[Gary]

A bit of clarification here having picked up on something I have read by Lionel Strang.

The NMRA standard applies only to the command signal between the decoder mounted in the loco and the command unit connected to the track. The NMRA standard does not apply to the command unit, speed controller or any power boosters.

Manufacturers have to conform with this command signal standard to receive NMRA conformance approval.

This permits any command unit from any manufacturer to control any chip from any other manufacturer providing this signal standard is adhered to.

The command unit and decoder features and specifications (2 or 4 digit addressing, etc) have no bearing on whether they meet NMRA standards or not. They are NMRA compliant if they recognise the NMRA standard for the command signal.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Makemineadouble]

However individual modeller will make up their own minds on the usefulness or other wise of decoders that are only capable of two digit addressing. So no matter how the manufacturers mask their products with NMRA compliant tags it's the common sence factor thats important. The above applies to both hornby and Bachmann.
Any decoder thats limited to two digit addressing is limited to a very small market.

 

[dwb]

>The NMRA standard applies only to the command signal between the decoder mounted in the loco and the command unit connected to the track

If I failed to make this clear in my response to the 2 digit vs 4 digit debate in a recent thread, I apologise.

David