Ebay digitrax

[adari]

I found a old digitrax set "Big Boy".
1.Is this a English or american set?
2.will it work with newer sets?
3.what year was it made?
4.how much was it when it was made?
thank you

[richG]

Copy and paste the URL of the actual item here. It would be easier to identify.

Rich

[Jim Banner]

1. The country of origin is the USA.  Country of use can be any.  The Big Boy did not include a transformer - you have to supply one suitable for use in your country.

2.  The Big Boy consists of a DT200 throttle/command station and a DB100 booster.  The DB100 booster is NOT the same as the present DCS100 command station/booster found in Super Chief sets.  In the Big Boy, the command station resides in the DT200 throttle.  I believe both the DT200 and DB100 are fully compatible (within their limitations) with present Digitrax offerings.

3.  I don't remember when they started making the Big Boy but they stopped making it in 1998.

4.  If memory serves, they were around $1000 CAD or about $800 US when first introduced.  However, you must remember that when it comes to electronics, prices keep falling and what you get keeps improving year after year.  For example, the Big Boy was designed before readback decoders, so it cannot read back CVs that have already been programmed.  The longer you deal with DCC the more frustrated you will become with not being able to read back.

My understanding is that this old equipment is no longer supported by Digitrax which simply means if it quits, you throw it away because nobody has parts to fix it any more.  That may not be as bad as it first seems - at least you can still use the working pieces if/when that happens.  There is also the possibility that the present owner is selling this equipment because he is having a problem with it and cannot get it fixed.

[Frisco]

I have heard that it is not compatible with their current offerings. Otherwise I would totaly agree with what Jim said. It would probaly be best to contact Digitrax to find out for sure.

[adari]

Are there any other starter sets that are not made today?

here is a picture
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digitrax-Loconet-DCC-Big-Boy-Starter-Set_W0QQitemZ280281476363QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item280281476363&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1208%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[pdlethbridge]

considering that you cannot return the electronics, I'd say 'BUYER BEWARE'

[Jim Banner]

Considering (a) that there is no guarantee that it is in working condition (the grading C-8 means only that it LOOKS good, not that it WORKS good) and (b) that the seller is a first timer under that name, I would give this one a pass.

A few more facts about the Big Boy:

- the Big Boy is compatible (within its limitations) with all present production Digitrax DCC equipment.  For example, the DB100 will work as a booster for the Zephyr, the Super Empire Builder and the Super Chief.  The DT200 throttle will work with all three of those systems as well but is limited to only 2 digit addresses and can control only four functions.  (I assume that is why it was replaced by the Empire Builder after only 4 years.)  For more information, see pages 51-53 in the Big Boy operating manual.

- the Big Boy was produced from 1994 to 1998.

- the Big Boy can handle 22 throttles simultaneously and can run up to 22 locomotives at one time.  It can address only 126 locomotive addresses.

- Digitrax cautions against attempting to run the Big Boy with any power supply that cannot produce at least 5 amps.  This means you CANNOT use any old power pack you have laying around.

- Digitrax's website shows them still supporting the Big Boy but they will no longer convert its DT200 throttle to a DT100.  If I were considering buying a Big Boy, this is a point I would want to check with Digitrax as it is at odds with my recollections.