Digitrax SDXH167D Decoder Install with Sountraxx Speaker Kato C44-9W

I built a model railroad liftup bridge that will allow me to enter my shed without doing the limbo. Special thanks to Tom Kvichak ‪@TomsTrainsandThings‬ for the ideal and inspiration.
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[@tylergentry4065]

Nice video man. Currently I have a KATO SD45 down with a burnt decoder and deciding what to replace it with? It originally had a DH126 with no sound. 🙂

[@manshedrailroad]

Thank you. To be honest, I didn’t exactly convey how difficult it was to shove all of those decoder wires into the body of my C44. If I were you, I would purchase my decoder based on what you hope to accomplish with it. Do you want sound and basic lighting functions? Or are you looking to fully load your unit with ditch, step, and nose lights? The SDXH167D has multiple wires for functions that I’ll never use. Looking back I wish I would have used a smaller decoder. However, for $45 you can’t beat the price. The DH126 is a good decoder for basic DCC functions. I have several of them in my collection. In the upcoming weeks, I'll be releasing a video in which I install a Digitrax DZ123 decoder into a steam engine with a smoke unit. Thanks for watching. - Aaron

[@tylergentry4065]

@@manshedrailroad Personally, I’m not shooting for anything too fancy at the moment, just wanting to get back up and running again. I’ve debated between DH187P or ESU Lockpilot 5. I’ve asked around on other platforms but haven’t gotten a direct answer yet. The responses were a mixed bag but if I really wanted to take a chance, I might give Lockpilot a whirl. I also read up that a SD40 shell is compatible with SD45 frame for Kato so who knows, I just might switch that out while I’m at it haha!!

[@manshedrailroad]

I looked at the ESU Lockpilot and it appears to be comparable to SoundTraxx. I imagine it would be a nice decoder but I've never owned one. You should ask the Train Freak about decoders; he's super knowledgeable about all decoders and train stuff in general. The DH187P seems like a nice upgrade from the DH126. Going forward, if I have room to install a sound decoder, I'm definitely going with one that has sound. It makes the model railroad experience way more enjoyable. I can see the SD40 and SD45 shells being similiar, since manufactures try to stick to similiar designs to save money. Good luck with your project. I hope that you record/photograph it and share with the MRR community.

[@tylergentry4065]

@@manshedrailroad Thanks man and good luck on your layout as well 😎

[@kereta_miniatur]

Better than sdh 166d ❤❤