decoder for new Kato FP7?

[altohorn25]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone (digitrax specifically) come out with decoders for the upcoming Kato FP7 A units?  I'm assuming the B units will just be the standard B unit decoder since there technically weren't FP7B's.

Thanks in advance.

Nate

[wcfn100]

TCS has one.  That's all I've heard of so far for drop-ins.

Jason

[bobthebear]

TCS K0D8 - F.  No news yet from Digitrax.

[brokemoto]

Perhaps I did not read the announcement properly, but I got the impression that they were coming from Kato with decoders.  While the only road name that I see is CMStP&P, I would expect that there will be others as time passes.

The MPs had their problems, incorrect paint schemes and a backwards wired "train set" version.

The IMs were pretty good, even if they do have that IM-characteristic high ride.  IM does have outstanding customer service, though and does offer models in proper configurations for the numerous road names.  It ain't every day that you see models of late phase low fan shroud F-3s, except in brass, maybe.

I always did like the Katos, though, out of all of the F-units

[wcfn100]

Perhaps I did not read the announcement properly, but I got the impression that they were coming from Kato with decoders.  While the only road name that I see is CMStP&P, I would expect that there will be others as time passes.

When first announced, there was only the analog version.  The DCC version came soon after but AFAIK, there's no word so far on what decoder they will use.

As for road names on the FP7, unless they tool a new shell, Milwaukee is all you're going to get. 

Jason

[peteski]

Going by Kato's past track record with Kato-branded decoders (which were made by Digitrax), they will most likely use Digitrax decoders. Just a speculation . . .
It would be nice if they used European-made decoders, but none of those firms make a plug-n-play decoder with the same footprint as Kato's DC light boards.

[Point353]

The latest (re-)release of the WP F3 locos, due out in January 2018, will be available fitted with a TCS decoder.
http://www.katousa.com/N/F3/index.html
 

[leedabsme74]

Going by Kato's past track record with Kato-branded decoders (which were made by Digitrax), they will most likely use Digitrax decoders. Just a speculation . . .
It would be nice if they used European-made decoders, but none of those firms make a plug-n-play decoder with the same footprint as Kato's DC light boards.

I don't know about that.  I have been to some train shows and witnessed the Kato people hanging with the TCS people.  They seemed to be getting together about stuff like every hour and a half.  And those meetings would go on for several half hours at a time.

[peteski]

I don't know about that.  I have been to some train shows and witnessed the Kato people hanging with the TCS people.  They seemed to be getting together about stuff like every hour and a half.  And those meetings would go on for several half hours at a time.

Too bad it was not the ESU people.   TCS doesn't even have a N-scale-sized sound decoder.

[Point353]

Not Digitrax, but to answer the OP's original question:
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Kato/EMD%20FP7/EMD%20FP7.html
http://tcsdcc.com/Zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_55&products_id=1232

[Point353]

Too bad it was not the ESU people.   TCS doesn't even have a N-scale-sized sound decoder.

BLW now has listed a DCC+sound version of the Kato FP7 locos.
The identity of the decoder manufacturer is not mentioned.
http://www.blwnscale.com/kato-milwaukee-hiawatha.htm

[peteski]

BLW now has listed a DCC+sound version of the Kato FP7 locos.
The identity of the decoder manufacturer is not mentioned.
http://www.blwnscale.com/kato-milwaukee-hiawatha.htm

Going by Kato's track record with the previous sound-equipped releases, this will be a Kobo Custom-hand-built  loco with ESU decoder.  Not a standard production model.