I have seen LGB engines while surfing ebay and have a question. Some of these engines are equipped with an MTS decoder. Is this decoder able to be programmed by DCC systems of today? I have NCE. Would it work or would I need to have the MTS system?
It depends. Can you get all the features from the LGB MTS locomotive on an NCE system and program it, yes. Will it be easy and logical, it depends.
LGB MTS has two names for its decoders and systems: serial and parallel.
Parallel operations is exactely the same as Normal DCC as you know it. In serial operation the various functions are sent by togelling F1. For example F1 - Whistle; F1 F1 = Bell; F1 F1 F1 brakes … Not sure which sequence does which function you will need to check the manual.
Early Lenz decoders only did serial operations. Later Decoders from Massouth do both serial and parallel.
You will also have to check the speed step. Most decoders will do 28 speed steps but are configured from the factory as 14 speed step.
Fortunately as time progressed all this unnecessary complexity has vanashed but with early LGB MTS is it still there.
Hope that helps
Stan