Bansuri

Thanks Suzie...my reading and learning continues :-)

Thanks again experts..I came across the Soundtraxx 829100 that seems to be selling at a great price here: http://store.sbs4dcc.com/Soundtraxx829100TsunamiSoundCarDigitalSoundDecoder.aspx Seems to have a ton of functions and fairly decent reviews..I'm a hobby electronics enthusiast and fairly comfortable with my basics...the only thing that I'm a little skeptical about is the isolation of the motor..and there doesn't seem to be a way to find out if a particular loco has to undergo this treatment unless you buy one..as in there's no look up table that Bachmann Santa Fe doesn't need it but another model needs it...

Thanks everyone...I'm planning to dive into this with an investment in a Bachmann HO scale starter kit and try my hand at installing the decoder...or that's the plan for now :-)

Hi, I'm still reading up on this and hence the basic query. I see that there are decoders of various kinds & functions available but most functions are for controlling front / rear lights etc. And then there are the sound cards that are capable of producing 8 bit or 16 bit sounds etc... Aren't there a combo of these cards which can be used on the loco, as in one decoder that can have the 16bit sound card capability and with the ability to control a few functions (such as leds / lamps)? Again, pardon my ignorance..still reading up on these.. Best