a place for the speaker.

AFAIK only ESU produces mfx decoders - and M* only lists mfx decoders with 21-pin-connectors.

You're right, Mike!!! I made the mistake of just going by the documentation that came with the train which only indicated a socket. But when I opened it up to check what type the socket was, I was surprised to find the decoder and speaker already present. I then went back and looked at the web site, and sure enough, it said that it was digital and came with sound.

What a pleasant surprise!!!

Best regards,

Lee Sauer
Sacramento, CA