Model Forum / General / Railroads / May 2004

I believe that Fleischmann systems are dual i.e. their old system the name
escapes me!) and DCC compatible.
DCC is much a matter of choice  providing it complies to NMRA standards.
Lenz was the first in the field have always worked (and often set) the
standards. They have made DCC for manufacturers like ROCO. Recently, they
have manufactured for Bachmann Branchlines.
ZTC is British made and is horrendously expensive.
There is no doubt that Lenz is the benchmark, the Rolls-Royce and
competitively priced. I do not know of any other manufacturer who is that
good!
Hope this helps.
regards,
Steve

I use a twin centre. The T/W is the main proccesor unit controlling up to
999 trains, liks to a pc and neumerous other things. It caters for the
Fleischmann old FMZ digital stuff and DCC for all current stuff. A very good
system which can use all current NMRA standard decoders. The other twin
contrlloer u mention is a add on unit to further expand on the twin centre.
i.e you can 'simultaniously' control 4 trains. it is a superb system that is
not revewed enough IMHO

"Fleischmann FMZ" was Fleischmann's original move into digital control.
It had the major advantage that it could operate DC analogue locos as
well as digital on the same track without complete rewiring and wholesale
replacement of existing controllers. (and the smoke doesn't get out of
the analogue motors like it does in DCC analogue mode)
In recent years it has not had the development that DCC has so Fln went
with Intellibox and dual mode FMZ/DCC named "Twin Centre". This removed
the DC analogue capability but avoided FMZ decoders from becoming
obsolete.
The latest Fln Digital equipment sadly appears to be pure DCC.

Regards,
Greg.P.