Decoder Installation in LGB® Locomotives
We install Massoth and LGB® decoders in LGB® locomotives; we offer quick turnaround time, usually less than 4 weeks. Our customer service is second to none and our charges are reasonable.
In collaboration with Massoth Elektronik GmbH, we offer a repair or replacement service for defective LGB® on-board decoders and sound boards. Please contact us for details.
Please contact us for all your decoder installation needs. Our hours of operation and contact information are posted on our contact page.
Is your LGB® Locomotive ready for DCC (MTS)?
The marking (1) and stickers (2-5) displayed below are usually found of the bottom of LGB® locomotives that were manufactured before 2006; they are used to indicate the DCC (MTS) status of a locomotive.
Locomotives manufactured after 2006 do not usually bear stickers indicating their DCC (MTS) status; the information may be available in the user's manual or on LGB's website.
An LGB® locomotive with an engraved "D" on the bottom side of the gearbox is suitable for DCC (MTS); the "D" marking indicates that the gearbox is a 4-pin gearbox with a motor that is electrically isolated from the track. A gearbox Without the "D" marking may have to be converted to a 4-lead gearbox to become suitable for DCC (MTS).
An LGB® locomotive without one of the 4 stickers "2-5" is either manufactured after 2006, or missing its sticker, or pre-DCC (MTS). The locomotive may require disassembly to determine its DCC(MTS) status; pre-DCC locomotives should have their basic electronics removed for conversion to DCC.
Sticker "2" indicates that an LGB® locomotive is DCC ready and equipped with a 6-pole decoder interface. An interface cable (Massoth 6-pin Interface cable, item # 8312061) is required to connect a decoder to the locomotive's PCB board. The 6-pin decoder interface is plug-and-play compatible with the LGB® 55021 decoder, the Massoth eMOTION L decoder, the Massoth eMOTION XL decoder, and the Massoth eMOTION XLS sound decoder.
Sticker "3" indicates that an LGB® locomotive is DCC ready and equipped with a 10-pin direct decoder interface plug-and-play compatible with the LGB® 55021 decoder, the Massoth eMOTION L decoder, the Massoth eMOTION XL decoder, and the Massoth eMOTION XLS sound decoder.
Sticker "4" indicates that an LGB® locomotive is DCC ready and equipped with an onboard-decoder that is suitable for both digital and analog operation. The Massoth S sound module is perfectly suitable for adding sound to LGB® locomotives equipped with an onboard-decoder.
Sticker "5" indicates that an LGB® locomotive is DCC ready and equipped with the new 10-pin DCC interface plug-and-play compatible with the LGB® 55027 MTSIII decoder, the Massoth eMOTION XL decoder, and the Massoth eMOTION XLS sound decoder.
In 2014 LGB introduced a new 28-pin decoder interface which they represented in their literature by symbol "6". The interface, sometimes referred to as the LGB/Märklin Gauge 1 interface, is plug-and-play compatible with the LGB® 55028 decoder, the Massoth eMOTION XL-M1 decoder, and the Massoth eMOTION XLS-M1 sound decoder.