SoundTraxx Decoder Tips, Tricks, and other Useful Information

Listed below are answers to some of the most common questions that have come our way. Hopefully your question will be answered in this list, if not please give us a call.

Not sure what decoder is installed in your locomotive? Place the locomotive on the program track (SoundTraxx Sound decoders require a program track booster for most DCC systems) and read back CV 8 (not 08). If your system gives you back a value of 141 your locomotive has a SoundTraxx decoder. If your system gives you back a value of 151 your locomotive has an ESU decoder. If you have an ESU decoder, please look at ourESU Decoder Tips and Tricks page.

When selecting any locomotive for the first time out of the box, the address is 3 with no leading zeros. Do not type 03.

Decoder reset is CV 8 to 8 (again no leading zeros) Do not type 08. For SoundTraxx decoders only you can also use CV30=2. This can be done on the program track or the main track. Always use Direct mode programming if you have a choice. If done on the main track, interrupt track power for 5 seconds and restore. You should see 16 headlight flashes to confirm the reset. If the reset was done on the program track, you'll should see the headlight flashes once the loco is back on the main track. If you do not see the headlight flashes, the decoder reset may not have worked. The decoder address should now be 3. If the reset does not work on the main track try it on the program track.

NOTE: SoundTraxx decoders installed in InterMountain locomotives also have a reset button on the decoder. If you can't get the reset to work via CV's, you can remove the shell and press the RESET button for 5 seconds with the locomotive on the main track with power on. Interrupt track power for 5 seconds and restore. You should see 16 headlight flashes to confirm the reset.

Norfolk Southern ES44DC - DCC Operating Addendum:
This locomotive does not have alternating flashing ditch lights when the horn is activated with DCC. If this locomotive is reset to the factory default settings, the ditch lights will flash in unison with each other when the horn is activated on DCC. This occurs on both ends of the locomotive when the ditch lights are on. Setting CV 52 and CV 54 to 128 will make the ditch lights stay on solid when the horn is activated.

Canadian National ES44DC - DCC Operating Addendum:
This locomotive has opposite direction operating red marker lights with DCC function 6. If this locomotive is reset to the factory default settings, the marker lights will flash in unison with each other when the horn is activated on DCC. This occurs on both ends of the locomotive when the marker lights are on. Setting CV 52 and CV 54 to 128 will make the marker lights stay on solid when the horn is activated.

InterMountain locomotivs equipped with SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders use the TSU-IM1000. All documentation related to this decoder is the same as the TSU-1000 and can be found under the Tsunami Documentation on the SoundTraxx website located here: Tsunami Documentation

The default settings for InterMountain locomotives are also listed on the SoundTraxx website located here: InterMountain OEM Decoder Pages