Getting no responses from the DCC forum, so I'll ask you:

Makes sense to me but I hear that QSI has delivery problems.  Backorders are taking many months to arrive.  Ask your supplier about the delivery schedule of the particular decoder you want before ordering.

Best of luck,

Ed

 If I'm remembering your post correctly, you would need to find someone who converted that engine? Maybe no one wanted to say incase it didn't fit? or similar reason.

 I switched over to DCS. I still check out the latest DCC decoders when I can. I really like QSI's products and think the magnum is great. If I stayed with DCC I'd be running their products. The Atlas gold products had great sounds to me.

 There is always the NCE 408 which is a rock solid decoder that some add a sound decoder on top of. I think you need some programming to get the two to work in tandem?

 Tony's train exchange has some great guys that could help you select a product and help with great install tips, like adding a fuse inline for decoder protection when needed.

Lets just say QSI is on my s*** list right now for lousy support.

Having said that, their current sound is pretty good and I think compares favorably with Tsunamis (at least for diesels).  Their motor control, eeeeehh, it depends on how much slow speed is important to you.  If you are happy with the starting of the GP-60s than all is good.

HEY RDUNNIII

I can make my GP-60 c-r-a-w-l with its full consist using my old MRC analog DC controller feeding track voltage to the QSI Quantum decoder inside the loco. 

For selectively triggering of the horn and bell, I just make certain sequential "blips" on the direction control, which does not affect the speed of the loco. 

As I increase the throttle, the turbo sound winds up until it's really howling at full throttle, and when I bring the speed down to zero, the air brake release and the compressor start-up automatically comes on. 

There's nothing I need for realism that my analog DC controller can't give me!

This is why I really want a QSI decoder in my Mogul!

Bad Order Hal  (Here I am checking the side rods on a 3-cylinder ESPEE 4-10-2.)

 When you need an answer, these guys can help

http://www.tonystrains.com/

here's just one tip page from them

http://tonystrains.com/technews/dual-decoder-inst.htm

Looks more like your hand is on part of the "monkey motion".

I have a QSI 6 amp Titan Magnum installed in my Sunset UP 844.

 I like it a lot.  It has more features than the other decoders -- like for example two independent (stereo) outputs for speakers in multiple locations -- which can be balanced.

But, it took a lot of programming with QSI CV Manager.  And it takes some perseverance to wade thru the 400 some odd pages of manual.  

I plan to use the QSI Titan in special engines and other, less expensive, simpler to program decoders in other engines.

HEY AGUA CALIENTE,

You're right...my hand is on the Eccentric Rod, where the Monkey Motion begins!

(But I'm still visually checking the side rod.)

OK then...what part do I have my hand on with this Hudson?

Bad Order Hal

ain't no Hudson west of the Mississippi

that might be an upside-down link arm

Yeah, I know, Bill.  Hudson Country was NYC and Pennsy.

This one is on display at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.

Bad Order

Your hand is on the mechanical lubricator operating rod.

And YES, that is indeed a Santa Fe 4-6-4 HUDSON type steam locomotive!!!!

HEY AUSTIN BILL,

That's a mighty powerful lookin' Northern! 

As for my operations, I'll always have only one train on my layout, pulled by either my GP-60 or my Mogul.

Thus, there will be no other trains that have to be digitally separated from each other, and this is why I can use my old analog DC controller to give me everything I need, with no programming required!

Simplicity is my goal!

My 119-foot folded dogbone layout is nothing more than an expanded, re-shaped circle around the ol' Christmas Tree!

Them's the kind of layouts that give me contentment!

Running a 4-8-4 Northern with 4 drivers, you must have some large-radius curves!

Bad Order